How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

[BlueMeanie]

I know it's possible, but I can't find a schematic that really makes sense.
I got a stacked pickup in the neck position on my Tele.
It's Muddy!
I'm hoping that whatever it's called (splitting/tapping) Whatever it's called to turn it into a single coil will make it cut through a bit more and sound better.
Any help?
Thanks alot... this is my first post.
Midrange.

 

[Artie]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

Hey BlueMeanie; Welcome to the forum.
I haven't seen you since that Yellow Submarine movie you were in. :laugh2:

I believe all you need to do is use either the black/white wires, or the red/green wires. That gives you one half of the stack.

I hope thats what you're asking.

Addendum: If you use black/white, black is hot, white is ground.
If you use red/green, red is hot, green is ground.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

you can do that, or you can set the pickups up in series or parallel (which one gets a clearer/less muddy signal?)

 

[BlueGuitar]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

I know it's possible, but I can't find a schematic that really makes sense.
I got a stacked pickup in the neck position on my Tele.
It's Muddy!
I'm hoping that whatever it's called (splitting/tapping) Whatever it's called to turn it into a single coil will make it cut through a bit more and sound better.
Any help?
Thanks alot... this is my first post.
Midrange.

Here is a scan of the sheet that came with my Tele stacked pickups:

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/_gtr/sd_390008-616revB.pdf

There are 4 different ways to wire up a tele stack: series, parallel, split and power boost. You might want to check out all 4 to see which one(s) you like.

Good luck!

 

[BlueMeanie]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

Hey thanks alot... I that's a lot more information that I was looking for, but I'm glad I got it.
I think I'll try the "Power Boost" wiring, simple because I like the sound of a "power boost" pickup!
I'm not sure what series and parallel wiring would do as far as changing the sound.
Thanks alot guys!
Midrange

 

[BlueGuitar]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

I think I'll try the "Power Boost" wiring, simple because I like the sound of a "power boost" pickup!
I'm not sure what series and parallel wiring would do as far as changing the sound.

"Power boost" basically configures both of the stacked coils as one single coil (which unfortuneately is not humcancelling). As I recall when you switch over to Power Boost mode from the humcancelling modes, it will put the pickup out of phase with the other pickup.

I believe that there is a mistake in the sheet I posted, since the instructions for Power Boost are identical to those for humcancelling mode. Reading between the lines, for normal power boost mode connect the following:
White wire to + Hot (tele selector switch)
solder Black and Red wires together and insulate
Green wire to Ground (back of pot)

However I think this will put the pickup out of phase with the other one so you would reverse the white and green wires:
Green wire to + Hot
solder Black and Red wires together and insulate
White wire to Ground

Here are the other 3 wirings spelled out :

Normal humcancelling (series):
Black to Hot
Solder Red and White wires together
Green to Ground

Parallel humcancelling:
Red and Black to Hot
White and Green to Ground

Split coil:
Black to Hot
Red, White and Green to Ground

 

[Artie]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

I've never really understood the significance of the "power boost" mode. Basically, it just reverses the phase of one coil relative to the other. On the bright side, I just got a Classic Stack from Butch, and can give it a try myself, this weekend.

 

[BlueMeanie]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

Damnit... I was just about to think I understood what I was trying to do....
Now I have no clue how I should wire my damn guitar!
Ah, the wonders of wiring :yell:

 

[Artie]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

At some point you just gotta tear in there with soldering iron and vise-grips and have at it. It can be a lot of trouble, but finding "your" tone is well worth the journey.

My poor Strat has been disassembled eleventy-seven times now.

 

[BlueMeanie]

Re: How can I turn my stacked pickup into a single coil?

I'll be cracking it open soon.
I've got a bigsby on order for it so I'll do it all at once.
So exciting!
Midrange