Swapping magnets

Gahr

Gahr

Ambassador of Blues & Brews
Country flag
Does anyone here have any experience with swapping the magnets in your pickups?

I recently installed a set of Throbak PG-102 MXVs in my Derek Trucks SG, and I'm really happy with the result, to say the least.

The PG-102s have A5 magnets, which, from what I have read, give more powerful mids and greater clarity in the highs than A2. My only previous experience with A5 magnets in humbuckers was with a 498T which came with a Les Paul Studio I used to have (all my other humbuckers have had A2s). I never really took to the T498, too hot for my liking, but the PG-102s definitely got me interested in different magnets.

So, I just ordered some long oriented A5s from Throbak. I plan on testing them in a few different pups, like 57 Classics and some 490s. I figure it is cheaper than buying new pickups, and I guess I'll learn a bit about what the different alnico grades do that way.

Do you guys have any comments on the differences I could expect?
 
I'd be interested in the results of an A5 in the 57 classic or classic plus as I've also considered doing. Seems some like & others dont. Some say an A8 is a good choice for 57's. A 490 with a short A5 is basically a T top. I haven't done the conversion but do have a slightly overwound (8.8k) T top type in the bridge of my SG that is a definite keeper. Cheers
 
I'll be sure to report back. Mind you, I won't be able to do anything close to a scientific comparison, it will all be based on my perceived differences.
 
those are great links, thanks RVA. I swapped the A2 magnet out of my 490T
during the year when I was playing my SG with that pickup in the bridge.
I installed an A-5. To my memory, the difference was subtle. I think it gave the
490T a little more output, which is what I wanted.

I thought it was an interesting thing to do. It wasn't difficult, but I was careful
not to slip with any tool and gouge the fragile windings. I was also careful to mark
the magnet's north and south polarity, using a sharpie... I did NOT want the
"Peter Green" effect.
 
Gahr said:
So, I just ordered some long oriented A5s from Throbak. I plan on testing them in a few different pups, like 57 Classics and some 490s. I figure it is cheaper than buying new pickups, and I guess I'll learn a bit about what the different alnico grades do that way.
Click to expand...

Good idea and good luck.

Look forward to hearing about the results. :dood:
 
A swap to A5 from A2 also makes the bottom end tighter & high end a little more defined. At least, the one I had changed by the winder showed those differences (it was available as either from the winder). That was with a long, polished A5 going into it. As Col Mustard said, it seemed slightly hotter in output as well. The thing with A5's is there are many types, rough cast, rough cast unoriented, smooth & polished, also 3 different lengths from the short used in a T top through to the standard long. Cheers
Edit; it appears there are 4 different length A5's, 2.29", 2.36" (T top length), 2.44" & the "long" 2.50". There is also a 2.75" length for 7 string guitars that can be put into uncovered 6 string pickups. Cheers
 
Last edited:
ivan H said:
A swap to A5 from A2 also makes the bottom end tighter & high end a little more defined. At least, the one I had changed by the winder showed those differences (it was available as either from the winder). That was with a long, polished A5 going into it. As Col Mustard said, it seemed slightly hotter in output as well. The thing with A5's is there are many types, rough cast, rough cast unoriented, smooth & polished, also 3 different lengths from the short used in a T top through to the standard long. Cheers
Click to expand...
I ordered some rough cast, long, oriented A5s. Mostly because that's what's in the PG-102s I have. Not very imaginative, but those pickups sound great, so I figured at least the magnets can't be all crap.:) Looking forward to getting them!
 
I'm not 100% sure on this, but I think the rough cast & unoriented A5's retain a little of the A2's "rude" characteristics, with the smooth, oriented & polished A5's progressively showing more of the A5 attributes. The change from A2 to polished A5 was immediately noticeable. Cheers
 
I got the A5 magnets today. So far, I have swapped the magnets in one guitar; My dedicated slide gutar, the Future Tribute SG I put together myself. It has the 57 Classics i pulled out of the Derek Trucks SG.

I was surprised at how much of a difference it made. The neck pickup especially. Is founded fuller, with a less spiky top end, and more power. it definitely drives the amp harder, but clears up really well when the volume is backed off to around 7. In the bridge pickup, I didn't hear that much of a difference in the tone, although I seem to get a bit more mids. Here as well, the pup drives the amp harder than with the A2 magnets. I wouldn't say the pickups became particularly gainy, but they now have noticeably more punch than previously. I definitely like the outcome!

I have two more A5 magnets I can experiment with, but I'm not sure what to do. In my Faded Special I have a set of a 57 Classic in the neck and a 57 Classic+ in the bridge. In addition I have a set of Bare Knuckle PG Blues and a 490T/490R lying around, not in any guitar at the moment. What to do? Any combinations that would be interesting?
 
I'm not sure how much of a difference the magnet length makes, but the 490r to T top uses a (short) rough cast A5. I've got a slightly overwound (8.8k) T top in the bridge of my SG & now LP traditional & really like them a lot. Great clarity & punch & get really good crunch when pushing them, without any fuzziness or harsh top end. A stock wind (A5'd 490r) would make a good neck pickup. That with an A5'd 57classic plus in the bridge might be interesting. Just a suggestion. I've found myself moving from A2's to A5's for the way that drive the amp as you noted, & stay tighter. Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top