A3/A4 mags in a Jazz set?

[Artie]

I have a Jazz set that I'm getting ready to install. I also have an A3/A4 magnet set from AddictionFX that's been sitting around too long. I was thinking that the mag set might go nicely into the Jazz set. So here's my questions:

1. Logic tells me that I should install the Jazz's as they are, and spend some time to get a feel for the A5's before I do the mag swap.

2. Laziness tells me to do the mag swap, and call it a day.

So how do you think the A3/A4's would go with the Jazz's, and which mag should go in which pup? Or, just leave 'em alone?

Thanks all.

P.S. They'll be going into my mahogany Cort CL1000

 

[beaubrummels]

I like the Jazz set as-is. Have it in my all-mahogany SG right now.

My first reaction was A4 bridge A3 neck in keeping with more power in the bridge, less boom in the neck.
But A3 bridge A4 neck could make them very even.
I'd have to try the mags both ways. Can't really predict.
But I like the Jazz set as-is, so I can't think what those two mags would solve or make better.
I think both would be a bit darker with A3/A4, which might not work in all-mahogany; could be muddy.

 

[Artie]

Cool. I've only done the Jazz in a DD JB/Jazz set, which isn't quite the same. But I think you confirmed that I should do all three variations, and then decide: Stock A5/A5, then A4b/A3n, and then A3b/A4n.

 

[Teleplayer]

I would put A4 in the neck and A2 in the bridge. Isn't A3 going to sound thinner and have less output than A2?

 

[Artie]

I would put A4 in the neck and A2 in the bridge. Isn't A3 going to sound thinner and have less output than A2?

A2 isn't really in the mix here. They come stock with A5's. I'm contemplating an A3 and/or A4 sub.

 

[Demanic]

I would put A4 in the neck and A2 in the bridge. Isn't A3 going to sound thinner and have less output than A2?

A3 in the neck, A4 in the bridge.

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[idsnowdog]

An A4 in the neck with short pole pieces is great.

 

[Demanic]

An A4 in the neck with short pole pieces is great.

It would be even better in the bridge. A3 in the neck benefits from the greater string energy.

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[Artie]

A3 in the neck, A4 in the bridge.

An A4 in the neck with short pole pieces is great.

Funny you should say that. I was thinking of cutting the screws short.

 

[Demanic]

Try it with the A3 before you cut the pole pieces. You may not need to.

 

[Mincer]

Install it as is, and on the next string change, take an extra 20 minutes to swap the magnet. Without knowing where you are, you won't know where you are going.

 

[freefrog]

The only thing that I know is that A3 should give the weakest magnetic field and the highest inductance compared to any other AlNi(Co) mag, contributing theoretically to more mids & less high, less bass, less power. So I'd spontaneously try it in neck position.

But an A4 might contribute to an edgy sound in an underwound bridge PU - not to mention that when we've tried X times a sample of mags in a same humbucker, the only one to cause squealing in various cases was... an Addiction FX A4.

Now, that's just words because the result will depend on so many other parms... So, Artie, let us know what you hear and prefer in your guitar.

 

[Artie]

Install it as is, and on the next string change, take an extra 20 minutes to swap the magnet. Without knowing where you are, you won't know where you are going.

Yup. That's probably good advice.

So, Artie, let us know what you hear and prefer in your guitar.

Yup. I will. (And thanks for that neck zebra Jazz.)

 

[hamerfan]

I did my first magnet swaps about 20 years ago, first with a JBJ, then with a Jazz set. As I remember I did not like the A4 in the neck and bridge, as I recall I felt it was bland and lacked cut. The A4 though was great in 59N to tame the bass and remove mud. I think I liked an unoriented A5 in the JazzB, before I sold it.

 

[Artie]

The A4 though was great in 59N to tame the bass and remove mud. I think I liked an unoriented A5 in the JazzB, before I sold it.

That's interesting, because the A3 and A4 were originally purchased for a 59 set on Lewguitar's advice. I also think I have a UOA5 around gere.

 

[Teleplayer]

The only thing that I know is that A3 should give the weakest magnetic field and the highest inductance compared to any other AlNi(Co) mag, contributing theoretically to more mids & less high, less bass, less power. So I'd spontaneously try it in neck position.

Do you know if there is any similarity between A3 and UOA5. I figured to get highest inductance you need A2, but I'm not sure how the others compare.

 

[freefrog]

Do you know if there is any similarity between A3 and UOA5. I figured to get highest inductance you need A2, but I'm not sure how the others compare.

Hello,

Inductively, A3>A2>A4>A5 (AlNi3 being the most inductive because its missing amount of cobalt is replaced by iron).

Magnetically, it's the contrary: A5>A4>A2>A3 (with bar mags charged the same time in the same way).

UOA5 is really special IME: it doesn't bump the inductance since it's an A5 and if it's well charged, it can give the strongest magnetic field when tested with a Teslameter... but it causes a noticeably slower attack than other magnets.

So, no, IMHO, there's no physical similarity between A3 and UOA5. Sonically, it's another story: the magnetic singularity of UOA5 gives a pickup a softness in attack and overall EQing (in polyphonic mode) close to those of A3 and A2... but it still favors chiming harmonics with single notes, like an A5.

IME. IMHO. YMMV.

 

[Teleplayer]

Hi Freefrog, Thanks for the insightful post. UOA5 sounded fine in my APH-1 bridge, it was bright but not objectionable. I thought the stock A2 gave more output and warmer balance. Its purely subjective testing, so anything is possible.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

If you have one, I'd probably try the UA5 in the bridge and an A4 in the neck.
But I definitely agree with the advice to try the stock A5s first.
Stock JazzN can be great in mahogany.

 

[Clint 55]

A4 sux bad.