Thoughts on the A4 59

[SFW]

So I just install a couple of A4 magnets into a set if 59s I have. I immediately noticed the tonal difference. And this is without letting the mags settle for the 24 hours I usually allow.

The neck pickup for this very nice open vintage vibe. Cleans are very nice. Soloing with gain it almost has a single-coil vibe, where you get the attach and then the note blooms. I'm not sure it will de thrown the Slash neck for my favorite, but it is a very nice tone.

The bridge. My 59b meters out at 8.3k. With the A4, I noticed a very slight decrease in output. The tone is very balanced. The lows are firm and the A4 brings the mids up nicely. The highs are present, but not harsh or overpowering like I have noticed in the stock 59b. Overall, I really like the tonal change. I feel this could be a crazy good pickup with a slightly hotter wind. Maybe 8.6 to 9k range. Again, I'm not sure it will replace the Slash bridge- as that set has rapidly become my favorite set of pickups. But these are definitely worth checking out.

I'll try to get a clip up in the next day or so.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

Thanks for the review. I really like my A4 loaded 59n. Such a big improvement over the A5.

I haven't swapped out the mags in the bridge pup, though, as I'm pretty happy the way it is, but I am intrigued by your description. I do use the middle position a lot, and find that the tone isn't quite as good as it was when both pups were A5, so maybe switching the bridge to A4 would help with balancing out that position better.

 

[SFW]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I really do like them. I'll make a clip after the mags have had a change to completely settle into the pickups.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I feel this could be a crazy good pickup with a slightly hotter wind. Maybe 8.6 to 9k range.

+1. I'd love to see Duncan with a 9K bridge PAF.

 

[SFW]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

+1. I'd love to see Duncan with a 9K bridge PAF.

I may have to talk to MJ about doing one. I wonder if she would use an A4 if I sent it to her?

 

[Dr.K]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

+1. I'd love to see Duncan with a 9K bridge PAF.

Isn't that what the '78 is?

 

[lemonman]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I may have to talk to MJ about doing one. I wonder if she would use an A4 if I sent it to her?

Try an off the shelf WLH; isn't it 8.7k or so?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

Isn't that what the '78 is?

But it's a Custom Shop model and too expensive for a lot of players. Duncan needs a production 9K PAF. Everybody has PAF's in the low/mid 8K range. Why not a 'Hot PAF' bridge with an A2 or A4?

 

[SFW]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

But it's a Custom Shop model and too expensive for a lot of players. Duncan needs a production 9K PAF. Everybody has PAF's in the low/mid 8K range. Why not a 'Hot PAF' bridge with an A2 or A4?

I totally agree with this.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

For me, an A4 modded '59 set is the quintaessential potted PAF tonefootprint.

HTH,

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

For me, an A4 modded '59 set is the quintaessential potted PAF tonefootprint.

And why isn't it in production, brother?

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

Alnico magnets don't "settle" or change at all unless exposed to another magnetic field with enough strength to alter it.

 

[Dr.K]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

But it's a Custom Shop model and too expensive for a lot of players. Duncan needs a production 9K PAF. Everybody has PAF's in the low/mid 8K range. Why not a 'Hot PAF' bridge with an A2 or A4?

True! I bet they'd sell a load of '78's if they became a standard model. It's what you're asking for 9k and an A2.

 

[SFW]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

Alnico magnets don't "settle" or change at all unless exposed to another magnetic field with enough strength to alter it.

Correct. However the pickup takes about 24 hours, in my experience, to settle with a new magnets properties.

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I love 59 with A4 or A2. A2 is sweet like butter. A4 is more even open response to me. If you like the 59 A4, try 59/jazz hybrid A4 in the neck....its crazy good

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I run A4 in a couple of the 59b models I use in the necks of some of my axes.. My explorer has a C8 bridge A4 59b in the neck. the a4 rounds off some of the boomy bass. Good stuff!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I remember reading a comment by Seymour Duncan where he said that Clapton's 1960 Les Paul sunburst that he played with John Mayall might have had alnico 4 pickups. Either alnico 4 or 5. But he seemed to lean towards alnico 4 for that tone.

If true, using alnico 4 would sort of turn a Duncan 59 into a Duncan 60...if there were such a thing.

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

Dude A4 in a 59n is key. Sounds too good

 

[SFW]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I remember reading a comment by Seymour Duncan where he said that Clapton's 1960 Les Paul sunburst that he played with John Mayall might have had alnico 4 pickups. Either alnico 4 or 5. But he seemed to lean towards alnico 4 for that tone.

If true, using alnico 4 would sort of turn a Duncan 59 into a Duncan 60...if there were such a thing.

I thought the Beno burst was a 59? Perhaps I am mistaken. In any case, the A4 59 sounds really good.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Thoughts on the A4 59

I thought the Beno burst was a 59? Perhaps I am mistaken. In any case, the A4 59 sounds really good.

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Ele...Gibson-Custom/Eric-Clapton-1960-Les-Paul.aspx

Gibson used alnico III for the pickups in this reissue ax. No one seems to know for sure about such things because the original guitar cannot be found.