ToneFiddler
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freefrog
Well-known member
The "dead wire" in tap mode is not dead capacitively... Which implies that when you play a single coil tapped, it's as if the cable from guitar to first input was suddenly longer of several meters. And if one change the wiring in order to cancel this parasitic capacitance, the wire is effectively dead but its layers form a kind of thick copper shield bringing Foucault currents...
To me, the "simplest way" to compensate this effect would be to vary the capacitive load of the cable from guitar to first input, thanx to a switchable capacitive load or, conversely, thx to a switchable buffer nullifying capacitance... Maybe someone will chime in with a better idea. In the meantime, let's recall that Sommer sells the cable with the lowest capacitance on the market AFAIK (Sommer Spirit LLX) and that it's not even expensive (at least it wasn't until recently, in Europe).
HTH.
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freefrog
Well-known member
Yes to the first question.
Regarding the second one: Foucault currents rather tend slow the attack, diminish the output and flatten the resonance. But it can be a good thing: I love my Burns Tri-Sonic's albeit they're literally dipped in eddy currents.
Glad to know you're happy with the situation as it is, anyway. And yes, indeed, Sommer has great products!
beaubrummels
Well-known member
I don't know that eddy currents means suffering. It's just a factor that influences the result. The question is, is that the result you want?
gimmieinfo
Active member
Yes to the first question.
Regarding the second one: Foucault currents rather tend slow the attack, diminish the output and flatten the resonance. But it can be a good thing: I love my Burns Tri-Sonic's albeit they're literally dipped in eddy currents.
Glad to know you're happy with the situation as it is, anyway. And yes, indeed, Sommer has great products!
Never really used tapped singles much but wouldn't that issue be eliminated if you use a DPDT that not only selects the tap but at the same time removed that end of the coil thats usually hot when not taped?
freefrog
Well-known member
AFAIK, dealing in a better way with the downsides of coil tapping would ideally require 4 wires per pickup and not 3... but I'm not much in coil taps either so I won't open another of my tedious rambling sessions about that. I'll correct or complete this answer if something else comes to my mind (currently busy and tired, TBH)...
In the meantime, if someone has the possibility and courage to test a tapped pickup with the outer part of its coil electrically open then shorted, I'll surely read with interest the related conclusions (which might vary according to the precise model of pickup used, IMHO)
In the meantime, if someone has the possibility and courage to test a tapped pickup with the outer part of its coil electrically open then shorted, I'll surely read with interest the related conclusions (which might vary according to the precise model of pickup used, IMHO)
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