blueman335

Hey Blueman, it doesn't look like you've been on here for a while, but just in case I wanted to tap your brain on a follow-up to a conversation we had last year. I just purchased a 2018 Gibson Firebird Studio with P90s. With the bridge P90 only 2/32" from the strings and the neck P90's cover down practically flush with the pickguard, the neck still overpowers the bridge, and is really muddy. I do like the sound of the bridge, but the output is just so much lower than the neck. Plus, that in-between 'sweet spot' just isn't as sweet as I'd like it to be. After reading some old posts on here, it sounds like a good idea might be to take one A5 out of each and replace the removed bridge one with a rough A8 and the neck one with a smooth A3. What do you think? Thanks.

Hey Rick, can I send you a PM?

(the reason I ask is because if I am on your ignore list, I can't send you messages)

Yes, thanks. I just have to test them on a multi-meter.

Have you received your pickups yet.

Sounds like it'll be nice. I've tried a number of magnet combinations in P-90's and these are my favorites:
Bridge - A8/A4, A8/A5, A4/A4, and UOA5/UOA5. All are warm with full mids. A8's add output and mids, A5's add treble and bass, A4's flatten EQ a little, and UOA5's add warmth and dynamics. Mix and match accordingly.
Neck - A5/A5 (traditional P-90), A5/A4 (similar but with more body), A5/A3 (almost as bright as two A5's, but with more mids and less low end).
The mags sit side-by-side, repelling.
Lollar and Rio Grande HB-sized P-90's are pretty warm as is, and you may get what you want with them stock.

Hello Rick- Greetings from NYC!
I'm a custom electric guitar maker ( No L word. I've never made a lute.) making one of my Birds of Fire for a client who wants P-90's. I've routed the guitar for HB's(more future PU change possibilities) and plan to use Phat Cats N-B. I know you are the master of magnet replacements. Perhaps you could share some of your expertise. Thru neck mahog and cocobolo, mahog body w/ cocobolo cap, thru body HT bridge(Babicz).
I'll post pics when I get back to my shop. Thanks in advance!

A PGN+ with an A4 would have a flatter EQ; less treble and low end, more mids (not a lot more). More balanced. A lot of guys here like '59N's with A4's, so it's a worth a try. C8's a great choice in the bridge.

what do you think a pearly gates plus pickup if i swapped the stock a5 with an a4 magnet would sound like in an epiphone explorer? i put a c8 in the bridge and ive got the pearly gates plus just lying round and id like to get some use out of it, anythings better than the stock epi neck pickup.

Yes, check the PM's under your account name.

hey blueman, i'm back haha... just ask some questions...
so, I ordered the Alnico 8 from it site www.magnetichold.net
Do you know?
the size is 0.125” X 0.5” X 2.5” is it correct?

Does you 339 have the new Probucker PU's with stock A2 mags? I've heard those are much better than the other HB's Epi's been using.

Forgot to mention I recently picked up a new Epi ES 339. It is an awsome guitar right out of the box. Best stock PU's I've ever gotten. Didn't even have to set the height or touch the pole pieces. Neck is 7.8K and bridge 8.3 as I recall. It also has a ciol split that the Gibson doesn't have. Sounds good with the neck split and bridge not. I usually put the bridge tone around 7-8 and leave the neck open.

You are so right on adjusting the PU's both height and pole pieces having dynamic change in their sounds. I have many times found a good sound with stock PU's just useing these tricks. I most recently have ben useing a set-up of setting the HB pole screws to emulate the curve of the fret board. Sometimes droping the G(3rd) string down just a bit as did the old Fender Strat staggered used. Good luck and keep trying to teacyh these knuckle heads a little something. Best regards,
Guzziac

oh thanks!

Project Guitar.com, and do a search of old threads in the Pickup Lounge. Lots of posts about it.

is it simple change to A8? where can i find?(sites) and how can i do that?

I've never had an Alt 8. It's not a common PU. The C8 is very popular here. That would be my choice. Get any one of the Customs (SH-5, SH-11, or SH-14) and put an A8 in it.

it's difficult to find the c8 here, i think that the c8 have alnico 8 as the Alternative 8, is it true? do you think that can be possible Alt 8 + 59n?

The most popular Duncan PU's here for SG's are a C8 and '59N. If you need an A8, let me know. The other PU's that are great for SG's is a Rio Grande BBQ set. Both of these have a powerful, warm bridge.

Your English is fine, better than a lot of Americans.

ps: i like to play stoner rock