Parallel for clean instead of series

G

Gaspasser69

New member
My playing is atrocious but im demonstrating the sound difference of parallel out of phase vs series in phase. I hate series for clean because its like an 80's synth piano keyboard sound agianst a real piano, compared to the clean sound of parallel. Lower out put but less resistance equalling in a more pure and true sound.

https://youtu.be/gO47HKT9yIA

Opinions?
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

I admit that I tend to like the sound of parallel compared to series for clean tones... particularly if I'm trying to get a more acoustic feel. Series is great, though, for laying down a heavier wall of sound. I'm also a bigger fan of my neck pups in series clean over my bridge pups. It's just a warmer, thicker sound. Both series and parallel (and split actually) have their uses. Even though I like the parallel tone a little better for cleans, I sure wouldn't want to hardwire a guitar for parallel only and miss out on the sounds that series has to offer.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Same here. If it's an axe that I know the neck will only be used for cleans, I wire it parallel. If it's a more versatile axe, it gets Triple Shots, sometimes just on the neck.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

+1.

Triple Shots. I find that parallel is my most used humbucker mode, especially for cleans. My favorite tone is P-90 however.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Do you think of triple shots as a mod to guitars that you dont want/cant to drill 30 holes in? Or just always better than my guitars with enough switches to either launch a 60's space shuttle or call in the mothership. The cost is rough but I think they look amazing either way. I havent had a scenerio where they fit yet. If i put nice pu's in my kit sg i made for dad it would be appropriate.

The stock electronics are crap but they work and sound ok.IMG_20150711_121349272.jpg
 
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Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

I think of the TS as an alternative to the SuperSwitch+Push-Pull wiring nightmare, with more options.

I mean, they're the best thing to happen to the electric guitar IMO since the humbucker, and are a natural evolution of the guitar as an instrument.

They open up so many more tonal options that are accessed easily, and yes, without drilling more holes. Even on a 4-knobber like an LP or SG, I'd go with a pair of TSs before I tried push-pulls.

Of course they do have their limits over push-pulls (no built-in phase inversion) but they benefit from additional switches and aren't redundant. With 2 switches forward and 2 back, you even get a Coil Swap/virtual humbucker mod, and can shift the focus from neck+bridge to bridge+neck. Add a push-pull to swap the phase and get all the honk you can tonk.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Gaspasser69 said:
Lower out put but less resistance equalling in a more pure and true sound.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't go that far. It's fine to like parallel, but let's not get carried away with it's presumed virtues. To me parallel sounds weak and neutered; hardly 'natural.' Actually parallel is two coils competing with each other and reducing a good part of the output and EQ in the process. Natural?
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Series is really long wire which is greater resistance. Parallel is two short wires splitting the signal with less resistance. (Impedance is ac resistance) a longer wire takes longer to change direction and loses the finer points in a wave form so you get a more synth sound like a sawtooth wave or square( i know that is the most extreme but its same principle right) I like parallel for sounding very close to the actual string being plucked. Series to me is for distortion or jazz with the tone knob all the way down. Parallel is an acoustic sound.

People keep calling it thin and nasally and hate it.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

I like the Triple Shot concept. My Ibby with the A4SH-6n/Alternative 8 set has them. I don't like how fragile they are. Swapping pickups is a risk. That micro cable breaks, you're done. However, to put it on one set, and leave it, gives lots of options. I like running the Alt 8 split to the screw coil and the SH-6 in parallel humbucker mode. Or Alt 8 bridge full hum with the SH-6n in parallel. Or split to the slug. Imagine the old Charvel Single-Hum, but on steroids.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

I'd put a set of pickups in without the TS and rig up a quick-change push-pull system that let me test the split/parallel options before committing the TS, simply because too much handling is a risk.

Repairing the ribbon cable is definitely a chore, but it can be done (I've done it). I think if I had to do another, I'd look into molex connectors and extending the ribbon a bit so I can get a better grip on it, maybe even splice it to some 4-con and run it all into the cavity.
Wondering if one could find a Liberator-style screw-in connector small enough to work with it. May have to separate the ribbon, though.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Gaspasser69 said:
Series is really long wire which is greater resistance. Parallel is two short wires splitting the signal with less resistance. (Impedance is ac resistance) a longer wire takes longer to change direction and loses the finer points in a wave form so you get a more synth sound like a sawtooth wave or square( i know that is the most extreme but its same principle right) I like parallel for sounding very close to the actual string being plucked. Series to me is for distortion or jazz with the tone knob all the way down. Parallel is an acoustic sound.

People keep calling it thin and nasally and hate it.
Click to expand...

You do realise that the coils are not a resistor.....they are a signal generator. More wire doesn't equal less tone. This is perhaps the greatest fallacy of pickup knowledge.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Yes, they generate a signal via induction.

OP seems to think that the coils somehow produce a different signal when they are connected in series vs parallel. It just the cancelation that occurs due to the method of connection that influences the final tone.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

I'll go against the grain. My issue with parallel is that I don't so much care for the envelope of the note. Transients are more pronounced (too much so unless I'm going for more of an acoustic vibe) and the sustain level is reduced.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

I wire all my neck pickups in parallel. It brightens them up and takes away the hollow sound that they seem to have, making them sound more like a second bridge pickup.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

AlexR said:
Yes, they generate a signal via induction.

OP seems to think that the coils somehow produce a different signal when they are connected in series vs parallel. It just the cancelation that occurs due to the method of connection that influences the final tone.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that signal has a lot longer go to go through two coils before getting to the jack and that is a higher impedance. Thus you are getting like 10+ k in stead of two signals at 5k. Which adds up to 10k in the end but In terms of impedance at the source its less
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

The length of wire is what is generating the signal, not being a resistor the the signal. Add more turns to the same pickup, get more signal. By comparison to the current and voltage produced in the wire, it like driving down a 50 lane freeway.....plenty of space for the electrons. You can tell that its the method of connection that is the primary factor, as you get way more signal by connecting the two coils in series, which is precisely the method you say should produce less. Parallel produces barely half the signal of series, which is the method you say should be a greater output.
Remember that pickups are a voltage driven device, not current.
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

Where can I find a wiring diagram for parallel out of phase if there is such a thing? I love that kind of acoustic sound, and I could use that sound during worship services on some songs
 
Re: Parallel for clean instead of series

guitarSQUIRELL said:
Where can I find a wiring diagram for parallel out of phase if there is such a thing? I love that kind of acoustic sound, and I could use that sound during worship services on some songs
Click to expand...

Bridge & neck PU's are linked in parallel in the middle toggle position. There's diagrams for push-pull phase.
 
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