Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
- Thread starter Artie
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Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
That's a great question. I guess one way to guesstimate the effects of that would be to pull a pole piece from a DB and see if it goes down deep enough to contact the bottom loaded rail or if it's more cosmetic in nature. If it doesn't touch the rail, then, you should be good to split.
That's a great question. I guess one way to guesstimate the effects of that would be to pull a pole piece from a DB and see if it goes down deep enough to contact the bottom loaded rail or if it's more cosmetic in nature. If it doesn't touch the rail, then, you should be good to split.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
I mean...you *could* do that... Lol
The other thing I could do, is install the one I have, and test it for myself. :chairshot
Maybe later this week.
I mean...you *could* do that... Lol
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
Well, maybe not too crazy. Imagine a typical HH axe with, say, 59's. Neck pups are often characterized as being "muddy", and sometimes bridge pups as too bright. What if you put a Vintage Rails in the middle, (to make it HSH), and wired it such that when the neck pup was on, you'd have the "top 3" half of the VR. And when the bridge pup was on, you'd have the "bottom 3" half. The extra coil on could also add a little harmonic complexity, ala "Strat quack-ish". Might be an interesting experiment.
Well, maybe not too crazy. Imagine a typical HH axe with, say, 59's. Neck pups are often characterized as being "muddy", and sometimes bridge pups as too bright. What if you put a Vintage Rails in the middle, (to make it HSH), and wired it such that when the neck pup was on, you'd have the "top 3" half of the VR. And when the bridge pup was on, you'd have the "bottom 3" half. The extra coil on could also add a little harmonic complexity, ala "Strat quack-ish". Might be an interesting experiment.
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
I could also see the having a neck & middle VR, and having the high strings on the neck pickup, and the low ones on the middle. I guess there are all kinds of things you can do here- I'd imagine that kind of thing has been done, I just haven't read about it here.
I could also see the having a neck & middle VR, and having the high strings on the neck pickup, and the low ones on the middle. I guess there are all kinds of things you can do here- I'd imagine that kind of thing has been done, I just haven't read about it here.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
What guitar is this for? The "neck too dark, bridge too bright" issue can be easily solved by more conventional means (fiddling with magnets and pot values is a lot easier and more flexible). It's an interesting idea for sure, but when you have two coils in parallel the lower output one tends to dominate the sound. On the 3 strings that aren't being detected by the middle pickup, it still creates parallel resistance and will affect the sound, which may negate the advantages of having it there in the first place.
What guitar is this for? The "neck too dark, bridge too bright" issue can be easily solved by more conventional means (fiddling with magnets and pot values is a lot easier and more flexible). It's an interesting idea for sure, but when you have two coils in parallel the lower output one tends to dominate the sound. On the 3 strings that aren't being detected by the middle pickup, it still creates parallel resistance and will affect the sound, which may negate the advantages of having it there in the first place.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
It's not for any specific guitar. It's just one of those off-the-wall wiring ideas I get from time to time. More of an intellectual exercise than anything. And partly because I was curious as to how a VR or Duck would sound split. It's definitely not a practical way to solve a simple problem.
It's not for any specific guitar. It's just one of those off-the-wall wiring ideas I get from time to time. More of an intellectual exercise than anything. And partly because I was curious as to how a VR or Duck would sound split. It's definitely not a practical way to solve a simple problem.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
Here’s what I’m thinking, and tell me how I’m wrong. The pole pieces or blade really serve to magnetize the strings, and the coil is sensing the vibration of the magnetized strings. So I think you’d get output from the “inactive”’ strings if the active coil does go under them and right next door the blade/pole pieces are still magnetizing the strings, just less so. I’m sure your question is will it be 10%, 50% or 90% and that’s a great question...
Here’s what I’m thinking, and tell me how I’m wrong. The pole pieces or blade really serve to magnetize the strings, and the coil is sensing the vibration of the magnetized strings. So I think you’d get output from the “inactive”’ strings if the active coil does go under them and right next door the blade/pole pieces are still magnetizing the strings, just less so. I’m sure your question is will it be 10%, 50% or 90% and that’s a great question...
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
That's a good point, and one I hadn't considered. For this to work, I'd probably need one of those pups like on a G&L, that appear to be truly two small coils. Kinda like a P-bass pup. I guess I should just mount the VR in a conventional single coil slot that I have, and split it to see what the difference is.
That's a good point, and one I hadn't considered. For this to work, I'd probably need one of those pups like on a G&L, that appear to be truly two small coils. Kinda like a P-bass pup. I guess I should just mount the VR in a conventional single coil slot that I have, and split it to see what the difference is.
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
Why do it in the first place?
Both of those pick ups, in full parallel (that’s how they usually wired) humbucking mode quack fantastically with just about everything.
I really don’t see any need to do that.
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Why do it in the first place?
Both of those pick ups, in full parallel (that’s how they usually wired) humbucking mode quack fantastically with just about everything.
I really don’t see any need to do that.
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Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
It's just an experiment. I do lots of wiring and diagrams. It helps me to know what works and what doesn't. And, it's fun.
It's just an experiment. I do lots of wiring and diagrams. It helps me to know what works and what doesn't. And, it's fun.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Has anyone ever "split" a Vintage Rails or Duckbucker?
On further investigation, G&L already does this on their Commanche Studio axe with the Z-coil pickups. So it's already been done. I'm going to try it anyway, but there's nothing new here.
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/main.php?g2_itemId=20836
On further investigation, G&L already does this on their Commanche Studio axe with the Z-coil pickups. So it's already been done. I'm going to try it anyway, but there's nothing new here.
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/main.php?g2_itemId=20836
