Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

[Gearjoneser]

First of all, my favorite bridge pickups tend to be in the 59, C5/59 hybrid, Brobucker, C5, and Custom range.

Tonight, I pulled apart my LP Goldtop Std. w/pullup tonepots. The Custom in that guitar is my "project pickup," meaning I've tried all my magnets in it, in that particular guitar.

edit - I'm now stumped as to which magnet sounded best to me. I thought it was a roughcast ceramic, but I thinks it's A5 or A2 from a Gibson Pat 2,737,842. Anybody sure what magnet came in that pickup? I don't even know what it is, but it rocks in a Custom.

Getting to the Unoriented Alnico 5 that 'Got_Tone?' graciously gave me....
Imagine taking a Custom 5, weakening it slightly, and giving an almost A2-like texture to it.....basically moving it toward a Pearly Gates B. That's what I hear in the UOA5 Custom. It's split tone is great. It's plenty bitey like a 59, but has a bit of hair on it, like a PG. Same EQ and almost the same perceived output as a C5. It's definitely in that AC/DC vibe, like you'd expect a cross of 59/C5/PG to be. It's like melting those 3 together.

I'll give it more time, along with the Jazz Bridge in the neck, which is definitely staying. In a coil splittable Les Paul, the Jazz B in the neck is GREAT. This UOA5 Custom will get the benefit of staying there for a few months, so I can give it a fair evaluation. So far, I dig it, but wonder if I'll go back to either a regular C5 or my Custom with mystery magnet.....from the PAT No. 2,737,842 80's Gibson.

Overall, it's yet another flavor of Custom series.....basically a more vintagey Custom 5, which leans toward a PG or 59.

 

[CountFunkula]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

A few questions: How does the Custom UOA5 compare to a Custom 8? Also, how does a roughcast ceramic compare to other magnets? Is it still brighter than a regular a5?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

A few questions: How does the Custom UOA5 compare to a Custom 8? Also, how does a roughcast ceramic compare to other magnets? Is it still brighter than a regular a5?

The Custom 8 has more power, string pull, and density than UOA5, which is more on the vintagey AC/DC type sound. Custom 8 reminds me more of Zakk Wylde or something like that.

A5 always adds more crispness and brightness to the top end, compared to Ceramic, A2, or A8.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Did the UA05 add any sweetness to the top end, or fill in the mids a bit more than the standard A5 in the C5? I have imagined it more like a cross between a C5 and a CC, with the best of both pups.....but maybe not?

 

[CountFunkula]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Did the UA05 add any sweetness to the top end, or fill in the mids a bit more than the standard A5 in the C5? I have imagined it more like a cross between a C5 and a CC, with the best of both pups.....but maybe not?

From my experience with UOA5, it seems to be basically what you said: a cross between a2 and a5. It has a smoother treble, and sounds fuller albeit less output. Doesn't have a flabby bottom like a2.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

I dont have one of those new UOA5 mags, but i have a 70ies roughcast DiMarzio and a magnet of a Tim Shaw. I put both in Custom some time ago. First of all i did not like the C5 i had. Too scooped and a hair to bright.
The Shaw magnet cured it all, but in the end i switched back to a 59B. I did not see the advantance of vintage sounding Modern (UOA5 C5) to the original 59.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Did the UA05 add any sweetness to the top end, or fill in the mids a bit more than the standard A5 in the C5? I have imagined it more like a cross between a C5 and a CC, with the best of both pups.....but maybe not?

From the way it sounds in a PU, you'd never guess that an UOA5 was an A5. Not only are they unoriented, they're also roughcast, so the magnetic field is varied and complex. That takes away the sharpness of a typical polished A5. Mids are adundant and the top end is smoothed out, but not as rounded as an A2. Lots of dynamics. Like you guessed, it's the middle ground between a C5 and CC, with the best of both. To me, it's what I hoped A8's would be. UOA5's don't have that all-out, in-your-face and somewhat stiff sound of a high output A8, but instead have a more natural and responsive feel to them. More vintage and organic.

