Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
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Edgecrusher
New member
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Coil tapping isnt running a humbucker in single coil mode. This is a common misnomer. What do you mean by true single coil? Unless your talking the rio grande true split series or the stag mag the sound will be different from an actual strat single coil those pickups are the exception cause they are strat single coils just tied together to make a humbucker. The exact sound of a normal humbucker split will depends on the particular wind of that pickup. The difference in sound between a split humbucker and one wired in parallel is split is usually a little lower in output think by half where parallel is like 30% drop. Usually single coil mode sounds thinner and spankier.
Coil tapping isnt running a humbucker in single coil mode. This is a common misnomer. What do you mean by true single coil? Unless your talking the rio grande true split series or the stag mag the sound will be different from an actual strat single coil those pickups are the exception cause they are strat single coils just tied together to make a humbucker. The exact sound of a normal humbucker split will depends on the particular wind of that pickup. The difference in sound between a split humbucker and one wired in parallel is split is usually a little lower in output think by half where parallel is like 30% drop. Usually single coil mode sounds thinner and spankier.
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Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Agree with Edgecrusher.
A "true single coil", or a Strat pup, will have a beefier sound than most humbuckers "split" to a single coil because the pole pieces are the magnets...they are larger than the poles in a bucker and they are closer to the strings than the mag in a bucker (the metal poles in a bucker carry the magnetic field from the magnet, they are not actually the magnet itself).
As Edgecrusher said, "coil tapping" is different than "coil splitting". Coil splitting does exactly what it says...it splits a dual coil pup to just one of those coils. In "coil tapping", there is a separate wire coming off of a single coil at a predetermined place in the wind, to effectively reduce the number of winds (or the resistance) of that coil.
Agree with Edgecrusher.
A "true single coil", or a Strat pup, will have a beefier sound than most humbuckers "split" to a single coil because the pole pieces are the magnets...they are larger than the poles in a bucker and they are closer to the strings than the mag in a bucker (the metal poles in a bucker carry the magnetic field from the magnet, they are not actually the magnet itself).
As Edgecrusher said, "coil tapping" is different than "coil splitting". Coil splitting does exactly what it says...it splits a dual coil pup to just one of those coils. In "coil tapping", there is a separate wire coming off of a single coil at a predetermined place in the wind, to effectively reduce the number of winds (or the resistance) of that coil.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Since P-90's were in use before Fender had their solid bodies out, P-90's would be more of a 'true' single coil, and Fender-style singles would be a shrunken-down version.
Since P-90's were in use before Fender had their solid bodies out, P-90's would be more of a 'true' single coil, and Fender-style singles would be a shrunken-down version.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
And in Fender-style single-coils (typically), the polepieces ARE magnets where as in P-90's and humbuckers there is a bar magnet (or 2) in contact with the polepieces. The magnetic field the strings vibrate in is different as a result.
And in Fender-style single-coils (typically), the polepieces ARE magnets where as in P-90's and humbuckers there is a bar magnet (or 2) in contact with the polepieces. The magnetic field the strings vibrate in is different as a result.
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Grindspine
New member
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Gah, the semantics. A coil split IS a coil tap.. (As one taps the circuit before the entire course of coils is run.) Not all coil taps are splits since a single can be tapped as well. Ya'll get so worked up over that.
Semantics...
Gah, the semantics. A coil split IS a coil tap.. (As one taps the circuit before the entire course of coils is run.) Not all coil taps are splits since a single can be tapped as well. Ya'll get so worked up over that.
Semantics...
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Unfortunately, semantics is what we use to communicate. Without it (or if it is used incorrectly/inappropriately) we cannot communicate very effectively.
You are technically correct that a "coil split" is a coil tap when referring to a humbucker pup...the same way a "square" is a "rectangle". But it would be much more effective to communication to refer to a square as a square rather than as a rectangle.
It's much more semantically correct to use the term "coil split" rather than "tap" to refer to separating one of the coils of a humbucker.
And, perhaps you are the one getting worked up in your reluctance to use the term "coil split". Really, it's only about more effective communication. Is that such a bad thing?
Unfortunately, semantics is what we use to communicate. Without it (or if it is used incorrectly/inappropriately) we cannot communicate very effectively.
You are technically correct that a "coil split" is a coil tap when referring to a humbucker pup...the same way a "square" is a "rectangle". But it would be much more effective to communication to refer to a square as a square rather than as a rectangle.
It's much more semantically correct to use the term "coil split" rather than "tap" to refer to separating one of the coils of a humbucker.
And, perhaps you are the one getting worked up in your reluctance to use the term "coil split". Really, it's only about more effective communication. Is that such a bad thing?
