trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

[jimijames]

Ok, I know this question has been answered a million times, but I'd like to be sure. Do you need a trembucker for a trem-spaced guitar? Has anyone had any significant problems using standard spaced pickups in trem-spaced guitars and vice versa? It seems to me to be a minor difference, But the last thing I want is to not be able to hear my e-strings in my guitar. Just a quick answer is all I need, and thanks in advance for the help.

 

[blueman335]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

No and no. You can use whichever in whatever.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

Ok, I know this question has been answered a million times, but I'd like to be sure. Do you need a trembucker for a trem-spaced guitar? Has anyone had any significant problems using standard spaced pickups in trem-spaced guitars and vice versa? It seems to me to be a minor difference, But the last thing I want is to not be able to hear my e-strings in my guitar. Just a quick answer is all I need, and thanks in advance for the help.

You don't need one, technically. However, the job of the pole pieces is to channel some of the pickup's magnet's energy towards the strings. Have them spaced widely and properly (i.e. a pole piece under each string) is the best way to do it. The difference might not seem much to your ears, but if it's worth Seymour Duncan making different spacing models, it's worth getting the right one.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

I've used trem spaced and standard in guitars with trem spaced bridges. Sometimes it makes a difference, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

i have used regular spaced pups on trem guitars too.
personally i cant make out much of a diff too.

never tried the other way round though...

 

[jimijames]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

thanks for the help guys, I'm getting a pickup to go in my strat temporarily (Or at least I think it'll be there temporarily, I just may like it too much), so I think I'll go for standard, as I recieved a fantastic offer and that was the only quibble I had. Thanks again, you guys are great.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

I use pickups with rails, huge pole pieces or EMG type... so I don't really know.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

I would say there is a difference. Usually I don't care for it, yet it is about the clarity in the bass response. Sometimes it may be important though.

I used to argue that the difference is quite neglicible. In fact, two or three years ago I would say there is none and all is due to a marketing strategy. I was simply wrong! That I figured after comparing a standard CC with a TB CC (I even swapped magnets, because I did not want to be wrong you know ) on an ash strat which had almost no bass, my opinion changed. There is a difference. But, as I've said, it can be neglected.

Now why 3mm (49 versus 52mm's) make a difference is not that clear. Is the the shape of the magnetic field, or something else? Check out the following thread: (Frank has a great post at the end of the thread)

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=71942&highlight=trembucker

B

 

[Ayrton]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

What model Strat, because vintage spacing is even wider than "trem" spacing. You can get away with a standard pup with a MIM string spacing, but it is going to be a stretch with a standard spaced pup and vintage spacing.

 

[Joelski]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

Check out any old shred guitar. Kramer, Jackson, Charvel, BC Rich, etc... They all sounded fine with standard spaced poles. I'd say it depends on if you're building an original machine and want to stay true to the original tone, get the original PU. If you're doing something more modern, or don't care, give the TB a shot.

 

[jimijames]

Re: trem-spaced vs. standard spaced

The guitar is a highway 1 strat, vintage spaced, but i'm not too concerned, because the pickup is only going into the guitar temporarily, as I have another that I have to wait quite some time for and I don't like the gaping hole near the bridge of my strat. I was just curious about the vhpaf, and an offer came up to get a standard spaced one at a great price, so I got it. I'll let you guys know if I have any problems when I install it.