The Problem With Noiseless Single Coils (inline humbuckers / split coils)

Описание: As with all noiseless single coils, the number one question I get is, "Does it sound like a single coil pickup?" In short, the answer is yes. At least, as well as a stacked coil or dummy coil does. This type of design has a distinct advantage over others because only one coil is ever picking up the sound from the same string at any given time. So, in practice, it functions like a single coil and its tone is that of a single coil (just without the hum). The more important question is, why isn't this a common way to make noiseless single coils? It's because there is an obvious design flaw that people talk about on the internet, but no one ever seems to demonstrate.

In the video I call it a phase issue but "correct" that with overlayed text saying it's because the coils don't overlap in the center, creating a dead-spot between them. But, it isn't actually the coil's that are the problem. It's a dead spot in the magnetic field at the center that's the problem. You see, to be hum-cancelling, the two coils need to be RWRP. When you have two opposing polarities like that, there is a center point between them where the polarity is neutralized.

Passive pickups work by magnetizing the strings. The coil picks up the shifts in the magnetic field provided by the vibrating string. If you bend your string into the "neutral" area, your string is no longer magnetic at that spot and your signal drops or disappears entirely because the coils no longer "see" the string. Fascinating stuff!

One thing I don't touch on in the video is that there are fixes for this design flaw. You can use ferromagnetic bars across the tops/sides of the mangets to manipulate the magnetic field in a way that keeps the string magnetized across the center. Fender had a Split Coil pickup on the market for a while that did it too, though it was a commercial flop because while it reduced the signal drop between the D and G, it didn't eliminate it completely. A lot of poor reviews regarding the tone and signal drop issues. Fralin does it too with their Split Blade design, apparently with greater success.

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