Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

[WERNER1]

Hi guys!

First time post here, though I'm no stranger to BB's

I've searched for this, but I've only found threads that deal with Standard vs. Trembucking senarios....

I've got a 50th Ann. Strat, and am thinking of putting in a humbucker in the bridge position..... an SH-6 to be exact. I have a TB-6b in my Custom Shop Soloist, and a PA-Tb2b in my Kramer.........I love the sound of both!

Questions:

1. My strat has a Fender Modern Trem on it so I don't know if it requires a TB/PA pup yet (I'll measure it tonight to see if it's >< 2" ) ---- Kind of answered that one my self I guess eh?

2. What are the major differences between the TB and the PA (SH-6/distortion model to be specific) ?? From what I gather, they are eq'd a bit differently, and then there's the obvious pole difference, but what are the REAL differences??? Can anyone pinpoint them out for me?

Thanks!!

Rick

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

The SH-6 isn't the Parallel Axis, it's just a Distortion. The Parallel Axis is only available in trem-spaced, and it's quite a different pickup than the Distortion.

As far as trem-spaced vs. regular spaced in a Distortion, there's not a whole lot of difference in tone (a lot of people can't hear it at all) so it becomes more of an aesthetic difference to many. Some people prefer the regular spaced pups whether they have a trem or not. They're about as close as they can be, but they're still a little different. I've never A/B'd them, but I'm sure there's some guys that can tell you more about specific differences.

Welcome to the forum, btw.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

I usually don't have any problems putting a regular spaced humbucker in a guitar with Fender string spacing. I can only think of one guitar I've owned on which the high E string sounded weak compared to the others and that was a guitar with ESP blade polepiece pickups! YMMV, but I wouldn't hesitate to try the SH-6 in the bridge of your Strat.

 

[WERNER1]

Re: Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

Well I measured everything last night....

At the bridge, the strings measure about 2- 1/16 ", and about 2 1/2 inches up from the bridge they measure right at 2 or a little over. I also measure both my Trembucker (TB6) and my ParallelAxis, they both will cover that string spacing nicely.

I spoke with a tech support guy from Duncan yesterday, and those pickups are different even though they share the same name = Distortion........and are geared towards the same style/sound. Turns out the PA is a LOT hotter of a pup....like 21 vs. 16 on the TB6.

I'll probably buy another PA-TB-2b and stick it in my Custom Soloist in place of the TB-6 that's in there now. Then take the TB-6 and put it in my Strat.

How's that sound??

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

THe PATB 2 is a bit darker and hotter than the SH-6 while retaining the same general character is my impression.... But Ihaven´t a/b them in teh same guitar bvefore...

 

[WERNER1]

Re: Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

I haven't had a chance to A/B them either ......in the same guitar that is..

I probably should swap them out in my Kramer(PA), and my Soloist (TB) since the Soloist is a Poplar Body w/ ebony f.b., and the Kramer is a plywood body and rosewood f.b. (A much darker sounding guitar....but it's still my favorite!! ) The TB would probably help liven up the Kramer on the high end where the PA would smooth out my Soloist (???)

Kramer:

Rick

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Parallel Axis vs. Trembucker in Strat w/ modern Trem.??

THe PATB 2 is a bit darker and hotter than the SH-6 while retaining the same general character is my impression.... But Ihaven´t a/b them in teh same guitar bvefore...

The PATB-2 is very bright in my Peavey. It's got 500K pots, though. I'd imagine that with 250K pots it would cut that down a bit.