59 pickup magnet change

[mdb74]

Hi,

Based on feedback in the forum I’ve decided to try changing magnets in my heritage h150 Les Paul.

I’m more after a vintage tone with less bass. More into blues than rock. I actually don’t mind the bridge, quite nice. Neck has too much bass for me.

I have an a2 and a3 in order which should I first place in each position?
Thinking of leaving the 5 in the bridge

 

[Hollywood Rock]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

Then yes, putting an A3 in the neck will make it more vintage and lower the bass. A2 is woolier than A5 so it would be a step in the wrong direction for the neck but it could be another option for the bridge.

 

[Demanic]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I know that you have an A2 and A3, and I support the previous advice.
But I would suggest that you get an A4 and a UOA5; A4 for the neck, UOA5 for the bridge. Vintage tone with less bass. A3 in the neck might be a bit too bass retarded. Same with the A2 in the bridge.

 

[Archer250]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

Just put the A2s in

An A2 59 is practically a Seth Lover. Not exactly so, but close enough in vein.


A2s are not bassier than A5s. This is a misconception. They simply have more mids and less highs.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

Never tried an A2 in a 59. Good to know it is an awesome sound!

 

[Blille]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I have an A259 in the neck of a Tele and I think it’s great. I also don’t think of it as bassier but warmer, more mids. I also like it with a particularly small cap for tone to avoid losing some of the articulation in the highs.

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I agree with Archer. A2 is not more bass than A5. It takes out some highs and tames some of the neck boomieness. I really liked A2s in my Les Paul, though I'll note that it's heavily chambered and brighter than most. They were very similar to Seths. I tried A2 and A4 in my Epi Dot and preferred the A4s, though both are good.

Since you have an A2 and an A3, the way to go is A3 neck and A2 bridge. That will probably get you better blues tones than what you've had. That said, it's probably worth the $10 to get an A4 and UOA5 to experiment with. These pickups sound pretty good with pretty much any magnet, so you just have to find fits best for your guitar/amp/style.

 

[Discharged]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

The A3n/A2b modded '59 set would perfectly suit the kind of music you're playing. I use this exact, specific mod in my own ES-339, which I use to play Smooth Jazz/Fusion music, with enorm success.

Before you emit the judgement on the mod, please allow a couple of weeks for the new magnets to "settle in", then redo the p'up's height setup and look for the "sweet spot". In my case, it sits @ 2.4mm for the bridge p'up and 3.2mm for the neck p'up, so be my guest to use this settings as a starting point for your own, although YMMV.

Have fun!

/Peter

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

A2 is not bassier than A5. It's a softer smoother bass. and like was said, because of the increased mids and less/softer highs, it may give the impression of being bassier.

An A2 '59 neck pup sounds really good. An A4 will get rid of the bassy/boomy quality for sure, but A4 will make it sound flat/"sterile" (for lack of a better term). Not necessarily a bad thing if that's the tone that you're after.

Also, I'd suggest an A8 in the bridge '59. You said you "actually don't mind the bridge" with the A5...well then you'll love the '59 with an A8. It sounds like a beefed-up A5 with a little more output, slightly more mids, and softer highs. It still retains the clarity and attack of the A5 '59 but just makes it bigger.

 

[jeremy]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

if you like the a5 in the bridge leave it for now, id put the a3 in the neck. i love the a3 neck/a2 bridge combo as well so thats definitely worth a try if you wanna mag swap both of em. i dont care for the a8 magnet in lower wind pups, it comes across as hard and stiff to me but im an a2 junkie so im used to a softer tone

 

[hamerfan]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I'm the rock tone junkie, so i vote for A4 in the neck and a unoriented A5 in the bridge. I tried the A2 in the bridge, but it lacked bass.

 

[mdb74]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I found this video and do like the a3 I think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbWJxfe5rII

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I had a roughcast A3 in my 59 neck for years and loved it. The only reason it's gone is because the output just didn't match up well with the harder-hitting bridge pickups I like. Other than that, it was everything I like about the 59 and nothing I don't.

 

[blueman335]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

For blues and classic rock, I think an UOA5 (or A2) is great in a '59B. Warmer, fuller, not as bright & thin. For the neck, an A4 or A3 to take off any excess low end. This should have been the 'Vintage Blues Set.'

 

[Discharged]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

For blues and classic rock, I think an A2 is great in a '59B. Warmer, fuller, not as bright & thin. For the neck, an A3 to take off any excess low end. This should have been the 'Vintage Blues Set.'

I completely agree with you, Rick.

I'm even able to nail Chuck Loeb's iconic neck-p'up tone with it. Not bad for half a Franklin, isn't it?

/Peter

 

[GrilledChickenSalad]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

An A2 59 is practically a Seth Lover.

An A2 59 is practically a Pearly Gates.

 

[jeremy]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

is it?

 

[Hollywood Rock]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I don't think so.

 

[TVFV]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

I completely agree with you, Rick.

I'm even able to nail Chuck Loeb's iconic neck-p'up tone with it. Not bad for half a Franklin, isn't it?

/Peter

I had no idea Chuck Loeb's tone was so revered.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[EmiAba]

Re: 59 pickup magnet change

An A2 59 is practically a Pearly Gates.

I guess no