No more A8 Mags

S

Shinobi

New member
Just switched the A8 out of my C8 and returned it to stock CC (A2).

I can see why the pups of the players that have very distinguised tones tend to like the A2 mag. I find the A8 great when playing at lower volumes as it is like a loudness button for a pup. But after playing loud for 2-3 hours yesterday I found that I was missing the tone of the A2 mag.

As I have read from many of the guitar greats from the 80s, they like to get their tones from their amps and fingers and have almost all came back to using the A2 for warmth and mids.

Whether it be the:
CC
A2P
Demartini
George Lynch
IM1 (EVH)

I find the CC to offer the most range (can cover Metallica to Ratt) using a good amp, with a good Parametric EQ, almost any tone can be had with lots of mid crunch and still the ability to mix well with a neck pup or just as a bridge to get decent cleans.

The 59 and the CC are awesome pups. For my Kramer Baretta I will be going with a reverse Zebra IM1. I want a little more output then 9-10 dc resistance like that of the 78, SD, 59, and BKP VHII.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

I tend to agree with you about the A8, though I prefer and A5 magnet most of the time in a humbucker. The A2 is definitely cool, but it lacks something that I like about the A5. - edit - - I think it depends alot on the guitar it's in
 
Last edited:
Re: No more A8 Mags

Yup, me too. I prefer A2 mag humbuckers, save for a select few A5's. Right now, I have a '57 Classic Plus in the bridge of my Frankenstrat with a single 500k volume. It sounds great and gives me the tones I like.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

GoDrex said:
I tend to agree with you about the A8, though I prefer and A5 magnet most of the time in a humbucker. The A2 is definitely cool, but it lacks something that I like about the A5. - edit - - I think it depends alot on the guitar it's in
Click to expand...

ErikH said:
Yup, me too. I prefer A2 mag humbuckers, save for a select few A5's. Right now, I have a '57 Classic Plus in the bridge of my Frankenstrat with a single 500k volume. It sounds great and gives me the tones I like.
Click to expand...


I agree about the A5 too. My 59 (Schaller 50) had an A5 on it and it always sounded good too. I just have determined or reconfirmed that I prefer to get my tone out of the way I play, my amp, and my new Parametric EQ.

The pup is just iceing on the cake. I didn't like the DD which was above the DC resistance and w/ceramic mag above the CC. I think I like pups between 10-14.x DC resistance with A2 and A5 mags.

IM1 is $160 (14 dc A2 mag)
BKP VHII ($160 10 dc A5 mag) but as to be ordered from the UK.
78' is probably cool with all the other parts that make it work like EVH's sound. I know I get it out of my 59(8).
 
Last edited:
Re: No more A8 Mags

The A8 excels hotter wound 43 and 44 AWG pickups. It can correct the softness and muddiness. Before that the winders had to use ceramic which tend to compress and brittle those pickups. The A8 is the better solution for ceramic pickups. And thats the way i am using it.
For the A2 lovers league: i never played an A2 neck pickup in a Gibson scale guitar (including the PGN) that could do something for me. But thats me, i guess.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

I've used a '78 in a MIJ Squier Strat and it's easily one of the best A2 humbuckers I've ever heard. It doesn't get the EVH sound totally because of other factors but it does help get in the ballpark. It's more chewy where the CC is more creamy.

There is one ceramic humbucker I like, the Super Distortion. That one just kicks butt all over. I've got a couple Gotoh clones too. My MIJ Tele came with ceramic humbuckers that sound really good too. Low wind count but really powerful and they split really well.

And aged A5 is cool too. A nice mix of A5 properties with some A2 properties in there.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

Don't forget about strat bridge singles! A2 seems to tame the bridge nicely without losing too much character. Also, the PGn is goodness.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

hamerfan said:
For the A2 lovers league: i never played an A2 neck pickup in a Gibson scale guitar (including the PGN) that could do something for me. But thats me, i guess.
Click to expand...

+1. To my ears, just not the right magnet EQ for the neck slot.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

I love the PGn (or even the PGb) and '57 Classic in the neck. The again, both of those have more high end in them than most other A2 humbuckers.
 
Last edited:
Re: No more A8 Mags

WoodyTone said:
An A8 to me sounds harsh. Depends on the amp, EQ, etc. But it does cut through the mix.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, no magnet is without it's faults. That's why I like Phat Cats & P-90's so much, you can blend two different magnets & focus on the strongpoints.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

ErikH said:
I love the PGn (or even the PGb) and '57 Classic in the neck. The again, both of those have more high end in them than most other A2 humbuckers.
Click to expand...

+1. They're wound that way to compensate for the A2, which was a smart idea, and why the PGN is so popular.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

jimijames said:
Don't forget about strat bridge singles! A2 seems to tame the bridge nicely without losing too much character.
Click to expand...

I agree, an overwound Strat bridge with A2 rods is great. Keeps the chime, loses the icepick. Or a 5/2 to keep the wound strings from going dull.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

i actually use every alnico type, but i agree that sometimes a8 isn't good for every application. i actually really like a2 in the bridge too, i just don't have a mid-output bridge humbucker to match my neck 'buckers.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

blueman335 said:
+1. They're wound that way to compensate for the A2, which was a smart idea, and why the PGN is so popular.
Click to expand...

Wound in what way?

The BB1&2 are wound with mis-matched coils to brighten up things I thought.

So this saves me the trouble of swapping an A8 into my CC huh?

Here's how I'll describe the CC - JUDAS PRIEST.

But not Iron Maiden - Maiden tone needs a more punchy bass that I'm getting with a warpig, or maybe the Super D.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

Wha???? The A8 isnt annointed by every diety that ever existed in fact or fantasy?? I still love em..
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

BloodRose said:
Wha???? The A8 isnt annointed by every diety that ever existed in fact or fantasy?? I still love em..
Click to expand...

At least I can say that I tried them out before sharing my opinion (like you). I was high on them for a bit..but after I got my parametric eq...I found that I would rather get the tone through the rest of my gear...A8s don't sound bad..I just don't need that loud of pup with my gear.
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

This thread is long overdue

8s are great for substituting cermics, but not really my cup of tea
4s are great for beefing up 2s. Although the more I play 4s, the more they sound like weak 8s.
2s always sound great alone, but sometimes just don't cut it in the mix, or against the other slot - desert island, I'd probably go 2 and deal with their problems. Very musical. Try one in a 498T sometime. Make you forget your CC pretty fast
 
Re: No more A8 Mags

Shinobi said:
At least I can say that I tried them out before sharing my opinion (like you). I was high on them for a bit..but after I got my parametric eq...I found that I would rather get the tone through the rest of my gear...A8s don't sound bad..I just don't need that loud of pup with my gear.
Click to expand...

I havent been able to play my gear for awhile, so I need a refresher! gonna have to dig the explorer out and give her a jam...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top