Magnet swap suggestions? 57 Classics

[JMV]

I'm experimenting with swapping magnets in different pickups, mostly in a 490r/498t and '57 classic set.

Any recipe suggestions for the two sets? I've found a ton of ideas for the 490/498 set but none for the '57 Classics. I'm thinking rough cast A4 neck and rough cast unoriented A5 bridge could be cool.

I have A8, rough cast A2, rough cast A5, rough cast unoriented A5, rough cast A4, and A5 on hand.

 

[captcoolaid]

Are those ceramic to begin with. If so I would try the A5 first.

 

[JMV]

Are those ceramic to begin with. If so I would try the A5 first.

Neither set is ceramic. I believe the 490r is A2, the 498t is A5, and both '57 classics are A2.

 

[Indyclone]

I'd go unoriented A5 first... I really liked the change from A2 to that in he P490 I had.
In the neck it brightened it up, tightened the lows and scooped the mids a bit.

 

[captcoolaid]

That is what an A5 will do. If you find the bridge a bit muddled try the A8.

 

[LtKojak]

I'm experimenting with swapping magnets in different pickups, mostly in a 490r/498t and '57 classic set.

Any recipe suggestions for the two sets? I've found a ton of ideas for the 490/498 set but none for the '57 Classics. I'm thinking rough cast A4 neck and rough cast unoriented A5 bridge could be cool.

I have A8, rough cast A2, rough cast A5, rough cast unoriented A5, rough cast A4, and A5 on hand.

It's no secret I'm partial to the A4/A8 mag combo, as I've been pushing it since March 2008. This will work wonders with the 490R/408T (the Dread Combo from Hell), specially if you play Classic Rock and/or heavier stuff.

With the '57 Classics, I'd say your gut feeling is absolutely right. To sound "vintage-y", the A4/UOA5 combo is hard to beat, at least in my book.

My backup 335 has the '57 Classic/A4 / '57 Classic Plus/UOA5, and it rocks big time! Excellent cleans, and superb mild OD sound.

Do the swap and tell us how it went. Clips are more than welcome!

 

[Red Baron]

I'd go unoriented A5 first... I really liked the change from A2 to that in he P490 I had.
In the neck it brightened it up, tightened the lows and scooped the mids a bit.

I find that unoriented A5 accentuates the mids.

My favourite all-rounder is A4, it compresses nicely yet still has some of the boldness of A5 so in the right pickups you can get nice full rounded tone with some sizzle in the attack.

 

[Indyclone]

I find that unoriented A5 accentuates the mids.

My favourite all-rounder is A4, it compresses nicely yet still has some of the boldness of A5 so in the right pickups you can get nice full rounded tone with some sizzle in the attack.

Compared to the A2 in the P490 I swapped it in there were less mids... probably not as much as a smooth cast oriented A5, but I can't say for sure since I didn't try one.

I do hear good things about the A4 though.

One not on your list is the A3, my neck pickup has an A3 and I really like that pickup..

 

[JMV]

I've been curious about A3. How would you characterize the change in tone on that one?

 

[polifemo]

One always have to refer to another magnet in order to describe the sound but generally speaking the A3 magnet will reduce lows and keep highs quite well.

If compared to an A2 one would get:
- less bass
- more treble
- slightly less mids
- less output

I dig A3´s in neck PU´s a lot!

 

[Indyclone]

I've been curious about A3. How would you characterize the change in tone on that one?

Mine just sounds smooth..or can sound smoother better than any other pickup I've had. It can be jazzy, very articulate, there's a big difference between alight strum and a good pluck. In the right spot on the amp it can go from overdrive to clean without touching the volume on the guitar.

Now, as far as how A3 would sound in a '57, I don't know... seems to be in the same output range, just a little hotter. I see quite a few winders putting the A3 in the neck, haven't seen it in the Bridge.