'59 bridge magnet question(s)

G

Gforce9

New member
I have a Studio Hamer I really like. I recently swapped the JB for a '59 in the bridge. The JB wasn't horrible in that position, but had two things I didn't like:
1- Under any overdrive (except the slightest drive), it really compressed a lot. Step on a pedal for a lead, and the volume almost went away. Also, it lost it's 'feel' because of the compression factor, and
2- It was a bit to broad over the midrange for anything but overdriven stuff. Tone wise overdriven, It was fine, but clean, not so much.
I did the p/u swap before I learned of magnet swapping. I still have both p/u's and plan on selling one of them.

I like the big bottom end of the '59 as well as the 'punchiness' the JB didn't have. For the most part, I like the tone, but I have two new issues:
1- I miss some of the midrange (but not all) of the JB.
2- There is a lot more treble now....I keep the single tone control @ 4 (which I don't mind terribly tone wise, though, as an OCD guy, it drives me batty), but I'm thinking a mag swap might get me closer. Here is what I would want from the '59 if I could wave a magic wand:
1- a touch more in the mids
2- tame the highs some
3- keep the nice bottom end

It's open season, spend my money by proxy..........:friday:
 
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Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

sexy guitars, those hamers.
it's sounding to me like you'll want another pickup eventually, but in the short term an A4 or maybe even A8 mag swap should help (i'd normally say A2 but that will probably rob you of the stock 59's low-end).
what other pickups do you have?
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

dr. ad said:
sexy guitars, those hamers.

what other pickups do you have?
Click to expand...

I love that guitar and the Hamer Daytona (strat copy) I have....both fine instruments! I have a '59 in the neck as well. It is perfect there. What would you suggest as a replacement bridge? Originally, I was thinking a Screamin' Demon or Pearly Gates.
Also, my gear is a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia and assorted Barber Electronics overdrives.......
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

i haven't spent enough time playing on sexy hamers to feel comfortable suggesting another pickup at this stage; i imagine either would sound good though.

i'd suggest getting a few different types of magnets to play with first; it's all experience, and does provide very useful points of reference
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

Gforce9 said:
Here is what I would want from the '59 if I could wave a magic wand:
1- a touch more in the mids
2- tame the highs some
3- keep the nice bottom end
Click to expand...

Several magnets to choose from:

-roughcast A5 - smoother top end, less treble
-roughcast A4 - less treble and more mids
-unoriented A5 - the warmest of these, with additional mids

At least one of these will get what you want. Get all three and experiment, they're only a couple dollars each.
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

It sounds to me like the JB was not installed properly. There should have been no lack of punchiness with the JB. That sounds like something was terribly wrong. Also the fact that you're hearing more treble out of the 59 over the JB may be right, but has not been my experience. I think you might want to try that JB with an A2, making sure it's not eating the strings.
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

As usual, you guys are most helpful. I will probably get a handful of mags and play around. One thought I had was to try a '59/JB hybrid. The problem here is too many choices....... Can you guys point me to the procedure for mag swapping, please? Thanks again!
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

You might want to search the forum for magnet swapping, or better yet, just google it. Give it a shot and be careful, take your time, post if you're having trouble and everyone will help you right away. Got to love this forum!
Franknfilms said:
More mag swapping info:
I found this step by step guide really useful
The man himself frankfalbo summarzies a swap pretty good here
And, from my own experience, do not touch anything other than baseplate the magnet and the tape. Just gently nudge up the tape with a flathead screwdriver or something, no need to completely peel it off. Don't re-tighten the bottom screws too hard, you can split the pickup in half from the pressure and end up with a deformity, which isn't the end of the world but it still sucks (i've done this).
Click to expand...

P.S. I love the 59b with an A4, but I have it in the neck. I think you should try the unoriented a5, sounds like a winner.
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

blueman335 said:
Several magnets to choose from:

-roughcast A5 - smoother top end, less treble
-roughcast A4 - less treble and more mids
-unoriented A5 - the warmest of these, with additional mids

At least one of these will get what you want. Get all three and experiment, they're only a couple dollars each.
Click to expand...

I was looking on Addiction FX's site and found various Un-oriented A5's. Some said 'magnetized', some said 'full charged'. What am I looking for? Thanks!
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

Ok.....so I got the UOA5 magnets today from Addiction FX. I replace the bridge mag in the '59 from the factory (polished) A5 with the UOA5. It took about 10-15 minutes to swap (first timer here). What was tricky is that I only slightly moved the factory tape out of the way and couldn't see the internal wires, so I guessed. I guessed right, but only missed plunging my tiny screwdriver through one of the wires by a hair :eyecrazy: I put everything back together and plugged it in. It was still very much a '59, but as Blueman called right-down-the-middle, a tamer high end and a tad bit of a mid push. I will have to play around for awhile, but I like it so far.
The internal wiring was opposite the main wiring coming from the bottom of the p/u. Is this standard? Is it standard for Seymours p/u's? Ithink I'm gonna stay with this for now, but the Pearly Gates really has my attention.........
 
Re: '59 bridge magnet question(s)

Sounds to me like you either want an Alnico II magnet for the 59, or just get a Pearly Gates bridge pickup. Either of those will give you a nice PAF style pickup with better mids.
 
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