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
PS: A coil split is a coil tap that takes place exactly in the middle of the wind of a humbucker pup (assuming a balanced bucker)...between the two coils. If that coil tap takes place at any other spot on the wind, it no longer is a "split". Therefore, a coil split is a very unique type of coil tap, just like a square is a unique type of rectangle.
Don't fight it...resistance is futile.
PS: A coil split is a coil tap that takes place exactly in the middle of the wind of a humbucker pup (assuming a balanced bucker)...between the two coils. If that coil tap takes place at any other spot on the wind, it no longer is a "split". Therefore, a coil split is a very unique type of coil tap, just like a square is a unique type of rectangle.
Don't fight it...resistance is futile.
G
Grandy
Guest
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
I have an Ibanez ar300 with Super 58 pickups featuring what they call tri-sound switching system. The guitar has two humbuckers (like a Les Paul). Both have a three way switch (split - in parallel - in series). That means that you can get single coil sound, both coils in parallel (like two single coil pups) and a humbucker sound. That makes the guitar very versatile. Plus it has the usual three way switch so that you can use both pickups in series or just use the other one alone.
The single coil sounds are about half way between a single coil and a humbucker. Significantly snappier than bucker but not really like a strat pickup. They are brighter though than a P90. The split sound of course depends on the humbucker you are splitting in the first place. I'm guessing the Super 58's are a little brighter than most Les Paul -type of pickups. I like them 'cause they are bright enough (I like it BRIGHT by the way) and the attack is a little more compressed compared to a strat or a tele.
I have an Ibanez ar300 with Super 58 pickups featuring what they call tri-sound switching system. The guitar has two humbuckers (like a Les Paul). Both have a three way switch (split - in parallel - in series). That means that you can get single coil sound, both coils in parallel (like two single coil pups) and a humbucker sound. That makes the guitar very versatile. Plus it has the usual three way switch so that you can use both pickups in series or just use the other one alone.
The single coil sounds are about half way between a single coil and a humbucker. Significantly snappier than bucker but not really like a strat pickup. They are brighter though than a P90. The split sound of course depends on the humbucker you are splitting in the first place. I'm guessing the Super 58's are a little brighter than most Les Paul -type of pickups. I like them 'cause they are bright enough (I like it BRIGHT by the way) and the attack is a little more compressed compared to a strat or a tele.
Grindspine
New member
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Exactly, I think it just bothered me that some posters were getting jumped for referring to a split as a tap, though a split is a tap of a humbucker.
But yeah, clear communication is good. I just hate to see newer posters get jumped for not being clear on the jargon.
Exactly, I think it just bothered me that some posters were getting jumped for referring to a split as a tap, though a split is a tap of a humbucker.
But yeah, clear communication is good. I just hate to see newer posters get jumped for not being clear on the jargon.
MikeRocker
What's Your Forum Nameologist?
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Running a humbucker in parallel (instead of the more standard series) lowers the output and reduces the "thickness" of the sound a bit, while still cancelling hum. I'd say it's a bit brighter and "chimier" than series (or, put other ways, leaner, or not as fat), but it certainly does not sound like a Strat (nor any other single coil) pickup. But it's definitely a usable tone, and a way to add more flavors to a humbucker-equipped guitar.
Running a humbucker in parallel (instead of the more standard series) lowers the output and reduces the "thickness" of the sound a bit, while still cancelling hum. I'd say it's a bit brighter and "chimier" than series (or, put other ways, leaner, or not as fat), but it certainly does not sound like a Strat (nor any other single coil) pickup. But it's definitely a usable tone, and a way to add more flavors to a humbucker-equipped guitar.
hermetico
New member
Re: Coil-tap vs parallel coils vs single coil
Coil Tap usually refers to a an asymetric tap in the winding of a pickup and that gives you "two modes": by example hot and vintage.
By example, you get an standard fender single pickup and you add some extra turns to achieve a texas-hot pickup.
If you put a tap between the turns of the "standard" pickup and rest of turns, you can have two virtual pickups in one.
Those extra turns usually are just a few more, not exactly double the first ones.
Therefore, Coil Tap will give you a hotter or softer version of the same pickup and, will preserve most of pickup's natural sound.
Coil split it's a term used to just select one of the coils of a humbucker (double-coil) pickup.
This isn't a tap inside one of the coils, even that both coils can be asymetric.
Some pickup makers, instead of having a separate wire for finish coil wire of each pickup, are providing just a single wire that corresponds to the link spot of both coils and, name that the tap wire.
Anyway, a coil split never sounds the same as a true single coil. Magnetic field is arranged horizontally in a humbucker or P90, while vertically for fender-alike pickups.
Usually, a coil split sounds weaker than a true single (it doesn't matter if we talk about P90 or fender, or whatever) and, it lacks some punch and body. But, vintage-hot, medium-hot or hot humbuckers can achieve better split sounds (because of extra turns).
