coil tap and other mods

[Heavy Jerk]

I have an Ibanez with Tone zone in the bridge and stock humbacker in the neck. I want to make it as versatile as it can be, especially for cleans and stuff.

So, could you tell me whats the difference in the sound between, say, parallel sound of neck bucker and the one in the bridge (just the basics). What are my possibilities if I put a 5 way PU selector, and push pull pot for series to parallel mod?


Cheers

[kevincurtis]

Im not sure I would personally bother with a parallel coil option, I would just split the coils via a push/pull. Some people like single coils from neck and bridge in series (4 way tele's for instance)..which would give another different option.

I was thinking of this a while back and came to the conclusion that I would just be over complicating things to go past splitting coils. If you have got the patience you could just experiment with wiring all parallel/series options and see what you liked and then try and get a switching arrangement to suit...

[WezV]

I like the series parallel switches but  they do not always work well with every pickup in every guitar.

in theory, the benefits of having a parallel option is that its lower output than a full series wired humbucker but still hum cancelling.  a split humbucker is obviously is no longer hum cancelling.   tbh though the effects are not always as apparent with a series/parallel switch as they can be with a coil split.

i really like them on p & J basses though


how about trying this 5 way switch, although some people do not like the options it gives:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/2/Megaswitches.html

[Philly Q]

I like this wiring for two humbuckers, using a 5-way superswitch:

http://www.dimarzio.com/media/diagrams/E.pdf

It's fairly similar to the P-model megaswitch wiring, but you still get both full humbuckers together in the middle position.

[dave_mc]

i definitely like series parallel... as wez says, it's probably a more subtle difference than splits, but in my opinion, more usable (unless you really need pseudo-single coil tones).

[HTH AMPS]

another vote for parallel coils, I think it offers some of that twang you require when seeking single coil tones, but without sounding SO thin like split coils typically do.

another option is to have a variable coil split via a pot - this is my fave way of getting more from a 'bucker.  I used to have my LP std wired like this when I did lots of cover-band gigs and I could get a massive variety of tones.

[the guitar repair workshop]

Hi,
I'd say Wez is right, not every pick-up sounds good coil split.
Without stating the obvious they can often sound lacking as they arent a normal 'power' single coil pickup when split.
They can sound like a split coil as opposed to a normal single coil if you see what i mean.

My attitude is always to aim high though, see what you get, maybe you'll love the in/out series parallel switches, but try and fit it so that you can go back to how it was originally, i.e avoid drilling holes if possible.

The most noticable differences i find are bass variable response, and often times it seems to take the character of the instrument away slightly in the new positions.

Who knows though, if you can find a great new tone its well worth it!
cheers,
steve