output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

[Ro_S]

I realise that the DC resistance of a humbucker pick-up is 50% less when in coil split mode, and is 75% less when in parallel mode.

But what proportion affect do these two modes have to the actual output of a humbucker?

I have come across very different views about this.

Help, please!

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

When I operate my Alnico II Pros and my Jazz humbuckers in split coil mode I do not get much of a volume dropoff at all. On one of my A2Ps the volume seems exactly even in split coil mode (and to some people it seems louder but really it's just brighter with more of a bite).

 

[ItsaBass]

output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

IME, parallel is always quieter than split. Splitting just seems to remove a lot of low end and midrange. Parallel has a much more eq-balanced volume drop from normal (series).

 

[AlexR]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

Parallel has more cancellation - think of it like mega quack. The output that gives it body is probably at 40% and the rest at normal split level (50%).

 

[DreX]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I was under the impression that parallel mode humbucks every bit as much as series, at least that what my ears tell me.

 

[Artie]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I was under the impression that parallel mode humbucks every bit as much as series, at least that what my ears tell me.

Yup. Me too. And, (to the OP), ignore parallel DC resistance measurements. One AA battery puts out 1.5 volts. Two, in parallel, still put out 1.5 volts.

 

[koshikas]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

this is something that has varying results depending on the pickup that is subject to be wired that way.

IME i've been only able to get usable sounds from both split and parallel wired humbuckers from moderate to high output pickups. But I've read here of few people like @SnakeAces who've got results from PAF-like pickups. unfortunately I cant speak of the output that i got from the two methods, granted it wasn't much compared to what it was when the coils were in series. what i've observed sound wise is that;

split; it has a higher dynamic range compared to when the pickup was in series or parallel. it also has more highend with less lowend and mids. higher the ouput of the pickup these sacrifices are progressively negated

parallel; gives it tiny bit more compression while retaining clarity compared to splitting coils. ceramic mag powered humbuckers sound the best wired this way compared to their respective split tones.

i find generalizing the results hard, except for the above mentioned observations.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

this is something that has varying results depending on the pickup that is subject to be wired that way.

IME i've been only able to get usable sounds from both split and parallel wired humbuckers from moderate to high output pickups. But I've read here of few people like @SnakeAces who've got results from PAF-like pickups. unfortunately I cant speak of the output that i got from the two methods, granted it wasn't much compared to what it was when the coils were in series. what i've observed sound wise is that;

split; it has a higher dynamic range compared to when the pickup was in series or parallel. it also has more highend with less lowend and mids. higher the ouput of the pickup these sacrifices are progressively negated

parallel; gives it tiny bit more compression while retaining clarity compared to splitting coils. ceramic mag powered humbuckers sound the best wired this way compared to their respective split tones.

i find generalizing the results hard, except for the above mentioned observations.

I agree, it is really hard to generalize as there are so many variables.

For example, with my PAF-like pickups I keep my A2P neck I spoke about 3/32" away from the strings (measurement taken with string fretted at last fret) and the Jazz neck is 1/4" away. Perhaps I have more of a volume balance because I keep them further away than say "Gibson Factory Recommendations". Then again, maybe not. I don't know too many other people who have had such pleasant results when splitting lower output humbuckers as I have. Most people tend to prefer high output for splits.

 

[uOpt]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

The output is the same from a technical standpoint.

But a regular wired pickup has the resonance peak at a frequency where you ears are very sensitive. If you put it in parallel the resonance peak is way higher than where it would matter, and a lot of energy goes where you ears are less sensitive. You also quickly get higher than what you speakers cut off at so it goes /dev/null.

When (over-)driving a clipping stage such as a dirty or distorted amp about the same things happens. You really want a "compact" input to get smooth overdrive. Putting in a wider frequency range makes the clipping too fuzzy.

 

[koshikas]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

If you put it in parallel the resonance peak is way higher than where it would matter, and a lot of energy goes where you ears are less sensitive. You also quickly get higher than what you speakers cut off at so it goes /dev/null.

bit too technical sense of humor don't you think

 

[uOpt]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I thought /dev/null is common lingo now?

 

[Ro_S]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

Would it help if I gave information about a particular humbucker I have in mind?

It's a high output humbucker made by 'DBZ-Diamond'. The DC resistance on it is 15k. It has ceramic magnets. It's based in some way on the S/Duncan 'JB' model.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I thought /dev/null is common lingo now?

