difference between a split hum, and a true single..

[Newc]

Interesting point about retaining the the hum-cancelling properties, but aside from that point, it's still the same thing: reducing the number of windings that the signal passes through. Whether that means using only one of 2 coils or less than 100% of a single coil, it's still reducing the number of windings the signal passes through.

I wonder how much Duncan would charge for a hum that was tapped as you suggest - instead of one complete coil on or off, it uses half of each coil to maintain the humbucking, and then can also be split so you're using roughly half of that?
You'd need a Varitone switch for one pickup

[Jester700]

I´ve always liked actual singlecoils better than split humbuckers... I cant´give you any specifics as to why, really, but that´s how I feel. But then again the "singlecoil tone" is a big part of my sound, since I do alot of clean stuff and use them quite a bit for leads as well... so I might look at it a bit different than someone who wants the possibility to do an occasional bit with a singlecoil-ish tone.

I guess most manufacturers focus on getting a humbucker to sound great as a humbucker, not wanting to compromise too much in construction to also get a great singlecoil-sound out of the split mode. I´m just guessing here, but one half of a regular high output humbucker probably differs a bit in spec from your average singlecoil.

Generally true. But there are models (Duncan Stag Mag, Rio Grande Tallboy & Muy Grande) that are meant to sound good split. They have a high wind count and use alnico poles instead of slugs with a magnet underneath. As you'd expect, they sound good split - definitely in the "true single coil" ballpark IMO, though maybe not a particular player's "ideal" single coil. Also as you'd expect, the bucker sound is "compromised" - but how much that matters depends on what the player likes. I LOVE the Stag Mag as a neck bucker.

IMO the best option is ONE "single coil" single with one "bucker" coil - same "splittability", but less compromise on the bucking sound. I have an SK custom like this at the bridge, and it's great. I don't get why more companies don't do this.

[Dave L]

Generally true. But there are models (Duncan Stag Mag, Rio Grande Tallboy & Muy Grande) that are meant to sound good split. They have a high wind count and use alnico poles instead of slugs with a magnet underneath. As you'd expect, they sound good split - definitely in the "true single coil" ballpark IMO, though maybe not a particular player's "ideal" single coil. Also as you'd expect, the bucker sound is "compromised" - but how much that matters depends on what the player likes. I LOVE the Stag Mag as a neck bucker.

IMO the best option is ONE "single coil" single with one "bucker" coil - same "splittability", but less compromise on the bucking sound. I have an SK custom like this at the bridge, and it's great. I don't get why more companies don't do this.

SK? Who are they? Sounds very interesting.

[Jester700]

Stephen Kersting, a custom winder. Ibanez also uses this idea on a new pickup, and also add a dummy coil below the "splitting" coil so that it's still bucking when split - it becomes a "stack" design. Unfortunately, it's not a top line pickup, so reviews are mixed. It'd be interesting to see how well Duncan or somebody would do with this.

[slash-ed]

The Ibanez Duo-tone, or some similiarly named whatsit? A friend of mine bought an SA equipped with it, he said it sounded weak and lifeless...

[j2379]

single coil one wire start to finish -/+. stacked 2 bobbins, 2 wires 2+/2- one from each wired together. same as a parallel wired humbucker. wiring the the +from one bobbon to the - of the other & visa versa is series wired humbucker or standard. coil tapped is using either one coil or some winding from each coil, for a weaker more single esque sound. if you took to single coils wired them in series & placed them right next to each other its basically a humbucker.

* i dont always agree, i had a duncan cool rail & it sounded great coil tapped.

[daemon barbeque]

Sorry Joe, but that sounds wrong, unless I misunderstood you..?

Put very simple:

Humbucker (typical)
lots of copper wire (many windings) = high DC resistance (Kilo ohm) = high output, fat sound, reduced high end and dynamics (low resonant peak).

Single coil (typical, true)
shorter copper wires (fewer windings) = low DC resistance = low output, bright and clear sound, lots of sparkle and dynamics, quack! (high resonant peak).

It's a trade off. Bright sparkly sound (high freq) is lost in the typical high output humbucker due to the long wire used.

There's a lot of other factors involved, the above is just the most significant regarding frequency response.

Sorry Henrik but Hi-output has nothing to do with Hi-DC resistance!
A X2N has only 14.8 K but is the loudest passive ever with about 510 mV
The duncan PATB2 has 21K and has just 400ish mV output!

[Subvamp]

Rio Grande pickups make a model called the Tallboy that is a "true splitting" pickup...it's designed to have the properties of a true single coil when split, not just a tapped humbucker. Sounds pretty damn good!

[charvelguy]

The number of windings around a coil does effect resistance. Typically the greater number of windings, the stronger the output, and also tone..'but', type of magnet and its strength also have their effects on output and some also say tone. 'Course, I don't make or wind pickups, so what do I know.

[jtr]

If you want a H/S sound get a EMG 89 .

[jackson1]

...... (deleted, i'm too tired)

[JACKSONFREAK]

I have a Duncan distortion that is killer when in full humbucker or out of phase with itself. but when its split to single coil it sounds dark for a single coil. Being a ceramic magnet it should be brighter than it is but all the windings seem to be hindering the brightness of it. A real good single coil sound from a split hum to me is the PAF pro Or the PAF Fred in the Ibanez JS1000. It just sounds like a single when split. And like a full fat hum when not split. Maybe its just me but the lower output hums when split seem to have the sparkle of a true single coil vs th ehigher output ones.
Gil