48mm single coil pole spacing?

[chris236]

Hi fellas, I'm building a SSS strat with the American Standard Flat Mount bridge and a 1 5/8th's nut.......I predominantly use the neck pickup so it's important it match up with the string spacing as much as possible. I'd also prefer adjustable or at least flat pole pieces. Am I out of luck? I can't find much info on the net.....the fender SCN's look like they might have the appropriate spacing but to make things even more difficult I need them in black. :icon_scratch:

 

[pabloman]

Strat pickups have never been spaced properly. It's really a non issue. You just raise the treble side a little closer if you're experiencing treble side drop out. The SCN's are compensated for their positions so are the Noiseless. I believe the hot noiseless are flat poles. There's also some really good rail pickups out there too. I think Fralin makes a set. I'm sure there's plenty of other options out there as well.

 

[stratamania]

Kinman'a Strat pickups are available with a flatter option. They aren't cheap but are very good.

 

[bagman67]

Duncan provides a flat-strat variant on their Alnico II Pro series.


http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/alnico-ii-pro-flat-strat


Likewise the Custom Strat:


http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/custom-flat-strat


For beefier output, their Quarter Pound is also flat (staggered variant also available):


http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/quarter-pound-strat


Finally, there's a passel of stacked humbuckers for strat with flat pole pieces.

 

[musicispeace]

David Plummer at Zhangbucker in LA can alter the spacing if he makes you some pickups. He also has an option of using slightly wider magnets on the neck pickup. He did an HSS set for me and the single coils were his Paul Bunyan model. I opted for the wider magnets in the neck pickup. The bridge on that guitar is a vintage style strat bridge. I've been really happy. He also does flat magnets, as mine are. Like many of the other options it isn't the cheapest but this guy does stellar work.

 

[JD0x0]

Rail pickup in the neck, never have to worry about spacing again. Also, just remember, when you bend the strings, while playing the neck pickup, the strings get pulled way off their intended polepiece. It's usually a non issue.

 

[line6man]

Pole piece spacing is typically a cosmetic concern. You only need to be worried if the strings are hanging over the edges of the outermost poles.

 

[chris236]

thanks for the response guys, i'm a little leery of ill matched pole pieces......a non issue at low volumes but things change when you turn up. I want to avoid rails. Can anyone confirm the the pole spacing tapers inward from bridge to neck on a set of the fender SCN's?

 

[pabloman]

I did earlier.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Pickups with pole pieces will not line up perfectly, regardless of brand. If you're really worried about it, a rail style pickup will eliminate the "problem".