Re: Anybody try a A4 in a Senient?
One of my guitars is set up with a Sentient neck, Black Winter bridge. Originally the Sentient was paired with a Nazgul in a Schecter KM-6 Mk II. At that time, I did a lot of searching for information about mag swaps/mods to both of those pickups- there wasn't much info then, and there still isn't. One guy, on SevenString.org, had done a mag swap on the Sentient, so I tried it. Polished A2 mag might do what you're looking for. I liked it enough that I kept the Sentient when I eventually sold the KM-6 Mk II, and so now it's in the Banshee Elite-6, with the Black Winter bridge.
I've been working a lot and haven't had enough time yet to really make a definitive, descriptive statement, plus the guitar had been at the luthier's for quite a while for the wiring/installation, etc. However, what I have to compare the Sentient A2 against, is a standard Jazz neck, and a 59 neck. I would say that the Sentient is more even, less boomy, (like what you're looking for), and doesn't have the sharp pick attack of the Jazz, and also has a smoother tone when split- the Jazz split sounds pretty sharp and "spanky." (When playing clean.) So, the Jazz has its place in the other guitar, but I like the Sentient A2 better. I will say though, that I tamed a lot of boominess on the Jazz with adjustments of pickup height and pole pieces.
Against the 59, hard to say, because I've been messing with mag swaps on that one. I had been using a polished A4 mag in the 59, but am now trying a polished A2 mag in the 59. I like the 59 A2, and I will say that the A2 mag qualities seem to be apparent in both the Sentient and 59. They both sound better to my ears than the standard A5 mags, especially when split and clean. Not sure about the 59 A2 though, it's just my preference but I think I'll go back to A4 on that one- the 59 A4 seems to be able to produce a little better "Southern Rock" flavor. If I had to choose between the two (Sentient A2, 59 A2), it would be a tough decision but probably would take the Sentient.
So anyway, that's just an initial analysis on the Sentient. I would say, if you already have an A4 mag, go for it, it won't hurt to try. And maybe try an A2, before you ditch the Sentient entirely.
