Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

[JeffB]

I have a couple rough cast a2 mags sitting around cos Addiction Fx screwed up my order and it cost me more to send them back than they cost.

Anyhoo, what can I expect? I am very familiar with lots of polished mag a2 pickups, but I have a couple pickups around here with a5 that could benefit from some mids
and softening of the edges. I tried UOA5 from AFX, and quite frankly they sound like **** in every pup I have put them in. IDK if they are overcharged or undercharged, or just the quality,but they sound like a anemic Telecaster whenever I put them in a pickup.

Yeah, rambling, just woke up, not enough coffee yet

So rough cast 2......?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Roughcast mags have a smoother, less sharp high end. A2's being a warm alnico, will be even slightly warmer when roughcast. That'll work for some PU's in the neck slot (especially if they're 7.5K or less), but are probably best used in the bridge slot.

I'm a big fan of UOA5's, they have a lot of tonal texture like an A2 but with a little more high end and less mids.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Roughcast mags have a smoother, less sharp high end. A2's being a warm alnico, will be even slightly warmer when roughcast. That'll work for some PU's in the neck slot (especially if they're 7.5K or less), but are probably best used in the bridge slot.

I'm a big fan of UOA5's, they have a lot of tonal texture like an A2 but with a little more high end and less mids.

Not the ones I bought. I have tried them (2 different mags) in 3 pickups and have the substantially more highs, and substantially less output than the 2s they replaced.IDK what the heck is wrong with them, but they don't just sound a little different, they sound horrid, with drastic changes...icepick, lack of complexity, plinky lows. Even after letting them acclimate to the pup for a week or so. Put the old mag back in, and the pickups sound fine again. Maybe I got some bum mags.

Anyhoo, thanks for the info on the rough2, Rick.. That is what I figured.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

I have an UOA5 Ant set w/mags I got from AFX and they sound outrageously good.

Not all types of mags go well with all kind of p'ups.

What p'ups exactly do sound bad with UOA5s?

Inquiring minds would like to know. :cool2:

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Super 57, standard 57, and a Slash neck.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Super 57, standard 57, and a Slash neck.

What exactly didn't you like in those p'ups?

Are you sure UOA5 was the right choice for the changes you were looking for?

Are you sure you didn't break anything inside the p'ups while changing the mags?

 

[UnWind]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

I have a couple rough cast a2 mags sitting around cos Addiction Fx screwed up my order and it cost me more to send them back than they cost.

Anyhoo, what can I expect? I am very familiar with lots of polished mag a2 pickups, but I have a couple pickups around here with a5 that could benefit from some mids
and softening of the edges. I tried UOA5 from AFX, and quite frankly they sound like **** in every pup I have put them in. IDK if they are overcharged or undercharged, or just the quality,but they sound like a anemic Telecaster whenever I put them in a pickup.

Yeah, rambling, just woke up, not enough coffee yet

So rough cast 2......?

Just out of curiosity, have you talked to AddictionFx about the order mixup?

If you haven't, I would suggest it. I've had overall great interactions with them, when there was any mixup they promptly sent me the right part and told me not to even worry about sending back the wrong item.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

I have an UOA5 Ant set w/mags I got from AFX and they sound outrageously good.

I'm some of my A2 PAF's, I've used RC A2's in the bridge PU. The difference is slight, but I like it.

I've put UOA5's in PAF's, high output, and medium output PU's, and they give me the warmth and texture I want. Also use them in neck HB hybrids, where they're very good.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

What exactly didn't you like in those p'ups?

Are you sure UOA5 was the right choice for the changes you were looking for?

Are you sure you didn't break anything inside the p'ups while changing the mags?

In the super and 57 it was just wanting a bit more low and high end...clearer highs and tighter low end..in the slash neck, just an experiment as a bridge pup.

When I put the original mags back in, they were just as before, so do not think I broke anything.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Just out of curiosity, have you talked to AddictionFx about the order mixup?

If you haven't, I would suggest it. I've had overall great interactions with them, when there was any mixup they promptly sent me the right part and told me not to even worry about sending back the wrong item.

It was early in the year. They didn't respond to my initial email, and by the time I remembered to try again , it was a couple months later. If it wasnt 5 bucks worth of magnets I would have probably remembered to ***** and complain

 

[madsschaarup]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Funny. Or... Maybe not. I also have some UOA5 from AFX. They also lack power and low end. Tried them in Duncan 59, custom, 59/custom and a Tonerider A2. The output drops drastically even after letting them settle for three days or more. I had a 59 A4 in the neck slot, that totally overpowered a Custom UOA5 in the bridge. I tried another magnet, as I got three of them. Same problem, so I am not going with them anymore.

 

[SJ318]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Well, madsschaarup,
I am curious where else you would go to get magnets? I'd like to know also. Thanks.
SJ

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Funny. Or... Maybe not. I also have some UOA5 from AFX. They also lack power and low end. Tried them in Duncan 59, custom, 59/custom and a Tonerider A2. The output drops drastically even after letting them settle for three days or more. I had a 59 A4 in the neck slot, that totally overpowered a Custom UOA5 in the bridge. I tried another magnet, as I got three of them. Same problem, so I am not going with them anymore.

Yup. Same exact issue.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Also just want to clarify, this was not meant to be a dump on AFX. I just was wondering what I could expect with the RCA2s they sent me.

 

[SJ318]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

I don't mean to interrupt, but I would sure like to know a good alternative to AddictionFX.
Thank you very much,
Steve J

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Throbak and mojotone sell their magnets. Throbak are big bux, but they are custom made here in the states to original vintage spec based on actual old magnets. Other winders like BK, Rewind, and Electric City do the same (but do not sell just the mags, afaik)

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Funny. Or... Maybe not. I also have some UOA5 from AFX. They also lack power and low end. Tried them in Duncan 59, custom, 59/custom and a Tonerider A2. The output drops drastically even after letting them settle for three days or more. I had a 59 A4 in the neck slot, that totally overpowered a Custom UOA5 in the bridge. I tried another magnet, as I got three of them. Same problem, so I am not going with them anymore.

Mads, send'em to me and I'll send you three of mine, free of charge (pun intended). You'll only pay € 5,00 for shipment. If you're interested, PM me.

JeffB, the same offer goes to you. Only thing, you'll need to be patient, as I'm in Italy and the shipment to the states normally takes three weeks. If you're interested, PM me.

Throbak and mojotone sell their magnets.

AFAIK, Mojotone does not offer UOA5 mags.

HTH,

 

[madsschaarup]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Mads, send'em to me and I'll send you three of mine, free of charge (pun intended). You'll only pay € 5,00 for shipment. If you're interested, PM me.

JeffB, the same offer goes to you. Only thing, you'll need to be patient, as I'm in Italy and the shipment to the states normally takes three weeks. If you're interested, PM me.


AFAIK, Mojotone does not offer UOA5 mags.

HTH,

You're a true hero, Pepe! I'll pm you

 

[SJ318]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

JeffB-
Thanks for the mag info, I bet you are right about big bucks!
Pepe-
Let us know or pm me if and when you get those mags from Mads as I am terribly curious to see if they were not charged correctly. Also, Lt. K, did you not somewhere back in time mention a place to get magnets other than AddFX? Maybe they are not as pricey as Throbak. I think it was you.
Namaste,
SJB

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ok mag experts...roughcast 2 vs. polished 2

Pepe, I appreciate the kind offer, but not necessary. Its 5 bucks worth of mags and is not a big deal to me, as the guitar the mag/pup combo would have ended up in is on the chopping block.