Series parallel push pull pot

[ledvedder]

I'm trying to wire a single humbucker with a single volume push pull pot for series parallel functionality. This is the diagram I've used. With the pot pushed in, it's reading 9k, which is correct. With the pot pulled, it's reading 2.28k. Does this seem correct?

 

[Aceman]

Yes. Parallel is 1/4 the output of Series.

 

[Mincer]

...and how does parallel sound? I tend to like split better, but some people really like parallel.

 

[ledvedder]

...and how does parallel sound? I tend to like split better, but some people really like parallel.

A bit too thin. But it is only a 9k humbucker. I may try splitting it instead.

 

[beaubrummels]

Yes. Parallel is 1/4 the output of Series.

Is it quarter of the output, or just quarter of the resistance? FWIW I have my Custom Custom in my Jackson set to split to either coil or do parallel and in parallel, it doesn't sound a quarter of the output. It is weaker in drive, and the tone changes, but it doesn't sound like that much of a drop to me.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Not exactly, but approximately 1/4 the resistance (not output). The actual formula is: 1/R(total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + 1/R4

Depending on the pickup, but I usually like the parallel sound, but there are a few that I like split better. It is definitely a personal preference thing.

 

[Artie]

As others have said, it's 1/4th the resistance. But it's slightly over half the output. When in parallel, you have have double the "drive" current, so the pup isn't quite as loaded down by the pots/amp impedance. But it's a very subtle gain.

 

[hamerfan]

What Artie said. I always set up the pickup for parallel sound and look afterwards whether i can live with this setup on the humbucker mode. I tend to raise the A D and B pole pieces and tilting the humbucker towards the bass side. Hope that helps.
I like the parallel mode with higherwound pickups like the JB and Custom pickups. With the lower wound like the 59 and Jazz not so much.
Recently i liked splitting with a resistor (spin a split with a fixed resistor) on the neck pickups. This is not humfree but you can get a in-between-humbucker and single coil sound.