Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

[Drak]

So I'm swapping the magnet out in a DiMarzio Super 2.
Two questions:
The stock ceramic magnet is twice as tall as Duncan-sized bar magnets.
Is this where I'm supposed to make a wood spacer and insert it with the magnet to make up the height difference?
If so, does it make a difference if it goes on top or bottom?
Or something else I'm supposed to do here?

Second:
There is a large black ceramic magnet, AND a skinny silver magnet sitting directly beside it.
What is this skinny silver magnet and what do I do with it?
I imagine it gets removed with the ceramic, I was just curious what its there for and what does it do.

I'm swapping in a RC A4.
Thanks!

 

[Drak]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

So I just went ahead and cut a little piece of Maple and put it underneath the magnet, reassembled it and installed it.
It's working fine, I like it.
I hadn't had this pickup (Super 2) in a guitar in many years.
I remember it being rather harsh and abrasive, I had it in the bridge position back then.
It's now in the bridge position again in a H/S/S Tele, but there's nothing harsh and abrasive about it now.
It's slightly compressed, warm, pretty bold w/o being aggressive, pretty much just what I was shooting for.
Score!

 

[SeanK]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

Glad it ended up working out for you!

 

[JesusCrisp]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

What magnet did you switch it to?

The Super 2 makes a great neck pickup in conjunction with the Super Distortion in the bridge though.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

the little piece of silver metal isnt a magnet, its just a spacer

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

Cool swap! Haven't seen that one before!

What magnet did you switch it to?

The OP said "RC A4", which means RoughCast AlNiCo 4

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

I understand, from the Dimarzio Forum, that the super 2 and paf pro are the same wind. I cant confirm that though.

I had an a5 super 2 with the virtual vintage mod for a while in the neck with a super distortion bridge. I found the super 2 neck and super d bridge too close tonally. Far preferred super 2 neck with x2n bridge for a metal guitar.

 

[Drak]

Re: Two Questions - Swapping Mags in DiMarzio Super 2

Yeah, after a bit of research I discovered the silver thingie is a spacer.
I didn't want it to be a distortion pickup, when I had it in a guitar years ago (stock) I didn't like it at all.
Which is why it sat in a drawer for years and years.
But after looking at the specs, (the Super 2 is only 9k and change), I figured it should have better possibilities if I removed the ceramic mag for something else.
Whole different beast now.
I was right. I quite like it now.
Bold and firm with punch, and not a sign of the harshness it had before.