59n with ceramic magnet?

[CronoDL]

Hey guys, I got a 59 in the neck of a LP Studio. It's a little too dark and muddy no matter how I adjust it. But that's not the matter here. I just wanted to know whether any of you guys have tried swapping the magnet in a 59 for a ceramic mag. I know that it will sound different, but since ceramics are said to be brighter. So I just want to know what you think.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: 59n with ceramic magnet?

I don't think it will sound too good. The ceramic mag will make the pickup brighter, but will also add some bass to it (something the 59n doesn't need). In a LP, on of my favorite pickups is the 59 with an Alnico II magnet. It makes the top end sweter, pushes some of the mids, and reduces bass, making the neck spot muchmore useale.

Another trick I like to use with muddy neck humbuckers is to pretend that thy're strat pickups. Stagger the polepieces so that the match thge stagger on a strat pickup and drop the bass side and raise the treble side a bit. It should help you some. :burnout:

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: 59n with ceramic magnet?

I would say just hike up the pole pieces 2 or 3 full turns and lower the pickup by the same height you just raised the poles. It will de-emphasize the slug coil and make it a little brighter.

 

[gripweed]

Re: 59n with ceramic magnet?

An a4 magnet might brighten it up without adding more bass. The output might be a little less though...

 

[Artie]

Re: 59n with ceramic magnet?

Here's a simple mod you may want to try first:

Its just a .01uf cap in parallel with a 500k resistor, placed in series with the red and white wires. (Assuming you have a 4-wire pup.)

I'm trying to get a full write-up of this mod together, but I want to post a clip with it, and my sound card is acting up lately. I hope to get it done this weekend.

So far, I've done it to a 59 and a Distortion with great results. It just removes a subtle portion of the bass. Just enough to "de-mud" the pup.

Its a simple, cheap mod.

Edit: If you do this, you may want to add a temporary switch so that you can "click" the mod in and out. The difference is very subtle. Just use a SPST switch to short out the cap/resistor. (Connecting the red/white together.)