I like A8's, but I like UOA5's even better. Most, but not all, of my A8's have been replaced by UOA5's. Almost all of my polished bridge A5's have been replaced by roughcast A5's or UOA5's. I think the sharpness of polished A5's work best in the neck slot, and manufacturers, to keep things simple, also use them in the bridge, even though they are often very bright there, especially with 500K's. For those that love A2 dynamics and warmth, but don't want to give up that much of the high end, the UOA5 is a great alternative.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

I'm going to give a couple of those UA05's a shot, in both my PATB-1 and my CC, just for giggles. I'm not working right now, so I have the time on my hands.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

I'm going to give a couple of those UA05's a shot, in both my PATB-1 and my CC, just for giggles. I'm not working right now, so I have the time on my hands.

Changing a CC to an UOA5 Custom will drop the midrange and buttery highs, but give you that texture.....maybe closer to a PG than CC. The pickup will feel like it's lost a bit of output. But, the tight lows and and great vintage tone will be there like a 59 and C5.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Most, but not all, of my A8's have been replaced by UOA5's.

Hey blueman, just curious, is there a certain type of guitar that you're preferring A8's over UOA5's and vice versa? Just wondering if you noticed any overall themes as to which guitars/humbuckers like A8 and which like UOA5s. I ordered some UOA5s so I'm going to start experimenting soon.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Hey blueman, just curious, is there a certain type of guitar that you're preferring A8's over UOA5's and vice versa? Just wondering if you noticed any overall themes as to which guitars/humbuckers like A8 and which like UOA5s. I ordered some UOA5s so I'm going to start experimenting soon.

It's not that scientific. I wanted to keep a C8, and that wound up being the one in a Sheraton. I did put an unpolished A8 in that though.

I first tried UOA5's in a C5 and 498T, both in LP's. That's what sold me. Since then I've also put them in medium output (Fred) and low output bridge HB's ('59B, Virtual PAF, 490T, & BB). These have been in SG, LP, 335, and hollowbody.

In bridge P-90's I've kept the A8's where I've paired them with an A5 or A4. When I've put UOA5's in, it's always been a pair of them. Since they aren't as strong a magnet, especially compared to an A8, I don't want them getting overly degaussed.

All my guitars are warm-toned, either mahogany, semi-hollow, or fully hollow. Don't know how UOA5's work in maple or ash.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Now that I've gotten to play the LP with UOA5 Custom for a few days, I really like it. It's yet another flavor in the 59, PG, Brobucker, C5 range.

But like Blueman335 said, it's a slightly lower output vintagey Custom 5. I think it's ideal neck pickup would be a PGn.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Is a UOA5 make the tone similar to a degaussed A5? I've wondered how the C5 would sound with a degaussed A5, or even a JB for that matter.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

You're in the hot seat Mr. Jonser... how do you think the UOA5 would sound in a Brobucker? Would there be any real difference? I love the Bro but I would like a slightly thicker lead tone. Wad'ya think?

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

I've used the UOA5 in several pickups and I really don't notice the less output you guys are hearing.

It has a stronger field than a degaussed mag, so I can't really imagine them sounding alike.

I'll bet it's great in a brobucker for that exact reason.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

quick, somebody 'dun-age' an UA5 and put it in a brobucker

 

[blueman335]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Is a UOA5 make the tone similar to a degaussed A5? I've wondered how the C5 would sound with a degaussed A5, or even a JB for that matter.

UOA5's are more A2-like in their sound. I don't think you could get a polished A5 this warm and dynamic.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

You're in the hot seat Mr. Jonser... how do you think the UOA5 would sound in a Brobucker? Would there be any real difference? I love the Bro but I would like a slightly thicker lead tone. Wad'ya think?

It makes the pickup a tad bit warmer, looser, and more chewy on the high notes, much like steering the sound toward A2. However, it doesn't inject the low mids that an A2 would.

I probably exaggerated any drop in output. It still retains about as much power as a regular magnet. The problem is that my guitar has a pretty strident neck pickup...a Jazz Bridge. I'd be much happier with a 4 lead PG there now.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

Don't know how UOA5's work in maple or ash.

It works good, I have one in my strat hybrid pickup, it's exactly the same feel, a cross between an A2 and an A5, no shrill highs, tight on the bass not mid scooped like a 59. But I coupled it with a 250K vol, I don't know how it sounds with a 500K.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Finally tried the UOA5 in a Custom

I've used the UOA5 in several pickups and I really don't notice the less output you guys are hearing.

Being unoriented, it doesn't have the uniformity and strength of an oriented mag. I don't know how much of that you could tell without equipment to measure it though. Even with some decrease in output, you get a bigger, fuller sound with an UOA5 (versus a polished A5) because it has a more balanced EQ.