Question about mag swap

[LETORC]

Quick question about mag swaps, as I'm a noob. I did some searches but couldn't find an answer to my problem.

I just finished swapping an A4/A8 into my Les Paul equipped with 57/57+ pickups. I love the result, but I accidentally Peter Green'd the guitar.

My question is, does it matter which magnet I go an flip at this point to make them in-phase with each other?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Question about mag swap

Flipping either one will do the trick. Ideally it would be best to figure out which one was accidentally reversed, just in case the pickups are ever separated and used with others that are factory spec. But as long as they're staying together that isn't important.

 

[gregory]

Re: Question about mag swap

Alternatively you can reverse the green and black wires, keeping the bare connected to ground. It doesn't matter which pickup.

Now if you instead wish to flip a magnet to get back to stock polarity, use a compass. North should point to the slug coils. That would be my recommendation, though one flipped magnet will allow you to split to the inner or outer coils and have either of the combinations be hum cancelling.

 

[LETORC]

Re: Question about mag swap

Thanks for the info guys.

I'll have to flip a magnet as these are single conductor Gibson pickups. Thinking about it, I think it may have been the A8 magnet. I remember the magnet was attracted to the stock A2 on the long side no matter which way I flipped it. Bad magnet maybe?

 

[gregory]

Re: Question about mag swap

I doubt the magnet is bad.

If you have a third pickup that hasn't been compromised you can put it face to face with the ones in question. Screws should repel screws and slugs should repel slugs.

 

[LETORC]

Re: Question about mag swap

Only have single coils and active pickups lying around. I'm pulling apart the 57+ to flip the A8, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the info.

 

[gregory]

Re: Question about mag swap

You're quite welcome.

Neck and bridge single coils will repel when put face to face with a slug coil.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Question about mag swap

Little hint: The mags are marked on the North side. The north side should touch the slugs of the humbucker.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Question about mag swap

Generally the edge of the magnets are marked on the north side. But if you don't see a mark on yours, just hold another magnet that IS marked (like the ones you took out of the stock pups) next to it...same polarities will repel and opposites attract. Or like was suggested, check it with a compass.

I wouldn't just randomly flip a magnet that you "think" you may have reversed. It's an easy thing to check and make sure.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Question about mag swap

Put masking no tape on back of pup and label

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Question about mag swap

I label all of my magnets as to type and polarity with a permanent marker. I'm afraid the tape may get in the way/add unwanted thickness. But maybe I'm just worrying about nothing.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Question about mag swap

i always use markers as well. black for a5, blue for a2, green for a4, orange for a3, red for a8. ceramic is easy to distinguish from alnico so i dont mark those since i think all are c8