Split or Parallel

[will c]

So I want to install a split circuit in my LP and was just perusing the Seymour Duncan wiring diagrams. One diagram ( Wiring Diagram) says that "parallel is a single coil sound" and that both series and parallel are hum canceling. I was very intrigued by this. To anyone using parallel wiring-do you find this to be true? Should I consider having a split option and a parallel option? How would I wire this up? More questions to follow for sure.

Thanks,
Will

[will c]

Oh yeah, 50's style.

[FF_Pedals]

Try it out, just follow the diagram.

[will c]

Thanks FF. I guess what I want to know is if a parallel mod sounds like a single coil.

Will

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by will c

Thanks FF. I guess what I want to know is if a parallel mod sounds like a single coil.

Will

You are doing the series/ parallel within the two coils of the humbucker. Normally they are wired in series with each other, if each coil is wound to 4 ohms each when you wire them in series they would be about 8 ohms. This is the normal full output humbucker sound we hear.

If we take the same two coils and wire them in parallel then we would get a lower 2 ohm output, but with both coils on, much lower output and closer to a single coil but with noise canceling features. A humbucker will never sound like a true single coil, but it will get you close.

[axepilot]

Originally Posted by jonesy

You are doing the series/ parallel within the two coils of the humbucker. Normally they are wired in series with each other, if each coil is wound to 4 ohms each when you wire them in series they would be about 8 ohms. This is the normal full output humbucker sound we hear.

If we take the same two coils and wire them in parallel then we would get a lower 2 ohm output, but with both coils on, much lower output and closer to a single coil but with noise canceling features. A humbucker will never sound like a true single coil, but it will get you close.

2, 4, 8 ohms? Certainly these are not DC pickup resistance readings................more like speaker impedance ratings. Just how do these values correlate to pickup windings? Every pickup I've ever played can be measured in K ohms...................

[FF_Pedals]

Originally Posted by axepilot

2, 4, 8 ohms? Certainly these are not DC pickup resistance readings................more like speaker impedance ratings. Just how do these values correlate to pickup windings? Every pickup I've ever played can be measured in K ohms...................

I think it was an example. You could multiply by 1000 to get numbers representative of DC resistance. Same math though.

[FF_Pedals]

Originally Posted by will c

Thanks FF. I guess what I want to know is if a parallel mod sounds like a single coil.

Will

Sorry, I didn't really know what you were getting at. I just use coil taps instead of parallel coils. I like being able to get both coils individually at the bridge.

If you're interested you should check it out though. Some people prefer the parallel coils.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by axepilot

2, 4, 8 ohms? Certainly these are not DC pickup resistance readings................more like speaker impedance ratings. Just how do these values correlate to pickup windings? Every pickup I've ever played can be measured in K ohms...................

Yeah you are correct I left the K out, just like the M on caps sometimes .022. .047 etc. But did you get my drift as far as the question about parallel sounding like single coil or no? That was the point I was trying to make

[will c]

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

Sorry, I didn't really know what you were getting at. I just use coil taps instead of parallel coils. I like being able to get both coils individually at the bridge.

If you're interested you should check it out though. Some people prefer the parallel coils.

Well after seeing that at the SD website, I'm thinking of having both! : )

Can I have one tone (push/pull) dedicated to splitting the coils of both PUPs and have the other pot (push/pull also) dedicated to switching both PUPs to parallel mode?

I'm after a quasi-single coil tone in my Epi and thought the noise cancelling feature was too good to pass up.

Will

[will c]

Originally Posted by jonesy

You are doing the series/ parallel within the two coils of the humbucker. Normally they are wired in series with each other, if each coil is wound to 4 ohms each when you wire them in series they would be about 8 ohms. This is the normal full output humbucker sound we hear.

If we take the same two coils and wire them in parallel then we would get a lower 2 ohm output, but with both coils on, much lower output and closer to a single coil but with noise canceling features. A humbucker will never sound like a true single coil, but it will get you close.

Thanks Jonesy. I value your knowledge. I want to talk about getting some Bee's from you (maybe). If not those then some of your other PIO's. I don't think I can PM yet.

Will

[huw]

Originally Posted by will c

Well after seeing that at the SD website, I'm thinking of having both! : )

Can I have one tone (push/pull) dedicated to splitting the coils of both PUPs and have the other pot (push/pull also) dedicated to switching both PUPs to parallel mode?

I'm after a quasi-single coil tone in my Epi and thought the noise cancelling feature was too good to pass up.

Will

Seeing as you're in a SD frame of mind have you considered their Tripple Shot pickup mounting rings? Built in mini switches to allow you to get either coil on its own, or both in either series or parallel configuration.

That would seem like a good solution to me - I plan to try it out myself when I can.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by will c

Thanks Jonesy. I value your knowledge. I want to talk about getting some Bee's from you (maybe). If not those then some of your other PIO's. I don't think I can PM yet.

Will

No problem it's all good. You have over 50 posts so you should be able to PM. Or send me an email at jonesyblues@yahoo.com.

[FF_Pedals]

Originally Posted by will c

Well after seeing that at the SD website, I'm thinking of having both! : )

Can I have one tone (push/pull) dedicated to splitting the coils of both PUPs and have the other pot (push/pull also) dedicated to switching both PUPs to parallel mode?

I'm after a quasi-single coil tone in my Epi and thought the noise cancelling feature was too good to pass up.

Will

Yes you can do it. You only need 1 side of a push pull to short out one of the coils so you can use 2 pots for the parallel thing on each pickup then a 3rd to split the coils. If you want separate coil splitting you could use all 4 pots.

[will c]

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

Yes you can do it. You only need 1 side of a push pull to short out one of the coils so you can use 2 pots for the parallel thing on each pickup then a 3rd to split the coils. If you want separate coil splitting you could use all 4 pots.

Sweet!

[will c]

Originally Posted by huw

Seeing as you're in a SD frame of mind have you considered their Tripple Shot pickup mounting rings? Built in mini switches to allow you to get either coil on its own, or both in either series or parallel configuration.

That would seem like a good solution to me - I plan to try it out myself when I can.

I've seen those and thought the concept was really cool. I like the idea of having push/pull pots though. I was really just using SD for their diagrams.

Thanks,
Will

[will c]

Originally Posted by jonesy

No problem it's all good. You have over 50 posts so you should be able to PM. Or send me an email at jonesyblues@yahoo.com.

PM sent last night! Thanks Jonesy.

Will

[axepilot]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Yeah you are correct I left the K out, just like the M on caps sometimes .022. .047 etc. But did you get my drift as far as the question about parallel sounding like single coil or no? That was the point I was trying to make

OK...................I wasn't trying to be a wiseass........................I was just a little confused since you're one of the guys in the know here.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by axepilot

OK...................I wasn't trying to be a wiseass........................I was just a little confused since you're one of the guys in the know here.

Good observation.....I have had the flu the past 3 days so I have been out of it a little more than usual

[axepilot]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Good observation.....I have had the flu the past 3 days so I have been out of it a little more than usual

Mojo sent for a speedy recovery, jonesy.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by axepilot

Mojo sent for a speedy recovery, jonesy.

Thanks man I appreciate that!