Seymour Duncan Humbucker Comparison for Fender Mustangs | Nirvana Tone and others

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
  • One of the most, not THE most common question I get from Nirvana fan's who are building their own mustang and are trying to get a Nirvana tone is: "What pickup should I use in the bridge?"
    Simply put, there is no right or wrong answer to that question. It all depends on what sound you like. I have 3 mustangs with perhaps 3 of the most common Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups, the Hot Rail, the JB and the JB Jr. So I thought I'd do a quick comparison video using the great riffs from Nirvana's rape me for people to form their own opinions on what they like if they are in the market for one of those 3 pickups.
    As I said, there is no right or wrong choice so I won't do any talking about the pickups and will instead let you decide which suits you best!
    I Hope you enjoy the video and perhaps find it useful, thanks for watching! And btw, I am tuned in E Flat!
    Gear:
    -Fender Mustangs with the Seymour Duncan Pickups
    -Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp (drive channel modded by medoramps)
    -Tech 21 Sansamp (original 90's version, not reissue classic)
    -EHX Small Clone
    -GRIT Microphone
    -Scarlett 2i2 Focusrite interface
    -Macbook Pro
    Help me create more videos! Become a patron here: / alexrcowan

ความคิดเห็น • 450

  • @bartomiejiwanski4125
    @bartomiejiwanski4125 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    This video is 6 years old and you have no idea how much you still help people with this one. Cheers!

  • @MD-pt7ed
    @MD-pt7ed 6 ปีที่แล้ว +145

    You nailed the sound with the Hot Rails... That is the exact same Nirvana tone, with distortion and without.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Mario Duke thanks man! The hot rails seems to be a match made in heaven for mustangs and nirvana 😊

    • @drewyou0187
      @drewyou0187 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @John Martin Cantorne kurt had a hotrail in is blue competition mustang

    • @para9mm
      @para9mm 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @John Martin Cantorne He used jb's on stage, hotrails when recording

    • @chrisaustin3805
      @chrisaustin3805 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      .went with the hot rails, thanks, great playing and great video

    • @grungeisdead8998
      @grungeisdead8998 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Kurt definitely used his competition Mustang when they were recording in utero

  • @zadesky1966
    @zadesky1966 5 ปีที่แล้ว +84

    1:27 Hot Rails
    2:13 JB
    3:00 JB Jr.

  • @chrisandreou6546
    @chrisandreou6546 7 ปีที่แล้ว +137

    the Hot Rail is bomb

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It certainly is!

    • @chrisandreou6546
      @chrisandreou6546 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      alexrcowan which one is your favourite??

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I honestly can't pick a favourite, I like them all, but I probably use the hot rails most!

    • @thegrandpencil4374
      @thegrandpencil4374 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      the

  • @zacx6970
    @zacx6970 7 ปีที่แล้ว +130

    It's funny how the Hot Rail sounds more like the studio version of Rape Me than the signatured JB PU mustang..

    • @pabloconchetumare1753
      @pabloconchetumare1753 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      The one used on the studio is diferent than the used live (signature)

    • @i3oosted
      @i3oosted 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Kurt didn’t use a JB in studio, he used hot rails and a super distortion.

    • @JosefRosam
      @JosefRosam 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      because it was recorded with the jaguar

    • @stillpist
      @stillpist ปีที่แล้ว

      From my understanding Kurt didn't like the jb. It was in his mustang for a short while before it was switched out.

    • @thegrandpencil4374
      @thegrandpencil4374 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I suspect Kurt might have even used single coils to record some of that stuff, because if you get a 60's Strat bridge pickup, which is dark compared to most other pickups, and you turn the gain up, it sounds almost exactly like the record. Humbuckers are super dark and compressed. The tone on the record is neither, so think there's more to the picture than meets the eye.

  • @SombraPiloto
    @SombraPiloto 6 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    Hot Rails. Definitely Hot Rails.

  • @Kevin111ist
    @Kevin111ist 4 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    1:48 Hot Rails
    2:33 JB
    3:19 Jr
    Distortion

    • @myron9307
      @myron9307 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      1:48
      2:34

  • @natethompson1257
    @natethompson1257 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Hot Rails nailed Kurt's tone perfectly. The JB Jr. was also quite nice as well. Nice work dude! Are you using 500k pots for the Duncans btw?

  • @senterpoint
    @senterpoint 7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Best PU Demo I've seen in a long time! Thanks for the clean tones, I could hear the pups character. Thanks for the Great Job

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Dwight, Really appreciate the positive feedback, and I'm glad you got something out of my demo!

