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The Pickup Place / Re: Rail Strat humbuckers: splitting or parallel?

« on: June 19, 2026, 01:47:28 AM »

I find partial splitting useful only when combining a more powerful rail pickup with a weaker single coil. Otherwise I was disappointed with alternate wiring schemes (parallel, split or partial split*). This goes for the Fast Track 1, Satch Track, The Chopper, BC-1, BC-2 and Fast Track 2 (as well as some Seymour Duncan offerings).

The next person to contribute to the discussion will likely have a different opinion. The only way to know for sure is to experiment for yourself. The BC-1 is a good candidate for this, as is The Chopper. As with full-sized humbuckers you will get better performance with hotter models. The problem with the single-sized humbuckers is the coils lack top end chime, even with the weaker models.

(*) My partial splits typically involve two resistors and a capacitor in order to coax a little extra single coil voicing without sacrificing body. I’ve gone as far as three resistors and two capacitors in an attempt to get extra chime out of the Satch Track but it was like getting blood from a stone. Even the brighter Fast Track 1 lacked top end to the point that I could only weaken the duller of the two coils by a small amount with a single resistor and then reduce body further with a shelf. Again this was just to combine it with a middle singe coil. That scenario was with the Fast Track 1 in the bridge. I have another guitar with a Fast Track 1 in the neck and resorted to using only a shelf for a skinnier single coil tonality. I also have an HSH with a Fast Track 1 in the middle and have a position where I am running one coil in series with one coil from the neck humbucker and then shelving that combination for a position 4-style quack. It would have worked very well if it weren’t for the fact that it’s a 24-fret Music Man Silhouette with the intonation adjustment at the base, forcing the neck pickup to be far away from the optimal position. The Satch Track in parallel in the neck position wasn’t terrible as it is the only way to get any chime, but that is at the expense of body and wasn’t worth it. Combining that with a middle single coil sounded pretty good but three active coils didn’t produce the familiar Strat quack that I was looking for.

Ugh, Gregr... you're tempting me!
Alright, it's decided: the experiment is happening.

My favorite guitar has a BC-1 in the bridge position and a Cruiser Bridge in the neck position.

Using a Super Switch, I've already worked out the wiring to get these options:
1) Bridge in series
2) Bridge in parallel
3) Bridge partial split with a 2.2k resistor
4) Partial split bridge with a 1.2k resistor + (full) neck in parallel
5) Neck in series

In the next few days I will try!

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The Pickup Place / Rail Strat humbuckers: splitting or parallel?

« on: June 17, 2026, 03:46:23 PM »

I'm familiar with partial coil splitting (like PRS uses), where a simple resistor is added to avoid a full split. With full-sized humbuckers, I generally find that this produces a more convincing single-coil-like sound than wiring the coils in parallel.

What I'm wondering is how this translates to single-coil-sized rail humbuckers, especially medium-output models such as the Air Norton S or Mirage Neck.
In your experience, would a partial coil split be more useful than running the two coils in parallel if the goal is to get a distinctly different sound from these pickups?

I'm asking because I'm planning a custom Jaguar-style build and would like to maximize versatility. The idea is to use a Super Switch (DiMarzio EP1112) and experiment with a few alternative wiring options both in the neck and in the bridge positions.

At the moment I don't own either of the pickups mentioned above, so this is mostly theoretical. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried these wiring schemes with the small rail humbuckers.

I do have a BC-1 in the bridge position of another guitar, but I never wired it for coil splitting or parallel operation. Since it's my main guitar and favorite instrument, I'm a bit reluctant to start rewiring it just for experimentation. Maybe one day I'll give it a try, though.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Creating a Fatter Humbucker-Like Voice from a 2-Pickup Noiseless Setup

« on: June 06, 2026, 06:28:34 PM »

Your best solution is to come from the other direction with a Fast Track 1 combined with a bass shelving filter and reduced loading.

Thank you for your suggestions!
Just to make sure I understand correctly: are you suggesting the RC network as an additional "fatter / humbucker-like" switching option for the bridge pickup, or as a way to make a hotter pickup (such as a Fast Track 1) sound more like a single coil? Could you possibly sketch the circuit or suggest component values?

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The Pickup Place / Creating a Fatter Humbucker-Like Voice from a 2-Pickup Noiseless Setup

« on: June 06, 2026, 11:51:27 AM »

I'm building a (Jaguar type) guitar with only two DiMarzio noiseless single coils: an Area 58 in the neck and either a Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues 2 or a Virtual Vintage Blues in the bridge (I'm still undecided).

I'd like to use a Super Switch to add an extra "fatter" voice, something closer to a (bridge) humbucker while keeping the normal pickup selections available.

Which approach would you recommend based on your experience?

1) Adding a capacitor in parallel with the bridge pickup to lower its resonant frequency and make it sound fuller.
2) Wiring the bridge pickup in series with only the dummy coil of the neck pickup (not the active coil), so as to add some inductance without combining the actual string signals from two distant pickups.

Has anyone tried either of these solutions? I'd be very interested in hearing real-world experiences, suggested capacitor values, or any alternative ideas for getting a thicker bridge sound from a two-pickup noiseless setup.

