Splitting a humbucker

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The sound of an electric guitar is influenced by many components and factors: playing technique, effect devices, passive amplifier components, and of course, the amplifier tubes play a crucial role. Together with the tubes, the pickup has the strongest influence on the sound and tone character. Whether single-coil or humbucker, active or passive, high output or very tame – the pickups significantly shape the sound. Today, we want to explain what is meant by “splitting a humbucker” and the advantages of coil-splitting.

How a Humbucker Works – A Brief Explanation

Humbuckers offer a wide range of sounds! Pickups for electric guitars operate on the age-old physical principle of induction. Simply put, it works like this:

A pickup consists of the following components: a magnet, coil, and metal cores. The coil wire is tightly wound around the magnetized pole pieces (the metal cores) and is at the center of the magnetic field. When another magnetic metal part (like the guitar strings) enters this magnetic field and moves within it, a weak electrical current is induced. This current travels through the wire to the amplifier.

The unique feature of the humbucker is that it has two coils placed close together, canceling out each other’s hum. But for those who want more than the creamy, warm, and highly characteristic sound, there are technical modifications that can be made!

Requirements for Splitting Humbuckers

The coils, which are normally wired in series, have a total of four ends. In the classic configuration, one is connected to ground, one establishes the necessary connection, and one is soldered as the hot output at the output. Often, the wiring is encased in wax, so the pickup only has two visible wires, limiting modification options. However, if four wires are available (as with most commercially available parts), splitting is possible!

Switches for the New Setting

Before we get to the different options, here’s a brief overview of the different switch types used in modified humbucker settings:

Mini-Switches

These small switches are embedded in the guitar body and can be easily and quickly operated. Downside: Additional drilling may be necessary to place and connect the switches.

Push-Pull Pots

Push-pull pots are regular potentiometers with an internal switch. When the guitar pot is pulled up, the switch opens. When the pot is pushed back down, it closes. The advantage: despite wiring variations, existing holes can be used.

Different Wiring Types – Splitting and Tapping

What options are there for splitting a humbucker? We introduce the two most common modifications below.

Coil-Split

To split a humbucker, the four wires must be free and accessible. First, the start of the first coil is connected to ground in the traditional way. The connection between the two coils is also made in the usual way. However, a switch is inserted between the connection of the two coils, which can essentially cut the connection by grounding the start of the second one (and simultaneously the end of the first).

The wiring now looks like this: Coil A is grounded at both the start and end of the wire – no signal. Coil B has a ground and an output, which we know as classic single-wiring. By activating the switch, the grounding is switched on and off. This is how you can quickly and easily turn a humbucker into a single-coil.

Humbucker Splitting – The Sound

Splitting Humbuckers is the most common and probably the most popular modification for pickups. The result of splitting is a sound that resembles the tone of a single-coil but is somewhat clearer and less mid-heavy. However, the modification makes it more sensitive to various interferences. Compared to the quite voluminous and mid-heavy sound of a humbucker, the sound after splitting is much more delicate and refined. The highs of the signal are emphasized, while the basses lose dominance in the new configuration. Especially for solos, splitting can create very high-resolution, elegant tones. However, the signal loses some punch – strong distortions can also cause noise, requiring very sensitive guitar playing.

While the sound after splitting a humbucker resembles that of a single-coil, noticeable tonal differences remain – in nuances, a split pickup sounds “smaller” and less dirty than pure single-coils, especially in combination with a tube. But it also depends on the fundamental characteristics of the respective pickup.

Coil-Tapping

This technique describes switching the coils to parallel operation. Both are wired in a way that they run in normal series operation on switch position A, but in switch position B, the wiring changes to parallel operation. The resulting tones are even brighter than those of a single-coil but are less prone to interference due to the two active coils. A detailed wiring diagram should be created and matched to the switch used for this complex wiring.

Parallel Wiring – The Sound

Parallel-wired coils work like two synchronized single-coils. Compared to splitting a humbucker the traditional way, the sound is even brighter and clearer. The midrange presence typical for guitars is reduced, but the pickup continues to operate with two coils and is therefore less prone to interference. Due to the very complex wiring required for parallel operation, splitting the pickup traditionally is generally the more reliable option.

Splitting or Parallel Wiring?

Splitting a Humbucker or other wiring methods can significantly affect the sound and character of an electric guitar. The prerequisite for the new sound paradise is the internal wiring of the pickup used – if four wires are available, all sorts of modifications can be implemented.

Many new sounds can be coaxed from the instrument – assuming a high-quality pickup. Musicians need some experience with a soldering iron and a bit of finesse to implement the modifications. With a detailed wiring diagram, the right tools, and some patience, you can unlock entirely new sounds from your familiar guitar. Happy experimenting!
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