PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

[wonbyte]

Hi all,
I have a PRS SE 22 Custom semi hollow and I’m looking to but a JB in the bridge. The guitar uses the wraparound bridge. From what I can tell the string spacing is a little greater than 51mm (just a tad over 2 inches). Basically it’s between humbucker spacing(50mm) and trembucker spaciing(52.6mm). I’m leaning towards getting the humbucker but just curious if there would be any big benefit in getting the trembucker.

Thanks

 

[Discharged]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

there would be any big benefit in getting the trembucker.

Only it you suffer of OCD.

/Peter

 

[wonbyte]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

I should clarify, by benefit I mean would the poles line up better with a Trembucker. The guitar came with a humbucker and the low/high e strings are lined up on only about a 1/3 of the pole. The rest of the strings line up fairly well. I’m just curious if the Trembucker spacing would get everything lined up over center.

Thanks

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

Measure your guitar's sting spacing and check it against Duncan trembucker/regular string spacing specs.

 

[wonbyte]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

I did. From center E to e is 2 and 1/32 inches. Which seems to make it a little wider than humbucker width but a little shorter than Trembucker width. The string spacing is about 13/32 from string to string.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

I would go with he Trembucker. It is generally said that while you don't have to have the strings right over the Pole-Pieces, it is better if the strings are not outside the edge of the end pole-pieces.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

Couple of ways to approach this. Scientifically: 50 is closer to 51 than 52.6.
If you consider the resale factor, humbuckers are probably easier to sell than trembuckers. (I'm not 100% sure about this but I'm probably right, right? ) JB's tend to be hit or miss in certain guitars so there is a slight chance that you end up swapping it out.
Did you check if tremolo bridges are generally wider spaced than the PRS wraparound? That might give you some answers too.
FWIW I use a regular spaced humbucker in my custom 22 and I don't notice any loss of high or low tones or note separation issues, though I did not A/B it with a trembucker.

 

[wonbyte]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

Couple of ways to approach this. Scientifically: 50 is closer to 51 than 52.6.

Thanks, Night! All of your points are the same things I eventually came to realize. My friend who is an electric engineer also did a bunch of research and came to the same conclusion. As long as the strings are within the vicinity of the poles the magnet field will pick up the voltage generated by the strings. The science also seems to indicate that even if there was a difference it would be so minuscule that the human ear would not be able to detect it. Humbuckers it is!

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

I have an SH-4 in my SE Singlecut and it is fine. Strings line up on the outer portions of the poles but do not affect the tone. PRS bridges can accommodate both spacings. I can take a picture when I get home from work for you if you'd like.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

Couple of ways to approach this. Scientifically: 50 is closer to 51 than 52.6.

Duncan HB's are spaced 49.2 mm, AFAIK, not 50.

 

[Mincer]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

A great explanation of the differences between a standard humbucker and a Trembucker can be found here.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: PRS SE Custom Humbucker or Trembucker

I put a TB in mine. Lined up perfectly