Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
What exactly do you think it is missing?
What exactly do you think it is missing?
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
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You'll get more mids, tame the bright and not lose too much bottom.
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Discharged
New member
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
I say..try both, they are cheap! Whenever discussing magnet swaps, I always say to keep a set handy of as many different types as you can. I've been surprised by my 'bias' toward or against a certain magnet type in a wind- sometimes things work better than you think they would. My vote here is A2, but I haven't compared that to an UOA5 in a 59.
I say..try both, they are cheap! Whenever discussing magnet swaps, I always say to keep a set handy of as many different types as you can. I've been surprised by my 'bias' toward or against a certain magnet type in a wind- sometimes things work better than you think they would. My vote here is A2, but I haven't compared that to an UOA5 in a 59.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
I don't want to rain in your parade but IME, early 80's 59's are frail because of their soft butyrate bobbins. Also, if they are unpotted like mine, they might produce unwanted feedback once the mags swapped.
It doesn't make me disagree with the good advices above. My Flying V hosts UOA5 mags, for instance, so I'd easily recommend them too.
That said, when I've tried various bars in the old 59's that I've here (UOA5, A4, short A5, A2), I've finally mounted back the original ones : in my old pickups, these original mags are all made of a very dark AlNiCo, almost blueish. Our lab TeslaMeter confirmed them to be most probably A5 but their magnetic specs contribute to give to the old coils a thicker sound than with modern mags, even with the same measured "gaussing" and inductance.
FWIW (= my experience with the 4 or 5 examplaries that I've personally owned. Your experience might differ).
I don't want to rain in your parade but IME, early 80's 59's are frail because of their soft butyrate bobbins. Also, if they are unpotted like mine, they might produce unwanted feedback once the mags swapped.
It doesn't make me disagree with the good advices above. My Flying V hosts UOA5 mags, for instance, so I'd easily recommend them too.
That said, when I've tried various bars in the old 59's that I've here (UOA5, A4, short A5, A2), I've finally mounted back the original ones : in my old pickups, these original mags are all made of a very dark AlNiCo, almost blueish. Our lab TeslaMeter confirmed them to be most probably A5 but their magnetic specs contribute to give to the old coils a thicker sound than with modern mags, even with the same measured "gaussing" and inductance.
FWIW (= my experience with the 4 or 5 examplaries that I've personally owned. Your experience might differ).
Last edited:
hamerfan
Well-known member
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
I own old 59 sets (red 59B and 59N) and also Ant sets. The mags in the old 59 sets are really amazing probably american made cast magnets with a blueish look.
My thoughts: leave the 59B alone, they are as good a they can be. Buy an used Ant Bridge - so guy sell them cheap because the sound weak with that dreadfull dunaged A2. Get some mags like A4, RCA4, UOA5, A8 and make your own swap fest.
I own old 59 sets (red 59B and 59N) and also Ant sets. The mags in the old 59 sets are really amazing probably american made cast magnets with a blueish look.
My thoughts: leave the 59B alone, they are as good a they can be. Buy an used Ant Bridge - so guy sell them cheap because the sound weak with that dreadfull dunaged A2. Get some mags like A4, RCA4, UOA5, A8 and make your own swap fest.
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
Indeed, the '59 bridge IS missing something. But that missing quality can be completely restored by putting an A8 mag in it. That will add some mids and smooth out the highs but keeps the highs very present, and it will also give it a bit more power which is needed in the bridge. I agree that the A4, the RCA5 or the UOA5 can be an improvement over the A5, but an A8 will give you more than just an improvement...it will give you the best that the '59 bridge has to offer.
Indeed, the '59 bridge IS missing something. But that missing quality can be completely restored by putting an A8 mag in it. That will add some mids and smooth out the highs but keeps the highs very present, and it will also give it a bit more power which is needed in the bridge. I agree that the A4, the RCA5 or the UOA5 can be an improvement over the A5, but an A8 will give you more than just an improvement...it will give you the best that the '59 bridge has to offer.
