I also used the method of putting small blocks on the pickups and taping it upside-down over the strings.
But if you use these tiny clamps (they come in a two pack) and find a cable with one bad end, cut it off and solder two alligator clips on its way easier to get an idea of what one or many pickups can sound like.

As I've been looking for freakout for my 12 string bass I was going to separate the coils and add p coils to each side but I tried the HB first pre-frankenmod and it wasn't as close to the sound in my head as what I already had in the bass.
An alternate method is to lick the pickup
if it tastes like snakeskin boots and coiled cable you should bst it on TGP
Mad Libs:
if it tastes like __________________you should _____________.