can I change a magnets magnetic pull direction?

[johnmeyers]

I have a Yamaha Pacifica and it came with the ceramic bar magnet loaded strat style single coils for the neck and mid positions. They sound Ok but I wanted to try changing the bar magnet with an Alnico Bar magnet. I am not new to guitars but I know very little about pickups (guitar mainly). I ordered the Alnico bar magnets but found once installed they do not work because they are designed for a humbcker (this is part I new nothing of). Before anyone mentions, yes I know I can change the poles and I may do this and or buy new pickups but I now have these magnets and want to know if I can change the magnetic pull direction of the bar magnets. If this is something I can do very easily I would like to do this. Someone told me I can degauss the magnets and then remagnatize them the direction I want. If I do this will it have the same effect as if it was originally made this way?

This is my first of many post I hope. Thanks in advance.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: can I change a magnets magnetic pull direction?

1) Magnets don't care if the pickups are humbuckers or single coil.

2) Have you tried turning them around?

3) Who told you they were designed for 'buckers?

 

[johnmeyers]

Re: can I change a magnets magnetic pull direction?

Well the magnets did not work when I installed they were weak and the D string had no sound at all and they were very noisy. The magnetic strength is on the thin edges and not the large flat sections.

 

[johnmeyers]

Re: can I change a magnets magnetic pull direction?

Last night I took a stack of neo magnets and ran them along the large flat section of the alnico bar magnets. I think it may have worked on changing the magnetic pull. I compared it to the other alnico magnet I got and it seems to have a higher magnetic pull versus the other on the sides I need. So I will try and install it tonight to see if it worked or not. I was also thinking maybe I would try the neo mags to see what they sound like. They do have a stronger magnetic pull then the alnico mags. Just not sure what to expect tone wise from neo versus alnico or ceramic. Hopefully one of these work and is what I am after. If not I may try changing the poles to alnico mags or buy some new pups altogether.

 

[Mincer]

Re: can I change a magnets magnetic pull direction?

I have heard of people doing this with neo magnets, but I've personally never tried. If it does work, come back and let us know.

 

[johnmeyers]

Re: can I change a magnets magnetic pull direction?

For some reason I am not seeing the reply I just made. So in short yes it worked with me changing the magnetic pull by using the neo mags. I tried the mag today and it has a3rd the output the ceramic mags have. So I went back to the ceramic mags but not till after trying the neo mags. I found them to be bright and harsh. So sticking with the original pups for now.

I also changed out the ceramic mag on the humbucker to the other alnico mag I had but did not like it as much. Just something about I was not liking so back to original.

Maybe one day I will change the pups out for something different but for now I will leave it be.