I'm a Linux user and even I have to say no to that one. LOL

 

[Artie]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I don't know too many other people who have had such pleasant results when splitting lower output humbuckers as I have.

Count me in. I have my Ibby Jetking, with AII Pro's, wired for both split and parallel modes. Love 'em all.

bit too technical sense of humor don't you think

I'm a Linux user and even I have to say no to that one. LOL

I love a good inside joke from time to time.

Artie

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

In my experience, the split is almost as loud as the series (in the case of my STK-S2 it might even be a little louder, but it's probably just the highs biting through as SnakeAces mentioned). Parallel sounds a lot like the split (very single-coilish), but is a bit quieter... not as much punch.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I'd like to add a couple of questions here, since the parallel vs. split battle is a big one I've been having (I've had to choose one since I use push pulls and don't want to use a Triple Shot).

uOpt is probably the man for this.

1) If you have your guitar wired up J bass style, put the toggle in the middle (parallel), and turn down one pickup or the other to isolate it, wouldn't this emulate a parallel sound? Further, if you use both pickups in the middle, you'd get the benefit of pickups at two widely varying points of the string, instead of just along the surface area of one pickup.

2) Using method 1, you could split your pickups then dial them into faux-parallel with the toggle, getting the best of both worlds.

3) To my ears, split is better for distorted sounds but parallel sounds better clean for a lot of pickups. It's a very subtle but noticeable difference. The hard part is having to choose one or the other if you don't want a TS or to drill for a mini toggle.

 

[uOpt]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I'd like to add a couple of questions here, since the parallel vs. split battle is a big one I've been having (I've had to choose one since I use push pulls and don't want to use a Triple Shot).

uOpt is probably the man for this.

1) If you have your guitar wired up J bass style, put the toggle in the middle (parallel), and turn down one pickup or the other to isolate it, wouldn't this emulate a parallel sound? Further, if you use both pickups in the middle, you'd get the benefit of pickups at two widely varying points of the string, instead of just along the surface area of one pickup.

2) Using method 1, you could split your pickups then dial them into faux-parallel with the toggle, getting the best of both worlds.

3) To my ears, split is better for distorted sounds but parallel sounds better clean for a lot of pickups. It's a very subtle but noticeable difference. The hard part is having to choose one or the other if you don't want a TS or to drill for a mini toggle.

I don't understand #2.

#1 is correct, a Jazz bass is just parallel.

#3 is also implied since the resonance peak goes up when split compared to in-series but it goes up even further when in parallel.

Multiple pickup points are not a universal advantage since you have lots of overtones killed being out of phase. It is part of the attraction of course.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

I don't understand #2.

#1 is correct, a Jazz bass is just parallel.

#3 is also implied since the resonance peak goes up when split compared to in-series but it goes up even further when in parallel.

Multiple pickup points are not a universal advantage since you have lots of overtones killed being out of phase. It is part of the attraction of course.

2) Means that you could get a regular split sound via push pull, but you could also get a split/parallel sound by splitting the pickup, moving the toggle in the middle, and isolating one pickup. In addition, you would be hum cancelling because the split pickups would kill hum as long as you're split on opposite coils, no?

My intention here is to try and fake having split and parallel sounds without having to wire for parallel on a push pull (the wires get brittle and a bit tedious with more connections with parallel vs. split). I use the toggle and split wiring to do that. I noticed that switching my toggle to the middle led to a volume drop and thinning of the tone that I associate with parallel.

So I thought, "Hey, not only can I split these, but I can split them, *then* move the toggle to the middle for parallel, and have the best of both at once."

Just making sure that's an accurate conclusion.

It's not the same as true parallel as it isn't parallel on one pickup, but the toggle in the middle seems to emulate parallel well enough that wiring for parallel seems unnecessary.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: output of a humbucker when in coil split and parallel wiring modes

The only thing I can think of that you would lose relative to true parallel wiring is you couldn't have a series pickup and a parallel pickup going at the same time.

I wish I could find thea link--I saw one guitar months ago online that had more than a dozen wiring variations with schematics. I've found some wiring variations as high as 15 in one guitar and I'm trying to reduce those to as many as possible with as little body drilling.

Hence the interest in parallel and split without having to wire for parallel.