JB Reg. vs. JB Trembucker?

[davey boy]

Hey everyone,
I've been using a regular JB in my strat for years and as of late am doing a whole pickup research thing, replacing various pickups in other guitars, etc. I noticed that the pole pieces don't line up on the bottom strings and wanted to know if anyone (by actual experience) has gone from the regular version of their particular pickup to a trembucker version and noticed a better low end response/sustain? Or, if it's not a big deal. Thanks!

 

[tone]

Re: JB Reg. vs. JB Trembucker?

welcome to the forum davey!!

i use trembuckers on a few guitars and depending on how bad the spacing is off i sometimes notice a slight volume drop on those strings that are pretty far off the pole piece. sometimes just raising the pole piece is enough to bring good balance back. if not, then use a trembucker.

as far as sustain i think the difference is very slight, but if one string doesnt ring as loud as the others it wont be heard as long. i dont think there is an audible difference in low end responce

 

[greendy123]

Re: JB Reg. vs. JB Trembucker?

I'm pretty sure you low end responce and sustain would be better, but it really depends on how good your ears are. You may not be able to tell the difference, so you could just stay with your standard spacing. How about trying some string bends so the string lines up with the poles? If you notice a change a dramatic enough that you would consider worthy of changing the pickup go ahead and do it.

 

[walkdmc]

Re: JB Reg. vs. JB Trembucker?

there would definately be a difference..although a very slight one. since the pole pieces arent exactly aligned, the volume will seem lower..but personally, i dont notice stuff like that. if you wanna try out a trem spaced jb, see if you can trade someone for it. you can always change it back!

 

[davey boy]

Re: JB Reg. vs. JB Trembucker?

Thanks for the replies. My guess is that the dif won't be big enough to warrant the hassle. I was more curious if someone had specifically changed from the regular to a trembucker type and thought it was worthwhile. Peace.

 

[Dave Z]

Re: JB Reg. vs. JB Trembucker?

Thanks for the replies. My guess is that the dif won't be big enough to warrant the hassle. I was more curious if someone had specifically changed from the regular to a trembucker type and thought it was worthwhile. Peace.

Hey Davey - I have an adjustable bridge on my SG (so I can simulate a strat spacing), and JB which'll be going back in there soon, I'll do a couple clips for you - with strings over the poles & then strings Strat-spaced (2 1/8 inch), just PM me to remind me - I won't be home til Friday.

 

[JWR]

If Eddie tilted his pickup, there must be an audible difference. Good enough for me. Sorry, old thread. Still valid inquiry.

 

[Mincer]

If Eddie tilted his pickup, there must be an audible difference. Good enough for me. Sorry, old thread. Still valid inquiry.

Years later, I can't hear a difference. At least not on a JB. Maybe on a Jazz or 59, but not a JB.

 

[marcello252]

Never heard a difference between standard and trem spacing (I tried 59 and custom in both size), I think it's almost completely aesthetic

 

[Mincer]

You can compare the specs of a humbucker to a Trembucker. The difference is small, but there.

 

[beaubrummels]

You shouldn't hear a different between a trembucker and a humbucker. The recipe is the same for both; e.g. number of winds and magnet.

However, a humbucker straight under trem-spaced strings, a humbucker tilted under trem-spaced strings and a trembucker under trem-spaced strings all have slightly different string balance on the high and low E strings.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I personally have a hard time believing there isn't a sound difference between a standard spaced and a trem space humbucker. I mean, how can there. Even if it's the same number of turns, there is more wire in a trembucker.

Now, I do agree that may be splitting hairs a bit.

Personally, I'd hate having a Fender-style guitar with polepieces not lining up. It's kinda like when people place amp heads on top of narrow cabs. It's such an eyesore, LOL.

 

[Mincer]

If there is a sound difference, I can't hear it. So I don't worry about it.

 

[Clint 55]

I personally have a hard time believing there isn't a sound difference between a standard spaced and a trem space humbucker. I mean, how can there. Even if it's the same number of turns, there is more wire in a trembucker.

I definitely hear a difference between a SH spaced JB and a TB spaced one. The TB sounds thicker and more compressed since the amount and length of wire is greater although the turns are the same. Physics doesn't go, wait the turns are the same so we'll change our laws so that this extra resistance won't do anything the the pups will sound identical.

 

[beaubrummels]

I definitely hear a difference between a SH spaced JB and a TB spaced one. The TB sounds thicker and more compressed since the amount and length of wire is greater although the turns are the same. Physics doesn't go, wait the turns are the same so we'll change our laws so that this extra resistance won't do anything the the pups will sound identical.

Except you're discounting the that company hasn't adjusted the layering and tension and other factors to make the pickups be comparable as the same model.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Except you're discounting the that company hasn't adjusted the layering and tension and other factors to make the pickups be comparable as the same model.

But at that point, they're changing even more things.

I have no doubt that Duncan have done their homework and they wouldn't be putting the trembuckers out unless they're convinced they represent the sound of their humbuckers well.

And like I said in my post, maybe it's splitting hairs as far as we perceive it, but I think I agree with Clint's assesment that there is just no physical way for them to actually be electrically identical.

And like I said before, we're in a forum where we discuss the subtle differences between a magnet, and the same magnet but with bumps on it. How can other changes, subtle as they may be, not make a difference much like that does?

 

[beaubrummels]

Of course. But electrically identical isn't the same as sonically identical. The latter is really the goal.

Because newer Gibsons have wider string spacing, I've put humbucker and trembucker versions of the same pickups, like Custom 5 HB and TB, and Custom Custom HB and TB, in my Les Paul, and I've also done it with my Jackson, Custom 5 HB and TB, and I didn't notice a significant difference in the sound/EQ/tone, certainly not enough I thought it was a different pickup. String balance was different, however. That was more the issue for me.

Sure there could be a sonic difference someone could notice that I didn't pick up on. I kind of think cover vs no cover might be more of a difference than TB vs HB. But there could be a difference with every change, sure.

Would be nice if some SD employees were on here to chime in on that - how do they keep TB and HB similar or 'identical' in sound?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Of course. But electrically identical isn't the same as sonically identical. The latter is really the goal.

Because newer Gibsons have wider string spacing, I've put humbucker and trembucker versions of the same pickups, like Custom 5 HB and TB, and Custom Custom HB and TB, in my Les Paul, and I've also done it with my Jackson, Custom 5 HB and TB, and I didn't notice a significant difference in the sound/EQ/tone, certainly not enough I thought it was a different pickup. String balance was different, however. That was more the issue for me.

Sure there could be a sonic difference someone could notice that I didn't pick up on. I kind of think cover vs no cover might be more of a difference than TB vs HB. But there could be a difference with every change, sure.

Would be nice if some SD employees were on here to chime in on that - how do they keep TB and HB similar or 'identical' in sound?

If it's not electrically indentical, there is no way it's sonically identical.

I thought the Fishman moto was kinda ridiculous at the beginning. But TBH, I've had a couple of Duncans that were kinda off-spec (while sill within tolerance, I guess) that sounded off. I mean, even they acknowledge Dave Mustaine's JB was off, so they made a replica.

I'm not saying you're wrong, though. I might not perceive a difference either if I had both side by side. I like to think I'm critical when it comes to tone, but I haven't got special ears or anything either. But physically speaking, the difference is there. That's what I'm arguing.

 

[beaubrummels]

If it's not electrically indentical, there is no way it's sonically identical.

That part isn't entirely true. A long time ago a Duncan employee explained on here that if they pack the wire toward the top of the bobbin it will produce more treble, so they can change the sound despite the electrical properties of the pickup.