Ancient Single Coil vs Humbuckler debate

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Web Surf

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Got some Tokai's recently

Gawd are they different than the single coils on my Telecaster

How can I have the best of both worlds using a switch ?

split ( tapped) pickups ? ( which ones are best ?)

Switches on the volume controls ??

Circuit Dias ?

Any way to open the PAFs to get a split from the centre ?
 
You can split hummers if they have 4 conductor wiring, but otherwise you're stuck. Another option is to wire the coils in parallel, which sounds similar but is still hum cancelling. This needs 4-conductor as well.

Split/parallel doesn't sound exactly like a single coil-equipped guitar but it's close enough.
 
Thanks Paladin,

and are the standard pickups on the Tokai PAF MK II 's 4 wire ones ?

If not,

A) could you recommend any good 4 wire pickups that fit on a Tokai ?

B) Or single coils that can fit into a Tokai

C) Any recommendations on wiring / switches to get flexible single/humbucker configurations like S1 on Fenders ?

Thanks
 
Web Surf said:
Thanks Paladin,

and are the standard pickups on the Tokai PAF MK II 's 4 wire ones ?

Nope, 'fraid not.

Web Surf said:
If not,

A) could you recommend any good 4 wire pickups that fit on a Tokai ?

If you're in the UK/europe, check out Bareknuckle pickups. They do a number of vintage-style humbuckers and offer 4x wiring as a no-cost option. They cost about the same as seymour duncans or dimarzios outside the US but they're a serious boutique builder and much, much better than the alternatives.

In the states Duncan, Dimarzio etc. are the usual suspects. Bareknuckle are prohibitively expensive over there. Either way, if you're happy with the sound of your current pickups then you probably want a PAF copy.

Web Surf said:
B) Or single coils that can fit into a Tokai

A standard single coil won't fit your humbucker route. The closest you could get would be a humbucker sized p90. Duncan do a good one and Bareknuckle do a great one.[/quote]

Web Surf said:
C) Any recommendations on wiring / switches to get flexible single/humbucker configurations like S1 on Fenders ?

Thanks

The standard approach is to use push-pull pots. These have a standard pot mechanism but they also have a built in switch that activates when you pull out the pot shaft, meaning you get the extra functionality withuot having to drill holes in your guitar or alter the cosmetics in any way.

If you want to split the coils, you can use CTS spst push-pull pots (however, you'll have to widen the pot holes in your guitar). For parallel, you'll need standard dpdt push pulls. These will fit without modification but the pot mechanism isn't great quality so you won't see the tonal benefit you get from using CTS. Note: you *can* use standard DPDT's to split the coils, but cts pots are better.

Split coils work better with other wiring mods, but if you don't plan on doing anything like phase or all-in-series mods then I think parallel works better. On the other hand, split means you can use CTS pots. It's a dilemma for you!
 
A) Can the TOKAI PAF's be opened up and converted into split coils ?

or are they sealed/welded shut/potted ???



B) How do I find the thread someone posted here few months back

clips of Same guitar, same player, same amp, different pickups
 

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