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Hey Everyone,I was just wondering, I have an older jackson SL-1 that I have a C-5 in the bridge and a Dimarzio Fast Track 1 in the neck position,
I took the middle p/u out for various reasons...anyhoo, it has three mini toggle switches to turn each p/u on and off, since I'm not using then middle togge switch, can I do something else with it? maybe a coil splitter for both p/u's or something? Think up something cool and let me know, you will probably need to help me with specifics if I decide to do it...

I'll probably be changing out my bridge p/u for a Distortion in the next month so I figure that would be a good time to try something new...

Thanks a bunch all!!!


Originally Posted by The New GuyI'll probably be changing out my bridge p/u for a Distortion in the next month so I figure that would be a good time to try something new...

Good man. The Distortion will rip your head off in that guitar. As far as using the third switch, I don't see why you couldn't use it as a coil split. Another thing you could think about doing is intalling mini three way switches. One position for off, one for coil split, and one for full on. I had a guitar set up like that a while back, and it was pretty cool.

Out of curiosity, why did you take out the middle pickup? My middle pickups get in the way of my picking, so I just lower it so it's out of my way.


Originally Posted by TravisGood man. The Distortion will rip your head off in that guitar. .he he he... man I hope so! That's what I'm after! I never used the middle p/u and I had it lowered like you for a long time, once when I was switching p/u's I just didn't put it back in. It doesnt look pretty with a hole in the top but what the heck.. I should come up with something wierd to put in there....

I've got a Distortion/Cool Rails/Hot Rails in my Charvel 650xl (soloist clone) and that thing is my #1 in regards to tone and playability. I compare every other guitar I play/own to it. I'd love to see pics of your Soloist if you have some.

Hey Travis, how does the Hot Rails sound in these guitars? Right now I have a Dimarzio Fast Track 1 in the neck, it's kind of a cross between a true humbucker sound and a single coil.

As to pics, I dont have any right now but a buddy of mine and I are hooking up tonight to see Victor Wooten play, maybe I'll hit him up for his camera.

I'd use the third mini for series/parallel wiring on the Duncan Distortion. To my ears, the Fast Track 1 does not sound good when split. It just seems kind of weak and flat when running as a single. In full 'bucker operation, though, it's one of my favorites for a strat's bridge position.

The Hot Rails in the neck has quite possibly my favorite shred lead tone of any pickup. It is fat and smooth, with tons of output. I can play solos without ever picking a note and the thing responds like you wouldn't believe. The sustain is unbelievable as well, but the guitar might have something to do with that. I don't ever use it for rhythms as it can get a little muddy if not eq'd just right. It doesn't have the best cleans either. Also, I don't really know what it sounds like split. In that guitar, it is a one trick pony that does that one trick extremely well. If I want better cleans or less output for a bluesy tone, I switch to the Cool Rails in the middle position.

If your Soloist has oval routes, you'll have to get a new Hot Rails. I believe they have an oval base where the older ones had a triangular base that would not accomidate the route. However, if your Soloist has a route that will accomidate the triangular base that a lot of single coil pickups have, then you don't need to give it a second thought. You could get a used one, no problem.

Ya know, off hand I can't remember what shape the routes are...
I'll check them out when I get home...maybe I will pick one up used, not a bad idea!

Benjy, well I guess I wont bother splitting the Fast Track.