I've played both, and honestly I think the modern spacing sounds better.Isaac wrote:I have never liked the look of the ½" spacing. I much prefer the 1" from that perspective.
As far as sound, I can't say. I've never had the pleasure of playing a Ric with the ½" spacing. I will say that I don't really love the sound of my 4004Cii neck pickup, nestled snug up against the neck. It's not bad, mind you, and it's a useful sound, but it's not my favorite.
It may be because I use the pickups separately, rather than together, though. Neck pickup is my "clean" sound, and bridge pickup is my "dirty" sound.