Help! Axis split/parallel

[Arci]

Hi,

as I am sure that some of the forum members have tried this already, what would you recommend to get the best "singlecoilish" soud out of the Axis pickups?

Are they too thin sounding when split, or is it an usable sound? Should I go for series/parallel switching instead?

And concerning the bridge humbucker, which coil do you reckon sounds better by itself? I would go for the closest one to the bridge, but is it too harsh sounding?

Any input is welcome

Many thanks!!

 

[douglasspears]

on my Axis SS, with the 5 way switch, the 4th position (pointing toward neck, not bridge) gets a very nice Tele sound when notes (or chords) are played down low, and nice spongy Strat tones when notes are played up high. I'm actually not sure if this selection is the outer or inner single coils though.

No idea about parellel and series though, or splitting just single coils by themselves.

Good luck!

 

[beej]

They're ok split. In parallel they're a bit brighter, but still noise-cancelling. So it depends on your needs.

As far as which coil- the slug coil (furthest from the bridge) will probably sound a bit better on it's own. Being further from the bridge, it gets more string energy and is a little less thin sounding.

 

[Arci]

Thanks for the replies!

What I would like to obtain is a better balance with the singles in my HSS sport. Right now, i feel like the output of the bridge pickup is so much higher, it's like turning a boost on. That's useful in some occasions, but most of the time I wish the guitar had a more even output between pickups, especially because I like to shape my tone through the volume knob.

 

[beej]

Ah, I see what you're saying. Yeah, there's no easy way around the volume difference- that humbucker has more output (and more of it in the mids) than the singles, so it's always going to overpower them. Occupational hazard with HSS guitars (Except the Luke III with the preamp boosting the singles.)

Given that, I would try wiring the HB in parallel. It might be just want you want and it's a quick mod. You'll get much less output and a larger frequency range.

If you're not happy with that, I would consider replacing the bridge HB, go with something that has less output. Also that way it'll still sound like a humbucker rather than a split pickup, which is always an ok-but-not-great kinda sound.

 

[Arci]

If I haven't replaced the pickup yet, it's because it just sounds sooo sweeeet. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. I love it. However, when needed I also want to be able to switch to the bridge pickup without having to adjust the volume as well.

I think a push pull for series/parallel will do the trick!

I know it would have been fairly easy to experiment both with split and parallel wiring, but I'd rather get it right the first time ...so, thanks for the advice beej! Much appreciated!

I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[beej]

Any time. Yep- push/pull (or push/push) parallel wiring is just the ticket then.

Definitely let us know how you like it.

 

[auxren]

I added a push-pull to split the coils on my axis and I really like the bridge's single coil sound. The neck pickup's single coil sounds alright, but its significantly quieter. I might try the parallel trick that beej brought up.

 

[Arci]

Ok, I am officially dumb

I even got the diagram from the CS, but still can't figure out that wiring!!

So, I finally I opted for the split, simply because it's much easier .

I thought I could ground the white and black wires of the humbucker through position one of an unused pole of the superswitch (going through the push pull). That way, with the knob up I would have the singlecoil in bridge position without affecting the other positions.

However, even in the positions 2, 3 and 4 where the humbucker is split, those 2 cables are not connected to the ground. I even tested continuity, in case I was missing something...

How is splitting achieved?

PS: I am not sure I can post the diagram here...

 

[beej]

There are a lot of good free wiring diagrams out there. Here's one with switches for series/parallel (you'll need to use the Dimarzio wiring colours).

If you're having trouble making sense of wiring diagrams, I'd encourage you to take it to a tech, or to someone who's handy with a soldering iron. Sounds like you'll be best off with a series/parallel switch, so might as well get it done right.

 

[Arci]

Parallel was still too hot, IMHO.
The split sounds good, the volume is balanced with the other positions and it's not as thin as many humbuckers are when split.
The mod was really easy once I figured out the superswitch layout.
It only takes 2 wires and a switch, no need to modify the factory wiring whatsoever - unless you messed it up already, as I did

I've drawn a very simple schematic, in case someone else might need it. The humbucker is split (slug coil) when the switch (push/pull) is in "up" position and the selector is in position 1 (bridge). The modification does not affect the other positions. With the switch in "down" position, the usual pickup combinations are unchanged.



Now I am wondering whether it's possible to use the other pole to have the middle pickup alone in position 3...instant strat switch
...back to the drawing board!