magnet for underwound P90

[Kapten Kork]

I have a Guild CE-100D with early Franz-pickups. They're like really underwound P90 at ca 5k. They lack mids and have lots of zing. I was thinking of replacing them with something more poweful.
Anyway it then occurred to me that maybe a magnetswitch could take me in the right direction.
So my question is: what magnet can give me lots of mid and maybe tame the zing a little? Was thinking of a alnico 6 but don't know where to get it.
Because the pickups are weak I want as much power as possible but not as much that string pull gets a problem.

 

[RAG7890]

I have a Guild CE-100D with early Franz-pickups. They're like really underwound P90 at ca 5k. They lack mids and have lots of zing. I was thinking of replacing them with something more poweful.
Anyway it then occurred to me that maybe a magnetswitch could take me in the right direction.
So my question is: what magnet can give me lots of mid and maybe tame the zing a little? Was thinking of a alnico 6 but don't know where to get it.
Because the pickups are weak I want as much power as possible but not as much that string pull gets a problem.

I would Email or PM Jon at Throbak & ask for his advice on this one.

Quote ex Throbak's site: -

"These are the same USA made Alnico bar magnets used for all ThroBak Maximum Vintage P.A.F. and P-90 pickup models. All magnets are USA made and custom cast to ThroBak specs.. They are made available for customers that want to experiment with magnet swaps. Made in USA.WARNING! CUSTOMER MAGNET SWAPS WILL VOID WARRANTY. THERE IS A REAL RISK OF PERMANENTLY DAMAGING YOUR PICKUP IF DONE IMPROPERLY. THROBAK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM USER MAGNET SWAPS.General Alnico properties.:

A2 long / Scooped mids, chimey highs, warm sweet tones, loose feel.
A2 short / Scooped mids, spankier tone than long A2.
A3 long / Very weak, nice clarity for use in P-90's but very low output for P.A.F.'s.
A4 long / Balanced mids, treble and low end, drier toned than A2.
A5 long oriented / mid dominant, focused tone, jazzy cleans.
A5 short oriented / mid dominant tone, fatter toned than long oriented A5.
A5 long unoriented (Illinois) / Great low end clarity with good mids.
A5 long unoriented (Indiana) / Less low end clarity more treble snarl, good mids."

Good luck.

 

[LtKojak]

I have a Guild CE-100D with early Franz-pickups. They're like really underwound P90 at ca 5k. They lack mids and have lots of zing. I was thinking of replacing them with something more poweful.
Anyway it then occurred to me that maybe a magnetswitch could take me in the right direction.
So my question is: what magnet can give me lots of mid and maybe tame the zing a little? Was thinking of a alnico 6 but don't know where to get it.
Because the pickups are weak I want as much power as possible but not as much that string pull gets a problem.

If you post some pictures of the p'ups inside, maybe I'll be able to help.

HTH,

 

[Kapten Kork]

Sounds Good I try to get time to take a picture.
Or maybe throw a mail to throbak

 

[Kapten Kork]

Ok here is a link to the photos I think
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/4skaakwf8rgbtxa/AADEcCxEbuw87lAvEXYYefxza#

 

[LtKojak]

Ok here is a link to the photos I think
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/4skaakwf8rgbtxa/AADEcCxEbuw87lAvEXYYefxza#

Ok. Yeah, for this kind of p'ups, which've been designed for archtops, you'll need different mags.

For the description given, they most probably come with A5s.

My word of advice would be A4/A4 for the neck p'up and an A8/A8 for the bridge. No need to worry with string pull, the mags are too far away from the strings to ever being a problem.

I can provide all four mags, if you so wish. PM if you're interested.

HTH,

 

[Kapten Kork]

Great.
So know I just try to decide if the difference will be enough or if its better to rewind the pickups or replace them.
What do you think?

 

[RAG7890]

Swap Magnets first before you do anything else IMHO.

A4's would be a great choice as mentioned LK.

Never used A8 so I can't comment. Found this: -

Anatomy Of A Humbucker | Seymour Duncan Blog

"Alnico 8 is on a rise these last few years! It’s way more powerful than the Alnico 5 but not as overly so as ceramics. Seymour Duncan launched the Alternative 8 a couple of years ago as their first production pickup featuring the Alnico 8 magnet and that pickup is a true testament of the power of the Alnico 8. If you were to swap a magnet for the Alnico 8, expect a huge boost in power. The mids gain articulation and crunch, and the highs become more pronounced but aren’t harsh and the lows are huge and tight. Not all pickups can readily accept the Alnico 8, but if you get the right pickup (I’m thinking the Full Shred, JB or Custom) you’re in for a treat."


Good luck.

 

[LtKojak]

Great.
So know I just try to decide if the difference will be enough or if its better to rewind the pickups or replace them.
What do you think?

If I was you, I'd give'em a chance with the new mags, as those p'ups seem to be wound for twang and clarity. The new mags will adjust the EQ to a more balanced tone and will give the bridge p'up a commanding tone with a vocal quality only present in A8 p'ups.

THEN you can decide what to do with'em.

HTH,

 

[Kapten Kork]

That's probably wise. I think for a while and probably go for the A8 magnets.

 

[TM1]

Hey Lt K: where are your magnets made? I'm going to assume they're European made since that's where you're located. I know there's a couple of good magnet foundries in U.K. Just wonderin'...?

 

[LtKojak]

Hey Lt K: where are your magnets made? I'm going to assume they're European made since that's where you're located. I know there's a couple of good magnet foundries in U.K. Just wonderin'...?

I get'em from three different continents... including Ferrari's own magnet supplier.