Brightness on split-coil setup

jayj · 08-13-2008, 09:06 PM

I have a split coil setup. When I switch over to single-coil, I tend to roll my tone down to take off some of the extra brightness (at least it seems bright to me, I assumed it was my 500k pots). Are there any thoughts on a good wiring setup to help me make the best of both my push and pull?

(I'm thinking in terms of caps, wiring schemes e.g., more of a 50's wiring vs modern, etc.)

xsouldriverx · 08-14-2008, 01:12 AM

maybe a higher value cap so more of the highs are rolled off but thats about all i can think of

SonicBoom · 08-17-2008, 01:07 PM

If you have a 4 conductor pickup, try wiring it to use the opposite coil when running in split mode. For example, I just put in a new pup in the bridge, but when I wired it to split the coil as per the winder's instructions, it sounded waaay too thin. It was because the recommended wiring scheme used the back coil of the humbucker (the coil closest to the bridge) when in split coil mode. I rewired it to use the front coil, which is a bit further from the bridge, and it sounded worlds better. This can be important if the coils inside the humbucker are unevenly wound, which some winders do to get a different or vintage tone.

Just a thought.

monroe · 08-17-2008, 01:36 PM

Also, try the two coils wired in parallel instead of a split. It gives a brighter sound than a standard HB, but not quite as thin as a split. Balances better with another HB as well.

japasul · 08-19-2008, 10:50 PM

You can add a cap to the push pull switch, so that it gets into the circuit when you split. I gotta take a look at some switches to check if this would be possible though. This would compensate for the brightness, but wouldn't be adjustable...

Cheers
André

japasul · 08-19-2008, 10:51 PM

If your pushpull is DPDT this would be possible. With a SPDT, not so much...

Cheers
André

08-13-2008, 09:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
jayj Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 147 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Brightness on split-coil setup I have a split coil setup. When I switch over to single-coil, I tend to roll my tone down to take off some of the extra brightness (at least it seems bright to me, I assumed it was my 500k pots). Are there any thoughts on a good wiring setup to help me make the best of both my push and pull? (I'm thinking in terms of caps, wiring schemes e.g., more of a 50's wiring vs modern, etc.)

08-14-2008, 01:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
xsouldriverx Disciple-of-RobotOverlord Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Posts: 2,659 Thanks: 51 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Brightness on split-coil setup maybe a higher value cap so more of the highs are rolled off but thats about all i can think of __________________ 2005 Ibanez H.R. Giger Iceman

08-17-2008, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
SonicBoom Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 235 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Brightness on split-coil setup If you have a 4 conductor pickup, try wiring it to use the opposite coil when running in split mode. For example, I just put in a new pup in the bridge, but when I wired it to split the coil as per the winder's instructions, it sounded waaay too thin. It was because the recommended wiring scheme used the back coil of the humbucker (the coil closest to the bridge) when in split coil mode. I rewired it to use the front coil, which is a bit further from the bridge, and it sounded worlds better. This can be important if the coils inside the humbucker are unevenly wound, which some winders do to get a different or vintage tone. Just a thought. __________________ '79 Cherry Sunburst Custom '01 Dickey Betts Goldie - 80 of 114 '00 Chandler Lectraslide '70 Marshall 1959 Super Lead '00 Marshall 1987x 4x12 - JBL D120s '64 Vibroverb - JBL D130F '66 Super Reverb - CTS Alnico '75 Peavey Deuce (120W of pain - great for melting stubborn ear wax)

08-17-2008, 01:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
monroe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,280 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Brightness on split-coil setup Also, try the two coils wired in parallel instead of a split. It gives a brighter sound than a standard HB, but not quite as thin as a split. Balances better with another HB as well. __________________ Green: the new Red

08-19-2008, 10:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
japasul Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Brightness on split-coil setup You can add a cap to the push pull switch, so that it gets into the circuit when you split. I gotta take a look at some switches to check if this would be possible though. This would compensate for the brightness, but wouldn't be adjustable... Cheers André

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08-19-2008, 10:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
japasul Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Brightness on split-coil setup If your pushpull is DPDT this would be possible. With a SPDT, not so much... Cheers André

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