SH-5 Mag swap

[ScottieB]

Which magenet would make the SH-5 sound better ? Or should I just leave it alone? Sounds thin compared to the Alt-8....

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

the SH-5, SH-11 and SH-14 are the exact same pickup with the only difference being the magnets (ceramic, A2 and A5) but if you want to keep the output but fatten it up, the A8 mag is what I would use

 

[Mincer]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

An A2 would fatten it up, and essentially make a Custom Custom. I am assuming 'better' in this case means fatter. You will get the same output but a ton more mids and a softer low end.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Depends on the guitar and what kind of music you're playing. For a fat, high output PU an A8 is good. For a richer, more vintage sound, an UOA5. A2's are good in brighter woods, but are sometimes too dark in warm woods like mahogany.

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

I am playing it in one of my Les Paul's.. Metal and Blues.....

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Would a A8 mag make it sound like a ALt8 or better ?

 

[jeremy]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

if you want more output and a fatter tone, yes. a8 usually gives lots of output and a generally thick tone. a5 usually has a good bottom end but scooped clean mids and bright clear high end so fairly different and i can see why youd think the c5 sounds thin compared to the alt8. many people love the custom with an alnico 8 magnet, the custom8 as it is commonly referred to. i would think its more along the lines of what you want

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

So a Sh-5 aka custom with a A8 mag wouldn't be the same as a Sh-15 aka Alt8 correct. Because i have a Alt8.

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

if you want more output and a fatter tone, yes. a8 usually gives lots of output and a generally thick tone. a5 usually has a good bottom end but scooped clean mids and bright clear high end so fairly different and i can see why youd think the c5 sounds thin compared to the alt8. many people love the custom with an alnico 8 magnet, the custom8 as it is commonly referred to. i would think its more along the lines of what you want

Okay i am going to order a couple of mags.................... so i am puzzled about what A5 to order A5 ruff cast A5 un oriented or A5 all are 2.444 and the A8 2.444. which A5 do i order and whats the diffrence in the A5's... There is only one A8 so thats easy lol... Im going to try the A8 and A5

 

[LazNovak]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Here's some info from another thread.

Oriented - Almost always for A5, and (seems to be) always for A8. The 'grain' in the metal is aligned in one direction when the mag is formed, which makes for a stronger magnet.

Unoriented - Typically for A2, A3, and A4, and rarely A5. The 'grain' in the metal is random which gives a warmer, richer tone. More dynamics in a guitar PU.

Polished - Ground smooth and shiny. Almost all guitar bar magnets are polished. Gives a more uniformly-defined magnetic field, and a slightly sharper tone.

Unpolished - A4's and A8's are sometimes available unpolished, which means partially ground, but still has rough grinder marks. Tone-wise closer to a polished, but maybe a little more complex.

Roughcast - A2, A3, A4, and A5 are sometimes available as roughcast. Lumpy, bumpy, and still has sand indentations. Magnetic field isn't as uniform, and that makes guitar tones more complex and smoother on the high-end.

So, a polished A5 is bright and scooped; a RC A5 is smoother on top with a bit less treble, and an UOA5 is much warmer and fuller, closer to an A2.

A2, A3, and A4 are always unoriented; choose between polished, unpolished, or roughcast, depending on your desired tone.

With A8's you get polished or unpolished, the difference is small, but I prefer unpolished A8's.

We have a lot of magnet choices these days, and prices are low. Great time to tweak your tones and get just what you want.

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Thank you !!!!! just got finished ordering through MoJo tone

 

[LazNovak]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

No problem! Let us know how it goes.

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

I sure will !!!!

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Alnico 5 Rough Cast Bar Magnet 2.444'' Long
Alnico 8 Cast Bar Magnet 2.444'' Long Alnico 5 Cast Bar Magnet 2.444'' Long Alnico 5 Cast Bar Magnet 2.444'' Long "Un-Oriented" is what i ordered

 

[Jeff5]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Love love love a big ceramic in an SH-5. If you want it to sound bigger, meaner, that's the ticket. The Alt-8 is a different beast though, especially due to the A8 mag. I find A8s are too round for my taste. But that's me.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

Love love love a big ceramic in an SH-5. If you want it to sound bigger, meaner, that's the ticket. The Alt-8 is a different beast though, especially due to the A8 mag. I find A8s are too round for my taste. But that's me.

One factor is how much distortion you use. C8's are great clean and with moderate gain.

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

What is the easiest way to make sure you put the magnet in correctly ?

 

[jeremy]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

match it to the one thats in there

 

[ScottieB]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

ok thanks

 

[blueman335]

Re: SH-5 Mag swap

match it to the one thats in there

Meaning slide the old mag halfway out, and hold the new one up to it, so that the ends repel and sides attract.