Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
- Thread starter 127.0.0.1
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korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
Well to answer your question I'd turn to basic electronics.
Stock humbuckers are wired in series. Take an 8k humbucker.
4k screw coil + 4k slug coil = 8k in series
split, you ground one of the two coils. 4k slug or screw, depending on which was grounded out.
parallel, you still have the humbucking option because both coils are still activated. However, the wiring is different. the formula for resistances (the coils) in parallel is...
(R1 x R2) / (R1 + R2)
so 4x4 = 16
4 + 4= 8
16 / 8 = 2
In parallel, the 8k hummer has a 2k dc resistance. So parallel is a very low output, humbucking option, split is a half-output, non humbucking option.
Well to answer your question I'd turn to basic electronics.
Stock humbuckers are wired in series. Take an 8k humbucker.
4k screw coil + 4k slug coil = 8k in series
split, you ground one of the two coils. 4k slug or screw, depending on which was grounded out.
parallel, you still have the humbucking option because both coils are still activated. However, the wiring is different. the formula for resistances (the coils) in parallel is...
(R1 x R2) / (R1 + R2)
so 4x4 = 16
4 + 4= 8
16 / 8 = 2
In parallel, the 8k hummer has a 2k dc resistance. So parallel is a very low output, humbucking option, split is a half-output, non humbucking option.
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
But in reality, resistance is not equal to output. IME, a single coil from a humbucker and the bucker wired in parallel are about the same in output, and are "kinda sorta" similar in tone - thinner and sparklier than the series bucker. But the single seems to have more "thump" to it; just a bit more dynamic. IMO, if you *need* the humbucking effect, the parallel setup works OK as a single coil sound. It's also nice for a clear neck position sound. But those are the only times I'd use it.
But in reality, resistance is not equal to output. IME, a single coil from a humbucker and the bucker wired in parallel are about the same in output, and are "kinda sorta" similar in tone - thinner and sparklier than the series bucker. But the single seems to have more "thump" to it; just a bit more dynamic. IMO, if you *need* the humbucking effect, the parallel setup works OK as a single coil sound. It's also nice for a clear neck position sound. But those are the only times I'd use it.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
Single is not humbucking...parallel IS HUMBUCKING, so that's a plus.
I think of the output as being comparable between the two.
Maybe single has a little more push but parallel sounds a little wider.
Single is not humbucking...parallel IS HUMBUCKING, so that's a plus.
I think of the output as being comparable between the two.
Maybe single has a little more push but parallel sounds a little wider.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
If you're looking for tonal differences(Which hasn't been addressed yet) I have those answers as I use both split and parallel tones....
Parallel...No hum,weaker,thinner output than split,mids are slightly more pronounced than split...The tone is clean,clear,and bright with very little lows,but still a usable tone..I'd have to say that I percieve more mids because some of or alot of the low mids are not as apparent in parallel..
Split...Not as middy,a little more output,hum is there,stronger tone,but still not a true sounding single coil tone compared to an actual single coil pickup...More lows,not as bright and not as middy..
If you're looking for tonal differences(Which hasn't been addressed yet) I have those answers as I use both split and parallel tones....
Parallel...No hum,weaker,thinner output than split,mids are slightly more pronounced than split...The tone is clean,clear,and bright with very little lows,but still a usable tone..I'd have to say that I percieve more mids because some of or alot of the low mids are not as apparent in parallel..
Split...Not as middy,a little more output,hum is there,stronger tone,but still not a true sounding single coil tone compared to an actual single coil pickup...More lows,not as bright and not as middy..
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L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
Well stated! :laugh2:
STRATDELUXER97 said:
Well stated! :laugh2:
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
The SFX-01 solves all of my problems now if I decide to use a strat with a split/parallel bridge humbucker,but it's even better if I use a strat with an actual bridge single coil,as I can really beef up and volume up that bridge pickup with the click of the SFX-01. The SFX-01 isn't transparent but I Like the change it does make to the eq,plus it gives me that extra of everything for soloing and another overall tonal option to use..It's a great pedal...
John
Lewguitar said:
The SFX-01 solves all of my problems now if I decide to use a strat with a split/parallel bridge humbucker,but it's even better if I use a strat with an actual bridge single coil,as I can really beef up and volume up that bridge pickup with the click of the SFX-01. The SFX-01 isn't transparent but I Like the change it does make to the eq,plus it gives me that extra of everything for soloing and another overall tonal option to use..It's a great pedal...
