Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

[John_M]

Hey all -

I'm thinking of going with a Classic stack, RWRP APS2, and a Custom Custom in an SSH config with a Schaller E model Megaswitch.

In positions 2 and 3 (or 3 and 4 depending on how you count) it would tap the Classic Stack. Given that it's one coil on top of the other, which one is active when tapped? I'm hoping the top coil as that would be closer to the strings and would sound better.

Thanks -
\
John

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

If you SPLIT (not tap) a stacked humbucker, of course it makes sense to use the coil on the top.
You have 4 wires and the same options as you have with humbuckers - when you split, you can always CHOOSE which coil is active.

So it is not a question WHICH coil is active, it is a question HOW you solder the wires.
You can switch the red&white leads to ground or to the hot connection, you just need to find out with which connection you activate which coil.
On a megawitch you'll maybe have only one option of them, so you have to find out which of this option you have on this position.
If you need to reverse the option in this case, you have to reverse the green and black wires (green to hot and black to ground), of course all pickups then.

 

[John_M]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

Thanks for the clarification - the question moreso is which coil is north and which is south. I'll assume in a homogenous setup with all duncan, that this will work, in that the megaswitch will take the tap, or split or whatever you want to call it (red and white in a duncan) and you solder that to a lug. So that when split, the coils are reverse polarity with the middle pickup. If the standard red/white "split" of the custom custom makes the "north" coil work with a RWRP "south" coil in the middle, the Classic Stack's "north" coil must be used. Which one is that? The top of the bottom? That makes a difference - Otherwise I'll have to buy another middle pickup.

So while wiring changes the "W" in RWRP, it doesn't change the "P" - get it?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

I strongly recommend against splitting a Classic Stack. Their output is low enough as is. I can't think of a good reason for wanting to do this, but maybe you could explain that.

Also, I don't believe there is such a thing as a RWRP Classic Stack. Since they are noise-cancelling on their own, there is no need for a RWRP option.

 

[Artie]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

I think he was refering to the APS2 as being RW/RP, but I agree with you completely - I wouldn't split a Classic Stack. They do sound great just as they are though.

 

[Jester700]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

I strongly recommend against splitting a Classic Stack. Their output is low enough as is. I can't think of a good reason for wanting to do this, but maybe you could explain that.

Also, I don't believe there is such a thing as a RWRP Classic Stack. Since they are noise-cancelling on their own, there is no need for a RWRP option.

I don't know how the classic stacks are set up, but in the DiMarzio HS series, the bottom coil adds nothing to the output, and only serves as a dummy coil that adds more resistance. It is actually LOUDER and sounds better when you disconnect the bottom coil. Since I only use them in combination, I always do this.

That design has the top & bottom coils seperated by a thin plate, and the bottom coil has no slugs or magnets. Other designs may not behave the same way.

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

Yes, that's the difference. I liked the HS-3 better in the splitted mode. It was a bit brighter and slightly louder.
Surprisingly, the splitted HS-3 has had less hum than a regular single-coil!!!
I discovered another suprise:
I wired the HS-3 in parallel, and the sound was less brighter and the pickup sounded a bit "dirty" and has had a bit more power. I can't describe it, but i got something i did not expect!

 

[John_M]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

Thanks guys - I think we're on the same page now!

In the notch of neck/mid, the neck and mid have to be rw/rp to be humbucking. I also find this sound "sweeter" than 2 singles that are not RWRP from each other, like old Strats, and my EE Pro's, and Pacer. The way the megaswtich works is that it will take the split of the neck and add it to the middle. In the 3 position, it combines the neck spilt with the bridge split to be a humbucking, tele-like sound - VERY cool as I never use the 3 position by itself. The polarities in the neck and bridge have to be the same or one of the positions won't work. Therefore, you can't use a Dimarzio and a duncan, as they're reversed

I'm hoping that the design is similar to the HS series. We'll see as I've ordered the set from Guitar Heaven and it'll be here tomorrow.

 

[Jester700]

Re: Classic Stack - if tapped which coil is active?

You can mix brands; just flip the pup around & use the other side. I have a DiMarzio HS2 mixed with a Duncan Stag Mag and an SK Dualtone. I just flipped the SM around to work with the HS. The only problem is, you can't have all 3 single coil combos (N-B, N-M, B-M) humbucking. One won't be. Mine's set up so the "tele combo" isn't.