Tapped Pickup Options

[copperheadroads]

First coil finish end & second coil start are soldered off the same eyelet

[big_teee]

First coil finish end & second coil start are soldered off the same eyelet

Not on mine!
I had 4 wires I hated not to use them.
I experimented with it out of a guitar plugged to an amp with a test jack.
It seemed to be louder with both coils.
I reversed the outside coil just for the hell of it.
It did seem to cancel some hum but it also probably cancels some of the output of the other coil.
It all still seems pretty silly and useless to me.
I will let you know how it sounds tomorrow.
T

[copperheadroads]

Not on mine!
I had 4 wires I hated not to use them.
I experimented with it out of a guitar plugged to an amp with a test jack.
It seemed to be louder with both coils.
I reversed the outside coil just for the hell of it.
It did seem to cancel some hum but it also probably cancels some of the output of the other coil.
It all still seems pretty silly and useless to me.
I will let you know how it sounds tomorrow.
T

I was refering to kayakerca's post -"Is it not possible to have only 3 wires on the tapped pickup"

[big_teee]

Strat Bridge Tapped pickup Summary.
I mounted and played the pickup last night.
It worked fine, and I wired it to a switch, where I could switch the tap in and out.
It sounded best overall clean and dirty in the 9.5k Mode.
The 6.5k tap, sounded weaker and not as rich sounding.
So, IMO the Tapped Pickup is Way overated, and for me a Waste of time.
I've made two so far and they always get played in the hottest mode.
Your mileage may vary, and you may like this type of Pickup just fine.
The pickup is a lot of work for No Real Significant Benefit, or Improvement, IMO!
So next stop, is to dismantle the pickup and start converting it to the Stacked version we have been discussing at length!
I will keep you posted when I start the stacked S project.
The Trying and Beatin On different pickups, the Opinions & Chronicles of B_T Continues!
T
** Edit Note:
It seems that several were disappointed with my summary.
The Pickup was a success, and is useable.
The reason for my ho-hum rating, there are so many better Pickup options, IMO!
Also Everyone is welcome to build your own and list your results.
Good Luck, B_T

[ddlooping]

Hi all

I'm looking into using tapped single-coils on my guitars (strat and P90 types) hence my interest in this thread.
I must admit I'm quite disappointed with the result of your experiment, Terry, really expecting you'd get more usable sounds as in the video below.
Could it be that your amp/effects settings would have to change to better fit the tapped sound, hence giving you a "boost" when switching to the un-tapped one?

[big_teee]

Also On my summary, I didn't say it didn't work.
I said IMO the Pain was not worth the gain.
Plus the tapped pickup did not sound as good in any position as the Custom Bridge Pickup that was removed!
I was looking for a better effect than what I got.
So I stand by the opinion that I would be better off to remove the tapped pickup.
Reinstall the 42 Gauge model That was taken out.
I hope the Stacked project Turns out to be a better option.
T

[ddlooping]

Thanks for your feedback, T.

Also with his, it got muffled when he went to full output, but I think it was the Pot thing.

Personally I quite like the difference between tapped and un-tapped, the latter seeming fuller and ever so slightly louder.
This is mainly comparing the "wacks" at 4:46mn and 4:56mn.

[big_teee]

Is that your vid and guitar?
To start with my strats and amps don't sound like that.
I'm more into the vintage strat sounds.
For all the work I went through to build the pickup, I was expecting more.
Before I would waste my time and money again, on the Tapped Single Coil I much prefer my Hand Wound Blade rail pickups.
With the blade you get true Hum Canceling.
You can get a lot more variation with a good bridge blade, then split it to get that weaker brighter tone you're looking for.
43 Gauge wire on a Single Coil pickup, IMO just sounds thin and anemic.
I've been trying to do a project to post here every now and then, and the next one will be the Stacked Strat Bridge Pickup.
Hopefully I'll like the results better.
T

[ddlooping]

Thanks again, T.

Is that your vid and guitar?

Nope.

[Stratz]

I think the SD in the video is all 43AWG. It does have a nice split. I like it.

As I had kind of mentioned in an above post, the inner coil is designed with the outer coil in mind (in the SD case by itself it would sound very bright and thin) if it didn't have the secondary wind loading it even while not engaged.

Seymour might have the schematic for the blender pot posted on his site, that's a nice touch.
I think I'll revisit my taped single coil pickups again when I have the time.

[Lyrebird Steve]

I think the SD in the video is all 43AWG. It does have a nice split. I like it.

My database is showing the SSL5 as

43AWG AlNiCo5 6.60k tapped, 12.90k full

[ddlooping]

My database is showing the SSL5 as

43AWG AlNiCo5 6.60k tapped, 12.90k full

Thanks for the info, Steve.

[RedHouse]

IMHO, doing the tap is a great "option" but mostly for clean sound (ie; Twin Reverb on 4-5) gets that Knopler tone and that post-Zep Robert Plant kind'a vibe, but into a high gain amp (Soldano or JCM800) the tap thing sounds crappy.
YMMV

[big_teee]

IMHO it sounded Weak and thin, and not as good as the fine bridge pickup I took out.
But, Hey then again that's why they have Apples and Oranges! Different Strokes for different Folks!
T

[RedHouse]

IMHO it sounded Weak and thin, and not as good as the fine bridge pickup I took out.
But, Hey then again that's why they have Apples and Oranges! Different Strokes for different Folks!
T

Yeah it would when you compare by flipping the switch, just as bucker sounds thin when flipping the switch on a coil-cut.

I bet it did a great Danelectro type sound though, did you try playing Kasmir?