Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

[Rhandy]

Hello

I have one pair set HOT RODDED HAMBUCKER SET. I decided to try it on my Gibson Les Paul Standard (smart wood series) come with gibson 490r (neck) and 498T (bridge)

The pole spacing on original 498t is litle more larger than on 490r. About 52mm between the center of Low E to center of Hi E.

The jazz (sh2) match well on neck position with the strings but, the JB (sh4) dont match correctly on bridge.

I think maybe I have to try one TB4 instead??????


As as been discussed on other treads on this forum forum 490r and 490t dont pair. I like both pickups but separated, 490r is good for cleans blues sounds and 498 t gives good high gain distortion.

But I try this hot rodded set and for high gain, JB blows 498 t. The problem is jazz neck with high gain gives me more feedback than Gibson 490r, I loose sustain and feedback comes more soon.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

From our FAQ:
Trembuckers are designed for wider string most commonly associated with Floyd Rose or vintage vibrato bridges (often called Tremolos) with a string spacing of 2.070″ or 52.6mm, measured center of high string to center of low string over the bridge pickup. Humbuckers are designed for bridges with traditional Gibson humbucker string spacing of 1.930″ or 49mm, measured center of high string to center of low string over the bridge pickup.

I will say that your measurements make it seem like a trembucker is needed, but I haven't ever measured the Smart Wood LPs. I will say the JB is powerful enough to hear the strings evenly if the spacing is a little off. If you already have a JB, go ahead and try it. If not, and you are sure your measurement is correct, go ahead and get the trembucker JB, and if you live in the US, you can always exchange it with our 21 Day Exchange program. If you don't live in the US, ask your local dealer about their retail return policy.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Hi
it depends on when your gibson was built. If your gibson comes from 90s the classic humbucker fits perfectly on the bridge slot. If your guitar was build after 2000 it is better to go with a trembucker because the distance between poles is a little bit wider. The guitar in my avatar is a 2004 standard. The pick up in bridge slot is a trembucker (a custom 8)

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Ok. First Guitar information search by serial number.

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Nashville Plant, TN, USA
on February 18th, 1997
Production Number: 15

I live in Portugal but no one have trade option. I would like to test other SD pickups, but unfornatly is impossible here.

Image of guitar with hot rodded hambucker set

Guitar with original pickups

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Thats fair enough. You wont have any benefit from using a trembucker with that spacing. The magnet field is broad and covers a lot of string travel. So no worries, mate.

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Thats fair enough. You wont have any benefit from using a trembucker with that spacing. The magnet field is broad and covers a lot of string travel. So no worries, mate.

Ok thank you. Guitar scream with JB, I also have one TB6 but never try it on Les Paul I use it on one Ibanez.

For me JB blows out 498T.

Jazz is much more detailed sound and less muddy. But I think It have less sustain than original Gibson 490R.

SD '59n have more sustain than Jazz Neck?

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

I personally like the Distortion with my Les Paul. On the other hand i changed the mag in my 490R to an A5, it now definitly in the ballpark of the JazzN.

 

[vinnie1971]

Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

I have a Flying V with 498t 490r
Neck is 49.2 mm
Bridge is 52mm
But no idea what year but I believe all the modern ones use this spacing.
That said, 50mm and 49.2 work ok I the bridge of the V the poles obvious a bit closer than the strings but it still worked with other pickups fine and the strings were still over the poles (just)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Ok. First Guitar information search by serial number.

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Nashville Plant, TN, USA
on February 18th, 1997
Production Number: 15

I live in Portugal but no one have trade option. I would like to test other SD pickups, but unfornatly is impossible here.

Image of guitar with hot rodded hambucker set

Guitar with original pickups

what a beauty!!! if the info are right the serial of your guitar should start with 90497... so no problem with the humbucker size of 49 mm. It is not necessary for the strings to pass exactly over the center of the polepieces for best performance, but it is wise to avoid a situation where the E strings are sitting completely outside of the outer polepieces, and you are not in this situation.

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

what a beauty!!! if the info are right the serial of your guitar should start with 90497... so no problem with the humbucker size of 49 mm. It is not necessary for the strings to pass exactly over the center of the polepieces for best performance, but it is wise to avoid a situation where the E strings are sitting completely outside of the outer polepieces, and you are not in this situation.

