SG Pickups with coil taps

[Stuartg]

Hi All,
I am thinking to change the stock pickups on my SG. I am thinking SH-PG1 on the bridge and SH-1N (59) on the neck.
I want to put a coil tap switch in (just because I can)
I found two ways to do this. On the seymourduncan site there is a diagram 2Vol, 2tone, toggle, coil tap
This diagram shows, what makes most sense to me, in that the red/white is grounded so that only the screws play.

I have seen alternate diagrams where the on bridge pickup the red/white is shorted to black so that the pins play.
The argument is that in the middle toggle position you still get some hum cancellation. However it is going to move the effective bridge pickup point away from the bridge.

I wondered if anyone had any experience with the two options or comments on the merits of either method?
I also wonder if neck and bridge pickups have different magnetic polarity anyway. I mean whats the difference between a pickup branded as neck and one branded as bridge?

TIA
Stuart

 

[Mincer]

Re: SG Pickups with coil taps

I do it the normal way (red & white to ground) unless you want something like inner or outer coils with hum-cancellation. I think in that case, you have to flip a magnet if I am remembering right. Also, make sure you order the 4 conductor '59, as it is widely available in 2 conductor as well.

 

[AlexR]

Re: SG Pickups with coil taps

Typically if the red/white are grounded its the slugs that are still active.....that is the coil that has the black hot wire on most duncan diagrams.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: SG Pickups with coil taps

59's are only two conductor unless you order specially for four conductor.

Neck and bridge pickups generally differ only in the amount of winds to suit the different inherent tonal characteristics of each spot. You dont need to worry about magnet polarity.

A set of whole lottas might suit you better because they come with 4 conductor wiring as standard, are calibrated to work together tonally, and will add more heft to the bottom end of an sg.