I'm deliberately ruling out the usual neck+bridge series wiring because, from my previous experiments (although on different guitars with different pickups), I've never found the sound of two widely spaced pickups in series to be particularly useful. To my ears, it tends to lose definition and clarity.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« on: June 03, 2025, 09:17:37 AM »

Due to various circumstances, my plans have completely changed.
However, this research turned out to be quite useful in the end, and I applied it to a Jaguar I recently picked up (a Squier Affinity Jaguar). It's a budget instrument, but surprisingly solid!

After some experimenting, I found a tone I really like by mimicking a humbucker-style sound. To achieve this, I added two 680 pF capacitors in parallel with the pickup—effectively creating a 1.36 nF cap in parallel with the single coil. This helped smooth out some of the highs and gave the tone a fuller, more humbucker-like character.

In addition to that, I incorporated some more unconventional wiring. I added a switch position that engages a 20 nF capacitor in series with a 6.8k resistor and a 3.3H inductor, all connected to ground. This circuit subtly shifts the tonal balance and does a nice job of simulating the character of a neck pickup.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and suggestions throughout the process!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« on: May 16, 2025, 01:33:51 AM »

I would also take a look at the Virtual Vintage Blues. The Alnico 5 magnets provide more dynamic range and punch while also allowing for a less aggressive wind to provide a sparkly top end compared to the Injector Neck and HB2.

However…

Seeing that you raised a concern about brightness, the HB2 might be the best choice, or perhaps even the Virtual Solo which also has the performance benefits of Alnico 5 stated earlier.

I hate you!
You’ve just introduced a whole new variable I hadn’t even considered — the Alnico type — and now I have even more pickups to think about!

Joking aside, thank you so much for the interesting and helpful information.

Now I’m wondering if the character I love in the current single coil on my Mustang actually comes from its Alnico V magnet. I do worry about harsh highs, but I think I could manage them with the treble knob — or maybe by adding a capacitor/resistor if needed.

I’ll definitely keep the “Vintage Blues” pickup on my radar as well!


PS: I found a b-stock "Vintage Blues", and I ordered it...

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The Pickup Place / Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« on: May 15, 2025, 12:19:19 PM »

I recently got a second-hand Squier Mustang Classic Vibe ‘60s, and aside from a possibly misadjusted bridge, I like it more than I expected!

It came with only one pickup left from the previous owner (the photo I’m sharing is from the catalog, not the actual guitar, but it’s the exact same model and color). The pickup was originally in the neck position, but I moved it to the bridge—and surprisingly, I really like how it sounds. It's got a snappy tone, even with the short 24" scale.

That said, I'm planning to make some changes. First, I'm looking to install a noiseless single-coil in the bridge position—just one pickup for now. I also want to add a pickup selector switch that toggles between an inductor and a capacitor, so I can get a few different tones from the single pickup setup.

I’ll admit I’m not very used to single coils in the bridge, and I’ve been rolling off some treble with the tone control to tame the highs. But that’s fine, because I want this guitar to sound different from my others, which mostly have humbuckers.

Here’s my question:
Which pickup would preserve that bright, snappy single-coil sound (especially with the 24" scale) while offering some versatility?
After some research, I’m leaning toward either the Injector Neck or the Heavy Blues 2. I’d really appreciate any input or other suggestions!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Dimarzio IGNO review

« on: February 10, 2024, 04:35:57 AM »

Thanks for your review!
For me it's interesting, because I bought a Dimarzio Satchur8 that (maybe) is almost the same pickup
https://darthphineas.com/2020/06/dimarzio-igno/
(all the technical data are very very similar). I'm still building the guitar I will put it in, so it will take some time before I really test it. And I hope it has nice clarity and a good dynamic response.

The interesting fact is about this "compression" effect, that - as far as I know - does not happen in a passive pickup, but anyway it's often perceived in the sound.
There is this excellent post here:
https://www.tdpri.com/threads/pickup-compression.678985/
with thought-provoking information from a member who always gives very useful and good technical details.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Satch Track vs Bluesbucker (bridge position)

« on: March 11, 2023, 07:36:50 PM »

Thanks a lot for your help and suggestions. Very very helpful!
By the way, I wrote to DiMarzio too, explaining the same details of my posts, and I got this reply and an unexpected suggestion:
"I think you should consider a more traditional pickup for the concept you have in mind. The Bluesbucker may not have the versatility to do what you have in mind. The Mo’ Joe should be better. You might also look at the Satchur8. It may have more output than you are looking for, but it has better dynamics than the output spec would indicate, and the split and parallel sounds are very good."

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The Pickup Place / Re: Satch Track vs Bluesbucker (bridge position)

« on: March 09, 2023, 11:56:47 AM »

And looking at your list of pickups I see the "Mo' Joe" (and Fred too), so I wonder if maybe I should consider that model too for my project. 

