WantzChas
I search the net, but didn't see much difference between the two. What is the physical difference and what tonal differences are there. Thank you.
Gearhead
I suppose tapping is when there's three wires and splitting is when there's four. I also suppose there's a difference if you want 'funny' wiring, I mean using half a bucker out of phase with another or stuff like that.
AlanRatcliffe
The two are often confused, but are completely different things.
Tapping is when you have a single-coil where the coil is wound with an extra output partway through the coil. This gives you a lower power output from the coil than the full coil (similar to a power transformer that has multiple taps at different voltages). This lets you switch between a higher powered, darker single-coil sound and a lower output, brighter, more vintage tone. The only production line pickups ever to include coil taps were some of the Schecters in the '80s.
Coil cutting is what you get on many humbucker guitars, where one coil of a humbucker is shorted out, effectively turning that coil off and giving you a single-coil pickup.
Gearhead
Thanks, learned something again here ?
