Yeah, I really hate switching guitars.
Do humbuckers in parallel sound Strat-y?
- Thread starter Rex_Rocker
- Start date
Yeah, I really hate switching guitars.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
This is a Distortion that I plan on adding a push pull, BTW. Since it's a one pickup guitar, I figured I'd at least give it a second sound, but I'm still undecided between parallel or split.
Put in a mini DPDT on/on/on and wire it for series/split/parallel and have it all. No need to decide.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
I hate hum, but split generally seems to be the more useful option when I try between split/parallel.
freefrog
Well-known member
I've no experience about series / parallel / split with a Distortion but as a hot HB it appears as a good candidate for parallel wiring. Not only for the Fenderish 2H of inductance to expect from parallel coils with such a model but also because a 8k / 4H coil should be noisier once split than a 4k / 2H coil in a regular P.A.F. clone.
Now, it really depends on the whole gear involved + needs of the player so, +1 about what GuitarDoc said in post 23...
Now, it really depends on the whole gear involved + needs of the player so, +1 about what GuitarDoc said in post 23...
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I already have the push pull pot, though, so I'd rather use that one for now than drill a hole in the pickguard. Keep in mind, this is like a "backup" second sound just to have in there just in case.
Also... which coil would be better if I decide to split? Screw or slug and why?
Also... which coil would be better if I decide to split? Screw or slug and why?
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
I could see some people benefiting from coil splits, but not me. The only situation where I would want to have to have only one guitar is playing live, and I have never found a set that I couldn't perform with an HSS strat with no fancy switching.
I feel people are too concerned with finding a guitar that can do everything to realize that most guitars can do everything.
As an unrelated note, I feel the "Les to Strat" preset on an H90 sounds way way better than any coil split ever will.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
IME I like slug, away from the bridge. Sounds Fendery and is a useful sound.
If you split to screw, nearer the bridge, IME it's still useful - it's more of a punk P90 kind of sound, but weaker. Needs a boost or some drive.
There are specific requirements I need for one guitar, and not every one can meet them. I mean, I can make anything work, but I won't be happy with just anything.
In that case, just hard wire it for split and see how you like that sound, then hard wire it for parallel and see how you like that compared to the split. Then you can wire your p/p accordingly.
I, myself, would just put in the extra mini switch. it's small and would hardly be noticeable.
Or you could use a p/p on the vol pot for split, and a p/p on the tone pot for parallel.
If you end up only doing split, do what Beau said and split to the slug coil.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
The coil closest to the neck sounds best for bridge and neck to me. Prevents the bridge from being too tinny and is directly under where a strat neck pickup would be.
I think when referring to the coils (either screw or slug) you need to specify if you're referring to the bridge or neck pup since the coils are oriented differently...screw coil is closest to the neck in the neck pup and closest to the bridge in the bridge pup.
Considering that, what Guitarstv said would be the best way to go (screw coil in neck pup and slug coil in bridge pup). The screw coil in the bridge pup would be very weak and tinny sounding, being right next to the bridge. The slug coil is further away from the bridge and will sound bigger and fuller.
This is something that can get very confusing when you have pups with 2 rows of screws, or 2 rows of slugs, or 2 rows of staples, or 2 rails, or a pup that has been installed reverse. Just my opinion, but I think it is best to refer to inside or outside coils. In that case, what I said above would be outside neck coil and inside bridge coil (however, the difference of coils in the neck is admittedly small, unless the coils are very asymmetrically wound).
Considering that, what Guitarstv said would be the best way to go (screw coil in neck pup and slug coil in bridge pup). The screw coil in the bridge pup would be very weak and tinny sounding, being right next to the bridge. The slug coil is further away from the bridge and will sound bigger and fuller.
This is something that can get very confusing when you have pups with 2 rows of screws, or 2 rows of slugs, or 2 rows of staples, or 2 rails, or a pup that has been installed reverse. Just my opinion, but I think it is best to refer to inside or outside coils. In that case, what I said above would be outside neck coil and inside bridge coil (however, the difference of coils in the neck is admittedly small, unless the coils are very asymmetrically wound).
Oldmanmetalhead
New member
I have a Ernie Ball Music Jason Richardson that has more quack in the middle position than any strat I have. No idea why? I wonder if its wired parallel, I wont take it apart to look, too much money
two ceramic buckers, three way switch, p/p volume for active boost, p/p tone for splitting both pups. i assume the pups are wired in series when not split, but its possible they are wired in parallel (individually) if they used some kind of super three way switch
Oldmanmetalhead
New member
The quack is there even not split. I was initially not too crazy about the sound of the guitar but that quack is awesome LOL.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Distortion splits pretty well, as I recall. I'd try it split unless hum rejection is an important priority.
IME split has always been Strattier than parallel.
For lower-output hums, parallel can still be fairly singlecoily in character.
My Showmaster has a 59N split in position 4; it's adequate and noise-free.
But a Distortion bridge is rather beefy.
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