Resistors on McCarty push/pull coil split pot

[Figaro]

I noticed PRS puts 1.1K and 2.2K resistors on the McCarty coil split pot to split the humbuckers. What is their function and how would the coil split sound without them?

 

[Boogie]

I noticed PRS puts 1.1K and 2.2K resistors on the McCarty coil split pot to split the humbuckers. What is their function and how would the coil split sound without them?

They'd sound brighter and thinner when split. If you're curious, just unsolder one leg of each one and try it without. Guessing you'll reconnect them in about 30 seconds.

 

[xjbebop]

They don't actually split. They ground through the resistors when activated... giving a sweeter than split sound.

 

[Figaro]

Is the split sound louder with the resistors?

 

[Boogie]

They don't actually split. They ground through the resistors when activated... giving a sweeter than split sound.

The white wire is a coil split.

 

[garrett]

Is the split sound louder with the resistors?

Yes, and fuller sounding, and slightly humbucking. By shunting the signal to ground via the resistors, it lets a small amount of signal from the cancelled coil come through.

I call it a partial split.

 

[Cris_mas]

i've just read this and i'm quite interested in modding my SE SC with this...is there an schematic to do it? My split coils sounds "ok", but not "great" and would love to experiment

 

[garrett]

I think the DGT diagram shows it off best: http://prsguitars.com/csc/schematics/2017/dgt_2017.pdf

 

[Boogie]

i've just read this and i'm quite interested in modding my SE SC with this...is there an schematic to do it? My split coils sounds "ok", but not "great" and would love to experiment

You can follow the schematics for the McCarty or DGT...essentially the same thing.

 

[xjbebop]

https://www.fralinpickups.com/product/partial-tap-resistor/

http://online-discussion.com/Suhr/viewtopic.php?t=9488&sid=fcf6c4f1d7d05e60f81f877552e8189d

There's more out there if you look.
I've done this with a couple of non-PRS guitars with good results. I see it as a simpler version of series/parallel wiring, which I much prefer over actual coil splits...

 

[Stoptail22]

I just added these resistors on my two 2008 McCartys and my 2009 Mira, and I love the new split sounds!

On the Mira, I added a second switch to use a distinct coil tap switch for each pickup (the small pic shows the original one-switch pickguard). This mod results in eight different sounds similar to the 408 or the Paul's Guitar.

 

[bodia]

I just added these resistors on my two 2008 McCartys and my 2009 Mira, and I love the new split sounds!

On the Mira, I added a second switch to use a distinct coil tap switch for each pickup (the small pic shows the original one-switch pickguard). This mod results in eight different sounds similar to the 408 or the Paul's Guitar.

Nice! Did the same thing to my Cu22. Love it.