Albert Lee HH Neck pickup modificatrion

[Ched]

HI there
Love my ALHH and get great tones out of the neck pickup with my Revival Drive Compact.
However when playing through a clean amp, the pickup could do with a bit more edge (I've seen other strings on this subject)
I'm not overly concerned as I seldom play this pickup completely clean and mostly use it paired with the bridge pickup either in single coil (position 2 and 4) or humbucker mode (position 3)
The fact that it can be split got me thinking though.
There is potentially a possibility to have a 6th position by adding a toggle switch to split the coils in position 5 (Neck pickup)
In this position the Neck Humbucker is on its own, so could be split to toggle between humbucker and single coil.
Has anybody out there done that?
If so, can you share the wiring diagram please?
Using half the humbucker would give a single coil flavour and could add an extra dimension to what is already a great guitar.
Note: I asked MM for advice but they understandably refused to comment on any modification. I didn't ask them for advice on how to do it, just needed to know whether it was technically possible.

 

[kingdoublecut]

...or...you could add a graphic EQ to your board that is only used for the neck humbucker.

 

[beej]

Splitting the HBs is a fairly standard mod and there are a bunch of ways to do it. They're Dimarzios; You should be able to find a zillion wiring diagrams on the Internet.

If you only want the neck position split, an easy way to go is to re-wire position 2 or 4 (since they sound fairly similar) to be neck split only. If you want both bridge and neck split, the next step is to add a push/pull pot (or a toggle switch) and wire the pickups so they only split in positions 1 and 5.

 

[xjbebop]

I've always gotten better results with series/parallel than splitting with humbuckers. Similar results, but less volume drop and hum that you get with a split. Plus a sweeter tone.

 

[Ched]

...or...you could add a graphic EQ to your board that is only used for the neck humbucker.

Good suggestion but although i have a 10band MXR, it's an extra switch that would be a pain if you want to hit an OD pedal quickly.

 

[Ched]

...or...you could add a graphic EQ to your board that is only used for the neck humbucker.

Good suggestion but although i have a 10band MXR, it's an extra switch that would be a pain if you want to hit an OD pedal quickly.

Splitting the HBs is a fairly standard mod and there are a bunch of ways to do it. They're Dimarzios; You should be able to find a zillion wiring diagrams on the Internet.

If you only want the neck position split, an easy way to go is to re-wire position 2 or 4 (since they sound fairly similar) to be neck split only. If you want both bridge and neck split, the next step is to add a push/pull pot (or a toggle switch) and wire the pickups so they only split in positions 1 and 5.

Another good suggestion thanks ....but i like tones of all positions as they are (with OD pedal for the neck bucker) . Just Looking to add a 6th option by splitting to get a single coil sound at the neck when playing clean. Ill keep searching for suitable diagrams on the net, but i don't think there are many guitars with exactly the same pickup config as the ALHH. Most HH guitars have a 3 pos switch and push pull pots.

 

[Ched]

I've always gotten better results with series/parallel than splitting with humbuckers. Similar results, but less volume drop and hum that you get with a split. Plus a sweeter tone.

I have an '82 JV Strat wired with three slimline humbuckers. I got it wired in the early 90s so that i can use all three pups in parallel, series or single. It has to be one of the most verstatile Strats on the planet
The neck pickup in parallel is sweet.
Much brighter than series and more powerfull than single, and cancels hum too of course.
As you say. A toggle to switch series to parallel might be a good option and possibly easier to wire. Thanks.

Splitting the HBs is a fairly standard mod and there are a bunch of ways to do it. They're Dimarzios; You should be able to find a zillion wiring diagrams on the Internet.

If you only want the neck position split, an easy way to go is to re-wire position 2 or 4 (since they sound fairly similar) to be neck split only. If you want both bridge and neck split, the next step is to add a push/pull pot (or a toggle switch) and wire the pickups so they only split in positions 1 and 5.

 

[beej]

Series/parallel is more wiring than a coil split, but both work great. The advantage with the coil split is that you can wire it up to only work in the 1 or 5 (full humbucking) positions - so you can leave it pulled without it affecting other positions on the lever switch. I've got variations of both and am happy with them.

