Coil Splitting

Perception
Perception Posts: 19
edited July 2004 in Musicians and Gearheads
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with coil splitting? I am thinking of splitting one of the humbuckers in my Epi LP to a single coil. Anyone out there ever do this, if so would you recommend doing it or will it sound like crap? I also need a new toggle switch and pots, can anyone recommend some good manufacturers?

Thanks.
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Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • LemonYellowSun
    LemonYellowSun Posts: 90
    I've split a couple of humbuckers before. In most cases the sound of one coil of a humbucker is not as good as a standard single coil pickup. It does give some versatility, but don't expect a full on strat sound from a split hum (most cases). By the way, does your Epi LP have four conductor wiring for the hums, or just the common two wire? (You'll need four wire to split)

    As far as toggles go, I'd have to say that the original Gibsons are the best quality (IMHO). Try to avoid the cheapo box type switches as they tend to go bad quicker or have inferior sound. For pots I've used Fender, Gibson, or All Parts, all with good luck.
    Cause I'll stop trying to make a difference. I'm not trying to make a difference. I'll stop trying to make a difference. No way!
  • Perception
    Perception Posts: 19
    I replaced the stock pickups with Seymour Duncans so the 4 wire thing isn't a problem. I understand that the output of the single coil is going to be substantially lower than as a hum, but how much lower? I don't gig or record or anything so I guess I can always just turn up the volume on my amp. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how much usable vesatility this will really give me.

    Also, while I'm changing the toggle switch and pots, I was thinking of doing the Independant pup volume control mod and treble bleed mod and was wondering if anybody new any sites with diagrams or info on this kind of stuff?
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  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    split coils are fine. the output is not a problem. it's the tone of a single coil you are looking for the sparkly treble you lose due to the output in humbuckers, coil splitting offers that sound. You can go about it in a multitude of different ways. I suggest going with a set of push pull pots. In addition you can also add switches or you can use the other pots (tone pots) as phase switches so you can get the in or out of phase sound.


    you may check the wiring diagrams and parts at http://www.prsguitars.com also http://www.carvin.com

    also http://www.stewmac.com
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