SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

[Franknfilms]

I'm just going to lay out a few things and hopefully someone can correct me if I am wrong.

-SH and TB models of pickups are the EXACT same dimensions. The only difference is the pole spacing.
-SH bridge model pickups are all 50mm from 1st to last pole
-Neck pickups are always 50mm from 1st to last pole
-TB pickups are 53mm from 1st to last pole
-Fender and flloyd bridges are 53mm from e string to e string
-Old Gibson bridges are 50mm from e string to e string
-Newer Tune-o-matic bridges are 52mm from e string to e string, thus TBs are a better fit than SH (ex: my schecter and agile bridges both measure 52mm exactly)

Any additions or corrections to this knowledge? I have a feeling everyone is purchasing SH models for their guitars when it is very rare for any modern guitar to have SH spacing.

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

-Newer Tune-o-matic bridges are 52mm from e string to e string, thus TBs are a better fit than SH (ex: my schecter and agile bridges both measure 52mm exactly)

Don't know about that, my SH-4 JB line up perfectly on my Agile Valkyrie. May be they both work on different models.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

I don't mind the SH spacing at the bridge, even with my Schecter spaced and newer Tuneomatics bridges. Because I bend my strings a lot, they actually line up better than with TB spacing (not in all my guitars, but most).

 

[Scifi Metalhead]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

I found the TBs to be too wide for the Gibson pickup rings, but the poles line up good.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

I don't mind the SH spacing at the bridge, even with my Schecter spaced and newer Tuneomatics bridges. Because I bend my strings a lot, they actually line up better than with TB spacing (not in all my guitars, but most).

Thanks for the feedback. My SH's tend to line up fine except for the high e, which does not quite reach the string. If TBs end up throwing everything off worse, though, then they probably won't work.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

I found the TBs to be too wide for the Gibson pickup rings, but the poles line up good.

This is one of the reasons that I created this thread. Are you telling me that TBs are actually wider in dimension that SHs??? Can someone confirm whether or not the actual pickups are the exact same size or if TBs are actually wider than SHs?

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

trembuckers are longer then standard SH pickups.

 

[ErikH]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

-SH and TB models of pickups are the EXACT same dimensions. The only difference is the pole spacing.

This is incorrect. The actually bobbin, baseplate, magnet and spacers are wider to accommodate the TB spacing. The statement above is only true for DiMarzios (I have measured and confirmed this myself).

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

This is incorrect. The actually bobbin, baseplate, magnet and spacers are wider to accommodate the TB spacing. The statement above is only true for DiMarzios (I have measured and confirmed this myself).

Thanks for clarifying! I have definitely read some bad info on this subject. Now I just need to get exact measurements for duncan TBs and SHs. If anyone can direct me to measurements I would appreciate it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

Thanks for clarifying! I have definitely read some bad info on this subject. Now I just need to get exact measurements for duncan TBs and SHs. If anyone can direct me to measurements I would appreciate it.

Anytime. You can look at the Product page of any Duncan offered in SH and TB spacing and see what the dimensions are. There is a link to dimensions below the product image.

For example: The '59 Model product page:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/vintage-output/59_model_sh1_an/

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

Anytime. You can look at the Product page of any Duncan offered in SH and TB spacing and see what the dimensions are. There is a link to dimensions below the product image.

For example: The '59 Model product page:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/vintage-output/59_model_sh1_an/

That'll do! Thanks

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/dimensionpages/tb4.shtml

How do I convert a measurement of "3.060" or "2.780" to what I actually see on the measuring tape? What I understand are measurements like 3 3/16" or 50mm, not "3.060"...I don't know what the hell that even means. Sure, 0.5 obviously means a 1/2 inch, but I'm not sure about "2.780". No I didn't take shop class, no didn't do good in school, yes I am stupid, go easy.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

.060 is about 1/16th of an inch .0625 to be exact

.78 is about 25/32nds' .7812 to be exact

if your tape measure only goes to 16ths the closest would be just a hair over 3/4ths of an inch

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

Ok, I'll just take the measurement like I always do and divide the numbers to get that decimal. I have no idea why I was not able to come to that conclusion on my own, having a bad brain day! I think this is 2nd or 3rd grade math.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

Ok, I'll just take the measurement like I always do and divide the numbers to get that decimal. I have no idea why I was not able to come to that conclusion on my own, having a bad brain day! I think this is 2nd or 3rd grade math.

Yeah you can do that. The down fall to that is like .060 becomes 3/50. WTH is 3 50ths of an inch? then its a pain the butt to do the simplification and divide them out. Then hope that matches something thats on your tape thats divided into 16ths. If your really worried about getting the measurements 100% correct your best bet would be to invest in a set of dial calipers you can pick them up for less than 20 bucks

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

If you want to convert from inches to metric, multiply by 25.4 (1 inch = 25.4 mm).

To convert from fractions to decimals just divide the numerator by the denominator...1/8 = .125, 1/16 = .0625, 1/32 = .03125, 1/64 = .015625.

Thus 1/8" = .125" = 3.175 mm.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

If you want to convert from inches to metric, multiply by 25.4 (1 inch = 25.4 mm).

To convert from fractions to decimals just divide the numerator by the denominator...1/8 = .125, 1/16 = .0625, 1/32 = .03125, 1/64 = .015625.

Thus 1/8" = .125" = 3.175 mm.

Thanks for the tips! How could you convert a standard measurement of .0625 into a fraction? Remember to show your work.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

It's just "common knowledge". No math needed.

 

[marcello252]

Re: SH vs TB and Bridge Spacing

...Jeez, It's nearly impossible to use fractions, it's so much easier using decimals...
please, please, please, please... when will you (english and american people) use the standard metric measures...? !