Split or Parallel

[Hsb]

I currently have a Black Winter bridge paired with a Jazz neck, although I dont mind the Jazz neck, I am thinking about adding a Black Winter neck to the guitar to match the bridge. With that I'm pondering replacing the regular volume pot with a push pull volume to run both pickups in either parallel or split.

The guitar itself is a single volume, no tone, so would this actually be possible for both pickups or would I need to add a pot.

Those who have run them either split or parallel, whats your thoughts on the idea.

[jeremy]

you can split two pups with one p/p pot but you can only put one pup in parallel with that same switch. if i was in your shoes, id go split for both pups to have a brighter/thinner/lower output set of options rather than parallel for one. unless there is something specific you are going?

[Hsb]

Not looking for anything specific, just looking explore some different sounds out of the guitar.

[Mincer]

I think splitting both with a p/p would give a set of more useful sounds than just putting one pickup in parallel.

[Synapsys]

Split, unlike parallel, isn't noiseless, if that may be a deciding factor.

[Hsb]

Split, unlike parallel, isn't noiseless, if that may be a deciding factor.

Could be a consideration but I just play at home, probably not a huge issue, though I was aware of it.

[Mincer]

You can however make it so when 1 coil from each humbucker is selected, it cancels out the hum.

[Hsb]

Thanks fellas, time to do some ordering.

[Securb]

I would go with split though that is just a personal preference. What I will say is the BWn is matched and voiced perfectly for the BWb, it is an amazing set. You are going to really enjoy yourself.

[GuitarStv]

I also prefer split. It's annoying that it's not hum free, but I just prefer the sound. Parallel is brighter, but it's always missing something single coil-y that split has.

[jeremy]

i agree. i like parallel as an option, but split sounds more single coil like. go figure, its only one coil

[Securb]

Not all of my split humbuckers have an overly noticeable hum, my Dimebucker split is still pretty quiet. My Fralin Pure PAF is also pretty quite split.

[Aceman]

This is really an issue of what you want to do with this lower output option.

Do you want Single coil tones? Then by all means split. FYI a split Humbucker is less noisy than a true single just because of the proximity of the other coil.

Do you want a very clean, but weak, Humbucker sound? Then parallel is the way to go.

Time and a place for each...


If you are willing to add a knob, might I suggest two on/on/on mini switches instead? Each switch puts a pickup in series/parallel/split mode. Run it anyway you want for each pickup.

Also - hot pickups are awesome for this. I used to run a DiMarzio X2N that way and it had all sorts of cool sounds, because even split/parallel had a decent amount of output.

[jeremy]

i feel like im saying this a lot recently, but you if you get a 4pdt on/on/on switch, you can switch two buckers series/split/parallel at the same time. i prefer that over having two separate switches

[Aceman]

i feel like im saying this a lot recently, but you if you get a 4pdt on/on/on switch, you can switch two buckers series/split/parallel at the same time. i prefer that over having two separate switches

I said that somewhere recently.