F-spaced humbucker in a Les paul

[skysc]

I had a humbucker Custom build for my Partcaster from a boutique seller . Never installed it , but i change my mind about the project . Im thinking about buying an Epiphone/Gibson Les paul instead .

Beside esthetic ( Poles pieces not aligning ) , is there any downside soundwise of using a F-spaced ( 52-53MM) humbucker in a Les paul ?

Id hate to sell the pickup because it is brand new , never installed and would probably lose $$$ .

The size of the humbucker is the same , right ?

 

[metropolis]

Size of the humbucker is the same - with some minor variance between brands on exact dimensions, particularly of the cover.

There's lots of different opinions on this so you might not get a clear consensus here, but my view based on experience and evidence from a few trusted experts is that pole spacing makes almost no difference to the sound, it's purely aesthetic. In your case I wouldn't hesitate to put in a F or trem-spaced humbucker into a Les Paul. It's also not a permanent decision - if you don't like the pickup in the guitar there's no harm at least you tried it. I just don't think the pole spacing is going to be the factor, it'll be whether you like the sound of that pickup in the guitar you end up with. You don't want to know how many pickup variants I've cycled through Les Pauls over the years!

 

[darkwave]

Isn't the 498T a 52mm wide-spaced humbucker? Just a few of those came stock on LP classics and I don't see any issue with it. I have a 52mm cover on my bridge pickup and it looks more centered than the vintage 49.4mm spaced pickup in the middle position does.

- Douglas C.