Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
- Thread starter 9fingers
- Start date
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I've seen something similar mentioned around here. In some ways, it makes sense.
I spent some time trying various magnets in some hybrid pickups but made my judgements immediately, and in hindsight, that may have been rash. What has since occurred to me is that each time i removed a magnet, i should have demagnetised all the metalwork of the pickup with my tape head demagnetiser before installing the next magnet.
In my case, i need to go back and try some of the different magnets again and use the demagnetiser, and maybe give each magnet a few days in the pickups before making any concrete opinions and decisions.
I've seen something similar mentioned around here. In some ways, it makes sense.
I spent some time trying various magnets in some hybrid pickups but made my judgements immediately, and in hindsight, that may have been rash. What has since occurred to me is that each time i removed a magnet, i should have demagnetised all the metalwork of the pickup with my tape head demagnetiser before installing the next magnet.
In my case, i need to go back and try some of the different magnets again and use the demagnetiser, and maybe give each magnet a few days in the pickups before making any concrete opinions and decisions.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I didn't notice it taking a few days, but the next day there is a small, but noticeable, change in the way a pickup sounds. So the way it sounds immediately post swap is not exactly what it's going to sound like tomorrow. I think the metal parts take a bit to adjust to the new magnet. I've found it most pronounced when going from a stong mag to weak mag and vice versa. Pepe says he hears a difference over days, his ears are probably better than mine, because after a day or so I don't hear any change.
I didn't notice it taking a few days, but the next day there is a small, but noticeable, change in the way a pickup sounds. So the way it sounds immediately post swap is not exactly what it's going to sound like tomorrow. I think the metal parts take a bit to adjust to the new magnet. I've found it most pronounced when going from a stong mag to weak mag and vice versa. Pepe says he hears a difference over days, his ears are probably better than mine, because after a day or so I don't hear any change.
W
wolf5150
Guest
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I won't get started about magnet swapping again but i did post a similar question a while ago . To me it seems that when a new pickup is installed in a guitar the tone of the pickup mellows slightly after a few hours of constant playing. I wondered if the pickup became sympathetic to the resonance of the guitar. Some agreed some didn't but i do hear a difference so my sceptical mind would say you're correct.
I won't get started about magnet swapping again but i did post a similar question a while ago . To me it seems that when a new pickup is installed in a guitar the tone of the pickup mellows slightly after a few hours of constant playing. I wondered if the pickup became sympathetic to the resonance of the guitar. Some agreed some didn't but i do hear a difference so my sceptical mind would say you're correct.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
Possible its also your ears settling in.
Possible its also your ears settling in.
W
wolf5150
Guest
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
That was one possible explanation put forward previously. Don't know the factual answer just how it appears to me . I still support the op in his question.
That was one possible explanation put forward previously. Don't know the factual answer just how it appears to me . I still support the op in his question.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I don't have a scientifically proven explanation, but I've seen it happening in every magnet swap I've done in my own nine guitars, and a lot of my customers have had the same experience as well.
The stronger magnets take a couple of days, the weakest up to ten days to "stabilize".
YMMV.
I don't have a scientifically proven explanation, but I've seen it happening in every magnet swap I've done in my own nine guitars, and a lot of my customers have had the same experience as well.
The stronger magnets take a couple of days, the weakest up to ten days to "stabilize".
YMMV.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
My limited knowledge of all things electro-magnetic suggests that
a) Most change comes pretty quickly, as the source of the field is the magnet istself
b) That it may indeed take more than just an instant, depending on the length of time the original magnet was in place.
You try a little experiment without the magnet in the pup. see if anything metal will stick to it, even very very slightly.
My limited knowledge of all things electro-magnetic suggests that
a) Most change comes pretty quickly, as the source of the field is the magnet istself
b) That it may indeed take more than just an instant, depending on the length of time the original magnet was in place.
You try a little experiment without the magnet in the pup. see if anything metal will stick to it, even very very slightly.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
When I first heard about it, I shaked my head in desbelief.
That was then. If I hadn't experienced it for myself, I wouldn't have believed it either.
HTH,
When I first heard about it, I shaked my head in desbelief.
That was then. If I hadn't experienced it for myself, I wouldn't have believed it either.
HTH,
Natman
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
If we're talking about new magnets, I can maybe believe there could be some equilibrium of magnetic domains "settling in" with the alternating current. For every swap using the same magnet, no sorry I will not accept that. Instead I would say it's probably your ears getting used to the new sound/settling in. I'm a materials engineer FWIW.
If we're talking about new magnets, I can maybe believe there could be some equilibrium of magnetic domains "settling in" with the alternating current. For every swap using the same magnet, no sorry I will not accept that. Instead I would say it's probably your ears getting used to the new sound/settling in. I'm a materials engineer FWIW.
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I just sat here for 20 minutes trying to figure out when I posted this.
I just sat here for 20 minutes trying to figure out when I posted this.
Archer_of_Fish
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
Call Mythbusters
Call Mythbusters
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I think it's ears just getting used to it. There's nothing there in the guitar to change the magnetic field from what it was when first installed. Unless there's another magnet less than an inch away.
To me it's like going to Korea for the first time and all you can see is the Asian-ness of people's faces. Then after awhile you don't see the Asian-ness anymore and the individual differences come to the forefront. But the faces didn't change.
I think it's ears just getting used to it. There's nothing there in the guitar to change the magnetic field from what it was when first installed. Unless there's another magnet less than an inch away.
To me it's like going to Korea for the first time and all you can see is the Asian-ness of people's faces. Then after awhile you don't see the Asian-ness anymore and the individual differences come to the forefront. But the faces didn't change.
dvadneau
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
Why doesn't someone make a recording after the first few minutes of the swap, then again after 24 hours - same strings, settings, music, etc. That would remove the "ears settling in" part of it, or prove it.
Then make a recording every 24 hours after that for a few days to see if there's still a difference, assuming there was any after the first 24.
Why doesn't someone make a recording after the first few minutes of the swap, then again after 24 hours - same strings, settings, music, etc. That would remove the "ears settling in" part of it, or prove it.
Then make a recording every 24 hours after that for a few days to see if there's still a difference, assuming there was any after the first 24.
Natman
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
The differences we're talking about would not be picked up on a recording IMO. Just hitting the strings in a *slightly* different manner would change the tone enough for it not to show up on a recording. Just go to a loud concert and tell me your ears don't get used to the volume!
The differences we're talking about would not be picked up on a recording IMO. Just hitting the strings in a *slightly* different manner would change the tone enough for it not to show up on a recording. Just go to a loud concert and tell me your ears don't get used to the volume!
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I do, there really isn't a difference from this. One 59 sounds like the next no matter the age or how the magnet got in there.
Now, many guitars settle noticeably after I get them. There can be a couple explanations from this but it's hard to speculate since the previous owner might never have played them, or the environment of off, or your is off or whatever.
I do, there really isn't a difference from this. One 59 sounds like the next no matter the age or how the magnet got in there.
Now, many guitars settle noticeably after I get them. There can be a couple explanations from this but it's hard to speculate since the previous owner might never have played them, or the environment of off, or your is off or whatever.
mwalluk
New member
Re: Magnetic field "settling in" after mag swap?
I'm still trying to figure the same thing out as well.
I'm still trying to figure the same thing out as well.