Anyhow, if you're handy with a soldering iron this isn't too difficult to do. Here's a sample wiring diagram you can follow:
Dimarzio Wiring Diagrams

I'm not sure which version of the lever switch is there, so you'll want to get the diagram from MM as well and adjust accordingly (or just check with a multimeter). Might require moving a few things.

 

[DrKev]

The neck pickup in parallel is sweet.
Much brighter than series and more powerfull than single, and cancels hum too of course.
As you say. A toggle to switch series to parallel might be a good option and possibly easier to wire. Thanks.

Note: two pickup coils in parallel are usually both brighter and a little *weaker* than a single coil on its own. I am surprised that Ched says it's more powerful, because it should not be. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

 

[Ched]

Note: two pickup coils in parallel are usually both brighter and a little *weaker* than a single coil on its own. I am surprised that Ched says it's more powerful, because it should not be. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

Interesting.
The tech who wired it told me the toggle went Series > Single > Parallel.
Series is obvious . Strong and fat.
Parallel almost as loud as series but more balanced (brighter)
Single, defo weaker output and doesn't buck the hum so i presume the tech explained it correctly.
Might look under the bonnet when i get a chance
Thanks for your comment.

 

[xjbebop]

This is correct ^^

 

[Ventanaman]

Splitting the HBs is a fairly standard mod and there are a bunch of ways to do it. They're Dimarzios; You should be able to find a zillion wiring diagrams on the Internet.

If you only want the neck position split, an easy way to go is to re-wire position 2 or 4 (since they sound fairly similar) to be neck split only. If you want both bridge and neck split, the next step is to add a push/pull pot (or a toggle switch) and wire the pickups so they only split in positions 1 and 5.

This is exactly what I have done in my Axis SS guitars. I used the wiring diagrams from Suhr HH Modern T models to neck spilt in position 4 with minimal volume drop. May need to raise the pickup a bit if you use that position frequently. YMMV.

 

[PeterVV]

I swapped out the pickups on mine as I thought they were too hot , and I didnt like position 2 and 4. I put in a Bareknuckle VH11 in the neck, and a Bare Knuckle Holydiver in the Bridge. I changed the wiring for positions 2 and 4 to just be the single screw coil of each and position 3 to be both single screw coils together. I much prefer 2 and 4 wired this way rather than having both single coils together.

 

[Magic Jason]

I've swapped mine for a Thornbucker (50mm neck) and a Thornbucker+ (53mm bridge) and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just cannot believe how good these pickups are! They match really well with a rosewood neck.
All the humbuckers tone I've ever dreamed of , plus an unbelievable strat tone with the "split" neck pickup.
There dozens of reviews and video's on internet so I won't write about it for ages but they are everything they claim to be!

 

[Magic Jason]

HI there
Love my ALHH and get great tones out of the neck pickup with my Revival Drive Compact.
However when playing through a clean amp, the pickup could do with a bit more edge (I've seen other strings on this subject)
I'm not overly concerned as I seldom play this pickup completely clean and mostly use it paired with the bridge pickup either in single coil (position 2 and 4) or humbucker mode (position 3)
The fact that it can be split got me thinking though.
There is potentially a possibility to have a 6th position by adding a toggle switch to split the coils in position 5 (Neck pickup)
In this position the Neck Humbucker is on its own, so could be split to toggle between humbucker and single coil.
Has anybody out there done that?
If so, can you share the wiring diagram please?
Using half the humbucker would give a single coil flavour and could add an extra dimension to what is already a great guitar.
Note: I asked MM for advice but they understandably refused to comment on any modification. I didn't ask them for advice on how to do it, just needed to know whether it was technically possible.

On the limited Abert Lee HH GC-run (the ones with chrome knobs), there is a push-pull on the tone knob that allows you to split the humbuckers in 1 and 5 position. If your guitar doesn't have this little "secret", it is a REALLY usefull, invisible and cheap modification. Also totally reversible. I highly recommend it!
Here is the wiring diagram : Albert Lee HH Guitar Center pull tap version position settings