John
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
Cool! You're next up to try the prototype Duncan Noiseless pickups, BTW. Do you have a spare Strat to try them in when Gearjoneser's finished with his audition? Lew
STRATDELUXER97 said:
Cool! You're next up to try the prototype Duncan Noiseless pickups, BTW. Do you have a spare Strat to try them in when Gearjoneser's finished with his audition? Lew
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
I Own 6 strats and I think I also have an extra guard that I'll wire up for the Noiseless...It'll then just be a quick switch from my current guard over to the second guard with the noiseless....
I'll more than likely use my blue H1 strat that currently has the Surfer N/M and Texas Hot bridge...This has become my favorite strat with my Red(Avatar) American Deluxe with all Texas Hots as a close tie...
John
Lewguitar said:
I Own 6 strats and I think I also have an extra guard that I'll wire up for the Noiseless...It'll then just be a quick switch from my current guard over to the second guard with the noiseless....
I'll more than likely use my blue H1 strat that currently has the Surfer N/M and Texas Hot bridge...This has become my favorite strat with my Red(Avatar) American Deluxe with all Texas Hots as a close tie...
John
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
The Noiseless Prototypes are already wired up in a pickguard. Master volume, master tone and a blender pot. All you need to do is solder the preexisting wires to your output jack and tremolo claw. Should be easy! Lew
The Noiseless Prototypes are already wired up in a pickguard. Master volume, master tone and a blender pot. All you need to do is solder the preexisting wires to your output jack and tremolo claw. Should be easy! Lew
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
Lefty,lefty,lefty,lefty Lew! LOL
Has anyone other than yourself wrote in any reviews about the Noiseless yet?
Lewguitar said:
Lefty,lefty,lefty,lefty Lew! LOL
Has anyone other than yourself wrote in any reviews about the Noiseless yet?
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
Really, John's description nailed it. There's nothing more that can be added, IMO. Lew
127.0.0.1 said:
Really, John's description nailed it. There's nothing more that can be added, IMO. Lew
danglybanger
ReelItInologist
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
to me-
split=strat sound
parallel=tele
(on my schecter, with a parallel/split switch on the dd
slade
to me-
split=strat sound
parallel=tele
(on my schecter, with a parallel/split switch on the dd
slade
Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
For what it's worth...Ages ago when I had a Les Paul copy. At the recommendation of the guitar tech at the local shop, I put two Bill Lawrence L500's in with the bridge pickup having mini toggles to go between Dual or split, and parallel or series.
I could get a nice variety of great sounds.
Now, I imagine that if a guy did the same with SD pickups, he would have one extremely great sounding, versatile guitar.
Maybe I should do that again?
For what it's worth...Ages ago when I had a Les Paul copy. At the recommendation of the guitar tech at the local shop, I put two Bill Lawrence L500's in with the bridge pickup having mini toggles to go between Dual or split, and parallel or series.
I could get a nice variety of great sounds.
Now, I imagine that if a guy did the same with SD pickups, he would have one extremely great sounding, versatile guitar.
Maybe I should do that again?
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Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
i have an alnico 2 pro split and paralleled with a little toggly dealie in an lp type guitar and it's the best thing that's ever happened to eor.
love,
eor
to me, the parallel is like somewhere inbetween single and hummer. closer to single, though. a viable third option.
i have an alnico 2 pro split and paralleled with a little toggly dealie in an lp type guitar and it's the best thing that's ever happened to eor.
love,
eor
to me, the parallel is like somewhere inbetween single and hummer. closer to single, though. a viable third option.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
I think there's something to that. That's why I described the parallel tone as being "wider". The JB in my Strat, when used in parallel, did remind me of my Tele.
danglybanger said:to me-
split=strat sound
parallel=tele
(on my schecter, with a parallel/split switch on the dd
slade
I think there's something to that. That's why I described the parallel tone as being "wider". The JB in my Strat, when used in parallel, did remind me of my Tele.
Boston Joe
New member
Re: Parallel vs split humbucker tone?
After reading all these threads and posts over the last several weeks, I'm truly looking forward to wiring the Hot Rail in series/parallel. I've split several HS pickups with great success and even fiddled with the dial-a-split. Still tweeking.
After reading all these threads and posts over the last several weeks, I'm truly looking forward to wiring the Hot Rail in series/parallel. I've split several HS pickups with great success and even fiddled with the dial-a-split. Still tweeking.