I'm in the process of ordering some new pickups for my 9.5 neck radius, alder, rosewood neck strat. I have the option of choosing flat or staggered pole pieces.

Do the benefits of staggered pole pieces (which were originally designed for a 7.25 strat, with a wound G string) still apply to a 9.5 neck radius. The pickups say that guitars with flatter neck radiuses will benefit from flat pole pieces, but I don't know if 9.25 would be considered 'flatter'.

And tone-wise, what would I be getting if I compared my sound with flat versus staggered pole pieces?

Thank you!

Yes, 9.5 inch radius is flatter than a 7.25. Flatter still is a 12 inch radius. Think of a circle that is nineteen inches in diameter (9.5 inch radius), it has a surface that is closer to "flat" than a circle that is 14.5 inches in diameter (7.25 inch radius).

I think that they have changed the staggered poles on newer pickups to a more modern stagger, taking into account the new types of strings. Fender didn't use pickups with flush poles for very long, or on many models of Strats, and that tells me that they weren't that great, or they would still be using them. However, as far as which type will sound better, only you can decide that, by comparing the two types in the same guitar. I have not tried pickups with flush poles, but it makes sense that you could adjust the pickups closer to the strings and maybe they would sound louder. Just a thought.

Here's a slightly exaggerated diagram I came up with a while back to illustrate the differences between various fretboard radii:



As for the staggered pole pieces, I've always been under the impression that it was more tradition than anything else.



In fact, I believe the original G-string pole height is based on a wound string, which most people don't even use nowadays. So I really think it comes down to aesthetics, but I'm sure someone with more knowledge can certainly set me straight on this.

(Edit: I just went back and realized that I repeated a lot of what you said in your original post, so I actually added nothing of value with my post. Sorry about that. It's early, and I'm not quite awake yet. Still, gotta love Tevye, right? )

_________________
I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I usually stick with staggered poles on my 9.5 necks,I think they have a vintage sound but that 3rd pole does surprise you sometimes with a louder volume when you hit it a little harder,especially when you're picking something somewhat light and then you notice it more.
I did have some Strat pups with the flat poles but since hardly any of my guitars stay stock,I can't say I was that happy with them....I even changed the pups in the Vintage RI Strats I have...except the '62 Hot Rod.
It all comes down to a matter of taste.

Thank you all for your input (I'll be going with the staggered)! This forum and its members have always given me great insight.

The SCNs that I installed in my 09 MIM Standard Strat are staggered, but not to the extent that vintage pups are. The stock pups that came on the MIM Stardard were staggered to follow the radius of the fretboard (9.5"). I think "modern" pups still have a stagger to them but not as extreme as vintage and the moderns better accomdate a plain 3rd.

_________________
Bill