Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

[Iron1]

One of my buddies bought a Pegasus, loved it but wanted more output, so he swapped the stock Alnico 5 mag for a Ceramic magnet. Then, he ended up with another pickup in a guitar flip deal, so he let me use the Pegasus to see what I thought.

Wow, this thing is amazing.

Tighter lows, grindier (is that a word?) mids like the Invader, but more refined/defined, and an ultras crisp, sizzling high end.

Through my 6505 and Line 6 HD500x (only running Boss OD, slight compression) it sounds incredible. If you play metal and are able to pul off a mag swap like this, I highly recommend it. In fact, SD should make the Pegasus available with a ceramic option for those who want more aggression without giving up the definition/character. Basically, it's a Pegasus on steroids. It's perfect for me, a pickup with modern refinements driven by old school aggression.

 

[chris effect]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

One of my buddies bought a Pegasus, loved it but wanted more output, so he swapped the stock Alnico 5 mag for a Ceramic magnet. Then, he ended up with another pickup in a guitar flip deal, so he let me use the Pegasus to see what I thought.

Wow, this thing is amazing.

Tighter lows, grindier (is that a word?) mids like the Invader, but more refined/defined, and an ultras crisp, sizzling high end.

Through my 6505 and Line 6 HD500x (only running Boss OD, slight compression) it sounds incredible. If you play metal and are able to pul off a mag swap like this, I highly recommend it. In fact, SD should make the Pegasus available with a ceramic option for those who want more aggression without giving up the definition/character. Basically, it's a Pegasus on steroids. It's perfect for me, a pickup with modern refinements driven by old school aggression.

I swapped one into a Pegasus while go, but have only used it as a neck pickup while I waited for a shop floor custom SH6 neck to be built and shipped. Haven't tried it in the bridge position yet.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Bowtomecha]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

I’ve considered this myself. I’ve wanted to do the poor mans omega mod with the ceramic mag and hex pole pieces and I have everything for it but I’m taking care of noise, action, and pickup height issues first to rule out a bad setup first. I did replace the lower three poles on my Pegasus 7 and that definitely tightened up things. But I’m still tweaking to see what I can get from the Alnico first.

I’m actually headed in an Ibanez/SD Hyperion direction, which is like a slightly more powerful and responsive Peg to my ears, so I’m holding off on the magnet swap unless I find an underpowered Alnico 8 or stronger Alnico 5 if that even exists. People have gotten some good results with the A8. Originally I wanted something between the Pegasus and the Omega; the Peg is just a touch too weak and the Omega can be too snappy and aggressive for legato stuff. The Hyperion gets me there but there is no 7 string model and even then would only be available as a custom shop or Ibanez model.

If you’re looking for good authentic hex poles for your Pegasus, do a search on this site, I bought 14 from a forum member a few months ago and they really tighten up the low end. They’re 5/8 length and I think are the ideal length between the stick peg and those on the full shred. Just enough to change the articulation and bass response.

 

[Iron1]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

I’ve considered this myself. I’ve wanted to do the poor mans omega mod with the ceramic mag and hex pole pieces and I have everything for it but I’m taking care of noise, action, and pickup height issues first to rule out a bad setup first. I did replace the lower three poles on my Pegasus 7 and that definitely tightened up things. But I’m still tweaking to see what I can get from the Alnico first.

I’m actually headed in an Ibanez/SD Hyperion direction, which is like a slightly more powerful and responsive Peg to my ears, so I’m holding off on the magnet swap unless I find an underpowered Alnico 8 or stronger Alnico 5 if that even exists. People have gotten some good results with the A8. Originally I wanted something between the Pegasus and the Omega; the Peg is just a touch too weak and the Omega can be too snappy and aggressive for legato stuff. The Hyperion gets me there but there is no 7 string model and even then would only be available as a custom shop or Ibanez model.

If you’re looking for good authentic hex poles for your Pegasus, do a search on this site, I bought 14 from a forum member a few months ago and they really tighten up the low end. They’re 5/8 length and I think are the ideal length between the stick peg and those on the full shred. Just enough to change the articulation and bass response.

That's good info, thanks! I love it as is right now, but the itch to tweak stuff will come again, I'm sure. :lol:

I've not delved into swapping pole pieces, but I'm game to try, for sure.

 

[vanlandau]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

You get

The


MEGASUS

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

I've had thoughts about trying a double thick ceramic in a Pegasus, but I've never owned one to try it with.

 

[vanlandau]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

bro its like puttin a fiftyonefifty into yur pickup

 

[Iron1]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

bro its like puttin a fiftyonefifty into yur pickup

Great analogy.

 

[Iron1]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

If you’re looking for good authentic hex poles for your Pegasus, do a search on this site, I bought 14 from a forum member a few months ago and they really tighten up the low end. They’re 5/8 length and I think are the ideal length between the stick peg and those on the full shred. Just enough to change the articulation and bass response.

Did some searching and found a few other threads where you and others mention the pole pieces, but nowhere that I could buy them... lil help?

 

[ToneFiddler]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

bro its like puttin a fiftyonefifty into yur pickup

Great analogy.

really? what if someone is using a 5150 alreadymg:

 

[Iron1]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

really? what if someone is using a 5150 alreadymg:

:lol:

I use a 6505, does that count?

 

[ToneFiddler]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

yes that does count i suppose. this is dangerous territory! like dividing through zero

 

[Bowtomecha]

Re: Swapping the Alnico 5 for a Ceramic in a Pegasus

Iron1, pm Masta C I bought them from him. I like that they’re actual polepieces and not generic hex screws. For future reference to others, definitely avoid the addictionfx hex polepieces as they aren’t the correct size.