Question Coil tapping an ASS ?

[Rev-al]

Hi - anyone know if its possible to coil tap these pick ups ? and if so, would it help the Axis Super Sport sound Strat or Tele like ?
(I've not played one of these and am wondering if these guitars can get the Fender like tones,as well as standard humbucker ones)

Many thanks

 

[beej]

Fyi, "tapping" usually refers to adding an output somewhere in the middle of a coil winding where there wasn't one before. Most humbuckers these days have 4 conductors, two for each coil. So what you're really asking is "splitting", using one set of conductors rather than the full humbucker in series.

That said ... the ASS selector gives you combinations of coils in parallel, like the two inner or outer coils, in addition to the standard series humbucker positions. They're pretty good for clean sounds- more tele-ish than strat-ish, but very nice. And those positions are noise free, unlike what you'd get if you used a single split coil from one of the HBs. If you ever want to use a single split coil, it's pretty easy to wire up.

So short answer, you're not going to get coils that far apart to sound like a strat, but you can get some great clean tele-esque sounds out of them.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I'm picturing the wiring in my head based on Beej's description. From that, I think the answer is that you "could" coil split. Take the point that is the mid point in full series hum mode and wire it to a push/pull to ground. When hitting that to "coil split", you really only get the split in series mode positions (1, 3, 5). In parallel mode (2,4) it depends how the wiring is done, but I think you end up doing nothing in those positions.

I could be wrong here.....I am assuming one way that this could be wired....My ASS is MM90 and the Axis that I did coil split only has the 3 position.

 

[Rev-al]

Thanks guys.......
I'm trying to find an MM guitar which will replace my strat and les paul on gigs,....Sound wise, while having a maple board and trem.
Silo special or ASS (with coil split or single coil pick up swap out in the neck....or it that an irrelevance due to the ASS selector switch options ?)

 

[beej]

Ah, gotcha. Well you have a few options.

Personally I am a big fan of the MM90s (EBMM's take on a P90). So an ASS or Albert Lee with the MM90s is a good choice- you get a beefier sounding single coil, very chimey and full, but it also dirties up really well with gain. So that would actually be my choice. The AL with the MM90s will also give you all of those great in-between quacky strat sounds.

SSH Silhouette Special is excellent too, you can't go wrong.

You could do the ASS with Humbuckers and a coil split on the neck p'up, it's easy to wire up. But you'll get a bit of 60 cycle hum. It's not a bad p'up when split actually, though it doesn't sound like a best-of-breed single. But ya, it'll do it.

Another good option is the 25th Anniversary or the new Reflex (same thing, different look) - it has a series/parallel selector for all the coil positions and the body is chambered. The parallel sounds are great- not exactly single coil, but much closer than a HB.

I'd also suggest the Steve Morse (HSSH) or the Luke (SSH) - but neither comes with a maple board.

Do you need quack sounds? Or just a neck single? That kinda helps narrow it down.

 

[Rev-al]

Plenty of Quack !
Am today thinking more towards an ASS humbucker, and possible doing the coil split neck.
Going off the Silo option, as I don't lioke the middle pick up on strats always snagging my nails as i dig deep - no matter how low i place it.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Try a Silhouette

it's the perfect Hybrid between a les paul and Fender (strat and tele)

but ASS HH or ASS MM90 is also a good choice

 

[Stu-Pendus]

I've just bought a Rosewood Axis ss and its a seriously great guitar,FYi,position 1 is full bridge H/B,position 2 is pure Telec*ster both P/ups on in single coil mode,position 3 is both H/B,position 4 is pure str*t in between sound single coil ( p/up 2&3 on str*t), and position 5 is full neck H/B.
I am about to put a toggle switch to get single coil on pos 1 and 5.These guitars have a lot more expression,character in their tone when compared to a LP in H/B mode and realy do have those Fender tones in single coil mode.I honestly know that this guitar will cover both LP and Str*t and more but in a much lighter and easier to play package.

 

[the24thfret]

Go ahead and "tap that ASS".







Sorry. That was terrible

 

[hbucker]

Part of what is appealing about an ASS is the (humbucking) single coil tones in the 2 & 4 notch positions. I can't imagine going to the trouble of splitting the coils on an ASS - but suit yourself.

Speaking from experience with splitting coils on other guitars though, the single coil tones I've gotten have been serviceable but not ideal single coil tones. In my experience, it's almost not even worth it unless you need a single coil tone live here and there. Those provided in a stock ASS are actually better than the coil split tones I get from my other gutiars.

FWIW

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I don't know that you'll get exactly what you're looking for with any of these options. I had a rehersal on Wednesday and a wah on top of a "classic strat" sound was what the leader was looking for (I just tried to match the sound on the mp3 I was working from). I used my MM90 ASS and it was not quite there. I swapped to the SSS Al at home and did a back to back and there are enough subtle differences that I'll be swapping guitars between songs. My Axis is coil split as is my Sublhouette and neither come through with the sounds I get from the Al. Close, but not exactly the same.

 

[Zippoman]

I looked at the thread tittle and ended up spilling my mango smoothie on myself. Hahaha

 

[LawDaddy]

Part of what is appealing about an ASS is the (humbucking) single coil tones in the 2 & 4 notch positions. I can't imagine going to the trouble of splitting the coils on an ASS - but suit yourself.

Speaking from experience with splitting coils on other guitars though, the single coil tones I've gotten have been serviceable but not ideal single coil tones. In my experience, it's almost not even worth it unless you need a single coil tone live here and there. Those provided in a stock ASS are actually better than the coil split tones I get from my other gutiars.

FWIW

I would agree wholeheartedly with this. For the few SRV-ish tunes I do live, the inside coil position gets there in a convincing enough manner, without switching guitars or getting hum. If you really lean in to it, you can get some spank.

 

[Rev-al]

All helpful replies - thanks guys.

Now just gotta decide on the colour scheme ..........oh no !