Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

[Cheeseflavor]

Hello all,

I have an Edwards LP that came with the above combo. I've never been a big fan of the JB, though the '59 is pretty nice despite being a bit scooped in the mids. The JB is well, a JB... too harsh on the mids and high end and flubby on the bottom end. Not my favorite in an LP. I love vintage tones. Antiquities are my all-time favorite pickups (non-boutique), and I was wondering what would be a good choice of a magnet to give the '59 a bit more mids and the JB a bit less of everything offensive. Or, is that just not possible to turn the JB into more of a vintage sounding pup?

TIA for any suggestions!

Steve

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

calling blueman

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

I think with two coils mismatched that far, you'll get a bit more hum than an average humbucker. I notice it a tiny bit on my C5/59.

I don't see anything wrong with using a regular A5, but you could dabble with roughcast and unoriented. Or, try an A2 or A8.

 

[oilpit]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

A2s in both will do exactly what you want, try A4 for the '59 if A2 is too dark for you.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

I think with two coils mismatched that far, you'll get a bit more hum than an average humbucker. I notice it a tiny bit on my C5/59.

I don't think the OP is talking about a hybrid pickup, but rather a '59n & JBb set in an H-H guitar.

If that's the case, I'd try an A2 for each pickup. I suspect the JBA2 would be great in a guitar like that, and I know a '59A2 would be.

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

A2/A2 for those pups, I had the same set in a EC400AT. an A2 in 59 fills in the that mid scoop nicely and is very sweet sounding. I tried A8 and ceramic in the JB but did not try an A2 (which I regret).

I eventually sold the 59/JB to get a paf/SuperD which is awesome.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

vintage, eh...

another vote for 2 x A2 mags

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

a4 in the neck will keep most of the sound of the '59 intact plus some mids. as for the JB, i really liked a3 in it when i had one. shaved off some of the output with clearer mids and highs without the harshness and not nearly as much low end.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

A2s in both will do exactly what you want, try A4 for the '59 if A2 is too dark for you.

+1. A2 in the JB, and try an A4 first in the '59. A2's really make JB's nice PU's.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

^ if you're going to go for A4s, may as well try one in the JB as well.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

I don't think the OP is talking about a hybrid pickup, but rather a '59n & JBb set in an H-H guitar.

Oops, I jumped the gun on that response....probably due to all the hybrid talk here.

As for JB in mahogany....the mids are pretty strident. The 59n always sits nicely, but I like more neutral EQ'd bridge pickups than the JB in mahogany.

The C5/59 set makes a good match for a LP.

 

[Cheeseflavor]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Thanks guys! Think I'll try the A2/A2 and pickup an A4 for experimenting. So, is Addiction-FX on eBay the preferred source? I see a lot of mention of his stuff here and his prices look excellent.

 

[Cheeseflavor]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Oh... what length do I need? Polished or unpolished?

 

[Kam]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Yup, most of us get our magnets from Dennis at Addiction. His daughter posts here occasionally and there should be a thread with their inventory around here somewhere.

Unpolished or roughcast magnets generally have a bit more character and smoother, more rounded highs so it's really your choice.

I personally have tried an A2 in a '59n and can attest to how awesome it can sound. A4 is a winner and I think you should probably try an unoriented A5 as well. You're bound to fall in love with one of them. :fing2:

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Magnets are pretty cheap and swapping them is addicative, so it pays to get a small selection to save a little on postage.

 

[Cheeseflavor]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Thanks guys. I ordered a mix - A2, A4, A5 and A5UO. I've done the magnet flip before but never tried (or thought to try) different magnets. Looking forward to it, and maybe I don't have to unload another JB

Thanks!

Steve

 

[blueman335]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Thanks guys. I ordered a mix - A2, A4, A5 and A5UO. I've done the magnet flip before but never tried (or thought to try) different magnets. Looking forward to it, and maybe I don't have to unload another JB

Excellent. With an assortment of mags you can dial in the tones you want, on the spot. I gave up on JB's until I put an A2 in one.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Excellent. With an assortment of mags you can dial in the tones you want, on the spot. I gave up on JB's until I put an A2 in one.

Dangit, Blue! This JBA2 is calling me! Sometimes I play my Epi LP with the A2 Burstbuckers, and I think the BB3 in the bridge would be an ideal classic metal pickup if it were potted, because it howls like a banshee under high-gain conditions. Think the A2 would take the TB in my hardtail Soloist a big step in that direction?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

Dangit, Blue! This JBA2 is calling me! Sometimes I play my Epi LP with the A2 Burstbuckers, and I think the BB3 in the bridge would be an ideal classic metal pickup if it were potted, because it howls like a banshee under high-gain conditions. Think the A2 would take the TB in my hardtail Soloist a big step in that direction?

It took me years to warm up to A2's, and after trying several JB's in several guitars, I decided JB's just wouldn't work for me. So imagine my surprise when I found out how good JB2's sound. My JB2 is in an Epi LP Studio, and I'm going to put JB2's in a couple more guitars. My recommendation is: go for it. Not sure how it would sound in a Soloist, but I know it's magic in an LP.

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Good magnet swap for '59/JB combo?

I personally loved the seth lover neck. With a good clean amp, it would give me sort of shimmery harmonic richness that just can't be beat (in my opinion of course). I also had a '59 neck in there which was probably usable in more circumstances, but it couldn't get the fat and shimmery cleans that the seth lover could.

I guess what I'm getting towards is that you might want to try an A2 in the neck and see if you like it. I don't know how close it will be to a lover, especially since it's potted, but you might as well give it a shot. You will definitely get more mids.