  • @lukeyoung5201
    @lukeyoung5201 7 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    could not have been more perfect timing for this vid to come out, I just got my mustang and I was trying to figure out which of the two single slot humbuckers I should put in mine. thanks 👍

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      There you go, I was hoping this video would be helpful for people in your exact situation haha! No problem, thanks for watching mate!

  • @racoonnut
    @racoonnut 4 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    The hot rail sounded the best to me imo

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      A lot of people seem to prefer the hot rails from this video!

  • @mattofthemountain
    @mattofthemountain 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Dang that Hot Rails sounds great - tons of clarity & midrange punch.

  • @ralphiebarba
    @ralphiebarba 7 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    2 sonic blue mustangs?! 😍 you sir are a lucky man

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      Ralphie Barba haha yes I am indeed! My wallet is not so lucky! 😜

    • @tylerg7245
      @tylerg7245 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Daphne blue

    • @XxStonedImmaculatexX
      @XxStonedImmaculatexX 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well one is a Kurt signature Mustang while the other one is just a regular Mustang.

    • @garysavoy
      @garysavoy 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alexrcowan Great demo, Alex. Did you install a 500k pot for the hot rails or leave the stock 250k? Thanks!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Gary Savoy thanks Gary. I prefer 500K for the hot rails. Really brings out their full (or at least better imo) range of frequencies

  • @garydiamondguitarist
    @garydiamondguitarist 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    @alexrcowan Dude I just want to personally thank you for making such a useful, informative video. I had a CIJ Jaguar which I fitted with SJAG-3 Quarter Pound for Jag set, which I liked but was so tired of having buzz/hum issues with at gigs. I was originally gonna load in a JB Jr. at the bridge but listening to this video it sounded kinda gutless and flat. The tone of the Hot Rails absolutely killed though, really has a lot of body and sustain. So I went for that and although it was a fiddle to fit it totally transformed the Jaguar! Now it has power and sustain without all the mains cycle hum.
    Great job capturing Kurt's tone on your test as well. As a longtime Nirvana fan I can tell you've done your homework!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      No problem Gary, I specifically made the video to be useful for people such as yourself trying to choose among the popular "Kurt" Seymour Duncan's. So I'm thrilled the video has done it's job!

  • @gamerkid2004
    @gamerkid2004 7 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    I think the hot rail pickup sounds the best

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It's a great full humbucker sound, it works so well on mustangs!

    • @AndreaLaureti
      @AndreaLaureti 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      And on Strato better Hot Rail or JB jr?

    • @croman5931
      @croman5931 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AndreaLaureti depends on what you want to do

  • @danielsgrunge
    @danielsgrunge 7 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    The JB is my favorite, but the Hot Rail sounds
    So
    Fucking
    Nice

  • @lueysixty-six7300
    @lueysixty-six7300 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    LoL! Nothing like a three chord song with a DS1 at your foot! Cheers, you just gave me some super flashbacks to my teens!

  • @RecorderMan91
    @RecorderMan91 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    The hot rails sound bang on! 🔥

  • @willflint5014
    @willflint5014 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Perfect timing for this video haha I m building a mustang/duo sonic and I couldn't find any really good pick up demos that aren't using heavy distortion. Great video dude thank you.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah it was the same for me when I was deciding what I wanted. Couldn't find any demo's for the music I play haha. I'm glad that you found my video useful, and good luck with your build! Thanks for watching!

    • @willflint5014
      @willflint5014 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks dude!

  • @michaelmadron8654
    @michaelmadron8654 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you for a excellent comparison. The hot rail was the winner for me but i have a jb jr i pulled from a stratocaster a few weeks ago i think i will give it a try. Thanks again.

  • @landocalrissian1869
    @landocalrissian1869 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Just got my fender mustang a hot rail I’m so excited 😆 you nailed the tone btw bro!!

  • @MelomanTheNerd
    @MelomanTheNerd 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Damn. That was good. The JB Jr. sounded just like the record ... that was crazy close !

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks man, I can't rate jb jr's highly enough!

  • @lurkerfromthebay
    @lurkerfromthebay 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great video was just thinking about what pick ups to upgrade to so this vid really helped dude !

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Armani Wynne thanks man, that was exactly the aim in helping guys like you get an idea what to expect from these pickups when upgrading. Really glad to see this vid has already helped a few guys like yourself!

    • @lurkerfromthebay
      @lurkerfromthebay 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yea dude keep up the great work alex you are one of my fav guitar youtubers

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks again man, means a lot! Hope I can keep making stuff you enjoy!

