The pickups that originally came in an 88 Jem77FP were Dimarzio PAF Pro's.....if they are pink(possibly faded some) then they are likely the originals. PAF Pro's can be used interchangeably in either the neck or bridge position of the guitar....the bridge position paf pro would likely have shorter lead wires than the original neck position......just my 2 cents...

 

^^^ +1

 

bridge pick-up will be 'f spaced'.

 

Somebody else said that BOTH neck and bridge pups should be F-spaced. Is that correct?

 

The neck one can actually go either way and it will work fine - either F or non-F ('standard') spacing both place the poles in decent alignment with the strings.

 

Anybody know for certain what was original - F-spaced or not...?

 

I'm not 100%, but I'm 99%. I just looked at mine and they both sure look F Spaced. I left my calipers at work so I can't check, but by eye they sure look the same.

 

Steve at DiMarzio UK says there was no such thing as F-Spacing back then, there was only one standard size. They are both the same size, and if you're putting new pickups in they should both be F-Spaced.

 

That's an interesting tidbit. Did he say when DiMarzio started making F-Space pups?

 

Also, every FP I've seen has had DiMarzio embossed on the lower right corner of the pickup, or under the cover of the middle pickup.
The would originally have been pink and they'll now be orange. Compare fading to the knobs too. I've seen some stunningly pink FP's from 92 and 93 and the knobs hadn't faded either, if the knobs have faded (they'll be more a baby pink than a shocking pink, they don't turn orange) then the pickups should have - same for the logo on the headstock.

 

My 1990 FP does NOT have DiMarzio stamped in the corner of the PAF Pros, but I have not looked under the single coil pick up cover.

 

I didn't think to ask, lol, I speak to him quite regularly, I'll ask him next time I do. He has an Email address on his website but he can take a while to answer. If you can wait, I'll ask him next time I ring him.

 

Sorry I meant to answer that directly as well; the early Jems had strictly 'standard' spacing, yes.
Good question; when DID DiMarzio start doing F-Spacing?
If I remember, I'll research or fire off an email - I've had some good luck getting info directly from the legendary Mr. Steve Blucher there.

 

There's too many Steve's getting involved here...