A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

[kiyokazu101]

Sorry if this has been discussed already but I couldn't find a post that answered.

First of all, I know the difference between a coil tap and a coil split. But what I wanted to know, is if it's possible to do both to a humbucker. For example, I hear that coil splitting works best with vintage hot or hot humbuckers, and the single coil tone won't be too weak and thin. With this in mind, can a humbucker be wired to have both coils TAPPED in full humbucker mode to give a less hot, more vintage PAF tone, and a nice, not too weak, SPLIT tone. I'm the not most knowledgeable about pickups and wiring, but from what I understand so far, is that this would alleviate some of the issues of just splitting humbuckers.

Also, I heard that another reason why humbuckers don't sound like Fendery single coils when split is because of the bar magnet instead of individual pole magnets. And I know there are some 'humbuckers' that are just two single coils paired up such as Rio Grandes "True splitting" line. So my question is what is the difference between the tone of a true full-humbucker and a "double single coil" humbucker?

Thanks.

P.S: Sorry for the repetition

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

The closest thing you'll get to a tap on a humbucker is wiring the coils in parallel - It gives less output, is still humbucking, brighter, and closer to a single coil tone than the standard series humbucker, imagine the two single coils in a telecaster or similar guitar in the middle position (or position 2 or 4 in a strat). Being too thin and weak depends on the pickup in question.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

Isn't tapping something that accesses the wire somewhere in the middle of the coil rather than on the end (where it normally hooks in to the main connections)? If so, wouldn't a spin-a-split be an option closer to tapping? Is so, couldn't it be wired with a pot for a spin-a-split and some other switch for a regular split wiring?


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[Myaccount876]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

Isn't tapping something that accesses the wire somewhere in the middle of the coil rather than on the end (where it normally hooks in to the main connections)? If so, wouldn't a spin-a-split be an option closer to tapping? Is so, couldn't it be wired with a pot for a spin-a-split and some other switch for a regular split wiring?


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In my experience, spin-a-splits don't really have that "in-between" on alpha pots. I find that it works much better on a "D" pot of 250-500K.

 

[Aceman]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

I like to say that all splits are taps, but not all taps are splits; A split is technically a tap between the coils at the 50% mark.

But - I see no reason why you couldn't do this. By question is why would you want to? Wouldn't turning down the volume be easier and have the same impact? The only thing is the the double-bucker -tap would have a preset level.

Just seems like a lot of trouble to lower the output vs volume.

 

[blueman335]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

wouldn't a spin-a-split be an option closer to tapping? Is so, couldn't it be wired with a pot for a spin-a-split and some other switch for a regular split wiring?

+1. Spin-a-split is far more versatile than coil split. Coil cut requires a push-pull and you get one coil or two. Spin-a-split uses an ordinary pot and gives all the great inbetween unbalanced coil tones (like orginal PAF's), in addition to single coil and full HB. All you need to do is convert the tone pot to a second volume pot, dedicated to only one of a HB's coils. Works fine on Alpha or any brand of pots.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

You are absolutely right about the definition of split vs tap.

But reducing the volume on a hot (high output) pup does not equal the sound of a lower output pup. Turning down the volume also reduces the treble some on an already strong-mids pup. A lower output pup will have stronger highs and less mids. (These are VERY general statements and there are certainly lots of exceptions). But the point is...a high output pup that has both coils tapped would more closely mimic the sound of a lower wind, lower output pup than just rolling down the vol knob on a high output pup.

I think that the "double-tap" idea sounds like a great option to pursue. I don't recall ever hearing about anyone that has tried it before.

 

[Aceman]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

Well said Doc.

The Tap, The Split, the Spin, and even judicious use of volume all have their place for your particular sound, style and purpose.

I still think this is a big hairy pain in the butt - but an interesting experiment no doubt. And like I said - if it's what YOU need, more power to ya! All about the option.

I can't believe that Seymour in all his years has never done this. I'd like to hear.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

I'd really like to try a double-tapped Alt8 or DD. Might be very interesting, indeed. But I don't have the extra bucks for two custom shop pups to try it myself.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

I'd really like to try a double-tapped Alt8 or DD. Tapped at about 60 - 70%. Might be very interesting, indeed. But I don't have the extra bucks for two custom shop pups to try it myself.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

Tapped humbuckers in the sense of one of the coils being tapped part way through the wind can be made very easily. I've made a bunch myself. It is a great solution for the usual wimpy humbucker split, but the downside is that many customers expect the same dramatic output drop as a split and it's not there, especially if they order the spec (of what I call the Splat) fairly close to the full spec. The tone difference in, say, a 9k humbucker splatted at 7.5k is very noticeable but the perceived overall output doesn't change that much. In such a case I try to encourage the customer to order something more dramatic like 9k/6k.

 

[kiyokazu101]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll look more into those other options too. Thanks again.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

Tapped humbuckers in the sense of one of the coils being tapped part way through the wind can be made very easily. I've made a bunch myself. It is a great solution for the usual wimpy humbucker split, but the downside is that many customers expect the same dramatic output drop as a split and it's not there, especially if they order the spec (of what I call the Splat) fairly close to the full spec. The tone difference in, say, a 9k humbucker splatted at 7.5k is very noticeable but the perceived overall output doesn't change that much. In such a case I try to encourage the customer to order something more dramatic like 9k/6k.

Yeah, that's what I think. That's why I suggested 60 - 70%. I may yet pursue this option with the Alt 8.

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

You could do it. You just had to tap the coil and use that wire as the substitute hot wire while the centre wires (red and white on a SD) would be your split wires. That way you could use one push pull to tap and another to split and even go so far as to split and then tap.
I think the wiring would be way complicated though

 

[uOpt]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

It's rare to see tapped coils in a humbucker, as that would require a 6-wire lead which is annoying starting from getting a cable with 6 wires.

You can buy humbuckers that instead of a bar magnet on the bottom and passive polepieces have Fender-stye rod magnets. Doesn't help because even if you turn off one coil it's magnets are still active and create an opposite fields.

Maybe if you use electromagnets so that you can turn them off...

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

It's rare to see tapped coils in a humbucker, as that would require a 6-wire lead which is annoying starting from getting a cable with 6 wires.

You could get by with just 5 wires since both tap wires could be spliced together at the pup and connected to the 5th wire. There's no need to separate the taps of each coil to accomplish what the OP wants. But then again, maybe a 5 wire cable would be as hard to find as a 6 wire cable?

 

[uOpt]

Re: A Question Coil Taps and Coil Split

People also do coil splits on 2-conductor humbuckers by just leading an unshielded wire to between the coils. Works well enough.