  • @submissivelover
    @submissivelover 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I was weighing between the JB Jr and the Hot Rails, but the end of the video cemented it for me.
    Hot Rails, it sounds more full and has a darker timber.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah at the moment the hot rails is my favourite single coil sized humbucker!

    • @submissivelover
      @submissivelover 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah, it's great for the Nirvana Tone. Is that what Kurt used in his 69' "competition" Fender Mustang? The HotRails?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      submissivelover yeah Kurt had a hot rails in his compstang, it was the older version of the hotrails where the cover wasn’t so bulky but I imagine they sound close enough to each other

    • @MrCaleb-po2zo
      @MrCaleb-po2zo 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      HR is def darker in the top end than the JB

  • @redeyedbuggers
    @redeyedbuggers 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Man I’m really surprised to how much I liked that hot rail. I’m usually partial to humbucker but that hot rail sounded so good

  • @timallen7354
    @timallen7354 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great comparison video, superb choice of song to play, thankyou, this really helped me!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for the kind words! If it helped one person the video has served it's purpose in my mind! :)

  • @Edward-MTBKR
    @Edward-MTBKR 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great comparison! I have the Duo-Sonic HS that requires no mods and sounds much like the JB. The Hot Rails are really interesting tho.

    • @DanielDias33333
      @DanielDias33333 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The best one was the full size humbucker

  • @brian_malota
    @brian_malota 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It could be the amp too. I’ve heard he’s used fender reverbs a lot which would brighten up the humbucker’s tone. Either way, you nailed it.

  • @Riley_Finley
    @Riley_Finley 7 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Really like how the video was put together, I was gonna put a JB in my mustang 90 but honestly the p-90s sound really good and work well with nirvana

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Riley Finley thanks man, had to really think about how I wanted to do this haha. And yeah don't change them p90's are great! I love them on my mosrite!

    • @generatornoiseheavy_a6546
      @generatornoiseheavy_a6546 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Riley Finley played one the other day. Very good guitar, solid build. Very good sound. I really wanted that p90 sound. Went with a Les Paul Junior instead, I've 3 Mustangs.

    • @LeviBulger
      @LeviBulger 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Are you using fuzz for your nirvana tone? Because that would explain the tone. P90s/single coils and muffs are made for eachother.

  • @gregwolk5240
    @gregwolk5240 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love this video! I have a fiesta red mustang with a matching headstock and competition stripe that is my favorite guitar. I didn't want to rout the guitar so my decision was pretty much hot rails or JB jr. I ended up putting in a hot rails. However, I'm always on the look out for another mustang to put the JB jr or maybe the lil 59 in. Have you tried the lil 59 and if so what are you thoughts on it? Thanks again for this great video!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks man! That sounds beautiful! I love fenders with matching headstocks! Yeah they are the two main tried-and-true options for single coil humbuckers! I was considering putting a lil 59 in my sonicstang but I knew I would love the jb jr since it works so well in my strat so I went for that. If I see one cheap I'll grab one either for the sonicstang or my strat. I made the sonicstang before I had the mustjagstang, so it could be good to have something voiced differently to the jb.

    • @gregwolk5240
      @gregwolk5240 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree man! There's something about matching headstocks that look so cool! If you do get the chance to get a lil 59 I would love to see it compared to the hot rails and/or JB jr. If not that's fine too, just keep making awesome videos!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah if I end up getting one I'dd definitely do a comparison :) And thanks for the support man

  • @kjstaff09
    @kjstaff09 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Am I the only one seeing the headstock on the Kurt styled mustang says Jag-Stang?

    • @TheSexhaver2625
      @TheSexhaver2625 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No your not

    • @AcceleratingUniverse
      @AcceleratingUniverse 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      nothing gets past you killer

    • @Darklord-et9xz
      @Darklord-et9xz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I saw that as well.He most likely put a neck from a jag stang on that mustang.

  • @nsheehy9953
    @nsheehy9953 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video.
    The hot rails are my favourite.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks mate, glad you liked it!

  • @SamFisherTV
    @SamFisherTV 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really cool video it's helping me to choose a new pickup ! Thank you very much.

  • @annakavan8606
    @annakavan8606 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    awesome vid man

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      skatervader 101 thanks mate! 👍

  • @ubellubo
    @ubellubo 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Definitely hot rails. I saw a Vinterta Mustang on FB Marketplace today with a hotrails pickup. I was so tempted, but I have just bought an MIJ jazzmaster and my gf will be so cranky if I buy yet another guitar. Must resist. It's on my future shopping list for sure though, either a mustang with a humucker or a jaguar with humbuckers.

