Best rock pickup to coil tap?
- Thread starter keano12
- Start date
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
I'm not sure I understand your terminology. "Coil tapped" usually applies to single-coil pickups, where a third wire is bought out from the middle of the winding, allowing you to use just part of a hot pickup for a less-hot, more vintage sound.
"Coil splitting" applies to humbuckers, which normally use two coils. Bringing out 4 wires (2 each from the two coils) allows you to use one coil by itself, for a (duh) single-coil sound. Both together coil together gives you the full, hot humbucker sound.
That said, my opinion is that the Duncan Custom is a great pickup for splitting applications. It's moderately hot it is humbucking form, and still has enough power to make a great single-coil. The best part is the tweakability - with simple, cheap magnet swaps you can make it a Custom, and CC, or a C5.
I'm not sure I understand your terminology. "Coil tapped" usually applies to single-coil pickups, where a third wire is bought out from the middle of the winding, allowing you to use just part of a hot pickup for a less-hot, more vintage sound.
"Coil splitting" applies to humbuckers, which normally use two coils. Bringing out 4 wires (2 each from the two coils) allows you to use one coil by itself, for a (duh) single-coil sound. Both together coil together gives you the full, hot humbucker sound.
That said, my opinion is that the Duncan Custom is a great pickup for splitting applications. It's moderately hot it is humbucking form, and still has enough power to make a great single-coil. The best part is the tweakability - with simple, cheap magnet swaps you can make it a Custom, and CC, or a C5.
Reload in 5
Just Ultimate Slacker
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
I agree with the custom
I agree with the custom
Mononoaware
Active member
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
The JB also deserves mention here as a second choice, if you're looking mainly for a singing rock lead tone when it's in humbucker mode. Splits beautifully.
BUT, as a lot of guys will tell you, it's a very finnicky pickup and if it doesn't like your guitar, you'll know. You're probably safer going with the Custom as an all-rounder.
The JB also deserves mention here as a second choice, if you're looking mainly for a singing rock lead tone when it's in humbucker mode. Splits beautifully.
BUT, as a lot of guys will tell you, it's a very finnicky pickup and if it doesn't like your guitar, you'll know. You're probably safer going with the Custom as an all-rounder.
Iron Horse
New member
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
Try it first since you already have it. Then, if you don't like it, get a Custom or sth. else.
Try it first since you already have it. Then, if you don't like it, get a Custom or sth. else.
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
Any of the Customs might work for you. Check out their descriptions and ask around to figure out which is for you. I found the CC to be too muted, the ceramic Custom was good but a bit honky in the mids, and ended up with a C5, which I thought was a bit clearer.
I can't guess as to which would be best for you, but I do know the Custom (whichever version) splits well.
If you have a JB sitting around, try it. Get a push/pull pot so you can try out the split function. See how it goes. Then based on your reaction to the JB and your experience with the stock pickup, we can advise on where to go next.
Any of the Customs might work for you. Check out their descriptions and ask around to figure out which is for you. I found the CC to be too muted, the ceramic Custom was good but a bit honky in the mids, and ended up with a C5, which I thought was a bit clearer.
I can't guess as to which would be best for you, but I do know the Custom (whichever version) splits well.
If you have a JB sitting around, try it. Get a push/pull pot so you can try out the split function. See how it goes. Then based on your reaction to the JB and your experience with the stock pickup, we can advise on where to go next.
Sanford
New member
Binnerscot
Well-known member
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
I have always liked the split sound of the Distortion, and I like it a little more than the Custom or JB overall.
I have always liked the split sound of the Distortion, and I like it a little more than the Custom or JB overall.
hamerfan
Well-known member
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
I recently went thru my pickup drawer to find a pickup for my friend Aria Les Paul. We ended with a JB as the best all around in full humbucker and split. The Custom 5 is a one trick pony IMO (and my friends opinion). it sounded good in AC/DC full blown but lacked mojo in clean and vintage sound section. On the JB i liked best the parallel coils they were very straty.
I recently went thru my pickup drawer to find a pickup for my friend Aria Les Paul. We ended with a JB as the best all around in full humbucker and split. The Custom 5 is a one trick pony IMO (and my friends opinion). it sounded good in AC/DC full blown but lacked mojo in clean and vintage sound section. On the JB i liked best the parallel coils they were very straty.
Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
Custom
Custom
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Best rock pickup to coil tap?
Another +1 for the Custom. Awesome HB for a Paul, and split it's sill powerful enough to work well split.
Another +1 for the Custom. Awesome HB for a Paul, and split it's sill powerful enough to work well split.
