Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
- Thread starter JoeBoogie
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rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
The parallel axis pickups are different from the standard trembuckers. For one, the parallel axis pickups use non-adjustable polepieces that have a slightly wider magnetic field. These pickups are specifically designed for locking tremolo guitars. The standard trembuckers are no different than the standard Duncan pickups, except for the fact that they are spaced slightly wider to accomodate the wider string spacing of tremolo bridges. By the way, there is no "standard trembucker" pickup. The '59, Pearly Gates, Demon, Custom, CC, C5, Distortion, etc are available in both standard and trembucker spacing. The parallel axis pickups are available only in trembucker spacing, and are completely different from the rest of the Duncan lineup. So there's a parallel axis trembucker, but not a "standard trembucker." The naming conventions can be a bit confusing if you're not familiar with Duncan pickups.
The original parallel axis trembucker is a great pickups though, Jeremy Popoff of Lit uses that pickup in his Telecasters.
Ryan
The parallel axis pickups are different from the standard trembuckers. For one, the parallel axis pickups use non-adjustable polepieces that have a slightly wider magnetic field. These pickups are specifically designed for locking tremolo guitars. The standard trembuckers are no different than the standard Duncan pickups, except for the fact that they are spaced slightly wider to accomodate the wider string spacing of tremolo bridges. By the way, there is no "standard trembucker" pickup. The '59, Pearly Gates, Demon, Custom, CC, C5, Distortion, etc are available in both standard and trembucker spacing. The parallel axis pickups are available only in trembucker spacing, and are completely different from the rest of the Duncan lineup. So there's a parallel axis trembucker, but not a "standard trembucker." The naming conventions can be a bit confusing if you're not familiar with Duncan pickups.
The original parallel axis trembucker is a great pickups though, Jeremy Popoff of Lit uses that pickup in his Telecasters.
Ryan
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
And then there are 3 varieties of Parallel Axis. Parallel Axis Blues Saraceno (PA-TB3) Medium output, Original Parallel Axis (PA-TB1) Hotter output, Parallel Axis Distortion (PA-TB2) Hottest output.
I have all 3 and yet haven't gotten around to wiring them up yet.
And then there are 3 varieties of Parallel Axis. Parallel Axis Blues Saraceno (PA-TB3) Medium output, Original Parallel Axis (PA-TB1) Hotter output, Parallel Axis Distortion (PA-TB2) Hottest output.
I have all 3 and yet haven't gotten around to wiring them up yet.
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
The patented Parallel Axis design is Seymour's idea of how a humbucker should be designed. With Parallal Axis poles, you have a strong magnetic flux field on both sides of the E strings. With standard humbuckers, you have stronger flux on the inside of the E strings.
This makes them more efficient and translates to better tone.
My personal favorite is the PATB-1b Original Parallel Axis. But a lot of people really like the Blues Saraceno pickup.
The patented Parallel Axis design is Seymour's idea of how a humbucker should be designed. With Parallal Axis poles, you have a strong magnetic flux field on both sides of the E strings. With standard humbuckers, you have stronger flux on the inside of the E strings.
This makes them more efficient and translates to better tone.
My personal favorite is the PATB-1b Original Parallel Axis. But a lot of people really like the Blues Saraceno pickup.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
I´ve heard people say that the design also "lets the string do it´s job" by not influencing the vibration nearly as much, which they sometimes say also gives more sustain. What are your Impressions on this Evan? Fact or fiction?Evan Skopp said:
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
Some say that the magnetic pull directly under a string inhibits vibrations. They call that "string pull." The Parallel Axis design has the flux field eminating from either side of the string, which doesn't inhibit vibrations as much.
It's a very cool pickup. If you want to read the patent on www.uspto.gov, the patent number is: 5,148,733. If you read the "Background of the Invention," it really explains the benefits of the Parallel Axis design.