An Split coil can sound to you at around 60% of the loudness of the full humbucker (depending on each particular pickup).
A humbucker with each coils wired in parallel will sound to you at about 70% of the loudness of the in series mode (always, depending on each pickup), maybe due to the fact that most of the bass frequencies seem to be cancelled, what opens the sound and removes any muddiness or box-alike sound in that pickup. It's very useful to clear the voice of a dark or high-output pickup and, specially good for neck humbuckers, with the benefit of still cancelling the hum.
In weak humbuckers, going to parallel can mean to achieve a very thin and trebbly tone.
True single coils have also some difference.
We have the Gibson-trend (P90, Phat-Cat, etc.) and Fender-Trend (strato, tele, etc).
Gibson ones have their coils laying over one or more magnets and, therefore, magnetic field is horizontal (projected vertically with the help of screw or bars).
They are oftern hotter than Fender ones and have great punch and strength.
Fender ones have no magnet bars below, they have 6 bar magnets, placed vertically, what completely changes the magnetic field.
They have punchy and ice-picked highs (when pushed hard), a very vocal and growling basses but, less sustain and body than Gibson's.
For sure, there are different versions of all them, just to get rid of some of the issues (creating new ones, ha ha).
Then, you have also stacked pickups, having a couple of coils vertically stacked, that work similarly (but not equal, because of the vertical magnetic field) to humbuckers and, also as true singles when split.
But, there are also stacked pickups with a dummy coil (that's there just to cancell the hum), they sound close to true single but, not the same.
You can even change the character of those pickups with some "accessories", like a bottom plate for singles, that gives them more body and punch; or removing or changing the material of humbucker covers, etc.
There is also another way to "split" a humbucker, called "half-out-of-phase" that, suposely gives you a closer single coil sound than a "standard" split. Still not experienced by myself.
Coil Tap usually refers to a an asymetric tap in the winding of a pickup and that gives you "two modes": by example hot and vintage.
By example, you get an standard fender single pickup and you add some extra turns to achieve a texas-hot pickup.
If you put a tap between the turns of the "standard" pickup and rest of turns, you can have two virtual pickups in one.
Those extra turns usually are just a few more, not exactly double the first ones.
Therefore, Coil Tap will give you a hotter or softer version of the same pickup and, will preserve most of pickup's natural sound.
Coil split it's a term used to just select one of the coils of a humbucker (double-coil) pickup.
This isn't a tap inside one of the coils, even that both coils can be asymetric.
Some pickup makers, instead of having a separate wire for finish coil wire of each pickup, are providing just a single wire that corresponds to the link spot of both coils and, name that the tap wire.
Anyway, a coil split never sounds the same as a true single coil. Magnetic field is arranged horizontally in a humbucker or P90, while vertically for fender-alike pickups.
Usually, a coil split sounds weaker than a true single (it doesn't matter if we talk about P90 or fender, or whatever) and, it lacks some punch and body. But, vintage-hot, medium-hot or hot humbuckers can achieve better split sounds (because of extra turns).
An Split coil can sound to you at around 60% of the loudness of the full humbucker (depending on each particular pickup).
A humbucker with each coils wired in parallel will sound to you at about 70% of the loudness of the in series mode (always, depending on each pickup), maybe due to the fact that most of the bass frequencies seem to be cancelled, what opens the sound and removes any muddiness or box-alike sound in that pickup. It's very useful to clear the voice of a dark or high-output pickup and, specially good for neck humbuckers, with the benefit of still cancelling the hum.
In weak humbuckers, going to parallel can mean to achieve a very thin and trebbly tone.
True single coils have also some difference.
We have the Gibson-trend (P90, Phat-Cat, etc.) and Fender-Trend (strato, tele, etc).
Gibson ones have their coils laying over one or more magnets and, therefore, magnetic field is horizontal (projected vertically with the help of screw or bars).
They are oftern hotter than Fender ones and have great punch and strength.
Fender ones have no magnet bars below, they have 6 bar magnets, placed vertically, what completely changes the magnetic field.
They have punchy and ice-picked highs (when pushed hard), a very vocal and growling basses but, less sustain and body than Gibson's.
For sure, there are different versions of all them, just to get rid of some of the issues (creating new ones, ha ha).
Then, you have also stacked pickups, having a couple of coils vertically stacked, that work similarly (but not equal, because of the vertical magnetic field) to humbuckers and, also as true singles when split.
But, there are also stacked pickups with a dummy coil (that's there just to cancell the hum), they sound close to true single but, not the same.
You can even change the character of those pickups with some "accessories", like a bottom plate for singles, that gives them more body and punch; or removing or changing the material of humbucker covers, etc.
There is also another way to "split" a humbucker, called "half-out-of-phase" that, suposely gives you a closer single coil sound than a "standard" split. Still not experienced by myself.