Thank you for your comment.

Serial Number

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Guitar sound like a Beast with JB.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

JB is not one of my fav pickups. I think it sounds best in non-mohagany body guitars. I prefer its ceramic brother. It's only a matter of taste, anyway. I you like it, it's right for you

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

JB is not one of my fav pickups. I think it sounds best in non-mohagany body guitars. I prefer its ceramic brother. It's only a matter of taste, anyway. I you like it, it's right for you

I NEVER TRY ORDER. But could you tell me the name of brother?

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

I NEVER TRY ORDER. But could you tell me the name of brother?

Duncan Distortion is the same pickup as the JB, but with ceramic mag. JB = A5. DD = Thick Ceramic Bar.

Earlier you said you have a TB-6. If the pole Piece spacing issue starts to bother you to much in the LP, swap the mag in the TB-6 with the A5 from the JB...That will make it a JB trembucker. No need to buy a new pickup.

That said, the Regular spaced JB shouldn't pose any issue in your guitar. As long as the Strings pass over even a portion/edge of the pole pieces, they'll read the strings the same as if they were centered over the pole piece.

 

[Davii]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

I'd be looking at the saddle positions on that bridge :-S

I don't stress about the pole spacing, as I've never noticed any difference between using the same pup on a TOM, or FR bridge. Maybe I just make everything sound terrible, but hey...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Ok thank you. Guitar scream with JB, I also have one TB6 but never try it on Les Paul I use it on one Ibanez.

For me JB blows out 498T.

Jazz is much more detailed sound and less muddy. But I think It have less sustain than original Gibson 490R.

SD '59n have more sustain than Jazz Neck?

I never noticed that the Jazz or the 59 has more/less sustain than the other. I'd say about the same. The EQ is different.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

One trick you could try to get that bridge pickup to line up a little better.

There is a gap between the pickup's height adjustment screw+spring and the cavity wall. You can put a piece of paper folded into a small chit(or a piece of rubber/soft plastic) between the screw & the wood so that it pushes the pickup little towards the high e string side. This is only possible if there is space left for pickup to move a little left or right, after install like the way it is now.

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

Duncan Distortion is the same pickup as the JB, but with ceramic mag. JB = A5. DD = Thick Ceramic Bar.

Earlier you said you have a TB-6. If the pole Piece spacing issue starts to bother you to much in the LP, swap the mag in the TB-6 with the A5 from the JB...That will make it a JB trembucker. No need to buy a new pickup.

That said, the Regular spaced JB shouldn't pose any issue in your guitar. As long as the Strings pass over even a portion/edge of the pole pieces, they'll read the strings the same as if they were centered over the pole piece.

You give a great Idea!!!

Today i make other swap . I swap the magnet ALNICO 5 from my GIBSON 498T to My Gibson 490R. I remove jazz neck pickup and Install 490r paired with JB.

490R sounds now much more open and with more bite. and pair well with JB.

I dont feel any issue with pole spacing on JB on bridge. But my Tb 6 is available I dont have it on any guitar. In this momment I´m waiting for some magnets I buy on Cermags UK.

I buy 1 alnico 5, 1 alnico 2, 1 Unoriented Alnico 5 and 1 alnico 8. Just for try some swaps. because when I buy hot rodded set is for put on other guitar, but that guitar is for painting at this momment and I decided to try this set on this guitar.

Original Idea is make something I read before on this forum. Put 490R with Alnico 5 and 498t with UO Alnico 5 or with Alnico 8. For have best matched pair.

Thank you all for your good ideas.

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

One trick you could try to get that bridge pickup to line up a little better.

There is a gap between the pickup's height adjustment screw+spring and the cavity wall. You can put a piece of paper folded into a small chit(or a piece of rubber/soft plastic) between the screw & the wood so that it pushes the pickup little towards the high e string side. This is only possible if there is space left for pickup to move a little left or right, after install like the way it is now.

I will try the idea of change magnet from my TB6. I ´m wainting for some magnets. And I will try remove ceramic from TB6 and pt one alnico 5.

 

[Rhandy]

Re: Bridge Pickup pole spacing for Gibson les paul

I never noticed that the Jazz or the 59 has more/less sustain than the other. I'd say about the same. The EQ is different.

Thank you Mincer!