  • @XxStonedImmaculatexX
    @XxStonedImmaculatexX 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    If you had the same presets on your amp and same pots in each guitar 250 or 500k etc., then I gotta say I liked the Hot Rails out of the bunch. I was going to buy a JB for my strat but I think I’m gonna get a hot rail instead for the bridge! For my jagstang, I’m gonna use a JB for the aesthetics really but it sounds pretty good too!

  • @zaylanmoscow7567
    @zaylanmoscow7567 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome vid!!

  • @nunomonteiro9660
    @nunomonteiro9660 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video congratulations!
    What pickup neck you are using with pickup bridge hot rails SHR-1B? And also with the pickup S.D JB? Thanks

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks mate! I'm just using the standard Mustang single coils in the neck position of the hot rails mustang. Not sure what the pickup with the JB is, theres no markings on it. But I've since swapped it to a single coil sized P90

  • @generatornoiseheavy_a6546
    @generatornoiseheavy_a6546 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey man nice shot, I mean nice videos.
    I have the Kurt Cobain Mustang with the JB in the bridge and at one point I put a Hotrail in the bridge position of my 65 Mustang RI. The JB is powerful yet smooth sounding with a wider sound. The Hotrails is powerful too, more than the JB IMO, with a tighter sound. They both sound very good but the Hotrails to me is a bit different. I believe the JB has Alnico 5 and the Hotrails has ceramic magnet. I eventually took out the Hotrails because I missed the original single coils. They just have a great sound with distortion. You can't go wrong with either of SD. Great looking guitars bro.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks man, thanks for watching the video! Yes I agree completely, the hot rails is a bit tighter and more powerful. I'm not sure I will go back to single coils in the mustang, although single coil guitars in general are growing on me. I'm on the hunt for a nice jazzmaster! I do like the coil split on the JB jr, it sounds very similar to the original mustang single coil sound, perhaps just more output. I swapped the JB out of my KC stang for an sh5, they're my fav SD humbucker, sounds great with the coil split too!

  • @baskah
    @baskah 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi Alex very good video. I have a Mustang with JB (500k pots) as well and a 96 Hot Rod deluxe. My sound is extremely similar but from the clean channel. I think you mentioned that you played this in the drive channel? Do u use the same eq as for the clean channel? Would you mind to share yours?
    At the moment I use Bass 4, Treb 9, Mid 12, Presents 12. No bright switch.
    Cheers Baskah (Chris)

  • @kurtcobain8316
    @kurtcobain8316 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hey, thanks alot for the video. The hot rails sounds just perfect. Thinking of upgrading my strat with Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB (would go with hotrails but think it'll look good with these). I've read that people think they are too loud for home enviroment, what's your opinion?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You wont have any trouble with volume man, go for the JB if thats the sound you want! :)

    • @kurtcobain8316
      @kurtcobain8316 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alexrcowan Cheers buddy!

  • @Xxmeca421xX
    @Xxmeca421xX 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The new squire cyclones have 3 strat pups.. can't wait to see what I can do with it.

  • @nc8453
    @nc8453 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the great demo! I'm considering to change the rear pick-up at the Mustang. Is your hot rails at rear? What the model number is this? Thanks!

  • @myron9307
    @myron9307 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome what are you amp setting.
    and do you keep the tone knob at max on the guitar (the knob thats on the guitar itself)
    What neck pickup do you use on your mustangs?
    Which of these bridge pickups is your favorite?
    Sorry for all the questions i just want to buy one of these pickups

  • @AC-jo4ys
    @AC-jo4ys 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Man I wish you could compare the JB to the Dimarzio SD. That'd be a great comparison video. I prefer JB, Hot Rails then JB Jr.

    • @anthonysclafani3963
      @anthonysclafani3963 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      JB vs SD would be a fantastic video

    • @wastewoodrockers5526
      @wastewoodrockers5526 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Anthony Sclafani I can't compare both but here's a summary of what the differences should be. Ok so looking at specs for both, there are quite a few differences. The JB had a DCR of 16.6 where as the SD has a DCR of roughly 13.68 meaning that the JB is a little bit hotter. The JB uses Alnico 5 magnets while the SD uses Ceramic. Where the big difference comes is in the EQ profile. The JB has boosted treble and slightly boosted mids whereas the SD has boosted Bass and Mids. So the Super Distortion will sound warmer and fuller than the JB which is something I noticed in demos of both pickups. The Super Distortion was designed as basically a Hot-rod version of the popular PAF humbuckers at the time (the ones used in the classic late 50s early 60s Les Pauls) and was designed for high gain of the time. The JB however is more modern and designed for a more cutting sound for the likes of hard rock and metal. So if your playing very high gain the Super Distortion will get muddier than the JB because it wasn't designed for super high gain modern rock (it was first launched in 1972 so super high gain wasn't really a thing then). I have the Super Distortion in my Jaguar and it really nails the Nirvana sound for Nevermind onwards.