Sure. Both would work depending on what you are planning to use as a neck pickup and as values for your volume control. I use the Fred in a HSS set up with a 250k volume pot which works really well there. With a 500k volume pot it might be too bright. Mo' Joe works well with a 500k volume pot - I have it as a bridge pickup in an HSH set up, incidentally with a Bluesbucker in the neck.

Cheers Stephan

Thanks! My target is to make a guitar with only the bridge pickup. In the end, in a band context I use it 90% of my time.
But at the same time I'd like to get "very different tones" from it, because: never say never.
And in case I will not be happy, I could anyway add a neck pickup later (like the Injector neck or maybe Cruiser bridge that I already used in the past in the neck in some guitars and I liked it).

So my idea is that I will buy the EP1111 (the "super" switch of Dimarzio) and I will wire it to get 3 sounds (from my bridge pu) like:
- standard bridge humbucker sound
- partial coil split with a capacitor (and in case a resistor too) to ground, so that I'd get a kind of notch filter to simulate a neck pickup and/or an inbetween strat sound
- addition of a cap (and in case a resistor too) in parallel with the pickup (or with the partial coil split) to get a lower resonance to simulate a neck or a different pickup
By the way, I'm interested only in passive circuits to get these different sounds; I could even consider an inductor but then the costs add up a lot.

My first idea is the Bluesbucker because I like its concept as far as I can read (slightly single coil-ish, great dynamic response) and I like a lot the sound I can hear in this excellent demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIS52q18RKU
(well, to be honest it's the only good demo I found!)
On the other hand I don't know if its special construction (with that almost silent second coil) will not work properly or will not get the expected sound changes when I add the capacitor in parallel and when it is wired to make the partial split. And that's why I mentioned the Mo' Joe (or Fred) as worthy of choice because of their more traditional coil construction, even if I don't have any personal experience with them.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Satch Track vs Bluesbucker (bridge position)

« on: March 03, 2023, 06:09:51 AM »

No experience with the Satch Track, only with the Bluesbucker, and only in the neck position so I am afraid I am not of much help here ... I used the Chopper and Chopper T in the bridge position with good results, and they sound good in parallel, too.

The Bluesbucker would have the advantage that the single coil tone is almost as loud as the humbucker tone.

Cheers Stephan

Thank you for your information anyway!
And looking at your list of pickups I see the "Mo' Joe" (and Fred too), so I wonder if maybe I should consider that model too for my project. 

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The Pickup Place / Satch Track vs Bluesbucker (bridge position)

« on: March 03, 2023, 02:09:27 AM »

I know they have a different size, but it's not a problem for my project.

For pop/rock/instrumental rock, I'm considering a single pickup guitar but with some options (with caps, resistors, partial split) to get some "variations" even with just a single bridge pickup.
From the descriptions and reviews I'm very interested in trying the Bluesbucker that could be what I'm really looking for (dynamic response, not too dark). But... I have a Satch Track that at the end I haven't used yet.
Do you think it's really very different from the Bluesbucker? Will it be too thin in the bridge position? Will it work properly using the two blade coils with caps/resistors to get different sounds?

I know you can say: test it! But my new build is far from being ready yet, and I'd like some expert opinons in the meanwhile.

By the way, since the neck will be 25", maybe I need more clarity and dynamic response for that reason too (losing a little transients/attack vs standard 25-1/2" necks). Apart from the Bluesbucker, I don't know if I should also consider the Air Classic Bridge, Fred, Paf Master Bridge...

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The Pickup Place / What happens if I put a cover on a blade pickup?

« on: March 12, 2019, 12:24:12 PM »

I'd like to know if you have any experience about covering a twin blade pickup (like the Chopper) with a plastic cover that is completely closed, I mean without the usual 2 cuttings of a standard pickup plastic cover with the two blades coming out.
I have a guitar with 2 nice pickup covers (similar to wood) and I'd like to keep them, putting a new pickup under them. I'd like to try the Satch Track in the bridge and the Fast Track 1 in the neck position.

Because of this closed covers, I guess that the pickup could be a little farer from the strings, even if I will remove its standard plastic cover (the one with Dimarzio logo on it), because with it, the pickup would be a little too large to fit into my "wood-colored" covers.

Do you know what impact I could have on the sound with a closed cover made of plastic?

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The Pickup Place / Re: D activator (neck) vs Illuminator/Liquifire (neck)

« on: March 09, 2019, 08:40:58 AM »

Hi i have an Ibanez sa2020fm (mahogany with maple top) and i want to get rid of the emg 81/85 that are currently on it. I am thinking of going d-activator for both bridge and neck but i am not so sure about the neck. I mostly play modern metal stuff but i enjoy playing classics like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio etc. Any suggestions/tips would be really helpfull.

I'd like to point out that changing from active to passive pickup, it's likely you'll have to change also the pots and check if you need to add a ground wire from the guitar bridge to the pickups circuit.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

« on: March 09, 2019, 05:37:44 AM »

I liked the Air Classic in the neck position, but mainly in a split configuration or parallel wiring.
For me it was even too bassy in the standard series configuration, but I admit that for me 98% of neck pickups are too bassy! 
Anyway, splitting it (using just one single coil) it had a great tone in my guitar.