59 magnet question

SFW

Well-known member
So I know the 59 comes stock with an A5 mag. For those of you who have done mag swaps in them, what kind of A5 was in yours? I just pulled the mag from my 59b and it doesn't look like it was a polished mag. The sides were polished, but the top and bottom were black and a bit rough.

I was having some issue with the bass response not being where I thought it should be. So I put in a polished A5 that I had taken out if a C5 and put in it the 59 and suddenly the bass I remember from the 59 was back. I just found this interesting.
 
Not sure I got it in a trade. Old enough that the sticker on the bottom only said "59 B" and not the newer sticker.
 
Re: 59 magnet question

I just pulled the mag from my 59b and it doesn't look like it was a polished mag.

I don't think Duncan ever used roughcast mags in production '59s, but I don't know this for a fact.
 
Re: 59 magnet question

Does the magnet look like this?
This is a magnet from a early 2K? PGPB1. The label on the base plate is printed not stamped.
The magnet is not finished on the top and bottom but all four sides are.
The magnet is weak like an A2.
I wrote A5 on the magnet because that's what a PGPB1 pup should be.
 
Re: 59 magnet question

Yeah but the Pearly Gates Plus uses A5...

Oh, I see. That's the meaning of the "P" in the code... I assumed it was a typo.

Anyway, it's a Seymour Duncan made to spec for FENDER, so I consider it a Fender p'up and not a Duncan.

It does use Alnico 5 mags.

Should I say I stand corrected or it's just a case of mistaken identity? :scratchch
 
Re: 59 magnet question

This is what the magnet looks like. I can take a picture of the bottom of the pickup the next time I change strings.

5067AC1C-56E7-4F43-9A46-302D86A5C74F-1197-0000014C6AFD899C.jpg
 
Re: 59 magnet question

Looks like the magnet I have.
Is it weak or strong? (According to the ever accurate fridge test.)
Of all the Alnico pickups I've dissected, all magnets have been completely polished with the exceptions Of Burstbuckers 1,2 and 3 which have " special unfinshed Alnico II magnet"
Different magnet suppliers maybe?
 
Re: 59 magnet question

Here is the base plate of the 59. And the magnet that I pulled out was weaker than the one I put in.

59.jpg
 
Re: 59 magnet question

Here is the base plate of the 59. And the magnet that I pulled out was weaker than the one I put in.

59.jpg

The cover's been taken off before, by you or the guy before you?

I have a few '59's and all of them have polished mags. I haven't heard of them coming stock with anything else.

In the bridge, I like an UOA5 better, gives a warmer A2 feel with more dynamics. Kojak's a big fan of A4's in neck '59's.
 
The cover's been taken off before, by you or the guy before you?

I have a few '59's and all of them have polished mags. I haven't heard of them coming stock with anything else.

In the bridge, I like an UOA5 better, gives a warmer A2 feel with more dynamics. Kojak's a big fan of A4's in neck '59's.

Actually, I installed the cover. It came without one. It was a quick and dirty solder job- as I was a bit tired when I did it.
 
Re: 59 magnet question

I put a bit of beeswax in the cover before I put it on to keep any metal on metal contact.
 
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