Splitting SD '59 Humbuckers?

[jackthehack]

Although I've used SD '59 humbucker sets before, I've always bought the 2 conductor flavor and wired them up vintage style. The set I picked up on a deal to use on my flame maple L5S build are 4 conductor; is there decent sound to be had adding a couple of mini-switches to split the coils?

 

[Tonar8352]

I had them in my Les Paul with coil taping and I never used it. I had several possible combinations using push pull pots on the tone pot and I never like it. I like them fine with out the coil tap but finally pulled those pickups out and replace them with some Throbak's.

 

 

[mwbjr13]

I'm not familiar with the '59s but I've got a Les Paul with series/paralell switches and I love it. It's not single coil sound but it's a thin humbucker that you can have a lot of fun with.

 

[jackthehack]

I was thinking that they might sound too thin split; may just do a temporary wiring that way to test them out before I install any switches...

 

[drewfx]

You're probably better off only doing a partial split unless you want a thin sound to combine with something else.

 

[deajo]

You're probably better off only doing a partial split unless you want a thin sound to combine with something else.

This!  The sound on any 'bucker split under 10 k is going to sound really weak split.  It's part of the reason I am
going with an bkp Abraxas instead of a bkp mule so i have that splitting option.  my .02 cents.  The 59 bucker will
sound good split if you are combining with another pickup though...DREWFX 100% right on!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've played a few Schecters that had a DPDT push/pull tone pot that split both coils.  In the middle position with coils split, it's a parallel humbucker with a coil from each pickup.  A nice, useful parallel humbucking sound.  But yes, each individual split pickup by itself sounded lacking.

 

[Strat Avenger]

It sounds very bright & "sparkly" with a scooped midrange (kind'a like a Tele) if you run both pickups in "split" mode, however there is a noticeable volume loss in that configuration from full humbucker mode.

I have the feature on 3 of my guitars, and almost never use it. 'Makes me think I probably wasted my time doing it...

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Consider switching them from series to parallel instead?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

It sounds very bright & "sparkly" with a scooped midrange (kind'a like a Tele) if you run both pickups in "split" mode, however there is a noticeable volume loss in that configuration from full humbucker mode.

I have the feature on 3 of my guitars, and almost never use it. 'Makes me think I probably wasted my time doing it...

Consider switching them from series to parallel instead?

This is a parallel humbucker (when pickup selector is in the middle position), but any switching option that is not series 180 degrees out of phase will have a volume loss.  With this mod as a push/pull, it does not effect the layout or functionality of the instrument.

 

[wired to go]

I also think Series/Parallel is probably a better option. It gives a single coil sound (sort of ) and retains its hum canceling.