Some say that the magnetic pull directly under a string inhibits vibrations. They call that "string pull." The Parallel Axis design has the flux field eminating from either side of the string, which doesn't inhibit vibrations as much.
It's a very cool pickup. If you want to read the patent on www.uspto.gov, the patent number is: 5,148,733. If you read the "Background of the Invention," it really explains the benefits of the Parallel Axis design.
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
Evan, I've been wondering about this for a while...to your knowledge, has Seymour ever wound two pickups to identical specs, but designed one with standard polepieces and one with parallel axis polepieces, just to compare the two? I love the PATB-3 model, and I'd like to get that tone in one of my hardtail guitars while keeping the stock look. I've thought about sending MJ a nickel covered, standard spaced, standard polepiece pickup to rewind to Blues specs, but I'm wondering if there would be a noticeable difference in tone due to the different polepiece design? If they sound similar enough, have you ever thought about making the Blues model available as a standard humbucker? Thanks.
Ryan
Evan Skopp said:
Evan, I've been wondering about this for a while...to your knowledge, has Seymour ever wound two pickups to identical specs, but designed one with standard polepieces and one with parallel axis polepieces, just to compare the two? I love the PATB-3 model, and I'd like to get that tone in one of my hardtail guitars while keeping the stock look. I've thought about sending MJ a nickel covered, standard spaced, standard polepiece pickup to rewind to Blues specs, but I'm wondering if there would be a noticeable difference in tone due to the different polepiece design? If they sound similar enough, have you ever thought about making the Blues model available as a standard humbucker? Thanks.
Ryan
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
I was wondering the same thing. I have a dual adj pole C5 I'm thinking of getting rewound to Blues specs. I'd think the P Axis design would sound a bit warmer than a standard model wound the same.
Sorta like when you stand off to the side of a speaker, it doesn't sound as harsh. The P Axis poles "hear" the string from the sides, not directly underneath.
Would a Blues with 12 adjustable poles be a custom shop model?
rspst14 said:
I was wondering the same thing. I have a dual adj pole C5 I'm thinking of getting rewound to Blues specs. I'd think the P Axis design would sound a bit warmer than a standard model wound the same.
Sorta like when you stand off to the side of a speaker, it doesn't sound as harsh. The P Axis poles "hear" the string from the sides, not directly underneath.
Would a Blues with 12 adjustable poles be a custom shop model?
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
Yeah, that would definitely be a custom shop pickup, although it shouldn't be too expensive, since it's not really a redesign. It would just require a Blues wind with standard dual adjustable polepieces. MJ told me that I could get a standard pickup rewound to Blues specs for $75.
Ryan
Fritz6 said:
Yeah, that would definitely be a custom shop pickup, although it shouldn't be too expensive, since it's not really a redesign. It would just require a Blues wind with standard dual adjustable polepieces. MJ told me that I could get a standard pickup rewound to Blues specs for $75.
Ryan
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
Would they rewind a Carvin pup? If so, the $$ wouldn't be too hateful, as Carvins pups are cheap.
Would they rewind a Carvin pup? If so, the $$ wouldn't be too hateful, as Carvins pups are cheap.
guitarshredder
New member
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
So how is the Parallel Axis Duncan Distortion compared to the Trembucker DD???
So how is the Parallel Axis Duncan Distortion compared to the Trembucker DD???
Fusion1
Active member
Re: Parallel axis vs Standard Trem
Yeah does SD rewind only SD buckers or can you throw them a Dimarzio Super Distortion and have them wire it to be a Duncan Distortion? Seems like you'd need to start with a Duncan first as all the material are different and will affect the tone, vrom the brass baseplate to the different quality magnet and spacer and poles. etc.
Yeah does SD rewind only SD buckers or can you throw them a Dimarzio Super Distortion and have them wire it to be a Duncan Distortion? Seems like you'd need to start with a Duncan first as all the material are different and will affect the tone, vrom the brass baseplate to the different quality magnet and spacer and poles. etc.
