Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

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Just a personal observation, but since I purchased a G&L with single coils, I really find that the split coil sound of my LP (Jazz/JB) is horrible in comparison. Anyone else experience this?

P.S. I have nothing but praise for the HB sound of my LP and IMO the in-between position is a much better proposition that split mode to get cleaner sounds.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

If you look for a Humbucker which sounds like a single-Coil when splitted, try the Stag Mag SH-3! Very underrated as a neck humbucker, and you have a REAL single-Coil when it's splitted.
low-output Humbuckers like the Jazz are too weak, when they are splitted.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I agree for the most part. You would have to have a HB with about 14k in order to get the approximation of a real strat single of around 7k. And even then, it still doesn't sound the same. Though, the Stagmag was made just for that in mind and it does sound like a good strat single when split.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I have to go a bit wishy-washy on this one. I agree to some extent, but disagree in another way. A split 'bucker doesn't sound like a true single-coil, but then again, an SSL-6 doesn't sound like an SSL-1. A split humbucker is a single coil, but it is it's own unique coil. It won't sound like anything else.

One of my favorite "tones" is still my split Distortion neck in my Patriot. Its just a great, cool tone. Not like my APS-1, SSL-1, SSL-6, QP's or any other. ;)

Artie
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

Just because of the very nature of single coils and where the magnets are placed and the design of the 2 pickups,makes a tonal difference we all hear...A split humbucker even at 7k just doesn't sound like a sc pickup...

If you want a single coil sound and the correct notch position tones,you pretty much have to stick with a vintage A5 pole single coil pickup..
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I like the sound of the split hums in my LP. Not Strat-like, but very cool and useable...
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

Try a parallel instead it isn't noisy and it has a unique character of its own that works well for clean stuff and distorted parts that require a jangle.

Snowdog
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

My Anderson has his pickups and when you split the humbucker it sounds exactly like a true single coil. it is freaky!
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

Yeah I agree it doesn't nail a single coil sound... but it does give a unique sound of its own. I've grown to like it.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I really like the split sound on my prs (SH5 and APH2) it has a tremelo bridge so its more like a strat in comparison. I also play a tele and it is up there in comparsion to the single coil tones the cleans are awesome but what lacks is with overdrive (just dosent respond the same way). But i can get very close or very useable strat like sounds which i really like its like having too guitars.

So i say i dont agree but only on some guitars (i.e les pauls becuase they already sound fairly beefy and thick as it is and they have stoptail bridges).

Dills
 
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Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I agree to some extent. As said above: some humbuckers are too weak to make a good sound when split in half. But I have Dimarzio Breed; it has some 17k as a humbucker. Split it will be some 8k, which gives a fat and powerful single-coil sound in the bridge.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

Guys,

You have to be careful not to compare the resistance value of two bobins wound with different wire. Fender single coils generally are wound with #42 AWG wire with formwar insulation to 6.00-6.50K. Whereas PAF clones are wound with #42 AWG but plain enamel insulated wire to 3.50-4.50K. Although the insulation part is interesting (Zhangligun had a threat in LPF asking some of the boutique HB winders hanging over there - Tim White and Wolffe - what the effect of the insulation on the tone would be, dig it up it is a great thread ;) ), I think we might ignore it for now. Custom C5 CC whatever is wound with #43 formwar insulated wires, and measure per bobin ~7.00-7.50K.

So it is apples and oranges and it is very natural not to be able to get the single coil sound with split hb's. What you need is a hotter #42 AWG bobin, something like 6.00K. BUT the sad thing is that a HB bobin (Jeff from Highorder pickups told me) can only be wound up to ~5.00K. Thus, it is clearly not possible.

I do not know the highest value of DC resistance that a HB bobin could have with #43 AWG wire. Because ideally if you could get a 8.00-8.50K #AWG43 bobin in a HB, split, it would sound a very great like a jimmy page kinda tele.

I had this idea of using a tapped slug bobin on a HB. With the flip of a switch it would give me a higher DC value so that split it would give me a great single tone. And in the full HB mode the DC value of the slug coil would decrease and give me basically a PAF tone. I was intending to get it with #42 AWG wire (and preferrably plain enamel insulation), but it turns out that it is infeasible. Otherwise, I was gonna get it from Jeff @ highorderpickups. I did not give up completely. Maybe I am gonna go for a hybrid (#42 screw coil, adn #43 slug coil) with a tapped slug bobin which would be wound to 7.00K/8.50K if feasible.

Best,

B
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I haven't heard a humbucker yet that 'does' a convincing singlecoil tone when split. I do like the sound of some humbuckers switched parallel for a singlecoil-emulation. On my Jackson, I have a DiMarzio PAF Pro with a series/parallel-switch that sounds very acceptable when switched to parallel. The CC that was in there first had a coilsplit, but sounded to thin and overly bright, I just couldn't stand it and never used it stand-alone. In the middle and neck positions were Little '50's, both with coilsplits. Setting #2 with a split on the bridge humbucker and the middle Little '59 in full humbucking DID sound very usable, however. The Little '59's themselves stand-alone and split were just to mellow and weak.

Oh, I actually DO know an exception. On my Lag, I have a Hot Rails for Tele in the bridge that sounds pretty nice when split.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

Good points here. It isn't JUST about resistance, as Dr. Barlo says. Magnet configuration, wire gauge, etc. all play a role. But you CAN get good results. The problem is, every HB I have that splits well IS a compromise in HB tone. For me that's a good tradeoff, but it may not be for everyone.

My faves for this are
1) The Stag Mag. Excellent neck bucker and does great split. Too bright for the bridge though. I bet a hybrid with one SM coil and one JB would rock for the bridge.
2) SK dualtone. Similar idea to the SM, but only one coil has magnet poles (these are A5s) - the other has screws with an A5 underneath. This does much better in the bridge than the SM. Great pickup.
3) IBZUSA (DiMarzio made pup for Ibanez). Each coil is 7.5k, and it has an A5 magnet. I replaced the screw poles on one coil with A5 poles. Spanked it right up.

There are others like this, like the Rio Grande Tallboy and Muy Grande buckers.

Second to all these are buckers with standard magnets, but hot winds. I like the DiMarzio Steve's Special, because one coil is hot (you split to that) and the other not so much - so the bucker sound is clear, not like a normal overwound bucker.
 
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Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

Dimarzio Humbucker From Hell is the closest I've heard a hum sound like a single coil.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

this is probely why prs came from the other way on the 513 and used two single coils to get a good HB tone but when "split" still sound like single coils becuse they are single coils has anyone tried a 513 ,does it work as it says on the box
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I will split hotter hbs. My SD JB and Dimarzio Fast Track Two give me a decent sound when split, and added versitility. Weaker hbs work best in the series/parallel setup.
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

ranalli said:
Dimarzio Humbucker From Hell is the closest I've heard a hum sound like a single coil.
Click to expand...

Agreed, that's in the neck position of my Lag. And of course those Fender-humbuckers on the '72 Tele Custom and Thinline, the Duncan Duckbuckers and Vintage Rails and the DiMarzio Fast Track 1. But wait 'till you split them...
My Lag came stock with a coilsplit for both the bridge- and the neck pickup, but on the HfH, it really doesn't add much to the already very singlecoillike tone.
It basically just turns off the phantom coil :smack:
 
Re: Split coils don't cut it vs real single coils

I think splitting a humbucker into a single coil is better than having no single coil at all but it's not the same as the real thing. That said, the JB gets a good single coil tone...the hotter the humbucker, the better the tone will be when split. Real Strat single coils measure around 6K to 6.6K. The JB is a 16.6K humbucker and each coil measure around 8.3K. 8.3K produces a good single coil tone. The 59B measures around 8.2K...splitting that into a single coil gives you a 4.1K single coil...pretty weak and not a very satisfying single coil tone. But still usable and better than nothing. Lew
 
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