Split NB with SM, not, or both?

[Piplodocus]

I'm imminently getting a Supermassive (as soon as my f***ing van stops breaking down and costing me all my spare money) to go in the middle position and I'm pondering how to wire it.

Should I split the NAilbomb when using it together, or use the whole thing? SC + P90 = more straty position 2 jingle jangle? Or does it work better to go full Nailbomb due to the P-90s higher output like a pair of humbuckers?

Or should I make the extra effort to add a coil split with extra switch and hole in the guitar? I might go this direction in the end as I'd get bridge single coil bonus, but even so I'd still like to know the above opinion as coil splits with pickup change are harder to pull off mid song than a 5-way blade flip so I may devise something more cunning than just a always forced NB split if the split nailbomb + supermassive is probably the more useful sound?

[Kiichi]

Sorry for being late, was away for a bit. The answer here really depends on what you are going for and need for your music. The split variant would be more of a modifier of the SM sound, whereas the full combo is more likely to create something more standalone.

With regular single coil middles I have found that I am a fan of doing the split with the coil of the HB that is closer to the bridge (which depending on the pickups balance can mean wiring or just turning it around). I can give extra complications (hum cancelling and all that), but I liked it. It gives me a bright single coil ish bridge sound with a tele vibe that can handle itself. Love it for lighter and bright strumming parts and doubling heavier palm mute passages and such as it delivers a lovely clicking cut.

Question really is what you want out of the position: Fatter than bridge or middle for really balsy stuff? Probably full.
Want a janglier middle with an extra rythm edge? Split.

[Piplodocus]

I guess i'm just after useable variety really. The more variety the more varied and interesting the songs can be!

I've been pondering this still though and I think if you have the opinion they're both gonna be "good" variants then the far simplest wiring will be if I make just:

Bridge (NB) -> Bridge + Middle (supermassive) -> Middle (Super Massive) -> supermassive + Neck (Mothers Milk) -> Neck

Then fit a separate coil split for the NB. That should give me many flavours on just the 5-way and can do SC jangly funk, pink-floydy blues rock, through gnarlier fuzzed out P-90 stuff and full metal flavours with a quick flip. Then I can split the NB with the second switch for the missing bridge slug SC when I really want that tone. I may use a superswitch and wire a la Suhr so it's 500/560k, but I get 250k loading on the neck only or neck and middle positions and it'd be easy enough to switch to 250k loading whenever the coil tap switch is in too. It'll all be hum cancelling too using stock HB, stock P-90, and SWRP neck.

I think my masterful masterplan is now finally finalised! Unfortunately I need to fix my van so this has to wait again though.  Hopefully it'll all be sorted and paid off in a few months though or sooner with some more overtime. I've already ordered the custom pick guard for imminent delivery.

So in case you're curious to the rest of the plan and have more advice it's currently definitely a Alnico Nailbomb bridge which is already in my possession. I am pretty convinced on the Supermassive neck for the middle position - less windings than bridge version so if anything it'll be fractionally tamer in the middle, and due to the SC neck it'll be slightly closer to the neck than the bridge too so hopefully give me a sound somewhere between P-90 bridge and P-90 neck. I also figure it's not as OTT as a Stockholm - still a shade more classic P-90ish as I'm after that kinda sound, although I do keep wondering if I should go down a level to a Mississippi Queen. But I'll probably be using it as an alternative heavy quite a lot and will be great with my fuzz factory. But it'll no doubt get a reasonable bit of clean usage too. Then there's the Mothers Milk neck. The neck I'm the least sure about and keep changing my mind. I'm thinking MoMilk mostly recently though. I worry it might be too low output compared to the others, but then I think it probably has the edge for the funky stuff and lighter bluesy stuff. With gain it makes little difference as it'll switch drive level more than volume level. It might be a bit noticeable, but some of the changes I do on another guitar from NB to Irish Tour when clean which seems to drop volume noticeably (more so in my ears than at front of house from what I can tell though), I might end up doing from NB to P-90 at the equivalent time, so then it's more about how sweet and bluesy and funky the MoMi is when I'm doing that vibe.

(MM seems to usually be the Miracle Man around these parts so MoMi for Mothers Milk!?!)

[Kiichi]

Sorry for the jumbly (jumblier than usual) writing style. Tiredly mashed brains at work there focusing on essence. Anyhow....

That sure sounds like a good wiring plan if you are up for it. I am one who digs those complex and versatile wirings. I have a Lucille that I want to wire with a split and series parallel switches (one for the humbuckers and one for how the middle position behaves), plus put in a Zvex Superhardon Clone in the body too. And the varitone will still be there as well....muhahaha.

As far as the pickup choices, the SM should do well, but know that the MQ can handle the Fuzz Factory too. Remember that the Supermassive kinda was modeled after sounds Belamy got by running a MQ through a FF (among other things).
However, if you pick the option of being able to add a split bridge to the middle the SM gains a lot of versatility right there, especially on cleans I recon. With the right neck the range will be considerable for your area. It is a bit on where the focus in style is, again. The MQ can take a lot, but you have to have the right setup. It can keep up with a NB bridge and deliver a wide range. For the classic and heavy rock side of things it would deffo be the better choice, and plus with the NB it might give a little extra versatility on the medium range. The SM then gives you a great range on the heavier side of things and less requirement for added settings and effects when switching from the NB.

One thing though...consider using an Irish Tour instead of the MM (not going for...that other short ;)).
The IT should keep up with the other PUs better, though a drop will still be there. If you like your neck a little under the others, as I do, it should work, as its SC character should keep up the presence during the drop. The IT being somewhat of an MM plus works for you, as it has a little extra bottom end, mids, slightly rounded high end, and a certain extra rock magic under gain. Still bringing that woody spank and all, especially if you roll down the volume a touch.
So with your setup it should give you more, if you are willing to add a touch on the volume pot to the wiring. Funk is still there, but rock and blues will flow better.

[Piplodocus]

Thanks for the great reply. Yeah, I keep pondering Irish tour, but because I already have one (in a guitar with a Nailbomb too) I think my brain wants me to try something else. It does sound great and I use it a lot though so it's probably the sensible way to go. 

[Dave Sloven]

You could always try a Slowhand

[Piplodocus]

Yep, my brain has wondered in that direction and back over time too. Sometimes I think it's a great idea, others I think I want the less compressed straty sound better though. I think I just need to save the money and buy the SM and something then I'll finally know the right answer.  Have you got a slow hand? What do you like about it and what do you think it's best suited for?

[Dave Sloven]

No I don't, but if the Irish Tour is not something you want but you want a hotter single coil the Slowhand is generally the closest alternative (as opposed to the Trilogy Suite and Sinner pickups)