Let’s talk about a magnet swap

[Gtrjunior]

Let’s talk about a magnet swap

I have a Dimarzio 36th neck in my Les Paul. It’s paired up with a Super Distortion bridge.
I like the tone of the 36th but it can tend to be a little muddy/sloppy when playing lower positions on the neck.
I’m thinking that possibly an A2 swap might help?
FWIW, I’ve never swapped a magnet so this would be my first experiment here...
Thoughts?
I’d be open to what we think other magnets might accomplish here as well.

I play a Splawn Quickrod. And tend to g for a tone similar to Jerry Cantrell/Jake E Lee from “Live Wire”/ 80’s type metal...and so forth.
I’m not necessarily trying to cop anyone’s tone in particular but that’s the ballpark of what I’m going for.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Just be careful, the newer Dimarzio pickups have their magnets glued in and are a massive pain to get out.

 

[dxlxntxxlxr]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

I have a Dimarzio 36th neck in my Les Paul. It’s paired up with a Super Distortion bridge.
I like the tone of the 36th but it can tend to be a little muddy/sloppy when playing lower positions on the neck.
I’m thinking that possibly an A2 swap might help?
FWIW, I’ve never swapped a magnet so this would be my first experiment here...
Thoughts?
I’d be open to what we think other magnets might accomplish here as well.

I play a Splawn Quickrod. And tend to g for a tone similar to Jerry Cantrell/Jake E Lee from “Live Wire”/ 80’s type metal...and so forth.
I’m not necessarily trying to cop anyone’s tone in particular but that’s the ballpark of what I’m going for.

Id go for a ceramic probably not an a2. A2 tends to have loose-ish bass. Try it anyway and report back!

 

[gregory]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

The Bluesbucker is probably the closest humbucker you will find that will get you Jake E. Lee's SDS-1 neck tone from either DiMarzio or Duncan.

The Gravity Storm Neck has potential if you want something hotter, though maybe too much bass and too little treble depending on the tone of your LP.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

What kind of magnet is in there now?

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[gregory]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

A5. Fully charged and standard thickness, I assume.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Let’s talk about a magnet swap

The Bluesbucker is probably the closest humbucker you will find that will get you Jake E. Lee's SDS-1 neck tone from either DiMarzio or Duncan.

The Gravity Storm Neck has potential if you want something hotter, though maybe too much bass and too little treble depending on the tone of your LP.

I was really torn between the bluesbucker and the 36th. I went with the 36 because it’s a classic combo. And it is good...

Before I got the 36th, I had tried the G Storm and didn’t really care for it. It was definitely hot and pretty powerful. Maybe more modern than I was expecting(?).

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Just be careful, the newer Dimarzio pickups have their magnets glued in and are a massive pain to get out.

Aaah...didn’t know that. Damn.

 

[gregory]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Are we sure ceramic with that wind is such a good idea?

A better an inexpensive solution would probably be to put a cap in series with the pickup. I'd try 33nF and work from there.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

What kind of magnet is in there now?

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

A5. Fully charged and standard thickness, I assume.

Yes, A5

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Id go for a ceramic probably not an a2. A2 tends to have loose-ish bass. Try it anyway and report back!

I hadn’t thought of ceramic. I guess I assumed that it might be too powerful? The Super D is ceramic also...you think that wouldn’t be too overpowering in the neck?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Are we sure ceramic with that wind is such a good idea?

A better an inexpensive solution would probably be to put a cap in series with the pickup. I'd try 33nF and work from there.

There’s an idea...!
I don’t suppose you have access to a schematic for that? (I’m still a wiring newb...lol)

 

[gregory]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Ceramic will make it birighter and quicken the attack but it definitely won't reduce the amount of bass. You'll definitely have the drop the pickup lower than you currently have it which may alter the tone which may or may not be a good thing.

The cap thing is easy: stick the cap between the hot wire of the pickup and the volume control.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

A4

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[idsnowdog]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

A magnet swap to an A2 won't help clarity or brightness. A3 or A4 maybe.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

I think it's just the Ceramic mags in super high-output DiMarzio pickups that are glued. I've taken apart some PAF Pros, a Tone Zone and even a Dominion and have not had any problem removing the magnet.

DiMarzio mags have slightly different dimensions compared to the standard Duncan/Gibson magnets, though. IIRC, they are ever-so-slightly smaller in most (if not all) axes.

 

[gregory]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

In order to accommodate a wider keeper bar because of the wider screws? The gromets(?) they use in their air buckers could also warrant a narrower magnet.

How is it done with the Invader? Are there no keeper bars because the bobbins are threaded?

I've seen magnet swaps on some DiMarzios. The Air Classic comes to mind.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Not sure. I find DiMarzios are just non-standard in pretty much every dimension.

I've used the magnet off a DiMarzio on a Duncan and viceversa, but I always find the bobbins end up kinda crooked from the slightly mismatched magnet dimensions. Might be just looks, but honestly, that bothers me.

 

[gregory]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

That would bother me too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

Re: Let’s talk about a magnet swap

A magnet swap to an A2 won't help clarity or brightness. A3 or A4 maybe.

A swap to Polished A2 might.

Roughcast A2? Probably not.