Split coil mini-humbuckers?

[el profe]

I have two mini-humbucker guitars- a John Lee Hooker Sheraton and a '93 made in USA Sheraton with the frequensator tailpiece. I wanted to change pickups in one of them just to give me a little more variety. I like minis, but it would be cool to get some single-coil tones.

I've seen some minis with 4 conductor leads and was wondering what they sound like in single coil mode. Anybody have experience with this?

[el profe]

I guess I'm the first guy who has thought about a coil-split switch on a mini-humbucker guitar? :huh

[HoboMan]

I have a split coil mini humbucker in the neck position of my Gibson Nighthawk. Single coil mode is VERY clean and thin sounding. Even with the amp set with moderate gain splitting the coil really cleans up the sound. I actually like it a lot.

[el profe]

Hobo- thanks for the reply. How's the difference in output between humbucker and single coil mode? I have a 25/50 Les Paul with the coil split switch, and the drop in output really isn't all that bad.

[HoboMan]

Yeah, the drop in output is not bad at all but the tones are VERY different. Exactly what I want out of a coil splitter.

By the way, I remember when the 25/50 Les Pauls came out. I wanted on really bad back then.

[Kalalau Hiker]

I'm wondering this too. who makes a GOOD sounding mini hum that sounds good split.

I have a PRS EG with 3 Seymour Duncan mini humbuckers I want to switch out.
I think they're the SM 2.
sound tinny and sterile / modern to me. they do split - buty dont sound too good to me.
anyone have any experience with the SM 2 / SM 3 ("seymourized") / SM 4?

I know the Lollar minis reviewed by TGPer Jack Zucker sound great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1goqM3PUxYk
- but are pricey and I see they have one wire, so assume thay are not splittable.

[george4908]

DiMarzio makes splittable minibuckers (Firebird style, as opposed to LP Deluxe style), in lower and higher gain varieties. I have a pair of the "vintage" lower gain in a Tele and they sound truly wonderful. Twangs like a Tele, but a bit fuller and no hum.

On the other hand, I can't vouch for the split sounds. When I built the guitar, I didn't wire it up that way. Just wasn't interested, based on the mediocre split sounds I've heard with full-size buckers, and somehow it didn't seem right on a Tele anyway.

[televox]

I have a Dimarzio pro-track in the bridge position on my Strat. I really like this pickup, in single coil mode it sounds just a little fatter than the stock single coil pickup. In humbucker mode it is nice and fat but still leans towards a vintage sound.
A lot of guys don't like splitting humbuckers, I'm in the minority I suppose, especially in a Strat.