Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

[JamesPaul]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

I have a '96 Epi LP Classic that had good sustain and vibration, but the factory pups were awful. I put a SH Custom & SH Jazz neck in it. The strings fell outside the pole pieces on the SH Custom.

A few years later I got a SFC set for it and went with a TB Custom & SH Jazz neck to see if the pole pieces aligned better on the TB Custom. The low strings do, but the high strings start shifting in from the pole pieces. Overall the TB Custom probably better aligns the pole pieces and strings, but it's not perfect.

Still as already noted, there was no perceptible change in tone with the TB Custom. I could have used another SH Custom.

As for question 1), I recall having to trim the inside of the pickup ring to accommodate the TB Custom bobbins and also bend the TB Custom legs a bit to get that alignment.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

My summary version.

Duncan Humbucker (spacing = 1.93", 48.9mm) = Good string alignment, that works well for neck and bridge for the T-O-M bridge guitars.
DMZ F-spaced (spacing = 2.01", 51.1mm) = Ideal string alignment for bridge p/u. Too wide for neck pickup.
Duncan Trembucker (spacing = 2.07", 52.6mm) = Only recommended for Floyd Rose tremolo and similar bridges.

 

[dave74]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

F-spaced or Trembuckers are the only pickups that should ever be used because every guitar should have a floating tremolo bridge.
All other guitars are just expensive firewood.



j/k

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

My summary version.

Duncan Humbucker (spacing = 1.93", 48.9mm) = Good string alignment, that works well for neck and bridge for the T-O-M bridge guitars.
DMZ F-spaced (spacing = 2.01", 51.1mm) = Ideal string alignment for bridge p/u. Too wide for neck pickup.
Duncan Trembucker (spacing = 2.07", 52.6mm) = Only recommended for Floyd Rose tremolo and similar bridges.

Just want to add that if you have a wide-nut neck, say 1-3/4", the F spaced DiMarzios work well in the neck position.

 

[dave74]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

Just want to add that if you have a wide-nut neck, say 1-3/4", the F spaced DiMarzios work well in the neck position.

I recently went with F-spaced at both positions for an OFR with 43mm nut. (1.69") Better like that with the dimarzios IMO.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

Based on recent experience I can attest to the fact that DM F-spaced spacing at the bridge doesn't align correctly with FR trem. systems (Original and Special anyway) whereas SD Trembuckers do.

Also worth noting (for others that mosey on over here and that do NOT own "Les Paul type" guitars but that own Jacksons):

Jackson stock humbuckers are F-spaced but with the SD Trembucker spacing and not with the DM F-spaced spacing. This is why SD Trembuckers fit nice in stock Jackson pickup rings. What's more: Jacksons with HH config. and Jackson stock humbuckers use F-spaced spacing in both the bridge and neck positions. Apparently this has not always been the case i.e. only started from a particular year (somebody informed me of the year the other day but I cannot remember it at this time).

Why the difference between DM and SD I do not know as apparently the term "F-spaced" comes from the fact that the spacing is supposed to have originally matched both Fender spacing as well as Floyd Rose spacing and Gibson was supposedly different spacing. See here: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/mystery-of-f-spacing-humbucker/

But for the OP (and has already been suggested):

Just measure the width of your strings and the string spacing at the bridge and neck. Then check the diagrams on SD or DM (or whatever other manufacturer). They're pretty detailed. And you'll get the "right" spaced pickup. While it may not make one iota of a difference to tone (which seems to be the general consensus and with which I must say that I now agree with) there's that "factor" that comes into play i.e. YOU KNOW that your strings are out of whack with the pickup's pole pieces and that can drive some people insane. Only reason I've not ended up in a straitjacket because of this is because my Invader sits dead centre in the middle of the strings and because the pole pieces are so humungous each string is well covered!!! LOL!!!

But as dave74 says......... LOL!!!

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Quick question on F spaced vs Standard

Annnnnnd back to what I had originally posted. Use whatever you like as both can work.

And as I said, buy the one that costs less. Nobody will be able to tell the sound difference