I am putting a p90 sized dimarzio super distortion (dp209) in the bridge of one of my guitars. It has a four conductor wire so switching options are available. I have been told that it sounds rubbish coil split but sounds pretty good when switched to parallel, does anyone have any experience with coil splitting vs parallel? Also is it possible to turn parallel on and off via a push pull pot?
Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
- Thread starter Xandeeno
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Dave Locher
New member
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
I had a super distortion wired for series/parallel with a push-pull pot. Parallel sounded bright, spanky, cleaner and thinner than series. I didnt care for it much by itself but it sounded good in conjunction with the t-top neck humbucker.
I have never heard a super D split, though, so I cannot answer that question for you.
I had a super distortion wired for series/parallel with a push-pull pot. Parallel sounded bright, spanky, cleaner and thinner than series. I didnt care for it much by itself but it sounded good in conjunction with the t-top neck humbucker.
I have never heard a super D split, though, so I cannot answer that question for you.
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
Splitting does indeed sound different and only you can know if this is the 'right' sound for you vs parallel. Parallel can be switched with a push/pull pot. Tapping, which is a different process entirely, isn't an option here. Electrically, it requires another wire from the middle of the coil of a pickup.
Splitting does indeed sound different and only you can know if this is the 'right' sound for you vs parallel. Parallel can be switched with a push/pull pot. Tapping, which is a different process entirely, isn't an option here. Electrically, it requires another wire from the middle of the coil of a pickup.
VinceT
New member
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
I use Triple Shot rings on a couple of my guitars to split humbuckers and PRails. And my Music Man Reflex has Series/Parallel options (an amazing guitar). Parallel is very usable indeed and I’d generally take it over split/tap, which generally sound too weak (bearing in mind I play vintage strength humbuckers rather than hi-gain).
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I use Triple Shot rings on a couple of my guitars to split humbuckers and PRails. And my Music Man Reflex has Series/Parallel options (an amazing guitar). Parallel is very usable indeed and I’d generally take it over split/tap, which generally sound too weak (bearing in mind I play vintage strength humbuckers rather than hi-gain).
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metalspider
Member
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
most humbuckers i have had didnt give a very good single coil tone when split and the significant reduction in output can be an issue while playing clean in a live situation.
parallel mode is very similar to single bridge+middle or single neck+middle positions on a SSS strat and the volume difference from series mode is less severe.
most humbuckers i have had didnt give a very good single coil tone when split and the significant reduction in output can be an issue while playing clean in a live situation.
parallel mode is very similar to single bridge+middle or single neck+middle positions on a SSS strat and the volume difference from series mode is less severe.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
Actually parallel has the same volume drop as split. The tonal differences between split and parallel are fairly minor except in cases of coil mismatch. I'll usually just run them split so that it's easier to wire, the noiselessness of parallel doesn't matter much to me.
Actually parallel has the same volume drop as split. The tonal differences between split and parallel are fairly minor except in cases of coil mismatch. I'll usually just run them split so that it's easier to wire, the noiselessness of parallel doesn't matter much to me.
metalspider
Member
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
my mistake been a while since i played in anything except series mode.
i checked now and you are right Christopher.
makes sense too from an electrical standpoint because of the differences in resistance.although it could differ somewhat from pickup model to pickup model.
tested it now with my L500-XL which i have wired with a series-split-parallel switch.
my mistake been a while since i played in anything except series mode.
i checked now and you are right Christopher.
makes sense too from an electrical standpoint because of the differences in resistance.although it could differ somewhat from pickup model to pickup model.
tested it now with my L500-XL which i have wired with a series-split-parallel switch.
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
I tend to prefer splitting with most pickups, as it is easier to wire, and it actually sounds better to me 90% of the time. I don't mind the hum from splitting (there isn't much), but parallel sometimes sounds to me like running up a muddy hill in boots.
I tend to prefer splitting with most pickups, as it is easier to wire, and it actually sounds better to me 90% of the time. I don't mind the hum from splitting (there isn't much), but parallel sometimes sounds to me like running up a muddy hill in boots.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
Just to clarify for some, splitting is grounding one coil of a humbucker so it becomes a single coil, the "tapping" that Mincer is talking about here would be tapping into an intermediate point in a coil and reducing the output of the pickup.
Just to clarify for some, splitting is grounding one coil of a humbucker so it becomes a single coil, the "tapping" that Mincer is talking about here would be tapping into an intermediate point in a coil and reducing the output of the pickup.
Re: Coil splitting/tapping vs parallel
Recognizing that lots of people like splits, I wanted to chime in for the paralelle option.
Admittedly, there's a little more work and it requires 2 poles, however most switchs have the 2nd pole anyway.
I tend to like them better for 2 reasons... Humbucking and a slightly more complex sound...
Most agree that most humbuckers don't sound like singles when split, but parallel has a different sound that gets the work done.
I used to offer clients a choice, but had so many noisy and boring complaints so I switched default designs to parallel many years ago.
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Recognizing that lots of people like splits, I wanted to chime in for the paralelle option.
Admittedly, there's a little more work and it requires 2 poles, however most switchs have the 2nd pole anyway.
I tend to like them better for 2 reasons... Humbucking and a slightly more complex sound...
Most agree that most humbuckers don't sound like singles when split, but parallel has a different sound that gets the work done.
I used to offer clients a choice, but had so many noisy and boring complaints so I switched default designs to parallel many years ago.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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