Blending pickups

[Metalman_666]

I was just introduced to this concept yesterday. I just got a pair of EMG's in my Ibanez, and with a tip from a forum member I discovered both the neck and bridge pickups run at full power in the middle position instead of half-output. So I can basically leave the pickup selector switch in the middle and adjust the volumes of the individual pickups, just like a bass! :cool3: It's unbelievably cool and really helpful to get the right tone!

Anyway, I was wondering is it possible to do this with passive pickups as well? Like instead of splitting them and using one coil from each pickup simultaneously, can you have all the coils (both pickups) running at full power and functionality?

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Blending pickups

bump

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Blending pickups

I didn't know that, pretty interesting. My Godin does that too, mainly because it doesn't have a switch, just 2 volume knobs for each pickup for a blend. Very cool.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Blending pickups

I spend most of the time playing my LP and Sheraton in the middle position. If I understand you coorectly, then, yes, you can do it with passives too. I blend the bridge pickup with the neck pickup on these two guitars all the time to find the right sound.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Blending pickups

I spend most of the time playing my LP and Sheraton in the middle position. If I understand you coorectly, then, yes, you can do it with passives too. I blend the bridge pickup with the neck pickup on these two guitars all the time to find the right sound.

But when you use the middle position on LP type guitars (2 passive humbuckers) they usually run at half-output, meaning the outside or inside coil of each pickup is used, making 2 coils in total, like a tele middle position. What I'm asking is if you can run all 4 coils with passive pups.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Blending pickups

But when you use the middle position on LP type guitars (2 passive humbuckers) they usually run at half-output, meaning the outside or inside coil of each pickup is used, making 2 coils in total, like a tele middle position. What I'm asking is if you can run all 4 coils with passive pups.

I have no earthly idea what you are talking about, an LP in the middle has both humbuckers on ... all four coils, the pup selector switch just adds the other pup a humbucker in the bridge, and humbucker in the neck equals two complete humbuckers. There is no splitting on a LP, unless it's a new option they are playing with. There is no pup splitting, nor level change for the middle position of an LP.

 

[mongrollo]

Re: Blending pickups

I have no earthly idea what you are talking about, an LP in the middle has both humbuckers on ... all four coils, the pup selector switch just adds the other pup a humbucker in the bridge, and humbucker in the neck equals two complete humbuckers. There is no splitting on a LP, unless it's a new option they are playing with. There is no pup splitting, nor level change for the middle position of an LP.

As far as I know things haven't change so much in 50 years .

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Blending pickups

But when you use the middle position on LP type guitars (2 passive humbuckers) they usually run at half-output, meaning the outside or inside coil of each pickup is used, making 2 coils in total, like a tele middle position. What I'm asking is if you can run all 4 coils with passive pups.

The only guitar that I've played that does this is the Parker Fly Deluxe and Classic. My LP, like Kent said, runs on both humbuckers when in the middle position. My Sheraton, because it has singles coils, is pretty much like a tele, two coils running when in the middle position.

Seems like it's time for you to pick up a 'Paul, bro. :burnout:

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Blending pickups

The only guitar that I've played that does this is the Parker Fly Deluxe and Classic. My LP, like Kent said, runs on both humbuckers when in the middle position. My Sheraton, because it has singles coils, is pretty much like a tele, two coils running when in the middle position.

Seems like it's time for you to pick up a 'Paul, bro. :burnout:

lol sorry guys my mistake.... The way it worked in my ibanez was half output hum cancelling, but the EMG's run on full power not half so you get the full tone of both pickups. I thought it was different for all LP style guitars. It's still half output hum cancelling on those isn't it though?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Blending pickups

lol sorry guys my mistake.... The way it worked in my ibanez was half output hum cancelling, but the EMG's run on full power not half so you get the full tone of both pickups. I thought it was different for all LP style guitars. It's still half output hum cancelling on those isn't it though?

On which?

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Blending pickups

on Les Pauls.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Blending pickups

Nope, full output in middle position and both are in full humbucking mode and wired in parallel with each other (with std. LP wiring).

 

[some_dude]

Re: Blending pickups

Nope, full output in middle position and both are in full humbucking mode and wired in parallel with each other (with std. LP wiring).

But can you blend them with the different volume knobs? Or do they both act as a master volume?

(I forget, but I think mine did the master volume thing)

 

[theodie]

Re: Blending pickups

The only way they will run at a lower output level in the middle position is if they are wired out of phase. Or if one of the magnets is fliped upside down. In the middle position each volume acts as master volume. I have heard if one of the volume pots is wired backwards they will work independently. I have not tried it so dont take my word for it.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Blending pickups

But can you blend them with the different volume knobs? Or do they both act as a master volume?

(I forget, but I think mine did the master volume thing)

In 50's wiring both act as blenders with no master volume, that is, unless one is completely off, then you will get no sound.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Blending pickups

The only way they will run at a lower output level in the middle position is if they are wired out of phase. Or if one of the magnets is fliped upside down. In the middle position each volume acts as master volume. I have heard if one of the volume pots is wired backwards they will work independently. I have not tried it so dont take my word for it.

That's what I noticed in the EMG instructions.

They have two ways to wire the pots, one way keeps them as individual volumes, the other way reverses two of the wires and says they're both master volumes (never tried that way).

The diagram is in the support section, but I don't know if it'll work with passive pickups as the grounding is a little different. I don't see a reason why it wouldn't, but I can't say for sure....

 

[theodie]

Re: Blending pickups

That's what I noticed in the EMG instructions.

They have two ways to wire the pots, one way keeps them as individual volumes, the other way reverses two of the wires and says they're both master volumes (never tried that way).

The diagram is in the support section, but I don't know if it'll work with passive pickups as the grounding is a little different. I don't see a reason why it wouldn't, but I can't say for sure....

Thank you. now I remember where I saw this mod. I am going to try it. I will let you folks know how it works.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Blending pickups

excellent... an experiment with passives

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Blending pickups

In 50's wiring both act as blenders with no master volume, that is, unless one is completely off, then you will get no sound.

The '50's wiring has nothing to do with that at all. That's a tone circuit difference, what you are referring to is constant load vs. variable load on the pup side. Running the pups to the wiper enables both volumes to be independent, but the tone changes much more as the volumes are lowered. Gibson has used both back and forth over the years, regardless of decade, and regardless of the offical position on it.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Blending pickups

That's what I noticed in the EMG instructions.

They have two ways to wire the pots, one way keeps them as individual volumes, the other way reverses two of the wires and says they're both master volumes (never tried that way).

The diagram is in the support section, but I don't know if it'll work with passive pickups as the grounding is a little different. I don't see a reason why it wouldn't, but I can't say for sure....

Yeah it works, that's the alternative wiring, check Stewmac site they show it there, balance controls have to be wired that way (for example). See comments regarding load issues.