SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

[Crocker]

Hi! New guy here. I just wanted to post about my experience with the PCn and C5b. I hope this can help anyone experiencing a similar problem.

When I installed these pups in my LTD EC 1000 vb (all mahogany 3pc neck, painted), I didn't expect the PC to be QUITE as dark and loud. The C5 was very clear, but very thin and quiet compared to the PC

SO after digging on the SD forums I decided to swap the bridge side A2 magnet from the PC with the A5 from the C5 (effectively turning the Ç5 into a Custom). This made a remarkable difference in each pickup alone and combined. Their levels and tones mesh beautifully. The PC gained some highs, bite, and tight lows. The C5 ( or now a C2?) warmed up with more lows and it kept its clarity and chime. Even with the coil split it sounds nice.

Thanks to everyone who has posted similar stories and fixes to get me geared up to make this fix!

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

Hi, new guy! This was my inspiration for a series of magnet experiments in P-90's a few years ago The neck Phat Cat was so dark, and overpowered the bridge Phat Cat, which sounded weak and thin. Not workable for me. I just posted this week about the magnet combos I tried in my Phat Cats and P-90's. Like you, I started off with an A5/A2, which was an improvement, but still warm. Worked my way up to A5/A4, and that works very well. The A4 moderates the low end you sometimes get with twin A5's, and also makes the mids a little fuller. The A5 still adds some high end bite.

 

[Crocker]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

In fact it was a post from you that made me step up to pickup modding. Score!

I almost got the PCb, but I've been on a humbucker bridge w/ single coil neck kick for a year now. My old Charvel 3dr started that after I changed its pups. The Jacksons that were in it were both VERY weak and thin, on my rig at least. I know it was kind of the budget guitar from charvel in 88-89, but its actually a solid axe, apart from the pups.

Believe it or not a cheapie single coil from a squire strat POPPED the neck selection tone into warmth with a slappy kind of heat. An old Dimarzio hum I had sitting in a drawer went in the bridge. AND the two match tonally more than I would have thought.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

An A2 mag in a C5 pup turns it into a "Custom Custom", not a "Custom" (the "Custom" has a ceramic mag).

Yes, I know, it gets confusing. Poor choice of names. Would be better if the Custom Custom was just called C2.

 

[Crocker]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

It IS confusing. Thanks for clearing that up though.

I may eventually get around to trying an A4 in the PC, for now though I'm pleased.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

It still amazes me how you can transform a pickup's sound with a magnet swap.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

It still amazes me how you can transform a pickup's sound with a magnet swap.

Yes, but it's not so mysterious. The different mixes of metals changes the size and shape of the magnetic field, which changes how they 'read' the string movement that comes into that magnetic field. I'm sure glad an assortment of alnico magnets were created (1 to 12), and that many of them have found applications in guitars.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

I wonder if it could be possible to design a pickup that is sold with a bunch of magnets- and an elegant way to switch them out. I mean, we can do it now, but we know how to do it. I would think other than this forum, the idea of taking apart a pickup to switch a magnet is kind of scary.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

I wonder if it could be possible to design a pickup that is sold with a bunch of magnets- and an elegant way to switch them out. I mean, we can do it now, but we know how to do it. I would think other than this forum, the idea of taking apart a pickup to switch a magnet is kind of scary.

Wouldn't be hard, but the demand would be limited, as few people know what kind of PU's are in their guitars, let alone magnets. I like to talk to guitarists on break at live shows and festivals; when asked what PU's are in their guitar, the answer is almost always: "The stock ones."

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Phat Cat neck and Custom 5 tone issue, fixed

Yeah, I ask that too, but these are mostly blues or jazz shows, and unless it is old, they don't care (everything new is terrible, btw). I was just asking 'cause it would be cool, anyway.