If I replaced my WCR Fillmore magnet with a JB Magnet

Burnin_UP

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I have a set of double cream WCR Fillmores. Nobody's terribly interested in those, and I really need a double cream duncan custom. So I started thinking... (dear god, save us all)...

What's the big difference between a wcr fillmore and a duncan custom? My Fillmore is a hand wound 13.5K 43ga pickup, with (I think) an Alnico II.

It's pretty much the magnet, right? The Custom is a 14K with a ceramic.

So, if I take my JB magnet and stuff it in that Fillmore, is it pretty much a Custom?

Do you think it's worth trying?

And conversely, if we put an Alnico 2 in the custom, do we have a WCR Fillmore, or thereabouts?
 
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Re: If I replaced my WCR Fillmore magnet with a JB Magnet

There's far far more to the tone of a pickup than wire gauge, DC resistance and magnet type. You can have 3 pickups, all 14k, all Alnico 2 magnets, all 43 gauge wire and they will sound totally different.

Most of the secret is in the wind pattern and tension. Other secrets are whether the magnet is fully charged or "aged" (weakened slightly), the height of the bobbins used (they're not all the same height) which will affect the width of the coil, etc.

So he answer is no: WCR Fillmore + A5 does not = JB or vice versa.
 
Re: If I replaced my WCR Fillmore magnet with a JB Magnet

What's the Duncan pickup closest to it tonally?

There really isn't one. Jim's pickups are designed to be different than anything else that is out there. If you are interested in parting with them, try ebay or the Gear Page. You might be happier with a Darkburst. Or if your are set on swapping magnets, Jim has magnets for sale on his website for tinkering, including ceramics.

-Mark
 
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Re: If I replaced my WCR Fillmore magnet with a JB Magnet

You can't sell those Fillmores? :eek13:

Apparently not. I've listed them here and thegearpage.net with zero interest.

I think everybody's gone on to the goodwoods and darkbursts.

Anyway, I just slammed it in my charvel, and I'm going to see how it works for that, until I get a duncan custom.

Mickey
 
Re: If I replaced my WCR Fillmore magnet with a JB Magnet

The magnets in WCR pickups are a different size (width). You will have to add a keeper-bar also if you use a standard magnet.
 
Re: If I replaced my WCR Fillmore magnet with a JB Magnet

Well I tried the Fillmore in the bottom charvel in the picture below. No dice - too thin, nice mids, but too much top. So I surfed to ebay, and found this Duncan Custom Shop EVH double cream. Needless to say, I clicked buy it now. Thank you lord, I feel the love, I feel the love!

It's going in the (hot rod) flamed guitar below (the flamed maple anniversary charvel already has one stock):

PairSide.jpg
 
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