  • @gerbilsk8er
    @gerbilsk8er 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was such a super helpful video - I know it's a few years old, but thanks so much!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No problem, glad you found it useful!

  • @javiceres
    @javiceres 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great job
    Is the Sansamp doing the distortion here?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks mate! And yep, all the distortion is through the sansamp

    • @javiceres
      @javiceres 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      alexrcowan Interesting! Thanks to you :)
      Keep it up!

  • @rollingon5566
    @rollingon5566 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I feel like the 3 pickups sound very different, the hot rail sounds to be the most agressive followed by the JB then the JB mini. Then again, Kurt did use hot rails in his strats

  • @anthonysclafani3963
    @anthonysclafani3963 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    +alexrcowan what were your sansamp settings here? I always use 3 up 3 down 2 up, with all the knobs maxed out, but maxing the high knob makes it sound super thin and terrible. Did you have the high knob set lower, like around 1 or 2 o clock?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah all my dip switch settings are as you say, and presence and amp drive maxed. High would have been around 1 o’clock

  • @rollingon5566
    @rollingon5566 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have a Seymour Duncan jb in my strat and its the best thing ever

  • @jero_podcast
    @jero_podcast 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hot Rails and The JB junior sounds amazing to me

  • @M81_WOODLAND
    @M81_WOODLAND 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Did you use a 500K tone pot for the bridge?
    I'm using 250K right now, and it sounds muddy, midrangy and awful.

  • @jacktilghman9797
    @jacktilghman9797 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    nice job, yet again man.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jack Tilghman thanks as always jack! Always appreciate the kind words! 😊

  • @ivanmaguina4974
    @ivanmaguina4974 7 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Buena demostración, me sirvió mucho. Gracias.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Thanks mate, I'm glad you liked it!

  • @jl3nnox
    @jl3nnox 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think I prefer the hot rails. The full-size JB sounds pretty good too though, but I don't like the sound of the JB jr much. Excellent video :D

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks so much mate, glad you enjoyed the video, hopefully it was helpful :)

  • @motorbreath88
    @motorbreath88 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice video. Which guitars have 250k or 500k pots? I just bought an offset mustang and this video helped decide on the hot rails. My mustang has 250k and its sounds to bright and treble. I think the kc mustang has 250k and that's why it doesnt sound as good as it should.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agustin Ramirez hi Agustin. The mustang with the hot rails had the 500k pots I believe. The others were 250k as far as I remember

    • @motorbreath88
      @motorbreath88 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alexrcowan thanks

  • @diegosabillon
    @diegosabillon 7 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    +alexcowan Why did you delete the video of The Tone of Nirvana 😪 It was really helpful

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Hey Diego! Sorry I deleted it - here's my reasoning which I gave to someone else who asked me:
      I wasn't happy with it, both with my skill level and the equipment I used back then. I was really a beginner back then and was starting to attract some particularly nasty hate comments over it which I think were uncalled for. So i decided to cull it and start over using the skills and equipment I have acquired in the year or so since I created that video. I have had a few ideas to make some new videos about nevermind tone, which should sound more faithful to the recording, be more in depth, and hopefully overall more entertaining as well as hopefully helpful to the people wanting to achieve those tones :)

    • @diegosabillon
      @diegosabillon 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah its ok +alexcowan hopefully you will make that video again :) Keep up the good work, Love your vids 😄

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks again man, really do appreciate the support!

    • @spanishcaravan6870
      @spanishcaravan6870 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      alexrcowan you are still a beginner

  • @johnpickk7526
    @johnpickk7526 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Personal Fav is the JB... awesome video man :-)

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks John! haha I suspected that would be your fav! I pretty much change which one I like best daily haha

    • @johnpickk7526
      @johnpickk7526 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah lol, they all sound great though!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      johnpickk haha that they do!

