A8 in a 59 impressions

[Chickenwings]

I put an a8 into my 335's bridge 59 last night. Not for me. Its lost its sponginess (i usually use a2's). Its become more powerful but the top end is not as sweet, and it has a kind of "harder" feel. It might work well for higher gain type sounds, but its not so much fun thru a fender twin. It different from an a5 in that a5 gives more bass, and more treble clarity, whereas the a8 just seems to be "more of everything". It might be an improvement over a ceramic i guess, but i really understand now why Seymour calls A2's "musical magnets".
If its vintage sounds you crave...A8 is not the way to go. I guess i should have known that before i tried it, but nothing ventured nothing gained eh?

PS:
Many thanks to Blueman for sending me the magnets so i could try this experiment, if any aussie forum bros want to try the A8 thing im happy to send them on to you, so PM me.

 

[Frogman]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

I would try a RCA5 or UOA5 brotha man.

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

UOA5... can't say enough how wonderfully it works for paf type sound.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

im sure its cool. Ill try it, but in the meantime ill go back to a2 and heavier strings.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

A2's just have "it"

 

[LtKojak]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

I put an a8 into my 335's bridge 59 last night. Not for me. Its lost its sponginess (i usually use a2's). Its become more powerful but the top end is not as sweet, and it has a kind of "harder" feel. It might work well for higher gain type sounds, but its not so much fun thru a fender twin. It different from an a5 in that a5 gives more bass, and more treble clarity, whereas the a8 just seems to be "more of everything". It might be an improvement over a ceramic i guess, but i really understand now why Seymour calls A2's "musical magnets".
If its vintage sounds you crave...A8 is not the way to go. I guess i should have known that before i tried it, but nothing ventured nothing gained eh?

PS:
Many thanks to Blueman for sending me the magnets so i could try this experiment, if any aussie forum bros want to try the A8 thing im happy to send them on to you, so PM me.

If you're aiming for "vintage", then an A8 is just the opposite way to go. Also, if you were using the same EQ you were using with A2s, then disappointment was inevitable.

But, if you get an A4 into that neck p'up and start fresh with a new setting, maybe you were in for a treat without even knowing it. Just NOT that "vintage-y", so to speak.

I should know a thing or two 'bout this mag combo...

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

Yeh of course you are right kojak...i just stuck the a8 in the bridge as an experiment. I love the a2 neck pup, and to be honest the a2 bridge sounds pretty sweet as well. 13 guage strings and the fat neck i have a pretty awesome sounding axe. I just had the mags here that rick had gone to the trouble of sending me and i felt i should give them a go.
Im sure the A8 would be good in a custom and a les paul played with high gain. Thats just not what im into.

ps...aussie bros...if you want to try A8...send me a pm and ill forward em to you.

 

[StillaYinzer]

Re: A8 in a 59 impressions

I just threw a roughcast A8 in my 59 neck pup. I did this in an 88 SG Special that has been modified such that it has one master volume and one master tone. The A8 has pluses and minuses vs the stock A5 as one might imagine. My goal was to better match my neck pup with my bridge DiMarzio Super Distortion. I LOVE the clean tones I can get from the A5 but when I played distorted in my middle position, the bottom end was very boomy and loose. Since I only have a master volume, I couldn't dial back the neck pup. With the A8, the bottom end is definitely tighter and the output is a way better match for the bridge. The clean tones definitely lost a little warmth but it is not a bad clean tone; it is just a little different. I did lower my neck pup height a bit due to the higher output but not a ton. Overall, I think the 59 with an A8 is a good modification if done on the right guitar with the right bridge to match it. I plan to roll with it in my SG. I would say it's like a 59 on steroids. Now that guitar will be much more suited towards hard rock and metal.