Bart P4 parallel/series/sc wiring

Hullaballoo · #1 04-26-2007, 03:33 PM

Hi. Has anyone wired their Bart double-coil p/ups as per the diagram on the Bartolini site to give parallel/series/single coil switching? It doesn't look too diffficult, but I can't find any examples of it's being done. More importantly, if so, was it worth doing? ie were the tones different and interesting enough to make it worthwile? Many thanks in advance for any replies.
Mark

The Penguin · #2 04-27-2007, 05:14 AM

I find parallel and single tend to sound similar.

I like the layout that cuts out either the 2 middle or 2 outer coils, the second one on page 2 here
http://bartolini.net/1_wirngs/4cnd_sw1.htm

These settings make a rather drastic change to the pickup sound and with a blend knob you have a lot of choices, not all humbucking. It's also just one switch.

Hullaballoo · #3 04-27-2007, 01:33 PM

Thanks Penguin for that. I think I'll disconnect everything, and try the various combinations to see what they sound like. I'm just fed up with the "polite" sound I'm getting at the moment.
Cheers

GeoffByrne · #4 04-28-2007, 06:18 PM

The series and parallel options will still be humbucking - if you use a push/pull pot, you'll only get to use two options anyway. The Parallel and single coil are almost the same as noted above, but the parallel has the advantage of being humbucking.

G.

Hullaballoo · #5 04-29-2007, 06:35 AM

Thanks also Geoff. I was secretly hoping that in parallel mode they might have a slightly Stingray-like tone, but I suppose that's too much to hope for.
The inner/outer pair of coils set-up sounds good, if the tones are radically different because I'm bored with the straight series sound, and want a bit of variety. Do either of you know what the parallel mode sounds like? (it would save me a bit of soldering to find out!)
Cheers
Mark

The Penguin · #6 04-30-2007, 02:10 AM

Parallel does have a bit of the vintage ray vibe, if your pickups are close together the inner coils setting can also have a ray vibe.

Hullaballoo · #7 05-01-2007, 02:16 PM

I've just spent a few hours rewiring the p/ups to the diagram on p2 (inner s/c, both, outers/c. The sounds seem quite subtlely different, but interesting, but that's at office volume, and I'll get a chance to try it out properly tomorrow. It did seem the best option, and I want to say thanks to the people who replied - you saved me some time, and definitely chose the best option.
I just wish that I'd noticed how close to the volume knob the hole for the switch was when I was marking it up - now it will irritate me for the rest of my life - but that's me all over - I could always do a perfect job the second time I do it!
All the best, and thanks again.
Mark

Hullaballoo · #8 05-02-2007, 04:50 AM

Tried it out full blast today, and the verdict is - well worth doing. Subtle differences that are very useful, and a shame to waste the possibilities of these twin-coil p/ups with just the straight- in series wiring so often found. But I hope no-one ever looks at the rat's nest of extra wiring I had to put in the cavity, or they might think I'm some sort of bodger!
Thanks again for the advice