Big splits

[Drop1]

I assume the big splits are basically a p style pickup in soap bar format?

I know the singles (what I currently have) are like a souped up j pickups.

If the splits are indeed a p like pickup, what kind of p sound are they?

Also, anyone running a big split at the neck and a single at the bridge?

 

[sikamikanico]

Yes and no. Big Singles (I assume that’s what you have) are “Js on steroids”. Big Splits are a split coil hum canceling version of the Big Singles.

Big Splits and Big Singles are more similar than different, and lie somewhere on the spectrum between Js and Ps. The BigSplit being a hair darker sounding is a smidge closer to the P, but that’s negligible. The key difference imo is hum cancellation.

In short, if you don’t mind the hum, stick with the Big Singles. You can tame them with a passive tone control, or maybe consider playing with small loading capacitors.

 

[Drop1]

Yes and no. Big Singles (I assume that’s what you have) are “Js on steroids”. Big Splits are a split coil hum canceling version of the Big Singles.

Big Splits and Big Singles are more similar than different, and lie somewhere on the spectrum between Js and Ps. The BigSplit being a hair darker sounding is a smidge closer to the P, but that’s negligible. The key difference imo is hum cancellation.

In short, if you don’t mind the hum, stick with the Big Singles. You can tame them with a passive tone control, or maybe consider playing with small loading capacitors.

Thanks. I asked because I've been pup shopping and all the videos I've seen I have preferred the splits sound. It sounds a but more smooth and round to my ears compared to the big singles. That is the direction I'm wanting to move in. The difference dies seem subtle though. I'd really just like to lose a bit of the Singles aggressiveness but I dont want polite either.

I'm gonna try some new strings and see where that gets me. Maybe getting a bit less aggressive sounding strings "plus" changing pickups will give me the bump on the direction I'm wanting.
I had a Schecter p/j I loved the sound of. I'm trying to move in that direction while still using the soap bar format. I know I won't get all the way there, I just want to get closer.

 

[sikamikanico]

Smoother and rounder, yeah. You should be able to do that with strings, setup, and technique adjustment. Maybe some EQ, tho passive tone should get the job done.

I do consider a pair of Big Singles/Splits gives the best PJ sound for my tastes - bolder than the regular J, but without the issues of mixing P and J pickups. That said, some seem to like the quirks of the PJ arrangement, but that’s just not doable with soapbars.

if anything, I’d ask Nordstrand for a bridge Jazz Bar (J in soapbar) that might work with a Big Single in the neck for approximating a more “traditional” PJ sound… could also consider a 51 split P in the soapbar for the neck position. IMO not worth the trouble, but gives you different flavors of P and J pickups that fit inside soapbar shells…

 

[Drop1]

Smoother and rounder, yeah. You should be able to do that with strings, setup, and technique adjustment. Maybe some EQ, tho passive tone should get the job done.

I do consider a pair of Big Singles/Splits gives the best PJ sound for my tastes - bolder than the regular J, but without the issues of mixing P and J pickups. That said, some seem to like the quirks of the PJ arrangement, but that’s just not doable with soapbars.

if anything, I’d ask Nordstrand for a bridge Jazz Bar (J in soapbar) that might work with a Big Single in the neck for approximating a more “traditional” PJ sound… could also consider a 51 split P in the soapbar for the neck position. IMO not worth the trouble, but gives you different flavors of P and J pickups that fit inside soapbar shells…

Thanks. I'm definitely not trying to recreate a p. I just want a pickup that sounds a bit less , idk, brutal,. In general I like the big singles, but I don't find they lend themselves to certian types of music imo. I have some mk1 barts and those go too far into dark/ polite territory for me. I'd like something straight down the middle, but it's so hard to tell until you have pups IN your instrument