my new PRS (Baritone) has both humbuckers and split coil option (the tone knob is also a toggle switch for this choice). They give very different tones, plus you have the 3-way pickup switch, and a tone knob. So there’s a wide range of tones. I’m still finding the right combinations for me.

So the split coil gives you more options, apparently without losing any humbucker functions.

But like always, it’s best to hit a guitar store and try them out in person.

Good luck

Marty,

If you really love Santana then the SE Santana version might be best. Although you will always sound like you and not exactly like Santana, I would lean towards that model. I’m all for coil tapping but after the new-ness wears off, you probably won’t really use it much. Kind of like living in Florida and having heated seats in your car. Nice to have but not really all that useful. Just my opinion.

Both are great guitars for the price.

Jim

JRG wrote:

Marty,

If you really love Santana then the SE Santana version might be best. Although you will always sound like you and not exactly like Santana, I would lean towards that model. I’m all for coil tapping but after the new-ness wears off, you probably won’t really use it much. Kind of like living in Florida and having heated seats in your car. Nice to have but not really all that useful. Just my opinion.

Both are great guitars for the price.

Jim
yup, my carvin has a coil splitter, i never could figure when or why it is a feature,, my guess unless you are cranking watts you might know the subtle difference.. it is probably cool but I wont be sold on that again or care with or without,, bottom line,,buy a guitar those artists you enjoy playing period. Or like others I read hear..go with simulation software to float your boat

The idea behind coil splitting is to emulate single-coil pickups. You might get some interesting out of phase sounds, if that’s what floats your boat.

I’m a no muss-no fuss player. It’s already a big deal if I switch from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup! If I really want to change tone, I’ll use a pedal or a setting on my amp. But I’m usually too lazy even for that. Set it and forget it is my motto.

So this is a question of personality, really. If you’re the type that likes a lot of flexibility, then the coil-tap guitar may be your ticket.

I don’t know if you have also another guitar with single coils? I own a PRS Santana SE and I like the sound of that humbuckers. Yesterday another guitar arrived at my home. It’s a Epiphone Sheraton II pro with split Humbuckers. But I already know that for 90% I won’t use the split coil option. For that specific single coil sound I take my Fenders to play.
If the PRS SE is your only guitar then the split humbuckers is worth thinking of. But it won’t sound like the Santana or like a strat….. It’s up to you what sound you prefer. (I love my PRS SE Santana 😉 )

JRG wrote:

Marty,

If you really love Santana then the SE Santana version might be best. Although you will always sound like you and not exactly like Santana, I would lean towards that model. I’m all for coil tapping but after the new-ness wears off, you probably won’t really use it much. Kind of like living in Florida and having heated seats in your car. Nice to have but not really all that useful. Just my opinion.

Both are great guitars for the price.

Jim

I 100% agree Jim

Hey Ricardo,

Really, really nice job on both of these videos. Especially the EP178 Santana lesson. You really captured the feel and tone of Santana. The Robert Cray lesson was good as well but the Santana vid was spot-on. Plus, you highlighted the PRS SE Santana the Marty was interested in.

Great job!

Jim

JRG wrote:

Hey Ricardo,

Really, really nice job on both of these videos. Especially the EP178 Santana lesson. You really captured the feel and tone of Santana. The Robert Cray lesson was good as well but the Santana vid was spot-on. Plus, you highlighted the PRS SE Santana the Marty was interested in.

Great job!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thx for the nice words! I just wanted to let Marty hear how the Santana SE sounds with the special Santana Humbuckers and with the Robert Cray vid how for me the typical single coil has to sound.