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Series or Parallel

bachlover

bachlover

Guest
Jul 8, 2013
926
645
Calgary, AB, Canada
#1
I'm having a custom build done and we're at the electronics installation phase. I have 2 humbuckers that have the capability to be selected for series/parallel for each pup. The wiring between the 2 pups has to be either series or parallel. My question to you guys is this; what are the disadvantages/advantages to each? Thanks for any input.
 
#2
Look up the wiring for a Fender Roscoe Beck Signature bass. I own one. Two buckers. They each have a mini toggle for switching between single/series/parallel. If it doesn't ruin the bass for you looks wise, go for that. The tonal possibilities are all but endless. That bass can cop a J, do a decent P, mud bucker Gibson, somewhat Stringray and lots of useful tones in between. I too am getting ready to do a build. I am going to put a P at the neck and a bucker at the bridge. That bucker will have the mini toggle for sure. I use them all the time on my RBV.
 
#4
two fingers said:
Look up the wiring for a Fender Roscoe Beck Signature bass. I own one. Two buckers. They each have a mini toggle for switching between single/series/parallel. If it doesn't ruin the bass for you looks wise, go for that. The tonal possibilities are all but endless. That bass can cop a J, do a decent P, mud bucker Gibson, somewhat Stringray and lots of useful tones in between. I too am getting ready to do a build. I am going to put a P at the neck and a bucker at the bridge. That bucker will have the mini toggle for sure. I use them all the time on my RBV.
Click to expand...
Good, another RBV owner. I love the tonal possibilities with this guitar and wanted to carry it on to the custom. My question is regarding how the 2 pups are wired together. For instance, when you have the toggle in the mid position (both pups on), and have the individual pup switches in the mid position, you now have a single coil from each pup selected. Now, how are those 2 pups wired together? My builder tells me that SOP is to have them wired parallel, but my experience with the RB shows me that series is much fuller, less thin. On our RBs, we can't select between series and parallel in this example, the RBs are hard wired for one or the other. I might be able to work in another switch but that will make 4; passive/active, neck series/parallel, bridge series/parallel, and pups series/parallel (I have stacked volumes for the pups individually).
 
#5
bachlover said:
Good, another RBV owner. I love the tonal possibilities with this guitar and wanted to carry it on to the custom. My question is regarding how the 2 pups are wired together. For instance, when you have the toggle in the mid position (both pups on), and have the individual pup switches in the mid position, you now have a single coil from each pup selected. Now, how are those 2 pups wired together? My builder tells me that SOP is to have them wired parallel, but my experience with the RB shows me that series is much fuller, less thin. On our RBs, we can't select between series and parallel in this example, the RBs are hard wired for one or the other. I might be able to work in another switch but that will make 4; passive/active, neck series/parallel, bridge series/parallel, and pups series/parallel (I have stacked volumes for the pups individually).
Click to expand...

Pickup selector switches almost always place pickups parallel to each other. Series wiring is more complicated, and it cause volume differences between positions.
It would be best to check a wiring diagram, however.
 
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#13
bachlover said:
Thanks for all the input guys! I've told the builder to go with the series/parallel option for each pup and have the pups wired in parallel.
Click to expand...

That is a good option. However, If your humbuckers will work with it I'd urge going even further and to the G&L "K-mod" on each pickup switch. This uses a 3 way switch that gives you series, parallel, and single coil in center position.

For the "ultimate" put a series-parallel switch between the two pickups on a push-pull on volume (or tone) knob.

Caution: Watch for large level changes and often series sounds great in bedroom but parallel is better in a live mix.
 
#14
bassbenj said:
That is a good option. However, If your humbuckers will work with it I'd urge going even further and to the G&L "K-mod" on each pickup switch. This uses a 3 way switch that gives you series, parallel, and single coil in center position.

For the "ultimate" put a series-parallel switch between the two pickups on a push-pull on volume (or tone) knob.

Caution: Watch for large level changes and often series sounds great in bedroom but parallel is better in a live mix.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'll have the single option as well as series/parallel. I know from my RBV that there IS a significant jump in volume going from parallel to series, so I think I'll follow the recommendations and just have the bucks wired in parallel.
 

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