Duncan talk: Hot Rails SHR-1

Seymour Duncan's Hot Rails (SHR-1) is a humbucker, don't let anyone tell you different. Many of us would have gotten it confused with the single coil pickup by virtue of its size- it's compressed into a single coil dimension but it's still a functional humbucker.

The SHR-1 is best used in propelling distortion, in fact, it sounds exceptional in this light as opposed to its clean voicing (you should resort to the Cool Rails for a more attractive clean application). This pickup is touted to be bass excessive but in fact, it has more midrange to offer. As such, the SHR-1 is equally lethal in a massive-bodied instruments as well as the lighter counterparts- the reason I love them in my Fender H1 Strat & Squier Duo-Sonic; the latter guitar being lighter. If you are in the mood to decamp your Telecaster into intense distortion territory, the SHTR-1B would be a superb consideration as well. A little precaution of you wish to have it in the neck position, be mindful of its (lower) midrange response; it might turn your tone a little too boomy for general liking.

Manufacturer's notes:

• Pickup's default EQ settings: Bass-5/ Midrange-7/ Treble-4
• Magnet type: Ceramic
• Output: High

My experiences with this pickup:

• Current resident guitars: Fender Highway 1 Strat (bridge)/ Fender American Standard Tele (Bridge)/ Squier Duo-Sonic (bridge)

If there are dweebs out there telling you it's a bass-excessive pickup- it is AND it is not; depending on the guitar it is resident in. It indeed manifests a strong lower midrange responses which sounds very low to many of us but in a bright sounding instrument, it gives you that marked sponginess that would ensure some clarity in the mix.

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PS: It's only the second day of the new year but that sinking feeling of having to start work soon just spoils the weekend. To many of us, January is the dreaded Monday; a reminder that it's a long way to go until the next serving of genuine happy hours.