Ahhh The Hidden Dummy Coil

[RaginRog]

So, while recently changing the pickguard on my SR4 HS, I discovered the elusive dummy coil.

One question for you senior or genius members on the forum; why is the output substantially lower when soloing the neck pickup? It sounds fantastic soloed, but a hassle if you have to change your overall volume setting.

Thanks...

 

[Grand Wazoo]

The boss said it several times, that pickup's only purpose is to act as a dummy coil for hum cancelling, it has not been voiced to be used as a normal pickup, which is why you are experiencing an uneven volume, of course it can work but its not ideal.

Good luck

 

[TheAntMan]

I think the question is based on the voiced neck pickup and not the phantom coil.

Not really sure why this is happening.

I would venture to guess that it may be due to the single verses double coil or neck coil height, if it has been changed.

-- Ant

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Also, judging by the pic below it is plain to see why it is not as loud as the other 2 when it is sitting almost as flat as the body surface.

 

[Randracula]

Also, judging by the pic below it is plain to see why it is not as loud as the other 2 when it is sitting almost as flat as the body surface.

His question was about the volume of the neck pickup not the dummy coil. I've found the same thing with my SR4HH and Sterling HS. The tone of the neck pickup is great, but the volume/perceived volume is lower than the bridge pickup. I guess if you really like the neck pickup you can use a volume pedal or some kind of boost if you want to change to the neck pickup mid song. If you're using the neck pickup for the whole song just turn your amp up .

 

[EdFriedland]

In my experience, single coil pickups are typically lower in output than humbuckers. The bridge humbucker is just inherently louder than the neck pickup, you can't change that. However, you could balance the two closer by dropping the bridge pickup height. You'll lose output from it, but it will get closer to the output of the neck pickup, then you can just turn your amp up louder.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Manfloozy]

I think the reason is actually where you are plucking the strings.

ALOT of Stingray owners pluck over the Bridge Bucker for a tight articulate response in the string.

Try moving your plucking over the neck PUP, and I bet you will find it to be significantly louder... even overall. Different type of tone / response... but this may be the simple solution.

Please excuse me if this is "too" simple, no insult intended... just something that may or may not have been overlooked.

 

[RaginRog]

The boss said it several times, that pickup's only purpose is to act as a dummy coil for hum cancelling, it has not been voiced to be used as a normal pickup, which is why you are experiencing an uneven volume, of course it can work but its not ideal.

Good luck

Not the dummy coil....the neck pickup! I know the dummy coil is only there to prevent hum.

I just included a picture of the dummy coil for anyone interested in seeing it.

 

[RaginRog]

His question was about the volume of the neck pickup not the dummy coil. I've found the same thing with my SR4HH and Sterling HS. The tone of the neck pickup is great, but the volume/perceived volume is lower than the bridge pickup. I guess if you really like the neck pickup you can use a volume pedal or some kind of boost if you want to change to the neck pickup mid song. If you're using the neck pickup for the whole song just turn your amp up .

Thanks Rand. You understood the point/question I was making/asking.

I was only looking to see if there was a some tip one could use aside from using a volume pedal or upping my amps volume.

 

[RaginRog]

In my experience, single coil pickups are typically lower in output than humbuckers. The bridge humbucker is just inherently louder than the neck pickup, you can't change that. However, you could balance the two closer by dropping the bridge pickup height. You'll lose output from it, but it will get closer to the output of the neck pickup, then you can just turn your amp up louder.

Just a suggestion.

Ed, you're a genius...that makes good sense. I'll try that out later. Lower the H, and raise the S. I had raised the S pickup before, but didn't want to raise it too high, otherwise I'd run into the issue of string contact.

 

[RaginRog]

I think the reason is actually where you are plucking the strings.

ALOT of Stingray owners pluck over the Bridge Bucker for a tight articulate response in the string.

Try moving your plucking over the neck PUP, and I bet you will find it to be significantly louder... even overall. Different type of tone / response... but this may be the simple solution.

Please excuse me if this is "too" simple, no insult intended... just something that may or may not have been overlooked.

