Distortion Split vs. Parallel Tones

[SweetClyde99]

I just installed a Duncan Distortion, which is a first for me. I’m really digging the high gain sounds, but not surprisingly, the clean tones leave something to be desired. I’m thinking about installing a push-pull pot to let me use it either split or in parallel to make it more flexible. I’m leaning toward parallel because I like the idea of it still being noise cancelling, but I’m hoping some of you have tried this and can vouch for which sounds better—or if neither sounds good and the mod isn’t worth my time.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Masta' C]

Look into the PRS style coil split

 

[Aceman]

Can't speak for parallel Distortion, but I have played one split. It's still a ceramic coil at the end of the day. Very bright, and I might argue very stray, but I'm not a single coil aficionado.

You aren;t going to change the general qualities of the magnet just by splitting.

 

[jeremy]

id try parallel, but both will sound better clean than series

 

[freefrog]

Personally, I tend to split (totally or partially) conventional / moderate output humbuckers and to wire high power ones in parallel. Reason: it's the simplest way in each case to get close to the inductance of a Fender single coil (around 2H) and therefore to its tone.
I've a guitar with hi-gain Bill Lawrence rail HB's + a switch for coil split and not surprisingly (to me at least), I don't appreciate its single coil mode as much as I liked a Dimebucker in parallel, for instance...
Single coil mode with hi-gain always HB's appears to me as inflating the hum without giving the desired sound: a 8k / 4H bobbin is too powerful to offer something else.
Now, tastes and colors aren't to be discussed and splitting a distortion might be the proper solution for your instrument and rig, OP. So, I'd try both just to be sure... Do what you want and be happy!

 

[SweetClyde99]

Yeah, I don’t mind soldering and experimenting in Les Pauls and Teles, but this is in an HH Jaguar, so I have to remove the strings and the pickguard just to switch a couple of wires, so I was hoping asking the question might save me some time.