Coil Tap question

[TheMadGypsyBaron]

If you have a guitar with more than one single coil that is able to be tapped, is it possible to coil tap both/all three with one switch?

 

[DreX]

Re: Coil Tap question

A 3pst switch will do it, something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/120978629366?lpid=82&chn=ps . With a typical push/pull pot you'd only be able to tap two pickups at once, you have to make a new hole in order to tap all three at once

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Coil Tap question

If you have a guitar with more than one single coil that is able to be tapped, is it possible to coil tap both/all three with one switch?

Single coils aren't really something that gets tapped. Humbuckers get tapped (or the more correct term is "split") to essentially make them into single coils.

 

[TheMadGypsyBaron]

Re: Coil Tap question

Single coils aren't really something that gets tapped. Humbuckers get tapped (or the more correct term is "split") to essentially make them into single coils.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/what-is-coil-tapping/
Single Coils can't be split, but they can be tapped. There is a difference. I mentioned the fact I'm using single coils to be clear about the term coil tap.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Coil Tap question

Single coils aren't really something that gets tapped. Humbuckers get tapped (or the more correct term is "split") to essentially make them into single coils.

No, this is wrong.

Singlecoils are the main thing that is tapped. They have a wire that comes out at perhaps a vintage level of turns, then a full (overwound) level.

I think there is a larger toggle switch that could be used in your case. I think there is a double version, like with a 4x3 pole configuration.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Coil Tap question

Single coils aren't really something that gets tapped. Humbuckers get tapped (or the more correct term is "split") to essentially make them into single coils.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/what-is-coil-tapping/
Single Coils can't be split, but they can be tapped. There is a difference. I mentioned the fact I'm using single coils to be clear about the term coil tap.

No, this is wrong.

Singlecoils are the main thing that is tapped. They have a wire that comes out at perhaps a vintage level of turns, then a full (overwound) level.

Sorry... I'd never heard of doing this before. I knew that "tapping" was an incorrect term often used in reference to splitting humbuckers, but never even dreamed there would be a reason to do a mod like that to single coils.

Please excuse my idiocy.


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[AlexR]

Re: Coil Tap question

The reason 'tapping' is mistakenly used for humbuckers is that the term is used for the same sort of effect with singlecoils......reducing the output of the pickup with a switching operation. People confuse the two, but each are valid operations

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Coil Tap question

The reason 'tapping' is mistakenly used for humbuckers is that the term is used for the same sort of effect with singlecoils......reducing the output of the pickup with a switching operation. People confuse the two, but each are valid operations

The reason its confused is because before the advent of 4 conductor wiring some companies were selling actual tapped humbuckers with a added lead. It wasnt a split they were actually using just the top 60% or so of the coils in the same manner that they "tap" single coils.

The confusion has been perpetuated by companies like gibson who on some models even put "coil tap" on the labels of guitars that have splits.

 

[TheMadGypsyBaron]

Re: Coil Tap question

Sorry... I'd never heard of doing this before. I knew that "tapping" was an incorrect term often used in reference to splitting humbuckers, but never even dreamed there would be a reason to do a mod like that to single coils.

Please excuse my idiocy.

Hey, don't worry about it! It took me a while to figure out the difference myself. But now there's a whole new world of options! Always a good thing

 

[If6Was9]

Re: Coil Tap question

The reason its confused is because before the advent of 4 conductor wiring some companies were selling actual tapped humbuckers with a added lead. It wasnt a split they were actually using just the top 60% or so of the coils in the same manner that they "tap" single coils.

The confusion has been perpetuated by companies like gibson who on some models even put "coil tap" on the labels of guitars that have splits.

Zhangbucker pickups offers a "Splat" option that "taps" one of the coils of a humbucker. Decription from the web site:

"**The Splat is a means of getting a beefier option to the typical wimpy/slicey split humbucker tone. One coil is tapped part way so when you throw the switch you get all of one coil plus part of the other coil for a bigger "single coil" tone. For example, if you had an 8k pickup, instead of the 4k split that sounds like a mosquito on a good day, you could have 5.5k, 6.0k, 6.5k or anywhere in between. Though I will likely make some recommendations for what's best for what you want, the exact spec is up to you..."

I plan on trying them out when I can come up with some funds($).

 

[blueman335]

Re: Coil Tap question

Zhangbucker pickups offers a "Splat" option that "taps" one of the coils of a humbucker. Decription from the web site:

"**The Splat is a means of getting a beefier option to the typical wimpy/slicey split humbucker tone. One coil is tapped part way so when you throw the switch you get all of one coil plus part of the other coil for a bigger "single coil" tone. For example, if you had an 8k pickup, instead of the 4k split that sounds like a mosquito on a good day, you could have 5.5k, 6.0k, 6.5k or anywhere in between. Though I will likely make some recommendations for what's best for what you want, the exact spec is up to you.

You can get the same thing using spin-a-split, which is far more versatile as it also lets you dial in how much of that 2nd coil you want. Since you don't really know in advance what the ideal coil mismatch is going to be for your PU and guitar, spin-a-split is the way to go.

 

[photograft]

Coil Tap question

On the subject of wiring splits, I've made a diagram for a guitar I'm redoing, and I found a way to split the humbucker that doesn't actually require grounding the coils that are to be switched off. Can anyone think of a reason why this wouldn't work (or would cause problems?) I can upload a diagram if you need to see what I mean.

The switch literally just cuts the unwanted coil out of the circuit entirely. Hoping it won't cause an issue as far as the magnets are concerned.


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[Zhangliqun]

Re: Coil Tap question

You can get the same thing using spin-a-split, which is far more versatile as it also lets you dial in how much of that 2nd coil you want. Since you don't really know in advance what the ideal coil mismatch is going to be for your PU and guitar, spin-a-split is the way to go.

It is far more versatile but, depending on the taper of the pot, if you have a favorite sweet spot, it can be hard to consistently zero on it, especially on the fly at a gig.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Coil Tap question

This would not be a problem and I often prefer it that way because grounding out the other coil can sometimes dull the tone, like wrapping the live coil half way around with copper foil tape and grounding it. The downside is you get a bit more noise.

But it's not always a bad thing -- grounding the unused coil could be a good thing if the live coil is unbearably bright by itself.

On the subject of wiring splits, I've made a diagram for a guitar I'm redoing, and I found a way to split the humbucker that doesn't actually require grounding the coils that are to be switched off. Can anyone think of a reason why this wouldn't work (or would cause problems?) I can upload a diagram if you need to see what I mean.

The switch literally just cuts the unwanted coil out of the circuit entirely. Hoping it won't cause an issue as far as the magnets are concerned.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk