Newbie Q's (Sosueme!) Flat Vs. Staggered? RW/RP?

[LAXMAN]

I posted a thread earlier trying to find the sweetest tone and SD lists both the Alnico II Pro Flat and Staggered as sweet pickups. What is the difference between flat and staggered?

Also, what is RW/RP??

If I have a locking trem, with these two pickups (in the their corresponding positions) still sound as good as a non-locking bridge/trem???
Will A2P's still sound good with lots of gain?

Groove On!
Steve

 

[Artie]

Re: Newbie Q's (Sosueme!) Flat Vs. Staggered? RW/RP?

RW/RP is fairly simple. They reverse the polarity of the magnet pole pieces, which reverses the phase of the pup. Then, they reverse wind the coil, which brings the phase back to "normal". Now, when that pup is used in either of the notch positions, (#2 and #4), they'll both be humbucking. But they'll retain the single-coil "quack" when used alone.

Flat is also easy to explain. The pole pieces are all the same heigth above the bobbin.

Staggered . . . I've never really understood. The explanations are easy, but they don't make sense. Its said that its done to match the tighter radius of vintage necks. But the pole pieces don't match the curve. Well . . . all except the B string do. I've also heard, that its to compensate for the old G strings being wound, instead of single-strand. But then, why is the B string the lower one? I don't get it. :laugh2: