Favorite Pickup Scheme, and why?

[zebra]

Hey there,

What's your favorite pickup scheme, and why?

 

[stratamania]

I don't think I actually have one. It probably depends on the guitar and what I would use it for.

 

[Logrinn]

I’ve come to realise that I like things simple. So for me it’s H-H. But with single coil sized humbuckers.
That’s what I use on my Jaguar and my Mustang and those sound the best of all my guitars. And all three pickup positions get used equally much in my playing. No 5-way switch and no split or tap wiring. Just bridge/both/neck. Together with the volume knob I get all the sounds I need.

 

[Rick]

My current favorite switching scheme is two humbuckers with
N
N+B
B
N+split bridge
inner coils in parallel
B + split neck

If you asked me two years ago it would’ve been something different ...
Neck
Neck and Bridge
Bridge
Neck and Bridge Series
Neck and Bridge Series Out of Phase
Neck and Bridge Para Out of phase.

I found when I get more than six variations I get confused.

 

[swarfrat]

I'm ok with H, SH, SSH, or SSS. HH is about the only one I have  little use for.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

The first electric guitar I bought myself was a 90s Telecaster Special, which was loaded with a Tele single in the bridge and a humbucker in the neck, with a 5-way switch that went:

Bridge
Bridge + Neck Split
Bridge + Neck HB
Neck Split
Neck HB

It was my only electric guitar for a very long time and I really grew to love that configuration. I'd probably say it is still my favorite, although I've found I have little use for a split HB by itself. I currently have that same guitar wired with a Super Switch like this:

Bridge
Bridge + Neck HB (Out of phase)
Bridge + Neck HB
Bridge + Neck Split
Neck HB

I really dig this arrangement. I would love to make that 4th position be in series, but I couldn't figure out how to make it happen when I was working out the wiring.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

One volume. One toggle, and The Truth.
Flick flick, that’s it, done.

 

[ragamuffin]

I love them all!

 

[Jebberz]

P-J

I love the sound of the P and the added midrange and nasality fom the J when I want to cut through

 

[swarfrat]

I was recently looking for a hum cancelling J for my Talman 5-string. Just because I had a hole there. And afterwards I'm like - why did they even put that hole there. I'm a P man through and through. I could see a P/Piezo but that starts with P too.  I don't really need J honk.

 

[Jebberz]

I totally understand you. I'm not dound of the J honk by itself, but blended with the P, the honkyness sits sonically just where there is room throug my guitar player sound, so I don't need to be loud to be heard.

 

[zebra]

I totally understand you. I'm not dound of the J honk by itself, but blended with the P, the honkyness sits sonically just where there is room throug my guitar player sound, so I don't need to be loud to be heard.

Thanks for opening up the conversation a bit by mentioning bass, Jebberz. 
I've never had a bass so my head doesn't usually go there (but I know I'm going to "need" one at some point).

 

[bagman67]

My favorite layout is P90 neck, Tele bridge pup (mounted in a Tele bridge, natch).  The snap and snarl make me feel happy feelings. 

 

[dmraco]

I have been using  this is almost all of my builds. 

Neck P90
Bridge - A 4 lead Humbucker that can be split into singe coil.  I like them to be slightly higher output so they are not totally quiet when tapped.

The clean tones when combining the p90 and SPLIT hum bucker are amazing!

 

[NedRyerson]

I've historically been a down-pickin', palm-mutin', power-chordin' chugga-chugga metal player who doesn't play lead.  I often even ask myself why I have a neck pickup at all.

After having gotten into guitar building, I've tried to make myself branch out of my comfort zone.  Hasn't really worked since the only non-HH guitar I have right now is my 7-string, which is HSH (so might as well be an HH, for all intents and purposes).

But I have my Tele project at the country house started.  And I still want to build an HS baritone some day.  So I'm getting there.  Just baby steps for this aging metalhead.