SH-18 with polished A5?

[Supernautilus]

A while back I picked up a SH-18n Whole Lotta Love humbucker for the neck position in my LP, which I got to pair with a JB in the bridge. I like it better than a Jazz. But I confess, it’s a little on the “round” side as far as tone. I wouldn’t complain if it was just a smidge brighter and more scooped.

Would a polished A5 mag make enough of a difference to warrant a swap? I know the rough cast A5 mag is supposed to be “warm and balanced”. And I was just wondering if a polished version would push it back in the direction of a 59 or Jazz as far as the EQ curve. Any opinions?

 

[beaubrummels]

Polished might do that a bit. It's a subtle change, but noticeable.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I've heard some people have recently found polished A5 in their newer WLH's.

 

[Supernautilus]

I've heard some people have recently found polished A5 in their newer WLH's.

Oh, really? That’s odd. What’s going on there, do you think?

 

[Clint 55]

SD likes to tell tall tales sometimes. I had smooth A5 in my WLH. You probably do also. You'd have to check to be sure tho.

 

[Supernautilus]

SD likes to tell tall tales sometimes. I had smooth A5 in my WLH. You probably do also. You'd have to check to be sure tho.

Oh wow, no kidding. Well that’s somewhat concerning. Now I’m curious. I’ll open it up to see.

 

[jeremy]

i paired a wlh neck with a jb and really liked that match!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

My WLH did have a bumpy magnet. But that was years ago.

 

[Clint 55]

i paired a wlh neck with a jb and really liked that match!

Probably the most organic but not PAF pair in the line.

 

[Demanic]

Doublethick A5?

 

[Clint 55]

Doublethick in all bridge hums! I think the WLH and the Full Shred are 2 of the most useful neck hums in the line. WLH has the grit and FS has the cut. Remedies the overly fat and smooth issue. I think the WLH matches the JB's character the best.

 

[Supernautilus]

Update: Well I did some deep thinking about this guitar but it didn’t lead me where I expected lol. I’ll explain…

First, I never ended up opening up the SH-18. I still plan on doing this but I haven’t got around to it yet. Instead, I did something else entirely. On a whim, I replaced both volume pots with 250Ks.

All I can say is WOW. What a difference. Both the JB and WLH sound so much better. That odd upper midrange harshness I was hearing from this guitar for so long is mostly gone. Or at least subdued.

I know that some people like the JB with a 250K. I was worried it would make it sound muffled. Not even a little bit. Just nicely thick and chewy. Same with the WLH.

I don’t know if this guitar is just unnaturally bright or what. But this change made a huge difference. This is the first time I’ve ever used 250Ks with a humbucker and I feel like my eyes have been opened. Definitely making me rethink things lol.

 

[jeremy]

glad you found something to work for you! i use a 250k volume pot with my jb as well, though not with the wlh

 

[Supernautilus]

glad you found something to work for you! i use a 250k volume pot with my jb as well, though not with the wlh

I think it sounds great with the WLH. Not too dark at all. I was pleasantly surprised. I still may throw a polished A5 mag in there just to see. But I’m definitely staying with the 250K pot.

 

[Mincer]

It is a good reminder that there are really no rules here. While I never tried a WLH with 250k, it might be just fine in a brighter guitar. Also, the JB is more usable with 250k pots, too.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

IMO the JB does best with a 250K just about anywhere, except perhaps a very dark guitar.

I'd be surprised if a recent issue WLH neck didn't already have a polished A5.
Of course, I've been surprised before...

 

[Supernautilus]

Ok I did it. I’m no expert but that looks like rough cast to me. I put the other mag in and noticed a subtle but noticeable difference. Definitely a more scooped neck tone. And a bit more output too. To my ears, the WLH more closely matches the JB now too.

I’m definitely more happy with these changes. This guitar rocks now.

 

[jeremy]

looks like rc to me too. glad you like the change!