Hi everyone, I was reading about how to make a Custom 8 pickup and from what Ive come across is that you can use a SH-11 (Custom Custom), SH-5 (Custom), or a SH-14 (Custom 5) and simply swap out the magnet with an alnico 8 magnet. Is there a major difference in sound between these 3 different pickups if you swap the magnet out for the alnico 8? I think I would like to try the SH-11 out stock before I do a magnet swap to see if it sounds good in my guitar which is a yamaha pacifica made with alder body and a maple neck with maple fretboard. I however found a cheap SH-5 that I could use for a magnet swap, but am wondering if I should just wait for a SH-11 to come up used. What would the tone differences be between all 3 pickups if you swap the magnet out with an alnico 8? I hope this makes sense and I really appreciate anyone who might be able to clear this up for me.
Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
- Thread starter pfapin
- Start date
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
I think you'd need to wait about a week before trying them for them to sound the same. The pickup parts would still retain some of the magnetism of the previous magnet right after a magnet swap.
The other trick is Crusty's suggestion of using a tape head demagnetizer on the pickup while the magnet it out to demagnetize the non-magnet parts, then put the new magnet in. Then you could play with it right away.
I think you'd need to wait about a week before trying them for them to sound the same. The pickup parts would still retain some of the magnetism of the previous magnet right after a magnet swap.
The other trick is Crusty's suggestion of using a tape head demagnetizer on the pickup while the magnet it out to demagnetize the non-magnet parts, then put the new magnet in. Then you could play with it right away.
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
Thanks alot, that helps me out a bunch! So one more question, when positioning the magnet I hear that you should not stick an alnico magnet to a ceramic magnet because it can make the alnico magnet weaker. How do you know which way the magnet goes in without checking this way. If you do it by sticking the magnets together or repelling them, then which way does the magnet go in, the repelled side down or the attracted side down? I hope that makes sense.
Thanks alot, that helps me out a bunch! So one more question, when positioning the magnet I hear that you should not stick an alnico magnet to a ceramic magnet because it can make the alnico magnet weaker. How do you know which way the magnet goes in without checking this way. If you do it by sticking the magnets together or repelling them, then which way does the magnet go in, the repelled side down or the attracted side down? I hope that makes sense.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
Custom 8's were the rage here when A8's became readily available. They should be in production. I think they're better than any of the stock 3 Customs. Since then, some of us have experimented further and used UOA5 (my favorite Custom variant, more of a vintage sound) and A4. It's a great wind for a wide variety of magnets in a variety of woods. The same cannot be said all pickups.
Custom 8's were the rage here when A8's became readily available. They should be in production. I think they're better than any of the stock 3 Customs. Since then, some of us have experimented further and used UOA5 (my favorite Custom variant, more of a vintage sound) and A4. It's a great wind for a wide variety of magnets in a variety of woods. The same cannot be said all pickups.
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
I like to use a compass. Reliable, non-contact, no worries about partially demagnetizing your magnets, and instantly recheckable without pulling anything apart to get at it.
Any cheap one, a keyfob compass, whatever.
I like to use a compass. Reliable, non-contact, no worries about partially demagnetizing your magnets, and instantly recheckable without pulling anything apart to get at it.
Any cheap one, a keyfob compass, whatever.
SweetClyde99
Active member
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
I’ve certainly touched an alnico magnet against a ceramic magnet to check polarity before doing a magnet swap. I assumed it would take longer than a half-second or so for the ceramic magnet to degauss the alnico, but I’m no one’s idea of an expert.
I’ve certainly touched an alnico magnet against a ceramic magnet to check polarity before doing a magnet swap. I assumed it would take longer than a half-second or so for the ceramic magnet to degauss the alnico, but I’m no one’s idea of an expert.
EmiAba
Active member
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
The north pole of the magnet, usually, faces the slug coil. If you want to replace the mag, pull it out a bit just to get access to its side. and bring the side surfaces closer together. if they repel you have two north or two south poles facing each other. flip the replaced mag and put it in the pickup that way. Never had problems sticking together different mags.
The north pole of the magnet, usually, faces the slug coil. If you want to replace the mag, pull it out a bit just to get access to its side. and bring the side surfaces closer together. if they repel you have two north or two south poles facing each other. flip the replaced mag and put it in the pickup that way. Never had problems sticking together different mags.
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Making a Custom 8 pickup advice
Had several mags in the same Custom more than once in the same guitar so can give you a run down on most of the tonal differences. Just a few days ago swapped the Alnico II mag for an A-8 in the bridge Custom in my 92 Washburn USA MG 104.
A-5 is dark and open but scooped in the mids. Has a lot of top a lot of bottom but with the scooped mid IMO just doesn't cut well for solos in a live setting. Sounds HUGE though for chunk rhythms and bluesy tones! Custom Custom sings well and has good cut with the A II but is a little looser on the bottom. It's probably the most balanced tonally of all the Customs.
The A-8 has a great singing voice and is very tight with quick response. Very expressive and articulate pickup but can also be unforgiving of sloppy playing. Pretty hot and in particular sensitive to height adjustments in the extreme. These need to be a little further from the strings due to the magnetic field of the A-8 than the norm. To close to the strings and it looses sustain and the harmonics get weird to far and it gets thin and harsh. Really need to work and find that sweet spot when setting up a Custom 8.
Hope that helped.
Had several mags in the same Custom more than once in the same guitar so can give you a run down on most of the tonal differences. Just a few days ago swapped the Alnico II mag for an A-8 in the bridge Custom in my 92 Washburn USA MG 104.
A-5 is dark and open but scooped in the mids. Has a lot of top a lot of bottom but with the scooped mid IMO just doesn't cut well for solos in a live setting. Sounds HUGE though for chunk rhythms and bluesy tones! Custom Custom sings well and has good cut with the A II but is a little looser on the bottom. It's probably the most balanced tonally of all the Customs.
The A-8 has a great singing voice and is very tight with quick response. Very expressive and articulate pickup but can also be unforgiving of sloppy playing. Pretty hot and in particular sensitive to height adjustments in the extreme. These need to be a little further from the strings due to the magnetic field of the A-8 than the norm. To close to the strings and it looses sustain and the harmonics get weird to far and it gets thin and harsh. Really need to work and find that sweet spot when setting up a Custom 8.
Hope that helped.
