Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

[Gearjoneser]

Has anyone here ever put an Alnico 5 into a Gibson pickup,
like a Classic 57 or 498T? Those are Alnico II, right?

Anyway, I've got a spare Alnico 5, my fave, and a bunch of Gibson pickups in my junk drawer Duncans never see that drawer!

 

[Mr. Loud]

498T has an alnico 5 magnet. On Gibson website it is referred to as "hot alnico".

I dunno the magnet in 57.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I've been planning on sliding an A5 into a 500T myself. Might be worth a try if you have one laying around.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I've changed magnets in most of my Gibson PU's. 490's, '57's, and BB's have A2's; 498T, BBP's, and P-90's have A5's.

I find 490R's and neck '57's too warm, and put in A5's, which opens up the high-end. Big improvement in clarity.

490T's, bridge '57's, and '57 Classic Plus could use a sharper high-end and a little more output, and I've used A8's and UOA5's in them.

498T's are Gibson's 'version' of a C5 (14K, bright, and scooped), and like a C5, do well with an A8 or UOA5 to fill in the mids and dial down the treble. I've tried an A2 in a 498T in an SG, and the high-end was too rounded for me, even with 500Ks. Not enough bite and cut.

I've put an A8 into a 500T, and taken out the side magnets, which makes it close to an A8 498T.

 

[chris effect]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I've always really liked the 498T in my SG, Never found it to sounds scooped though. The 490R is a bit dark though. Never cared much for it. Have you ever tried a ceramic in a 498T?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I've not installed A5's, but I've put A4's in a pair of '57 Classics (A2) and a pair of Burstbucker V's (A5). The swaps improved both sets IMO. It made the '57's less muddy and the BBV's less scooped.

 

[dkal24]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I did do that with a bridge 57 Classic which I thought would be a perfect match. I did quite a few magnet swaps on my pickups and this was the biggest fail. It just did not work. I immediately put back the A2.

I can't remember exactly what it sounded like but I do remember it sounding much worse which surprised me because I do like A5 mags in my bridge pickups.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I have a set of BB Pros (A5s I think?) and I have thought about experimenting with them. Are the Pros already just a mag swap of another Burstbucker model though? I might try an A4 or A2 just to see what happens. They are too bright for my tastes.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I have a set of BB Pros (A5s I think?) and I have thought about experimenting with them. Are the Pros already just a mag swap of another Burstbucker model though? I might try an A4 or A2 just to see what happens. They are too bright for my tastes.

Pros are basically potted, A5 versions of the BB 1 and 2.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

Pros are basically potted, A5 versions of the BB 1 and 2.

I thought I had heard that. I'm thinking an A4 or UOA4 is in my near future.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I thought I had heard that. I'm thinking an A4 or UOA4 is in my near future.

Check out what I said above about A4's in those pickups. They sound pretty good. I imagine A3's would sound good too, if you want a low-output sound.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Changing magnets in Gibson pickups.

I've always really liked the 498T in my SG,...The 490R is a bit dark though. Never cared much for it.

Put an A5 in your 490R and it's a much better match with a 498T.