Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

[Nico 666]

Hello!

I'm new on this forum. I've come to you because I can't find answers to this elsewhere.
I plan to switch my LP stock pickups to a '59 in neck position and a JB in bridge position. I would like to add some possibilities to this guitar so I plan to go for coil splitting and/or serie/parallel switching.
Would you recommend me to do both or only one of those and, in this case, which one would you advise me to do?
I guess I need to order a 4-conductors model of the '59? Right?
Yhanks to all who will read this!

Nico

 

[Sykes]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

I'd say go for it all. That will give you 12 options of sound, not that you will always use all of them, but more options is a good thing. 2 volume and 2 tone knobs are great because it gives you more options without having to drill holes for toggles switches.

I recently did this mod to my Epi Lp. I would recommend it.

Yes you will need 4 conductor pickups for what you are doing. Also 4 push/pull pots.

Do this wiring for both pickups.

schematic

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

That schematic looks familiar..........

 

[Sykes]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

That schematic looks familiar..........

Yeah I got that schem from Rob. Just thought I would pass along the info, just in case.

 

[Michael]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Sort of a newb question to add to this.

Would it be possible to add a third Humbucker to this mix? Basically add a 5-way switch with a push/push for the middle pickup (ala Fender Super Strat)?

Pickup Switching:

5-Position Blade Switch and Push/Push Bridge Pickup Activator Switch

1. Bridge Pickup
2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
3. Middle Pickup
4. Middle and Neck Pickups (Plus Bridge Pickup when switch is activated)
5. Neck Pickup (Plus Bridge Pickup when switch is activated)

Given the schematic shown above and the switching here, would it be correct to say that each pickup would have its own Volume/Tone and could also be activated in basically all the combinations available to the three?

And what would the schematic look like for this monster?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting


Same one Sykes posted, only I put this in duncan format when i thought about doing it. Ignore all the stuff it sais under it.

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Btw, what model LP do you have? Gearjoneser told me something about gibson LPs having very shallow cavities and dp/dt switches won't fit.

 

[msplines]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Btw, what model LP do you have? Gearjoneser told me something about gibson LPs having very shallow cavities and dp/dt switches won't fit.

Absolutely right in most cases. the push/pull pots will have to be long shaft if you can get them unless the cavity has been specially routed to use "normal" length shafts and you may well have real trouble finding On-On-On toggle switches to wire up split - parallel-humbucking combos if you try and use separate switches and you'll have to cut holes as you will if you want to use a five way selector switch. if carving the box doesn't faze you, it's only a question of patience. if you want a light airy rythm sound from a Les Paul, then parallel isn't bad at all (and quiet! - see neons in bars etc) but it's not exactly like split and not all HBs split really well due to other design properties.
Have fun!

 

[Michael]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

This is gonna go into a home built guitar so body shape and depth are not an issue. Basically I am trying for a guitar with as much range of tone as I can get for fiddling around the house with. Thanks guys for the help! :burnout: Now off to do some sodderin'.

Michael

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

I have a question.

Which do you hear as being the stronger, more useful tone: single or parallel?

We know series is loudest and strongest...

Lew

 

[Nico 666]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Thanks for the replies and schematics!

Btw, what model LP do you have? Gearjoneser told me something about gibson LPs having very shallow cavities and dp/dt switches won't fit.

I've got a '96 Gibson LP Standard. Do you reckon it will work with four DPDT push-pull?

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Well, you may need to buy the Jimmy Page mod kit. It has 2 long shaft dp/dts, and 2 normal dp/dts. - for a les paul. Seems like that would be the easiest way to do it.

Here: http://guitarelectronics.zoovy.com/results.cgis?catalog=&keywords=jimmy+page&x=44&y=9 (you'll need the first one)

Good luck

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

I have a question.

Which do you hear as being the stronger, more useful tone: single or parallel?

We know series is loudest and strongest...

Lew

I'd say parallel. It really depends on whether it's a humbucker by itself or if it's paired with another. I get a good sound for chording with a full humbucker in series paired with another split humbucker. A split humbucker by itself is very weak, especially a bridge humbucker. Parallel is stronger, and i'd say more useful since you wouldn't be playing live with a single split humbucker. (or at least i wouldn't) Parallel wins my vote I'm considering changing my JP mod to what nico is describing.

 

[Nico 666]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Well, you may need to buy the Jimmy Page mod kit. It has 2 long shaft dp/dts, and 2 normal dp/dts. - for a les paul. Seems like that would be the easiest way to do it.

Here: http://guitarelectronics.zoovy.com/results.cgis?catalog=&keywords=jimmy+page&x=44&y=9 (you'll need the first one)

Good luck

Thanks for the info. I think I will leave it to a guitar tech, though. It seems beyond my poor elrctronics skill. However, I learned much from you.

Btw, how do you find the custom 5. Have you compared it with the JB?

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Btw, how do you find the custom 5. Have you compared it with the JB?

I've never tried the JB. But from what i read about it, it seemed like it just wasn't for me. Check out Lew's site i think you'll find it pretty helpful, you can also order your pickups from him. www.lewsguitars.com

Here's what he said about the C5 that made me most interested in it:

I've really been getting into the new Duncan Custom 5. It's the same pickup as the 59 and JB but wound for an output and tone that falls right in-between the two!

(i was having trouble deciding between the JB and the '59)

 

[Nico 666]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Thanks. Another cool link.
Now, I have trouble deciding between the Custom 5 and the JB. Aaaarghhh!
Another sleepless night ahead!

 

[Sykes]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

I have a question.

Which do you hear as being the stronger, more useful tone: single or parallel?

We know series is loudest and strongest...

Lew

I think the split has a better clean sound, but I like the parallel under distortion. Switching to parallel when distorted, adds alot more articulation to the mix, yet still sounds about as raunchy as the series.

But, yeah, by the numbers, the split will have a higher DC resistance = more louder.

As far as usefull tone, I like parallel. More articulate that series, less hum than split.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

I've never tried the JB. But from what i read about it, it seemed like it just wasn't for me. Check out Lew's site i think you'll find it pretty helpful, you can also order your pickups from him. www.lewsguitars.com

Here's what he said about the C5 that made me most interested in it:
(i was having trouble deciding between the JB and the '59)

I do kind of hear the C5 as falling in between the JB and 59...

The C5 is big and powerful like a JB but not as thick as the JB...in that respect it's more like the 59. It's like a JB Lite or Heavy 59!

I have to say tho that I no longer use the C5...I prefer the 59 Trembucker or Fralin 9.5K humbucker and the 59 Trembucker is the pickup I use most.

For whatever reason, it just feels more familiar and controllable. Instant Clapton/Cream or early EVH tone. Neither of those guys used 14 or 16K pickups like the C5 or JB...just a nice 8K or 9K humbucker through a Marshall.

Lew

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Parallel/Serie and Coil splitting

Sort of a newb question to add to this.

Would it be possible to add a third Humbucker to this mix? Basically add a 5-way switch with a push/push for the middle pickup (ala Fender Super Strat)?

Pickup Switching:

5-Position Blade Switch and Push/Push Bridge Pickup Activator Switch

1. Bridge Pickup
2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
3. Middle Pickup
4. Middle and Neck Pickups (Plus Bridge Pickup when switch is activated)
5. Neck Pickup (Plus Bridge Pickup when switch is activated)

Given the schematic shown above and the switching here, would it be correct to say that each pickup would have its own Volume/Tone and could also be activated in basically all the combinations available to the three?

And what would the schematic look like for this monster?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

Michael, send a PM to ArtieToo with your question. I'm sure he could help you out.