F-spaced pickups

[Velcro]

I know that if string spacing is 53mm or greater then F-spacing is used. But does it have to be? I have a schaller 456 with a string spacing of 53mm and I would like to use a G-spaced pup, would there be anything particulary harmfull in doing this? Thanks for any answers

 

[Cagey]

There's certainly nothing harmful about doing it. The questionable part might be how well the pickup responds to the strings, since they're not directly above the pole pieces. But, I'm not sure I'd even worry about that too much. Go look at any single-coil-loaded Strat. The middle and neck pickup's pole pieces don't exactly line up on those, either.

 

[rockskate4x]

I use a non f-spaced Seymour Duncan JB with a strat spaced type bridge. The overall tone is just fine so I don't usually notice any problems, but sometimes the low e can sound a little thin compared the other strings.

 

[JaySwear]

my SD pickups never quite lined up right with the strings on my tele deluxe and i couldn't hear a bit of difference between that and guitars that DID have the pickups line up right. i think you'll be alright with any spacing pickup, as long as it's somewhat close. those are powerful magnets pretty close to the strings. i think they pick up more noise than people give them credit for

 

[tfarny]

I've never seen or heard any evidence that it matters one bit. People say it matters but nobody has ever bothered to demonstrate how much. The magnetic field extends outwards around the magnet in all directions, as long as your string isn't out in la-la land you'll be fine.

 

[JamesL]

It's mostly a marketing scam! Duh!  :icon_jokercolor:

No but seriously. I've never noticed a difference either and I have a lot of guitar that do and that don't. soooo

 

[Strat Avenger]

There's definitely a difference.  Pole pieces line up MUCH better with F-spacing if you have a Fender or Floyd type bridge.

 

[TroubledTreble]

The most dropout is directly between the poles, makes sense, and if the poles are off a bit to start and someone is a heavy bender, that's when it becomes noticeable. Even then it really depends a lot on the materials used for the poles and the magnets driving them, and the distance from the string and so on.. There are so many makes and models everyone experiences it in a slightly different way. No matter what the numbers and science say, in the end if it sounds good it is good.