Parallel wiring
Connecting the two coils of a pickup, or two pickups, side by side rather than in series, so both signals reach the output independently.
The output is lower than with series wiring but the sound is brighter and more open, because the two coils' inductances no longer add together and the resonant peak sits higher. On a humbucker it offers a third voice between the full series humbucker and a split single coil, and it keeps hum cancellation intact. Many modern humbuckers are wound with four conductors precisely so this option is available with a switch.
Example: a humbucker wired in parallel keeps the quiet operation of a dual-coil design while gaining an airy top end suitable for clean parts.
See also
Related
- PageSeries wiring
- PageActive pickup
- PageAlnico
- PageBlade pickup
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley
- PageAd-Rock
- ReferenceCircle of fifths