Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Hey, I have a ESP R-138 which is equipped with a FLOYD ROSE, I originally put a standard SH-4 JB humbucker in it but when reading I learned about it trembuckers. here is what the pickup looks like directly straight up, (notice the string spacing, also sorry for the crappy pic)

I also noticed when I pick or strum REALLY hard on the E string and lower strings a loud sorta "boom" that overpowers the pickups. Maybe my pickup is TOO close to the strings? Idk? But do you think I should just get the trembucker model for this instead? And will it improve or un-improve anything? Please let me know, thanks!

 

[John Wymore]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

If the string to string balance is OK then don't worry about getting the Trembucker unless the visual misalignment bothers you. As to the Boomy sound with hard strumming, yes, try messing with pickup height and see if it helps. You might just be overdriving your amp input or maybe it's just a technique thing.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

Hey, I have a ESP R-138 which is equipped with a FLOYD ROSE, I originally put a standard SH-4 JB humbucker in it but when reading I learned about it trembuckers. here is what the pickup looks like directly straight up, (notice the string spacing, also sorry for the crappy pic)

I also noticed when I pick or strum REALLY hard on the E string and lower strings a loud sorta "boom" that overpowers the pickups. Maybe my pickup is TOO close to the strings? Idk? But do you think I should just get the trembucker model for this instead? And will it improve or un-improve anything? Please let me know, thanks!

Look closely at your photo and you'll see that the polepieces are not centered under the low E and high E strings...and to a lesser degree the A and B strings are not centered over the polepieces either. If you go for a trembucker that will be corrected and the strings will be centered over the magnetic field of the polepieces and, IMO, the guitar will sound better.

Lew

 

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

If the string to string balance is OK then don't worry about getting the Trembucker unless the visual misalignment bothers you. As to the Boomy sound with hard strumming, yes, try messing with pickup height and see if it helps. You might just be overdriving your amp input or maybe it's just a technique thing.

Does the string balance look ok? The two E strings seem to be far too left and right? Does that affect the output or whatever in ANYWAY? I dont wanna lose any actual "pickup" or output or whatever? And how close should the pickups be to the strings?

 

[devastone]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

Trembuckers are spaced wider (hasn't this been said before) and will line the poles up with the strings.

Will it make a difference in sound, I've never noticed, but some here may argue. Remember, Trembuckers didn't exist when Eddie threw together the original Frankenstrats and nobody complains about his tones. Since you already have it in you probably just need to adjust the height. A trembucker will not help with the "booming" sound.

To adjust the height, fret the highest note on the high E string, adjust that side of the pickup until it is about 1/16" below the fretted string. Then fret the highest note on the low E string and adjust that side until it is about 3/16" below that fretted string. Try that, then lower the sides to taste, raising it past that will probably do more harm than good.

If the look really bothers you, get a Trembucker, otherwise, run with what you have.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

Trembuckers are spaced wider (hasn't this been said before) and will line the poles up with the strings.

Will it make a difference in sound, I've never noticed, but some here may argue. Remember, Trembuckers didn't exist when Eddie threw together the original Frankenstrats and nobody complains about his tones. Since you already have it in you probably just need to adjust the height. A trembucker will not help with the "booming" sound.

To adjust the height, fret the highest note on the high E string, adjust that side of the pickup until it is about 1/16" below the fretted string. Then fret the highest note on the low E string and adjust that side until it is about 3/16" below that fretted string. Try that, then lower the sides to taste, raising it past that will probably do more harm than good.

If the look really bothers you, get a Trembucker, otherwise, run with what you have.

Eddie slanted his bridge pickup...angled it so the low E and high E WOULD be centered over at least one polepiece each. He knew...

 

[John Wymore]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

Does the string balance look ok? The two E strings seem to be far too left and right? Does that affect the output or whatever in ANYWAY? I dont wanna lose any actual "pickup" or output or whatever? And how close should the pickups be to the strings?

I was referring to the sound not how it looks. In other words, if the sound output is balanced across all the strings don't worry about it. If not, then the Trembucker pole spacing may help you out getting the proper balance. I have had the folks at Duncan tell me on many occasions it's much more a looks issue than a tone issue with the trembucker spacing.

 

[DrDoug]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

I put a JB Trembucker in my bridge last month (MIA Peavey Patriot strat copy), and I am absolutely in love with my guitar all over again. The sound is hot and and dirty, yet still clean in a way, and I can back off the vol (500K pot) to cool it down nicely. No boominess (is that even a word? lol), and I have it set as devastone said above (about 3/16ths at the low E and 1/16th on the high E).

I have not experienced a standard spaced pup where a trembucker would fit, so I can't say if that could be your problem. But I would think that centering the string in the magnetic field would produce a better sound than having it offset on either side, but with the YMMV warning in mind, someone else may be fine with it.

 

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

Trembuckers are spaced wider (hasn't this been said before) and will line the poles up with the strings.

Will it make a difference in sound, I've never noticed, but some here may argue. Remember, Trembuckers didn't exist when Eddie threw together the original Frankenstrats and nobody complains about his tones. Since you already have it in you probably just need to adjust the height. A trembucker will not help with the "booming" sound.

To adjust the height, fret the highest note on the high E string, adjust that side of the pickup until it is about 1/16" below the fretted string. Then fret the highest note on the low E string and adjust that side until it is about 3/16" below that fretted string. Try that, then lower the sides to taste, raising it past that will probably do more harm than good.

If the look really bothers you, get a Trembucker, otherwise, run with what you have.

Where Can i find a ruler or some sort where it's spaced so I can measure 1/16" and 3/16"?

 

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

nvm I got one haha im a dingus. But SHOULD I/DO I need a humbucker?

 

[H8Red442]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

Eddie slanted his bridge pickup...angled it so the low E and high E WOULD be centered over at least one polepiece each. He knew...

is that why they did that!!!!!!? i always wondered.

 

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

The real thing i want to know is do I NEED a trembucker or is it just a market scam for people to think they need them? Will it actually sound any different?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Do I need to get the trembucker Version of my JB?

The real thing i want to know is do I NEED a trembucker or is it just a market scam for people to think they need them? Will it actually sound any different?

Yes...but only if you have the talent, ears and sensitivity to hear the diff.

Lew