Thanks Flooz,

Hey, I never look at anybody's reply as an insult, especially when they're offering a possible solution. I do happen to play over the neck pup when singling it. Ed F., suggested I lower the HB and raise the single coil until their volume levels are a bit closer. Makes sense....
-Rog

 

[maddog]

careful with the pickup height adjustments. Too close and the magnetic field will dampen the string vibrations.

 

[RaginRog]

careful with the pickup height adjustments. Too close and the magnetic field will dampen the string vibrations.

Thanks Maddog.

Yeah, I tried it out and the string hits the pole piece no matter how lightly I hit the string. Oh well. I might pick up a used Boss EQ to use whenever I solo the neck pup.

 

[EdFriedland]

I suggested lowering the bridge pickup, not raising the neck. The string excursion is wider there so it could very likely hit the pole piece. Not to mention what Maddog said.. The overall level will drop, but the blend will improve.

 

[shakinbacon]

I suggested lowering the bridge pickup, not raising the neck. The string excursion is wider there so it could very likely hit the pole piece. Not to mention what Maddog said.. The overall level will drop, but the blend will improve.

+1

I once tried raising the neck pickup to equalize the perceived volume between the pickups.

I noticed that the B string sounded really funny - the magnetic field of the pickups was affecting the way the strings were vibrating and (my theory) was affecting intonation.

Lower the bridge instead. Or, keep the volume at 75% and boost it when using the neck solo'd.

 

[keko]

Great photo RaginRog!

Now I know where and how is placed that dummy coil, looks it's actually real pickup with real pole pieces?
I'm about confused, I always thought that is just a humbacking empty coil!

However, I've noticed your problem too, you see I play also HS EB MM model, and did you noticed also in switch position when just bridge single coil of humbacker is running with that dummy coil, output is lower too!

Anyway, when I use just neck pickup mode, or just bridge single coil pickup mode, than I play harder with my fingers (almost 100% powerful), and in other positions including only humbacker alone mode, I just play with 70-80% of finger pressure!
Of course, for every position of pickup switch selector I gently correct the preamp tone controls, and that's the another way that you can smoothly increase your output level too, for example, to add some more bass on the bridge single coil, ...etc.

 

[Kristopher]

It's been suggested before in other threads that it may help if you don't run the volume knob at 100% all of the time. Back it off to 80% on the humbucker selections and up to 100% on the single coil selections and see if that helps. The volume knob is there to be turned, otherwise the instrument would be hard-wired for 100% volume with no knob. Have fun with it.

 

[RaginRog]

I suggested lowering the bridge pickup, not raising the neck. The string excursion is wider there so it could very likely hit the pole piece. Not to mention what Maddog said.. The overall level will drop, but the blend will improve.

Oops....sorry for mis-quoting you Ed.

Hey, I never claimed to be a court reporter!

I'll try this out and give it a test at practice Thursday. I'll bring my trusty mini-screwdriver with me!

 

[RaginRog]

It's been suggested before in other threads that it may help if you don't run the volume knob at 100% all of the time. Back it off to 80% on the humbucker selections and up to 100% on the single coil selections and see if that helps. The volume knob is there to be turned, otherwise the instrument would be hard-wired for 100% volume with no knob. Have fun with it.

Get outta here....really....I thought we were ALWAYS supposed to run it at 100%???

Oh, I was feeling a Spinal Tap(going to 11) quote comin' on, but I resisted the temptation! lol

 

[RaginRog]

Great photo RaginRog!

Now I know where and how is placed that dummy coil, looks it's actually real pickup with real pole pieces?
I'm about confused, I always thought that is just a humbacking empty coil!

However, I've noticed your problem too, you see I play also HS EB MM model, and did you noticed also in switch position when just bridge single coil of humbacker is running with that dummy coil, output is lower too!

Anyway, when I use just neck pickup mode, or just bridge single coil pickup mode, than I play harder with my fingers (almost 100% powerful), and in other positions including only humbacker alone mode, I just play with 70-80% of finger pressure!
Of course, for every position of pickup switch selector I gently correct the preamp tone controls, and that's the another way that you can smoothly increase your output level too, for example, to add some more bass on the bridge single coil, ...etc.

lol...Thanks Keko!

Yeah, I guess I'm not much of a finesse player...perhaps I will add more lows, and mids via the EQ on the bass when I solo the neck pickup!

Peace!