Pick-up help

[GuitaristZ0S0]

Okay guys i'm doing a parts caster build and i'm going with these GFS pickups
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Calibrated- ... p_145.html

I was wondering if there was a way to coil tap these?

Thanks guys.

[Jondog]

Yes, it says they have 4 wires for coil tapping.

[Captain Wedge]

From what I've heard, GFS pickups are terrible. I'd go with Seymore Duncans instead.
Or if you really want to get good pickups chech out Suhr pickups.

[GuitaristZ0S0]

Oh wow im stupid I didn't even see that haha, would someone tell me how about going about it

[brianr0131]

If we're nitpicking you're splitting not tapping......tapping a coil is different than splitting 2 coils.

But, a ton of people call splitting tapping

[Randy Bass]

It's a good concept to make medium/low output humbuckers in a Tele-sized package. At $50 a set, I say it's worth the gamble. I'll be interested to hear if they are actually any good.

I'd see if the GFS website has wiring diagrams for two 4-conductor humbuckers in a Tele. If not, I'm sure you can get the basic idea from diagrams on the Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio site even if they use different wire colors.

Your big decision will be whether to use a Push-Pull or a Push-Push pot to do the splitting/tapping. I have a Push-Pull in my Tele (though it switches between pickups) and I would probably go with a Push-Push if I had it to do over again. Mine actually uses the 3-way to split the neck pickup (P-Rail).

[OrangePaul]

Oh wow im stupid I didn't even see that haha, would someone tell me how about going about it

You could use push pull pots for coil tapping or a 5 way strat switch even.

Coil tapping actually works by switching one of the coils to ground, so taking it effectively out of the circuit leaving you with a single coil as it were.

Edit: +1 on the push push pots. With that arrangement all you have to do is tap the pot to switch it in either direction (makes life a little easier)

I think the term coil tap comes from the fact that you need a humbucker with a centre tap point which is the extra 2 wires you get on a 'splitable' humbucker.

[GuitaristZ0S0]

Thanks guys, yeah and randy I agree with you at $50 and a tight budget it was worth it, I've heard good things about the pups, but the qc has been sketchy some say. But I found a 5 way switch diagram on a tele forum, which suit me pretty well. I can't wait to go on spring break to start working on it, ordered it all today and should be at my house later this week.

[iblastoff]

i wouldn't touch gfs pickups. they're basically rebranded artec pickups that are usually found in really cheap chinese made guitar copies.

[Neiloler]

I'd take a look at Stewart McDonald's pup options, their Golden Age pickups.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics ... ctric.html

[indianDYsummer]

I don't like push push pots because it can be hard to figure out which setting you're on in a live environment where you're switching back and forth and can't hear yourself that well.