with all else being equal...........

[gimmieinfo]

...............what is the difference between staggered and flat low wind strat sets? Just curious, but it occurred to me that it's not only the fact the strings are at different heights under the strings, but also that the magnets that are shorter are going to have less strength than the longer one. All together those 2 factors i would think would make the difference you hear pretty noticeable, yes/no? If yes, how would it manifest?

 

[beaubrummels]

I've never noticed any sonic difference based on pole variation in a single coil. The distance from the strings does change the balance of one string to the next. Staggered are what was on the original Fender Stratocasters back when the G string was commonly a wound string. But since many people continued to use those instruments well into the period when thinner string gauges became available, that sound and balance is was many people are used to. But now with flat poles, the discerning player can get better string to string balance with modern music and modern gain levels.

 

[jeremy]

the cleaner your tone, the more noticeable the difference. i prefer flat poles over staggered, but i also prefer 10"-12" radius necks. i do hear a difference between flat and staggered and left hand stagger. i use a typical 11-50 set (11, 14, 18, 28, 38, 50) which i find also makes a difference. if you mess with string gauge you can balance things regardless of pole stagger, but the string tensions might be odd.

 

[Mincer]

If I have a choice, with my modern strings (9s) and flatter radius, I go flat if there is a choice. I play pretty clean, and I can hear that the balance isn't quite right for me on staggered sets.