  • @maiatun
    @maiatun 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh god!! Another video of yours to which I came upon and find ot very useful, I just asked you in your bullet mustang nirvana tone video and I think I already got the answer I was looking for... I'm buying a Squier vintage modified mustang and maybe put a hot rail pickup in the bridge because it sounds so amazing, just like the recording!! I didn't quite get a great sound from the JB Jr. So i think I'll go with the got rail... By the way, the reason I'm buying a Squier and not a Fender mustang is because I'm not willing to pay that much money to have a mustang, I'd rather do it for a Jaguar signature Kurt Cobain model because that's my main dream guitar!!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jordy Ren good choice man, the hot rail is great. Was just playing with my hot rail mustang before actually haha. And yeah fair enough, gotta prioritize the dream guitar!

  • @nivac5227
    @nivac5227 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I like JB for the clean sounds but the JB Jr for the solos.

  • @randyxyt5562
    @randyxyt5562 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What model were the Jb Jr's? I also have a Mustang and really like the sound of both the Jb Jr and the Hot Rail, I have a Boss Katana 100. What is your personal opinion, which sounds best? By the way, im actually looking more for the 1993(late)-1994(early) live sound. I don't really care about whether its similar to the studio version. As long as it fits close to the 1993-1994 era I would be happy.

    • @brettpotts8
      @brettpotts8 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This isn't necessarily answering your question but I have a kurt cobain signature mustang and a boss katana and my Seymour Duncan jb's sound great. It's really good for getting in utero tones

  • @mindblower72
    @mindblower72 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanx for solo! Its the Best part of video.

  • @nathantorres7187
    @nathantorres7187 7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I really dig the JBs they sound the best to me. I love the at the paramount version, I want to get an all black strat like Kurt used there. I don't think it was a fender though, anyways keep shredding

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      JBs are great, guess that's why they've been so popular for decades haha! The vandalism strat was really cool. It was a fender body but a fernandes neck for that show, and he had a Seymour Duncan 59 in the bridge. And thanks man I will!

    • @nathantorres7187
      @nathantorres7187 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for the tips, I really want to build a similar one for my second electric, I currently have a squier affinity strat. I'm just learning how to play, I hear those suck. But it's ok for now

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nathan Torres no problem, heaps of people make really good vandalism copies out of squiers! And I don't reckon the affinity is crap, got one for my cousin a couple of years for xmas and I actually really liked it haha!

    • @nathantorres7187
      @nathantorres7187 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah they are pretty decent value guitars, mine is sunburst. I'm just going to buy an acoustic then save for a black fender

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nathan Torres the sunburst ones are cool. I had half a mind to chuck a hot rails in one to make a replica of kurt's Reading '92 strat. And sounds like a good plan dude, all will be solid guitars!

  • @siroccorecords3828
    @siroccorecords3828 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Alex - in the competition Mustang - what exact SD Hotrails model do you have in the bridge and neck? That tone is perfect and I’m about to order the ones in your LPB for my Mustang. Thanks.

  • @aguy1945
    @aguy1945 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hot Rails smoked them all, but it's funny how the full sized JB sounded the worst.

  • @RodneyWallaceDynamoC
    @RodneyWallaceDynamoC 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video! I think you nailed the tone with the Hot Rails. Question: What pot do you use for the Hot rails? 250k or 500k? Thanks!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Rodney Wallace thanks man! Gotta love got rails. And it depends. I actually have two mustangs with hot rails. One has 250k pots, one has 500k. The one in this video has 500k. On 250k the pickup is a bit more bassy and has less treble, on 500k you get a wider response with more treble, the sacrifice is the neck pickup also has a higher treble response and sounds a bit ‘thinner’. Not a bad thing necessarily, just depends what you’re looking for tonally

  • @liamshelmerdine200
    @liamshelmerdine200 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hey mate. What type are the hotrails shr1b?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey mate, sorry for the late reply. But yep SHR1B is the way to go!

  • @user-ri6uk9nc7s
    @user-ri6uk9nc7s 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Did you remember amp settings?

  • @rcjer6473
    @rcjer6473 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great job dude I'm gonna change out for the hot rails. What amp are you using.

  • @ram2711
    @ram2711 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What pickup do you use in the neck to pair with the hot rails in the bridge? Do you just leave the stock pickup? Several people have told me cool rail for the neck?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ram2711 I just use the stock neck pickup. You can balance them well enough by raising the neck pickup (remember the pole pieces are flat and sit a few mm below the the pickup cover so you have more mm to work with when it comes to raising them than you would with a normal staggered pole piece strat pickup) and also lowering the hot rails if you need.

