Burstbucker 1 A5 magnet swap

ivan H

ivan H

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that this has turned the Burstbucker 1 into something along the lines of a neck Burstbucker Pro.
Anyway, I had a couple of A5 magnets so thought Id see how it would turn out. Off with the cover, out with the A2 & in with the A5. Cover back on & into the neck of my LP traditional (where I had previously had the Burstbucker 1). Wow, its a whole new animal. I went for a basic setup of one turn out on the low E's screw pole, high E's screw pole top level with the cover, both 2.1mm below the strings (fretted a last) & all other screw poles set to the same 2.1mm. This gave comparable volume as the bridge pickup. Lows are much more defined (well, its more defined all over), highs are better without being harsh. Doesn't have the "hair" of the burstbucker 1, it seems clearer & more present, if that makes sense. I'll do some height & pole adjustments this afternoon at volume, but I'm definitely thinking its a keeper. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that this has turned the Burstbucker 1 into something along the lines of a neck Burstbucker Pro.
Anyway, I had a couple of A5 magnets so thought Id see how it would turn out. Off with the cover, out with the A2 & in with the A5. Cover back on & into the neck of my LP traditional (where I had previously had the Burstbucker 1). Wow, its a whole new animal. I went for a basic setup of one turn out on the low E's screw pole, high E's screw pole top level with the cover, both 2.1mm below the strings (fretted a last) & all other screw poles set to the same 2.1mm. This gave comparable volume as the bridge pickup. Lows are much more defined (well, its more defined all over), highs are better without being harsh. Doesn't have the "hair" of the burstbucker 1, it seems clearer & more present, if that makes sense. I'll do some height & pole adjustments this afternoon at volume, but I'm definitely thinking its a keeper. Cheers
Click to expand...

Awesome post!!!!
 
ivan H said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that this has turned the Burstbucker 1 into something along the lines of a neck Burstbucker Pro.
Anyway, I had a couple of A5 magnets so thought Id see how it would turn out. Off with the cover, out with the A2 & in with the A5. Cover back on & into the neck of my LP traditional (where I had previously had the Burstbucker 1). Wow, its a whole new animal. I went for a basic setup of one turn out on the low E's screw pole, high E's screw pole top level with the cover, both 2.1mm below the strings (fretted a last) & all other screw poles set to the same 2.1mm. This gave comparable volume as the bridge pickup. Lows are much more defined (well, its more defined all over), highs are better without being harsh. Doesn't have the "hair" of the burstbucker 1, it seems clearer & more present, if that makes sense. I'll do some height & pole adjustments this afternoon at volume, but I'm definitely thinking its a keeper. Cheers
Click to expand...

Dang, this sound like changing the jets on my tripower setup :p
 
ivan H said:
Good question. @smitty-p anwered this correctly. I could be wrong on this, & someone please correct me if I am, but I believe that changing the magnet alloy type affects the inductance of the pickup. Cheers
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No. Inductance is a constant value, just like resistance or capacitance.
 
smitty_p said:
No. Inductance is a constant value, just like resistance or capacitance.
Click to expand...
I'm sure I've read of magnet alloys affecting the inductance of pickups, so did a quick google search. This article mentions a couple of times this effect (ceramic magnets apparently don't affect the inductance). All About Pickup Magnets
This is not where I had originally read about it. Cheers
 
The strength, or difference between magnets, of the field would affect the strength of the signal (current) generated by the string vibrating through it I think.
 
ivan H said:
I'm sure I've read of magnet alloys affecting the inductance of pickups, so did a quick google search. This article mentions a couple of times this effect (ceramic magnets apparently don't affect the inductance). All About Pickup Magnets
This is not where I had originally read about it. Cheers
Click to expand...

Ok. I misunderstood your question. Yes, a metallic core will affect the overall inductance. An example of this being put into practice is the common iron core inductor.

I thought you were focusing on the presence or absence of a magnetic field, not the proximity or composition of the material, itself.

My apologies.
 
ivan H said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that this has turned the Burstbucker 1 into something along the lines of a neck Burstbucker Pro.
Anyway, I had a couple of A5 magnets so thought Id see how it would turn out. Off with the cover, out with the A2 & in with the A5. Cover back on & into the neck of my LP traditional (where I had previously had the Burstbucker 1). Wow, its a whole new animal. I went for a basic setup of one turn out on the low E's screw pole, high E's screw pole top level with the cover, both 2.1mm below the strings (fretted a last) & all other screw poles set to the same 2.1mm. This gave comparable volume as the bridge pickup. Lows are much more defined (well, its more defined all over), highs are better without being harsh. Doesn't have the "hair" of the burstbucker 1, it seems clearer & more present, if that makes sense. I'll do some height & pole adjustments this afternoon at volume, but I'm definitely thinking its a keeper. Cheers
Click to expand...

Sounds great - now get yerself a Marshall DSL and all in the world will be perfect! :dood:
 
Mr Grumpy said:
Sounds great - now get yerself a Marshall DSL and all in the world will be perfect! :dood:
Click to expand...
I don't have a DSL, but have these
WP_20170315_003.jpg
Does that qualify. Actually homebuilds (except the greenback's over V30's 4x12) & the Metroamp Head Master Switcher that I use to switch between heads. Back to the subject of magnets, IIRC, I read something along the lines of, a magnet has no tone per se, it is how the magnet affect the inductance of the pickup that causes the change in tone, but @jtcnj is also right in that the different magnetic strength of the various alloys affect the strength (size?) of the signal generated. For simple devices, pickups have some pretty complex physics going on in the generation of our tones. @smitty_p, the 57 classic (or 57+) is another one I've thought of doing the A5 swap on, but haven't as yet. Cheers
Edit: Apology not needed smitty. Cheers
 
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