crawler split or parallel and single coils combo?

[Iced Dragon]

Hi all,

I was looking for replacement pups for my Hamer Centaura (swamp ash body + maple board). Currently it has a Cold Sweat bridge and 2 SD SCs. I want it to be more allround with nice SC cleans.
Originally I was going for a The Mule bridge, but I think to go for a Crawler/Mother's Milk set instead.

Now, while I'm at it, I would install a p/p pot too and have a coil split.
However, now I'm doubting between a coil split or series/parallel.

What would you prefer? Is the Crawler high output enough for having it in parallel?

If opting for a coil split, can one choose which coil is used? If so, which one is generally used? Is it a matter of taste and testing?

Thanks!

[darrenw5094]

The Crawler is one of the best split tones out of all the BKP range. Why not do that?

[Kiichi]

Yep, the Crawler splits bloody nicely, so IŽd opt for that.

You can choose the coild you want, but traditionally the green and white go to ground when split so that the slug coil remains active. This is because it often has a tad more power than the screw coil and is positioned closer to the neck, thus "seeing" more string vibration it can pick up on, keeping it from going too thin.

[Telerocker]

I have the Crawler in a swampash strat. Fine splits. I have the Crawler paired with Irish Tours, but Mother's Milk are very nice too, just a tad leaner, woodier/glassier, with less bass and a tad more topend compared to the IT. Sounds like an underwound IT. I love the neck-MMilk.

[Slartibartfarst42]

I've never been a particular fan of single coils but even I was impressed with the split tones I got from my Crawler. I really miss that guitar as it's one of only two I regret selling over the years. If I had a Crawler again I am 100% certain I would have a split option but I think that's the only pickup I would bother splitting these days. I'm about to install some new pickups in my PRS and I have a push/push tone pot to go in but it certainly won't be used for splits. Actually, I'm not sure what to do with it so if anyone has any suggestions, by all means speak up. I was toying with using it to go out of phase for a more Peter Green sound but I'm not sure.

[Iced Dragon]

Hey,

thanks for al the feedback. Split it shall be.

Now, I'd like this guitar to be very versatile.
Perhaps 'strat' sound is not as straightforwarward as what I have in mind, but I think of The Shadows' Apache, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray (Because of Me, Don't be afraid of the dark), RHCP's Under the bridge, Chris Isaak's Wicked Game, Eric Clapton, ...

Will MM be too bright?

Otherwise, there is a so called 'thick switch' on the guitar, which pronounces the mids more. I don't know if to leave it as such, which might be interesting, or use it for coil split. Otherwise, I'm interested in having a coil split combined with the neck SC.

Your thoughts? 

[Slartibartfarst42]

That 'thick switch' sounds like the Eric Clapton mod. Personally I'd go Slowhands but that's just because it's the only single coil that's really appealed to me so you can probably dismiss my biased view 

[Telerocker]

Hey,

thanks for al the feedback. Split it shall be.

Now, I'd like this guitar to be very versatile.
Perhaps 'strat' sound is not as straightforwarward as what I have in mind, but I think of The Shadows' Apache, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray (Because of Me, Don't be afraid of the dark), RHCP's Under the bridge, Chris Isaak's Wicked Game, Eric Clapton, ...

Will MM be too bright?

Otherwise, there is a so called 'thick switch' on the guitar, which pronounces the mids more. I don't know if to leave it as such, which might be interesting, or use it for coil split. Otherwise, I'm interested in having a coil split combined with the neck SC.

Your thoughts? 

What kind of timbers has the Centaura? Has the guitar a bright or dark natural voice?
If you use 250k pots for the single coils I suppose eq will be balanced.

[Iced Dragon]

Oh, I thought I had mentioned it, but I suppose that was in an old thread.

It's swamp ash with a maple neck and fingerboard.

[Telerocker]

Oh, I thought I had mentioned it, but I suppose that was in an old thread.

It's swamp ash with a maple neck and fingerboard.

Swampash + maple makes it probably a quite percussive guitar with a lot of snap.
In that case I would go at least Irish Tours: less bright than Mother's Milk, more mids and bass, but still vintage enough for the styles you mention. If you turn the volumeknob a tad down you get close to Mother's Milk.

[Iced Dragon]

So, I'm still doubting between MMilk and IT.

Say I'd want a typical '80s sound (think the rythm guitar in Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, Madonna's Who's that girl or Nick Kamen's Each Time You Break My Heart), that's single coil, right? (no P90). Quite percussive.

Which would suit better?

[Iced Dragon]

ok, Ithink I will set for Crawler + IT. I've been doubting between IT middle and MMilk neck, but that might be too unbalanced?
Rolling back the volume will make it clear enough, and since it's only 1 500k tone pot, the IT will probably be still bright enough?

[Iced Dragon]

Can I objectively know when a guitar is 'bright'?

[Telerocker]

The last question is a tad difficult. In my experience swampash is percussive, but doesn't has to be always very bright. The maple neck will enhance the snap though. I guess you played different guitars through your amp and you must have a sort of reference. Besides that acoustically you can notice if the guitar produces big basses or not.

250k is ideal for a single coil, but I would just try it. It's not a difference between heaven and hell. With these timbers it could turn out quite nice.

[Iced Dragon]

I don't know if it's the guitar, or the pickups (Cold Sweat & 2 duncan SCs), but I don't find it particularly bright. So, I'm again doubting about the pickups (yeah, sorry for this) ...

I read about the IT middle and MMilk neck, anybody tried the opposite?

Anybody an idea on the 80's sound?

What neck SC could I combine the split Crawler with to get a telecaster-ish sound?
Sorry, lot of questions, but when I look at Geoff Whitehorn's or Brent Mason's or Johnny Hiland's wiring, it should be possible to get this kind of sound (and add an extra dimension to the guitar's possibilities).