    • @ram2711
      @ram2711 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      alexrcowan thanks for the quick reply, I appreciate it. What pots do you use for the hot rails? 250k or 500k? Also any advice for the caps?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ram2711 no problem man. I use 500K and use a sprague 0.047 cap since I have coil splitting on my mustang

    • @ram2711
      @ram2711 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      alexrcowan what do you use as the switch, push pull pot?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      ram2711 yep, I just use a push pull 👍

  • @questionmark1957
    @questionmark1957 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    @alexrcowan It's a nice finish on blue one. Did you get a refin? Or anything changed out - Tuners or bridge etc?

  • @RenoWeedLajos
    @RenoWeedLajos 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    They look all very beautyful

  • @FloGame327
    @FloGame327 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    for me all 3 are cool but hotrails for nirvana playing ;)

  • @darienmead9667
    @darienmead9667 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey man your awesome and your the reason I picked up guitar. Can you please please please make a video on the tone for MTV studios 1992?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey mate, thanks so much man, really flattering and humbling to hear that I inspired you so much! And sure, I'll get around to that show!

    • @darienmead9667
      @darienmead9667 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      alexrcowan really man? It's so awesome your gonna do that concert. Hey you should also do guitar tutorials

    • @darienmead9667
      @darienmead9667 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      alexrcowan do you need a link for the concert?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Darien Mead sorry for the late reply man, been super busy the last couple of days. And it's ok man I know the show you're talking about 🙂

  • @makoffee79
    @makoffee79 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I didn't want to like the Hot Rails as much as I do. After going on a similar journey, I am pleasantly surprised by how well the Hot-rails takes gain, and really cuts through with mid range bite. I went just a little further and wired my bridge slider switch to coil tap the hot-rails so I can continue to get single coil and out of phase sounds. Holds up rather well.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I recently put a neck version of the hot rails in a mustang and supect I did the same thing. Wired the bridge switch to be single coil - off - humbucker. It’s my favourite way of wiring these up now

  • @buckbumble
    @buckbumble 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    What pots are in your mustangs man? Also, what makes are they? Japanese?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The two sonic blues have 250k pots, 500k in the LPB. I have modded the LPB to be switchable between 500k and 250k, the difference is very subtle. All stangs are Japanese

  • @willyorkmusic467
    @willyorkmusic467 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My favorites were the full-size JB and the Hot Rail, the JB jr was a little thin sounding for my taste

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Haha yeah I feel like for most people it will be between those too. For some reason I absolutely love the JB jr, especially since I have a coil split option wired for it too! Interestingly Kurt originally had a JB jr in his fiesta red "oranjstang" mustang before he had a full size JB installed. You can really hear the JB Jr in the Roseland show!

  • @adand824
    @adand824 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hot Rails is the best tone for this song and the album In Utero, but I really like JB, I prefer JB

  • @DanksSativa
    @DanksSativa 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I didn't like the sound of the single coils on my jaguar and didn't know much about pickups and just kinda randomly picked a hot rails a couple decades ago. No wonder it has always had that perfect Nirvana tone lol.

  • @jangofett0807
    @jangofett0807 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great video

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sully Reed0807 thanks man! Glad you liked it!

  • @drewyou0187
    @drewyou0187 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I wonder how the hot rails pairs with the neck pup?

  • @SproutMaster
    @SproutMaster 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Do all your mustangs have the stock 250k pots in them?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Theyre all cts 250k pots with orange drop caps

    • @anthonysclafani3963
      @anthonysclafani3963 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      +alexrcowan did you mod the components at all? What parts are in Kurt's signature Mustang? CTS 250k pots and orange drop .047? I've read the cap value on the sig 'stang is .047 but don't know what brand the cap is

  • @jhollo
    @jhollo 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    It seems like the Hot Rails is the best for the studio tone, the JB is the best for the live tone, and the JB Jr. is the best for getting the live tone without routing a spot for a full humbucker.
    To my ears, the Hot Rails also have a punchiness I can't really describe. The JB loses most of it, but the JB Jr. brings some of the punch back.

