Pickup suggestions wanted

[TinPan]

I have a pup installation coming in this weekend the guitars owner wants 2 humbuckers Neck/bridge in a Les Paul Epiphone and he wants them split coil with push pull pots, he is looking for super good bell tones from the neck pup and not too sharp (his words) tones from the bridge. However his main concern is with the "hum" when using the single coil. I explained already that there is always a slight hum in single coil. I have some pup info set for him but would like some suggestions from my friends here in the forum. He didn't say what pup's are in there already, I'll know more when I see is Saturday. Also feel free to suggest the best pots & caps


Thanks!

 

[TheSackert]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

How about a P90 in a humbucker casing for the neck? Bridge could be an antiquity humbucker.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

You might suggest series/parallel, as there will be no hum at all. A Jazz & 59/Custom Hybrid is a good set that splits well and gets some great, clear sounds.

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

If you add a resistor to the coil split like PRS does then it'll probably get you what he's looking for. You can get a moderately realistic single coil tone out of any PAF style humbucker, and there's basically no hum. Technically there should still be a little, but I can't hear any at pretty high volume on mine.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

I think parallel switching is a great suggestion for this case. Jazz neck, too.
I wonder if the Hybrid might be a little sharp though - it's on the crisp side.
Maybe an A2P bridge, or even the CustomCustom for something hotter.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

A couple of prails

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

If the ax has 4 knobs, take advantage of them and use either a master spin o split or 1 for each pup.

 

[TinPan]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

You might suggest series/parallel, as there will be no hum at all. A Jazz & 59/Custom Hybrid is a good set that splits well and gets some great, clear sounds.

I like that idea can you link me to a diagram? However I believe the owner is looking for both humbucker and single coil sounds, but I would like this scheme for future projects.

 

[TinPan]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

If you add a resistor to the coil split like PRS does then it'll probably get you what he's looking for. You can get a moderately realistic single coil tone out of any PAF style humbucker, and there's basically no hum. Technically there should still be a little, but I can't hear any at pretty high volume on mine.

This is another good suggestion I would like to see the diagram for this as well, please include the resistor value.

 

[TinPan]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

If the ax has 4 knobs, take advantage of them and use either a master spin o split or 1 for each pup.

Clint, yes it's a LesPaul 2 vol 2 tone, however you got me on the term "Master spin o split"

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

I like that idea can you link me to a diagram? However I believe the owner is looking for both humbucker and single coil sounds, but I would like this scheme for future projects.

Here is one that does it.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

Clint, yes it's a LesPaul 2 vol 2 tone, however you got me on the term "Master spin o split"

The reason I've avoided spin a split in the past has been that I'm always reluctant to give up tone controls.
I prefer using a trimpot inside for a set-and-forget type wiring but of course that sacrifices a lot of flexibility.
On a four-knob guitar you could do one spin a split knob for both pickups and still have a tone control.
Perhaps the best of both worlds.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

This is another good suggestion I would like to see the diagram for this as well, please include the resistor value.

Here's one. The resistor simply limits the amount of signal that gets shunted to ground. Brilliant idea popularized on PRS guitars but originally conceived many years ago by Bill Lawrence, I believe. These resistor values are not set in stone, but they seem to work well with most humbuckers.

EDIT: Bear in mind also, of course, that wire colors will vary according to manufacturer - for Duncans it'll be the red &white wires that form the series connection.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

Running a humbucker in parallel sounds passably close to single coil without the hum.

 

[TinPan]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

Here's one. The resistor simply limits the amount of signal that gets shunted to ground. Brilliant idea popularized on PRS guitars but originally conceived many years ago by Bill Lawrence, I believe. These resistor values are not set in stone, but they seem to work well with most humbuckers.

EDIT: Bear in mind also, of course, that wire colors will vary according to manufacturer - for Duncans it'll be the red &white wires that form the series connection.

Ok good, may I figure the other end of the 1.1k resistor also connects to the ground the same as on the 2.2k resistor? I am also assuming the .033 cap value is not written in stone?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pickup suggestions wanted

Ok good, may I figure the other end of the 1.1k resistor also connects to the ground the same as on the 2.2k resistor? I am also assuming the .033 cap value is not written in stone?

Correct on both. 1.1K goes to ground just like the 2.2K and that .033 is the tone cap - can be any value you prefer.