how necessary is an F-spaced humbucker on a strat?

[blakejcan]

do we think there is a real difference in sound? Or just looks? Both? none of the above? Sasquatch did it?

 

[jeremy]

i dont know how much difference it makes. it looks better due to the pole piece alignment...

 

[Mincer]

For lower output pickups, it might make a difference with some strings being louder than others, but I've never noticed it. My OCD notices when they don't line up, though.

 

[Chistopher]

I try to avoid any irregularly sized humbuckers whenever possible. The polepieces don't bother me visually or audibly.

 

[ehdwuld]

I put blank covers over mine ans they sound just fine

The covers avoid the "but I can see it" issue

 

[GuitarStv]

The strings will be imbalanced in volume in your clean signal if you use a non-f-spaced humbucker. Usually you'll notice that the low and high e are a tiny bit less loud than the other strings if you're playing sparkly clean. I don't think I'd say it's a huge problem for a couple reasons:

- If you play with compression, overdrive, or distortion the effect is largely moot . . . and I don't know any guitarists who avoid all three regularly.
- Often you can play with the screw polepiece height to make up for the difference

FWIW - I find the string volume difference between flat pole and staggered pole single coils to be bigger than f-spaced and gibson spaced 'buckers, and most people seem fine with staggered poles . . . so this probably doesn't bother many people.

 

[Artie]

My OCD notices when they don't line up, though.

Me too. It's why I love rails.

 

[Jermo3178]

Audibly, I honestly don't figure there's a noticeable difference to the human ear.
But.. Somebody decided there was a market for it and it's sold as being absolutely important.
And...
Aesthetically, I'm sure to some it is.

I have no issue either way. I do however not dig the mounting screw situation on some of them... but that's my ocd

 

[JMP/HBE]

Not really.

 

[uOpt]

I don't think the pole alignment is the major sounds factor. The relationship between total wire length and windings is different on a trembucker.

 

[Archer250]

I've used non-F spaced Super Distortions with strats

I've used non-F spaced Tone Zones and Duncan 59s with Floyded strats

I've noticed zero issues whatsoever

 

[Chistopher]

My OCD notices when they don't line up, though.

How does it not bother you that your trembucker is the wrong shape? I used to buy trembuckers because that's what everyone recommends, but when you try to put one in anything beyond a F spaced ring, they either straight up don't fit of they are covered or they have really bad gaps if they aren't

 

[ehdwuld]

A covered JB wont fit a SD triple shot ring either

What's up with that?

 

[JMP/HBE]

I don't think the pole alignment is the major sounds factor. The relationship between total wire length and windings is different on a trembucker radiate.

Electrostatics are not linear.

 

[Chistopher]

You can't hear electrostatics. They are by definition, static

 

[Coma]

I put blank covers over mine ans they sound just fine

The covers avoid the "but I can see it" issue

4D chess!

 

[fretburner]

I made the mistake of assuming all Gibson LPs use "standard" spacing. The LPC I got had 53mm spacing. My DD did not line up and it bothered me visually, but I never heard any difference - no drop in volume in the high e and low E strings. You can also raise up the screws 1 and 6 screws if you ever hear a difference.

I think if you hear a difference, it might be a set up thing or an issue with that saddle.

P.S. I play with a lot of gain btw, so maybe that is also a factor.