Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

báratta

báratta

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Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Hello all, I’m looking for info on the Alnico V version of the Stag Mag. I’m attempting to get as close as possible to an SSL-2 in the neck position of my SG. Does anybody have experience with these seemingly discontinued pickups? Further, would it be possible to source one through the Duncan custom shop. If anybody cares to sell…

Evan, have you considered marketing an Alnico V version of the Stag for the neck position. In my experience a majority of players tend to prefer a single in the neck rather than the bridge. Heck, it seems that despite being branded a bridge pickup, stagmags are often installed and split in the neck. A true single in the neck of a HB guitar (whilst maintaining close to original appearance) is my ultimate goal.

Thoughts.
 
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Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Hi i have put a 'The Mag' in my friends Aria Les Paul bridge position. It is pretty much the same as a Stag Mag flat pole with A5s. Maybe my friend is gonna change it in the near future due to its non-traditional humbucker sound. My experience is to it has a very cutting tone with lots of highs. To me it soundes like a JB without balls but cuts through the mix. Maybe a 250k pot would improve a lot. The splitt sound are great, just the way you think of A5 single coils. My friend is using them in parallel only, which is giving a massive drop of volume comparing with the HB mode
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Thanks for the review Hamerfan. I’m of the view that the alnico V construction and flat poles will get me the tone that I seek in the neck position of my SG (my LP Custom fulfils standard humbucking duties.) The Stag-mag is second choice, as I have found that A2 singles fail to provide sufficient chime and quack. Though the stagger is an inherent element of strat tone, I would prefer a balanced field for the SG. If your friend is interested in switching to another pickup- I’ll be sure to fund his next purchase.
:beerchug:

Samuel.
 
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Re: Tired of Muddy Neck (HB)- Seeking info on “The Mag” and Stag

Re: Tired of Muddy Neck (HB)- Seeking info on “The Mag” and Stag

báratta said:
Hello all, I’m looking for info on the Alnico V version of the Stag Mag. I’m attempting to get as close as possible to an SSL-2 in the neck position of my SG. Does anybody have experience with these seemingly discontinued pickups? Further, would it be possible to source one through the Duncan custom shop. If anybody cares to sell…

Evan, have you considered marketing an Alnico V version of the Stag for the neck position. In my experience a majority of players tend to prefer a single in the neck rather than the bridge. Heck, it seems that despite being branded a bridge pickup, stagmags are often installed and split in the neck. A true single in the neck of a HB guitar (whilst maintaining close to original appearance) is my ultimate goal.

Thoughts.
Click to expand...


I don't know how it sounds, but I believe the Tallboy is a5;

http://www.riograndepickups.com/4.html
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Yes the Rio Grande Tallboy is A5- though the pickup is too tall for useful adjustment in the neck position of an SG. Plus, I would far prefer to go the Duncan route.

Any other experiences with the mag or stag mag?
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

I think a mag with one A2 and one A5 coil would rock. Advantages:
1) You could choose what coil to split to for different sounds,
2) Less string pull - 12 A5s at the neck is a good recipe for "stratitis"

But then, the bucker sound would likely be even LESS normal than the current stag mag due to the mismatched coils.
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Jester700 said:
I think a mag with one A2 and one A5 coil would rock. Advantages:
1) You could choose what coil to split to for different sounds,
2) Less string pull - 12 A5s at the neck is a good recipe for "stratitis"

But then, the bucker sound would likely be even LESS normal than the current stag mag due to the mismatched coils.
Click to expand...

:jester: That’s an interesting idea. Though if I had my way I would do away with the internals of the second coil. Hence the pickup would look like a bucker- and sting like an SSL. Singles just make so much sense in the neck position. Cutting down on flabby rhythm, whilst providing a scorching, cutting lead tone.
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

OK, but then you lose ANY "buckery" sound. The SM was conceived as a compromise to please both single & bucker fans, after all.
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Jester700 said:
OK, but then you lose ANY "buckery" sound. The SM was conceived as a compromise to please both single & bucker fans, after all.
Click to expand...

Yes, though I see the single with a dummy as a separate product- tailored to those who want a true single in a humbucking guitar without modifying the appearance. I can do without the compromised humbucking mode and extra pull :)
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Ah. Well, bang out one row of poles & replace with slugs. Or press some gummy bears in there. :jester:
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Jester700 said:
Ah. Well, bang out one row of poles & replace with slugs. Or press some gummy bears in there. :jester:
Click to expand...

The 490R in my SG is currently without the screw pole pieces. It gives me a reasonable approximation of a single. Gummy Bears might just be what I’m looking for to fill the holes…

The one HC review of “The Mag”

Comments: I moved it to the neck: AWESOME! Really great pickup. I have no clue why it sounded like it did in the bridge, other than I must have wired it up wrong while it was in the bridge position (kinda thin). In the neck, it's FAT with plenty of bass, mids, and still enough highs to cut through. You can get bright, honky Strat tones if you want it, but if you adjust it so that the top side is closer to the bass strings, it's good and thick, but not muddy. Great blues, hard rock, and still "chimes and sparkles" when clean. It's versatile, very versatile.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Yeah, I'm the guy that reviewed it. I've owned a few of "the Mags" over the years, all great. They're very balanced pickups and very clear and clean neck pickups. They're very loud, clear, and detailed when clean (really perfect with a Fender or Vox amp). Contrary to my very old HC review, the Mag actually leans towards the bright side and has the mids pulled back just enough to keep it clear and not muddy. This pickup is never nasally, honky, or obnoxious. Under gain, for leads, it never muds up or fuzzes up and stays very smooth, very similar to Slash's lead sound or (if you roll back the tone knob a little) Carlos Santana's lead sound.
I've recently tried the Stag Mag and it's fine, but the staggered poles and Alnico 2 magnets make it sound different, less detailed, more midrange, and easier to mud up under gain.
1 thing about "the Mag" is that it has tall mounting legs, which can be a problem fitting in some guitars.
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

For what its worth, I use a modern SM in the neck of an SH Tele. Since I have it paired with an A2 Antiquity bridge, the A2 Stag Mag is a perfect match. I use a push-pull set so that "split" is its normal mode, and then I can select full humbucker for those harder hitting "bluesy" tones.

I love it.
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

im sure the custom shop will make you want you are looking for if you cant find a mag to buy. a little pricey but every custom shop pup ive tried has been a winner!
 
Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

Re: Seeking info on “The Mag” Alnico V.

There's a double-cream "The Mag" on ebay for a Buy it Now of $200.....I know I sold my cream one for close to that. Your best bet is to luck out on a black or zebra one, usually the ebay sellers don't know what they have and neither do the buyers, so you can usually score one for $50 or less.
 
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