Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

[evan47]

I have an EMG loaded (81 and 60 actives I think ) LTD EC1000 on its way to me and I intend to swap the pickups for Seymour Duncans but, as the guitar has a floyd rose trem I am finding my choice of pickups for the bridge to be a bit limited as there seem to be a small number of pickups with trembucker spacing available.
Would there really be that much of a difference if I just used a pickup with standard spacing in the bridge position?
Many manufacturers seem to do this, and in the past trembuckers were not available and players seemed to do pretty well without them.
Also, is the actual size of a trembucker pickup any larger than a standard one? Would the cavity need to be enlarged?

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

I've swapped out many hums in guitars with trem systems and have never used a trem spaced pickup. I've never had a problem with output either. I would skip the trem spacing if it were me. Look at EVH's Frankenstein guitar if you have any doubts...

 

[evan47]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

I've swapped out many hums in guitars with trem systems and have never used a trem spaced pickup. I've never had a problem with output either. I would skip the trem spacing if it were me. Look at EVH's Frankenstein guitar if you have any doubts...

Yes, I was thinking of this when I was posting the thread.
Is there any really perceptable difference in performance between them?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

On some guitars, with some vintage-output pickups, yes, you can hear it. For medium to higher output pickups, the difference is difficult to hear, as the pickup is strong enough to 'hear' the strings even if they are slightly off of the poles. It might bother people with OCD, though if it doesn't line up. Also, you can put a rail-type pickup in there, too.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

Another argument for trembucker spacing is it creates volume drop on extreme bends if you have the wrong spacing. I can't tell you how big of a difference it makes though, I always go for trembuckers on trem equipped guitars.

Also, there is no difference in pickup size for trembuckers, the poles are just in a different location. No mods to the guitar will be necessary.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

On some guitars, with some vintage-output pickups, yes, you can hear it. For medium to higher output pickups, the difference is difficult to hear, as the pickup is strong enough to 'hear' the strings even if they are slightly off of the poles. It might bother people with OCD, though if it doesn't line up. Also, you can put a rail-type pickup in there, too.

Okay, that's whaT I was getting at. He just said it way better,lol. Listen to Mincer

 

[dave74]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

Why not use trembucker spacing? Most SD models are offered both ways.
Line-up or not line-up? I'd go for line-up.

 

[devastone]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

What models are you looking at that aren't available in trem spacing?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

There is no difference in pickup size for trembuckers, the poles are just in a different location. No mods to the guitar will be necessary.

Duncan trembuckers are a couple millimeters larger than regular humbuckers. But they usually fit fine.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

Also, there is no difference in pickup size for trembuckers, the poles are just in a different location. No mods to the guitar will be necessary.

Don't think that's true. When I put trembuckers in current Gibson rings, which are larger than standard/historic, the trembucker bobbins just barely clear the ring. If they had a cover they wouldn't fit.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

Don't think that's true. When I put trembuckers in current Gibson rings, which are larger than standard/historic, the trembucker bobbins just barely clear the ring. If they had a cover they wouldn't fit.

Correct. Duncan Trembuckers are wider than Duncan humbuckers.

Or at least the ones I've owned were.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

I've swapped out many hums in guitars with trem systems and have never used a trem spaced pickup. I've never had a problem with output either. I would skip the trem spacing if it were me. Look at EVH's Frankenstein guitar if you have any doubts...

You mean the one where he angled the pickup to line up the pickup better?

Yeah it's not a huge deal, but I would go TB if you can, for cosmetics if anything. However I wouldn't turn down a used regular spacing pickup.

 

[evan47]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

You mean the one where he angled the pickup to line up the pickup better?

Yeah it's not a huge deal, but I would go TB if you can, for cosmetics if anything. However I wouldn't turn down a used regular spacing pickup.

One thing I have noticed recently is that the floyd version of the gibson les paul has a standard spaced pickup in the bridge.

 

[Rob667]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

I have a Trembucker in my '86 Kramer Focus (single pu/one vol). It's on the slant which looks a little odd but really covers all areas. Love that tone

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

... but, as the guitar has a floyd rose trem I am finding my choice of pickups for the bridge to be a bit limited as there seem to be a small number of pickups with trembucker spacing available...

A small number, seriously? If you're on EMGs now, there're enough options. Nazgul, Black Winter, Alternative 8, Distortion, Custom. Add Dimebucker and Invader, since they can accomodate both spacings.

 

[evan47]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

A small number, seriously? If you're on EMGs now, there're enough options. Nazgul, Black Winter, Alternative 8, Distortion, Custom. Add Dimebucker and Invader, since they can accomodate both spacings.

Thanks for pointing these out but unless I order from SD directly it can be finding the exact item I want in the UK. IE custom 59 zebra, f spaced, 4 conductor.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

There's usually no discernible tone difference. If you are buying new, it can't hurt to go ahead and get the pole spacing that most closely matches your strings. If you're finding used deals, however, don't pass up a good pickup for a good price just because it has the wrong spacing.

 

[dave74]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

Thanks for pointing these out but unless I order from SD directly it can be finding the exact item I want in the UK. IE custom 59 zebra, f spaced, 4 conductor.

No Duncan dealers in the UK? If your choice isn't in-stock you should be able to have them order it at standard cost since it would be a normal production-run model/colors.
Might well have to wait a few weeks to receive it, but that's really not a big wait IMO.

If you have no Duncan dealers handy then why not go BKP? The cost difference shouldn't be that much in the UK. They are fast.

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Trembucker spacing, worth it or not?

Thanks for pointing these out but unless I order from SD directly it can be finding the exact item I want in the UK. IE custom 59 zebra, f spaced, 4 conductor.

The hybrid? Is in stock at Thomann here in Germany!
https://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_59_custom_hybrid_zebra.htm