Hey guys! I got interested in a series/parallel switch after reading about the S-1 Switching that Fender had at 2004 but most of the people here at TB are sort of unanimous (at least from what I read) that the split-coil pup is basically unusable in parallel mode because it was too weak in this mode. However I also read one comment that it was possible to do it on a Dimarzio Split-P and another that said that it was possible on a Dimarzio Model P. So my question is that is it actually possible to do it on any of these pups? Cause if it was I'd like to try it out on my Split-P so I could get some different sounds out of my P Bass.
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Series/Parallel Switch on Dimarzio Split-P
- Thread starter Shazam
- Start date
Hi Shazam,
you just need two coils with four wires.
Every pickup which fulfills this can be used/switched serial/parallel ...
It's another question if it makes sense ...
I started guitar and bass electronics in the early 1980s. This was a time when everything switchable was switched. Thank God these times are over!
A parallel P indeed makes no sense! Much too weak and powerless ...
A switchable capacitor in series to cut some bass frequencies surely makes more sense than parallel wiring ...
you just need two coils with four wires.
Every pickup which fulfills this can be used/switched serial/parallel ...
It's another question if it makes sense ...
I started guitar and bass electronics in the early 1980s. This was a time when everything switchable was switched. Thank God these times are over!
A parallel P indeed makes no sense! Much too weak and powerless ...
A switchable capacitor in series to cut some bass frequencies surely makes more sense than parallel wiring ...
it's of course possible with any P pickup (except an EMG).
it just doesn't sound so great, except for the split P! that pickup is basically two little humbuckers already. in normal series mode it's kinda boomy and muddy IMO, but in parallel, it's still plenty loud, but clear; it sounds kinda like one nice soapbar humbucker.
i don't bother wiring these in series at all, so the switch at least is worth a shot on this one.
it just doesn't sound so great, except for the split P! that pickup is basically two little humbuckers already. in normal series mode it's kinda boomy and muddy IMO, but in parallel, it's still plenty loud, but clear; it sounds kinda like one nice soapbar humbucker.
i don't bother wiring these in series at all, so the switch at least is worth a shot on this one.
Yes/Maybe ...
But the you have a 4-coil P PU which is very special ...
To not confuse Shazam ...
- Series/parallel can be done with every normal P PU (see post #2).
- It may not be done with the few pickups which have a built in preamp (see post #4).
- Very special 4-coil Ps can be run as HB/HB, HB+HB, SC/SC or SC+SC (adding to post #6).
I've built a couple of basses using Dimarzio model P and J pickups. I put series/parallel switches in for both pickups. (I did not use the typical P/J arrangement. I put the P pickups about where a Music Man pickup would be and the J pickup toward the neck...a great setup.)
The P pickup in parallel sounds much like a jazz pickup. Thinner, brighter but still very usable.
I put a series/parallel switch in my 64 P bass in 1977. I used the parallel mode quite often enjoying the increased clarity and reduced punch. It sounded a lot like the neck pickup of my 68 Jazz soloed.
The P pickup in parallel sounds much like a jazz pickup. Thinner, brighter but still very usable.
I put a series/parallel switch in my 64 P bass in 1977. I used the parallel mode quite often enjoying the increased clarity and reduced punch. It sounded a lot like the neck pickup of my 68 Jazz soloed.
