Spin-a-Split: The Result

[Sly_D]

This is the first time I actually use a humbucker in single-coil mode on a LP guitar and I'm really impressed. The clean sound I get from the CC in single coil operation is AMAZING at the bridge, I can't wait to see what the Pearly Gates will sound like at the neck.

The only problem I have is with distortion. When in single-coil mode, the string sort of buzz, as if the neck had major buzz problems. Sort of a fast waving sound.

Can this be the cheap pot? I tried it with really crappy stuff, just to give a shot at it.

Wow, this will expand the versatility of my LP way beyond my expectations. I hesitated between buying a Strat or a bass for my recordings, but this will be good enough not to buy a Strat. Very cool

 

[HolyDirt]

i dont think its a cheap pot if it doesnt buzz when it in full humbucker mode, does it buzz all the time when its used as a single or only when you hit a string?

 

[dalastcaffeine]

it's the tension of the lp...it's normal.....you might want to try uping up a guage...

 

[Gearjoneser]

I have my Goldtop setup with pull up tones for splitting the
nickel C-5/59 combo. I love it, but use only the neck split.
All those middle pos. combo's are great!

I shoulda considered the spin/split thing. What kinda pots do you need to do that?

I use 11's tuned down half a step on LP's and never noticed any warble. Try adjusting the height of your pickups to see if that helps. Possibly an intonation issue. On LP's, the intonation
has to be 100% perfect, along with a perfectly cut nut, or they'll never play and sound perfect. That scale length is very unforgiving!

 

[Sly_D]

Well, the buzzing doesn't occur in standard humbucking mode, only when I'm in single mode, and only with high gain. The pot I used to try it have issues, I know it, it loose almost all sound at times, and I have to force it back and forth so that the sound comes back. So I don't worry too much... otherwise, it would be the pup... but it's brand new. The guitar setup is perfect.

If you saw the set up, you wouldn't worry either... this guitar's electronics needs a serious upgrade... it will come next week... brand new pots and new wiring... and if it's still a little noisy, I'll change the 3-way switch and the jack and everything else in between

 

[dalastcaffeine]

o...you mean regular buzzing......ummm........thats what happens when you split a humbuck....it'll still be there no matter what you do...

 

[Fresh_Start]

Hey Sly -

What value and taper pot did you use for the spin-a-split? I've been thinking about trying it with a blender pot instead of using separate volume controls for an LP type H/H setup.

I'm asking 'coz I ended up with a 100k audio pot for a "dial-a-tap" on a Quarter Pound single coil. With a 250k pot, there was little change until I got down to about 5 and then it dropped off quickly. The 100k pot gives me more control over how much of the coil is tapped, but I do need to make it "no load" to make sure I'm getting the full QP at 10.

Chip

 

[Sly_D]

Well Chip, I currently do it with two standard 500k pots (two pots are missing, I'll buy my neck pup - Pearly Gates - this weekend ).

If 10 is full humbucking, then I'd say the effect of the tapping is most noticeable between 5 and 0. Yet, my setup is not final, these are sh?tty almost burnt out pots. I will be able to give a better evaluation with my final setup.

I already decided that I will use this wiring scheme (Spin-a-Split) because I'm the kind of guy that has never touched the tone pots in... well, more than 20 years or so of playing (minus 10 years of acoustic where I could not have an electric guitar), so now at least these two buttons will have a purpose

 

[Chaos]

StewMac sells 500k dual concentric pots if your interested in adding a 'spin-split' function without losing the function of your exsisting volume and tone pots.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electro...s:_Control_pots_and_knobs/5/Control_Pots.html

 

[timrip]

Re: Spin-a-Split: The Result

What would a wiring diagram look like with 2 spin-a-splits (not losing your 2 volumes or 2 tones)?