    • @ivanlow2570
      @ivanlow2570 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hot rails will be lost on the mix when playing with other instruments. It’s the sound people hear in their head. Sounds awesome when playing alone at home but not with other instruments

    • @bobydaraiche5171
      @bobydaraiche5171 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ivanlow2570 wrong the worst is is the JB jr this is the one will be lost behind other instrument Hot rail always punch more in middle range than JB

    • @ivanlow2570
      @ivanlow2570 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bobydaraiche5171 You need some treble to poke through too.. If your guitar is naturally dark, using Hot Rails won't provide enough high mids, unless you max out the treble on your amp

    • @bobydaraiche5171
      @bobydaraiche5171 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ivanlow2570 soon I will receive my Hot rail, im on Maple fretboard so this guitar is not dark at all and I have a Boss EQ GE7 for this and I have buy a 7 way switch give me the possibility to blend pickup together this cheap Jet Js300 will be a killer guitar, I upgrade everything hisphot bridge hips shot staggered locking tuner, Tusq xl nut and 2 cheap but good Wilkinson alnico 5 vintage 60 middle and neck pickup I can’t wait to try it

    • @ivanlow2570
      @ivanlow2570 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bobydaraiche5171 That'll definitely work out well sir. The Maple fretboard + Tusq will definitely open up them Hot Rails

  • @jory8961
    @jory8961 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Is the Jag Stang actually a mustang body with a Jag Stang neck? Looks like a normal mustang body to me. Beautiful set up! I think im gonna go with hot rails! Part of me wonders what a P90 would sound like at the neck…

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It’s a KC mustang body that was paired with a JagStang neck. Bought it this way second hand. Hot rails are a great choice! If you could get a single coil sized p90 in the neck that would be an ideal pairing with no routing required!

  • @leegriffin4125
    @leegriffin4125 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    69 Competition Mustang : 1:27
    Kurt Cobain Mustang : 2:14
    69 Sonic Blue Mustang "SonicStang" : 3:01

  • @Aniki82
    @Aniki82 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey you have a nice sound and good playing :) thanks

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks so much! :)

  • @alexlopestos
    @alexlopestos 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really nice video, thanks for doing it! You should earn a commission from seymour duncan, because I'm just another one who bought a hot rails because of it :)

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Haha yes from the sounds of it a few people have used this as a bit of a guide for their own pickup purchases, Perhaps Seymour owes me a beer! Enjoy the hot rails mate, I’m sure you’ll love the pickup!

  • @joshmell4603
    @joshmell4603 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’m digging the jb humbucker

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah the JB has such a great low end!

  • @damiencottrell1564
    @damiencottrell1564 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Does anybody have the model number of the hot rail on the blue Mustang?

    • @anthonysclafani3963
      @anthonysclafani3963 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      the old ones are exactly the same as the current ones, the only difference is the old ones had a different pup cover (which caused strings to get caught). SD confirmed this when I asked them if there were any differences

  • @user-cq9ve5kt4j
    @user-cq9ve5kt4j 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks man that was helpful

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      skinny pee pee phew! Really glad someone found it useful already! Thanks for watching man! 👍

  • @watchdog4353
    @watchdog4353 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Have you ever thought about writing your own songs? Your Nirvana covers are pretty good and I'm sure you could write something good

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep, I have written several complete songs, have a scrapbook full of lyrics and have hundreds of phone recordings/demos haha! I'll probably properly record some stuff and do some releases on youtube in the very near future! And thanks for the support man!

    • @watchdog4353
      @watchdog4353 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      alexrcowan No problem! Can't wait to hear them.

  • @lapinnhd2306
    @lapinnhd2306 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great Video! Im Thinking About Buying A Mustang Do You Think I Should Use These Humbuckers

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks man! And definitely! You can't go wrong with any of these humbuckers

  • @kurtcobain5277
    @kurtcobain5277 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    cool comfortable and good guitars.Bravo.

  • @i3oosted
    @i3oosted 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    The hot rails sounded out of this world. I know it’s different being in the room, could you tell that much of a difference in the hot rails vs the others like the video shows? Thanks.

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah they definitely sound different, to my ear the hot rails was more focused and aggressive than the others

  • @framco96
    @framco96 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good video, thanks!

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      No problem, thanks for watching!

  • @nanscom
    @nanscom 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The second guitar sound. 👍

  • @StankoAx
    @StankoAx 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hot rails by far the best!

  • @dimiaraujo90
    @dimiaraujo90 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Hot Rails and the JB Jr are "Stratocaster sized"??

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      dimiaraujo90 yep they are the strat models

  • @AaronandKat
    @AaronandKat 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hot rails all the way! What strings do you put on your mustangs?

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m pretty sure in this video I was using 11-48 power slinky’s

  • @mono7712
    @mono7712 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    really good man,,,,do you use a rat? or ds one? gracias saludoss :)

    • @alexrcowan
      @alexrcowan  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks man, I have a rat and a ds1, love them both