Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

[Artie]

While wiring up the series/parallel mod on my Genny, I noticed this little quirk. Not a big deal, but perhaps worth mentioning. This is referenced to this SD schematic:

Series Mod

Note the portion of the switch in the blue box:

The only function of that half of the switch is to create a "dead" position on either your 3-way or 5-way switch. It doesn't really serve any purpose.

If we modify it to look like this . . .

. . . we gain a couple small advantages. First off, if we aren't using a push/pull pot for switching, we can get by with a SPST switch instead of a DPDT.

The second benefit, which is really the more important one, is that we replace the "dead" postion on the 5-way, with a redundant position. Might make the difference between having a red face or not, if performing live and you accidently switch to that position.

Like I said, not earth shattering, but perhaps, worthy of mention.

Artie

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

Thanks Artie. On another note: what's your take on the difference in tone when a humbucker is split vs. parallel? To me the two tones seem to have similar output but the parallel sounds thicker or wider. In addition to the regular 3 way pickup selector switch, each humbucker in my dual humbucker Strat has its own on/on/on switch for splitting or series or parallel operation. Lew

 

[Artie]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

Lew . . . oddly enough, of all the messing with wiring I've done, I haven't tried a parallel HB yet. When I had the 3-way DPDT's on my dual Stag Mag equipped axe, they were on/off/on, so I could select any combination of north/hb/south coil that I wanted.

I need to take my Genny apart one more time, to perform a "tweak". When I do, I'll add the parallel option to my JB to see what its all about.

Film at eleven. :laugh2:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

Thanks Artie. I really like the parallel tone of a JB. Reminds alot of a really ballsy Tele bridge pickup. Lew

 

[sanrafael]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

Lew. the sound difference between parallel and split (just one coil) should be small. Both coils in parallel can drive the cable capacitance better so the loss of highs is less. But the loss with split (single coil) is already less than the series connnection, and so you should not hear too much difference with the second coil in parallel. Parallel is a pretty good option when adding a humbucker to a strat type guitar. The parallel connection can drive the 250K pots just fine (even lower impedance if you like), and the lower voltage level of the parallel connection might match the level of the alnico single coils better.

The loss of highs with series connection can be looked at as a lowering of the resonant frequency of the circuit, at least when the volume is all the way up. The cable capacitance really affects that frequency with series connection. With parallel, the cable capacitance has less control and you get a higher frequency. If you look at the tone charts on the SD pages, you will see that they list the resonant frequency of most of the pups. In general, the single coils are higher than the humbuckers. This is why the parallel JB is sort of like a tele bridge pup.

 

[Artie]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

The loss of highs with series connection can be looked at as a lowering of the resonant frequency of the circuit, at least when the volume is all the way up.

This is interesting, and its exactly what I'm experiencing with my QP's hooked in series. Whats more interesting is, when the QP's are running "tapped", but still in series, I get the high-end "jangle" back.

The loss of high end when run full power is so great, I'm thinking of eliminating that position from my switching system.

Good info. Thanks sanrafael.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

Lew . . . oddly enough, of all the messing with wiring I've done, I haven't tried a parallel HB yet. When I had the 3-way DPDT's on my dual Stag Mag equipped axe, they were on/off/on, so I could select any combination of north/hb/south coil that I wanted.

I need to take my Genny apart one more time, to perform a "tweak". When I do, I'll add the parallel option to my JB to see what its all about.

Film at eleven. :laugh2:

The difference is that the split tends to have a bit more midrange than the parallel, and if the coils are close to each other (read the same), then the level stays pretty consistant between the two.The parallel is the brighter of the two as well. As Lew stated the parallel has a bit more bass due to the larger window of both coils as opposed to one coil. The resonant peak tends to stay the same between the series and parallel modes in regard to frequency (if both coils are matched), but the parallel mode has a higher peak in regard to amplitude (this is at the pickup end mind you, and excludes the effect of the cable). Of course coils are seldom matched exactly, as such the the above doesn't hold true 100%. Parallel is a wonderful option to the the split mode with darker sounding HB's, plus it's quiet. It really just depends on the particular pups, but in general I think split has a bit more guts in the mids, and a rounder top and tighter bottom. That being said I kinda prefer parallel, but then I tend to use hotter, and darker sounding pups so it works out for me. I kinda agree about the tele comment, as parallel mode kinda strikes me the same way. That's my toss on it, just thought I'd throw in as well.
Oh Artie, my bro called said I got a package with a bit of weight to it ...
LOL! Thanks again for the chokes.
Also I got another package from another gentleman (I assume a pickup), so without using his real name I'd like to say thanks to him as well! (gotta PM him). Artie I'll have to send you a favourite trade secret ... :cool2:

 

[Artie]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

Cool. I was wondering if they arrived ok. I hope they find their way into some cool project.

(and . . . I love secrets.) :laugh2:

 

[sanrafael]

Re: Series/Parallel wiring mod note.

This is interesting, and its exactly what I'm experiencing with my QP's hooked in series. Whats more interesting is, when the QP's are running "tapped", but still in series, I get the high-end "jangle" back.

Happy the info is useful, Artie.

I think runing tapped, that is, effectively fewer turns on the coil, is also a good way to get back the highs. Better still is to simply not put so many turns on in the first place!

The series connetion with fewer turns should get you more output than the parallel connection for the same high frequency performance, but it is not a big difference.