Jcknowles89
New member
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
I Love UOA5s in almost anything I put them in. Just adds some interesting vibe to it. A2 will deffinitley make the Low end different. A8's are a great substitute for A2's as they sound almost the same to me with the exception of the Tighter lows from the A8. A8 also sounds a Hair brighter than A2 to my ears anyways. A8 you will run into an output issue though. Ive found that you can pull that back with Shorter Polepieces (which I feel every pickup needs if youve read other threads that I've commented on).
I Love UOA5s in almost anything I put them in. Just adds some interesting vibe to it. A2 will deffinitley make the Low end different. A8's are a great substitute for A2's as they sound almost the same to me with the exception of the Tighter lows from the A8. A8 also sounds a Hair brighter than A2 to my ears anyways. A8 you will run into an output issue though. Ive found that you can pull that back with Shorter Polepieces (which I feel every pickup needs if youve read other threads that I've commented on).
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
I've put UOA5's in my '59B's, which for blues and classic rock is the prefect magnet for me. When A8's came available, I used those in various bridge PU's, but when Addiction FX came along with UOA5's, I was impressed with the tones & swapped out the A8's for UOA5's. They've been my go-to magnet ever since for bridges and some necks.
I'm disappointed that Duncan used regular '59's in their Vintage Blues Set, when they could have put an UOA5 in the bridge and an A4 in the neck (as so many members have done) and with no additional effort or cost, added two useful PU's to their line.
I've put UOA5's in my '59B's, which for blues and classic rock is the prefect magnet for me. When A8's came available, I used those in various bridge PU's, but when Addiction FX came along with UOA5's, I was impressed with the tones & swapped out the A8's for UOA5's. They've been my go-to magnet ever since for bridges and some necks.
I'm disappointed that Duncan used regular '59's in their Vintage Blues Set, when they could have put an UOA5 in the bridge and an A4 in the neck (as so many members have done) and with no additional effort or cost, added two useful PU's to their line.
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
Very interesting comment. When you think of how useful the line of Custom pickups is just by offering it with different magnets, the '59 could be similarly useful. It is a good basic wind for a pup just as the Custom is and it lends itself to many different magnets.
I didn't used to like the '59 at all (with the A5)...too scooped for my taste then. I tried it with UOA5 but not enough change for me. I also tried it with A2 and A8 and found something very appealing. But my tastes have changed over the past decade or so and now I'm beginning to appreciate the crispness of the '59, even with the A5. But I actually love it with an A8 (in the bridge of course). It maintains the crispness of the stock '59 but gives a little softer high end and more mids than the UOA5 or RCA5, plus a bit more power that is useful in the bridge. That's not to say that I don't love it with UOA5 and I think your suggestion is spot on. SD could make a whole new product line with just a couple magnet changes.
Very interesting comment. When you think of how useful the line of Custom pickups is just by offering it with different magnets, the '59 could be similarly useful. It is a good basic wind for a pup just as the Custom is and it lends itself to many different magnets.
I didn't used to like the '59 at all (with the A5)...too scooped for my taste then. I tried it with UOA5 but not enough change for me. I also tried it with A2 and A8 and found something very appealing. But my tastes have changed over the past decade or so and now I'm beginning to appreciate the crispness of the '59, even with the A5. But I actually love it with an A8 (in the bridge of course). It maintains the crispness of the stock '59 but gives a little softer high end and more mids than the UOA5 or RCA5, plus a bit more power that is useful in the bridge. That's not to say that I don't love it with UOA5 and I think your suggestion is spot on. SD could make a whole new product line with just a couple magnet changes.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
Cool. I love it when things work out like this. Enjoy the *new* 59'.
Cool. I love it when things work out like this. Enjoy the *new* 59'.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
+1. A UOA5 '59B is a great PAF. I wish Duncan would put it in production. Put an A4 in a '59N and sell them as set too.
+1. A UOA5 '59B is a great PAF. I wish Duncan would put it in production. Put an A4 in a '59N and sell them as set too.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Early 80s Duncan 59 Bridge magnet swap
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A4 59n paired with a UOA5 JB is no slouch either.
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