Questions about Magnet swapping

N

nrs

New member
Looking to change a JB into a Distortion (an HB-102 into a HB-103 actually) by swapping its magnet to a ceramic one.

Question: Do I need any special ceramic magnet for this or would the magnet pulled from just about any stock ceramic pup work? (I would be taking it from an 80's Ibanez RG model whose pups were okay but nothing special).

I'd be absolutely thrilled of coarse if the JB magnet could then be used to get anything decent out of either of the stock RG buckers but what are the odds of that if I never found them too inspiring to begin with? (They were at least a clear and well balanced set I'd say though..... just bland & generic)

Lastly, I've never attempted a magnet swap before, so am seeking a good instructional link on doing this. Any good ones out there?
 
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Re: Questions about Magnet swapping

larry_emder said:
Any magnet would 'work'....but i'd think that the ibby mag would sound different to the sd ceramic

better or worse,......let us know!

Mag swap tutorial
http://projectguitar.com/tut/barmagswap.htm
Click to expand...

So there are differences among ceramics? What would be the factors that would make one ceramic sound different from another? (Thickness? Strength? Weight? The material grade perhaps?)

I kind of thought when you replace a magnet you can just order one from any vendor and it doesnt specifically need to be taylored for a SD as long as you know the type of magnet you want (alnico I, alnico, ceramic, ect.) In this case I know I need a ceramic (because a Distortion is really just a JB with a ceramic in it from what I understand), just dont know if ANY ceramic will due.

Thanks for the link
 
Re: Questions about Magnet swapping

Hi, i recently brought a ceramic magnet (out of a Custom) into a JB.
First: The Distortion has a thicker mag than the standard Humbucker (including JB and Custom). What you get is a ceramic JB like a kind of Distortion light because of the smaller ceramic magnet.
Second: It sounds not to much different from a JB. More and harsher ceramic highs, ballsy mids and a tad more/thighter bass. All in all i did not like it clean, but i was good under heavy distortion.
Third: I made a JB with a Alnico 8 was sounded quite similar as the small ceramic JB but with softer Alnico highs. Way better!
Fourth: You might not get the thicker Distortion mag into the JB pup. The screws and the studs are too short.

Hope this helps!
 
Re: Questions about Magnet swapping

There is Ceramic 5 and Ceramic 8. I have some of each but haven't had a chance to A/B them yet. My understanding is the C8 is stronger, and the C5 is what is normally used in pu's.
 
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