Regular vs Trem-Spaced

[macaronisalad]

I know this has come up before, but I'm just looking for reassurance I guess. I'm looking at swapping a pickup in my Floyd equipped Charvel.

Of course, trem spaced pickups exist and on paper are the right choice, but we have also discussed the merits of the trem spacing vs standard, and that standard spaced pickups seem to sound better for whatever reason.

To that point, and I think I've just made my own argument, I have two similar guitars both with Duncan Customs, one standard, one trem spaced. And the Standard one sounds better to me.

Anyways, something to discuss

I'm leaning towards a Duncan Distortion. I used to have those in a lot of guitars, but now its been over a decade since I played one.

[ninjaraf]

I always buy trem spaced pickups because I think those sound better lol. Tighter, usually. But if you like regular spaced pickups better, do it. It doesn't matter. Also, you might buy 2 regular spaced pickups of the same model that could sound slightly different. I've repurchased the same pickups 800 fucking times, so you never know...lolol. Most of the time they sound the same, but sometimes you'll get one and you're like wtf is wrong with this thing? Or I don't remember this sounding this good lol.

[macaronisalad]

Tighter would be good. I would rather something be too tight and bright and dial it back than something that never gets there.

[Guitarbilly]

I am the opposite, I think regular spaced humbuckers tend to sound better then their F-spaced counterparts. The regular spaced are a bit warmer and yeah maybe less tight but that's usually not a huge concern for me. I also play Gibsons for the most part so I am sure that's part of it. I am used to that sound and feel, so I prefer to get regular space for everything, even superstrats

[broslinger]

I’m fully convinced standard spacing sounds better regardless of how the poles line up.

[Guitarbilly]

Yeah I don't put too much stock into the "poles don't line up" thing. I am bending strings all the time anyway so rails would be the only way to ensure they always "line up". Which reminds me I want to try out the new Rail version of the JB

[Spaced Out Ace]

I think calling the new line of Duncan pickups "Rail JB" and such was a recipe for potential disappointment. Changing stuff like magnets and the pole pieces would likely change the EQ balance, sound, feel, etc. of the pickup to a point that referring to it as an already established pickup comes off as a bit of a marketing gimmick.

[ninjaraf]

I also don't really care about the poles. Funny how most of the not so much metal guys like the regular space lol. I guess that makes sense. I agree, they sound warmer. Really, it's pretty minor overall.

Unless your GF, then we're all fucking idiots because pickups don't matter lol

[Guitarbilly]

I think calling the new line of Duncan pickups "Rail JB" and such was a recipe for potential disappointment. Changing stuff like magnets and the pole pieces would likely change the EQ balance, sound, feel, etc. of the pickup to a point that referring to it as an already established pickup comes off as a bit of a marketing gimmick.

I agree. I am actually counting on them NOT sounding like regular JBs

[broslinger]

Fwiw, I’m a big fan of rail pickups of all kinds.

I would be interested in a rail jb for playing shred/hair/thrash.