Coil Tapping and Rocksmith

[Witchetty]

I'm asking this partly out of ignorance to what it actually is, apparently it's also commonly confused with something else? But they do different things? I don't know.

I've been making googly eyes at a new guitar. Specifically an LTD Viper 256, which apparently comes with coil tapped pickups or something (I say apparently because I've asked two different sellers if the guitar comes like that standard, and they've both told me different things)? I just want to know if this will affect the game in any negative way?

[wraith7201]

Coil tapping is essentailly a way to turn humbucker pickups into single coil pickups at the flick of a switch--or pull of a knob.

It won't have any significant impact on RS, but, if you switch back and forth, you may need to recalibrate the game for best note detection.

[Witchetty]

And if I understand correctly (and there's a decent chance that I don't), the benefits to this would be your guitar sounds cleaner, and better for more bluesy and jazzy play?

Thanks for the response!

[wraith7201]

Single coil pickups will often give you a brighter, cleaner tone, but at the expense of more noise--and single coil pickups are susceptible to noise from electronics, poor wiring, flourescent lights, etc.

Coil tapping is nice, because you don't have to use it, but it's there if you want it. It won't completely produce a single coil sound, but it will get close. Many of my guitars have coil tapping, either natively, or I added it.

[risc]

Manufacturers commonly misuse the term "coil tapping." The guitar you're looking at has "coil splitting."

Here's an excellent definition from Wikipedia:

"Coil tapping is tapping into the inner coil of a single coil pickup to get a lower output or vintage tone (see coil tapping). It is often confused with coil splitting, which is switching off one of the coils of a humbucker, giving the pickup a single coil tone."

[Witchetty]

Alright, sounds good! Unfortunately my pay this week came a little short of actually buying the guitar by about $50, so I'm definitely wishing next week comes sooner!

Thanks again for your help!

[wraith7201]

Originally posted by risc:

Manufacturers commonly misuse the term "coil tapping." The guitar you're looking at has "coil splitting."

This is true, but it's generally easy to tell. If the guitar has humbuckers and claims coil tapping, it's most likely referring to splitting.

[briancbl]

Good to have the choice of a humbucker & single coil in one guitar. I say go for it and just use what you like the sound of. Simples!

[GuitarDan]

Originally posted by briancbl:

Good to have the choice of a humbucker & single coil in one guitar. I say go for it and just use what you like the sound of. Simples!

Or here's an idea.... Have a guitar with humbuckers.... and have one with single coils....
Most of us have multiple guitars or will have soon enough. Were all assured to have a range of different options and setups available.....

[wraith7201]

Originally posted by Kyle_Katarn:

Specifically an LTD Viper 256, which apparently comes with coil tapped pickups or something (I say apparently because I've asked two different sellers if the guitar comes like that standard, and they've both told me different things)?

I did some quick research on this, and this model does come with what they call a 'Tone switch' feature.

[Witchetty]

Originally posted by Rogue203:

Originally posted by Kyle_Katarn:

Specifically an LTD Viper 256, which apparently comes with coil tapped pickups or something (I say apparently because I've asked two different sellers if the guitar comes like that standard, and they've both told me different things)?

I did some quick research on this, and this model does come with what they call a 'Tone switch' feature.

On the official website they list the guitar as having Volume/Tone/Toggle Switch in ithe electronics layout. This is the same for the page on the F-50, so it doesn't make any mention of being Coil Split, and if there's anywhere that you should be able to trust in regards to guitar specs, it should be the website of the people who make the bloody thing :p

[wraith7201]

The tone knob on that guitar pulls out for the 'tone switch' function.

[Witchetty]

Originally posted by Rogue203:

The tone knob on that guitar pulls out for the 'tone switch' function.

Oh yeah, I knew that, it's just you'd think the website would make mention of it lol

[Mukatahren]

My Les Paul Tradtional has coil taps. You shouldn't have any real issues with RS, but be aware that the pickup will have a lower output when in tapped mode and so the guitar will be a slightly quieter because of that.
Having said that, there isn't really any need to use the coil taps with RS, as the guitar tone is pretty much shaped already.

If you calibrate RS with your guitar volume slightly down from max you will have a little bit of headroom to turn up if you decide to use the coil taps, and this might negate any volume issues for you.

Originally posted by Kyle_Katarn:

And if I understand correctly (and there's a decent chance that I don't), the benefits to this would be your guitar sounds cleaner, and better for more bluesy and jazzy play?

I would argue that the untapped pickup would provide a fatter, blusier sound than a single coil, but you may prefer it the other way around. Humbucking pickups are excellent for both jazz and blues.

[wraith7201]

Originally posted by Kyle_Katarn:

Originally posted by Rogue203:

The tone knob on that guitar pulls out for the 'tone switch' function.

Oh yeah, I knew that, it's just you'd think the website would make mention of it lol

Yeah, their website doesn't do a very good job of describing all of the models.

[Witchetty]

It's also frustratingly inconsistent, I checked the page for the Eclipse range guitars, and they're listed as having Volume/Volume/Tone (P/P), the P/P I'm guessing is the actual push-pull mechanic of the split coil. I dunno, it may actually come down to chance/where I buy it from on whether it actually has a coil split or not. I could get it from the American shop for more money which I know has it, or I could just get it from the Aussie one and risk not getting it.

That all being said, I don't really think I'd be too fussed if it had it or not, given my experience lol.

Originally posted by Mukatahren:

I would argue that the untapped pickup would provide a fatter, blusier sound than a single coil, but you may prefer it the other way around. Humbucking pickups are excellent for both jazz and blues.

I'm just basing that assumption off of the fact that people LOVE stratocasters for bluesy play, which judging by most, if not all the models I've seen, come with single coil pickups lol, I said that with next to no experience whatsoever lol