UOA5 ?

Re: UOA5 ?

crusty philtrum said:
So how does the UOA5 compare to A4 ? Seems to me like they might be in similar sonic territory.
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UOA5's are also warmer, next warmest to A2's. Basically, if you want an A2 kind of tone, but the high end is too rounded, just not enough treble to get enough bite or cut, an UOA5 should add what you need. The bottom on UOA5's is a little loose, not not quite as much as an A2. Overall, think of UOA5's as taking away a little of an A2's mids, and adding it to the high end.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

Mr. B said:
"Better", "Great", and "Sweet" are not exactly explanations for the TONE differences they were hearing in the pickups I was asking about (JB, 59b, Demon). I was hoping they could elaborate on what "Better" and "Great" sounds like...
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You didn't read my post #11 on 5/18/12?! It tells you what you can expect from a UOA5 relative to an A5...in any pup.

Interpolate.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

I'm glad you are satisfied with assuming you know all the nuances of tone change in pickups you have obviously never heard with an UOA5 magnet. What I don't understand is why are you trying so hard to shut questions like this down, when there are members who may have tried these exact combos and found unexpected things, good or bad. After all, this IS a discussion forum last I checked...
 
Re: UOA5 ?

When i changed the burstbucker pro from A5 to UOA5, I noticed a slightly rounder, smoother sound, but not like A2. Highs were less "edgy" or "present", there was more midrange emphasis and a more vowel-like lead tone on high frets, and the bass was softened a bit, but not much. Just noticeable. For me it's not spongey and round like A2.

It's like "turning down the tone knob" a notch but on the magnet... so it's not just muffling things up, it still has the push and definition of the original pickup. It's just not as bright. That's what I think people mean by "sweeter". Like there's a fequency rolloff in the high end that takes out A5's ear piercing ability without making you think that the whole pickup changed flavors.

Vs A4, UOA5 still seems to have more treble and more output, which to me just equates to more "attitude". And something in the texture of gain just sounds more "alnico-like" vs A4, which can sometimes lack some of the chime that a5, a3, a2 can get.

So I hope my exp. with the BBpro with UOA5 helps, as the 59B isn't too far off from a BBpro, and the 59/custom should probably take on the same general characteristics... IME mag swapping has fairly predictable outcomes if you know the general characteristics of the magnets.
 
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Re: UOA5 ?

Mr. B said:
I'm glad you are satisfied with assuming you know all the nuances of tone change in pickups you have obviously never heard with an UOA5 magnet. What I don't understand is why are you trying so hard to shut questions like this down, when there are members who may have tried these exact combos and found unexpected things, good or bad. After all, this IS a discussion forum last I checked...
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Actually, I HAVE personal experience with the UOA5 in many pups over the past 5 years(including the ones you've mentioned). How presumptuous of you to claim I have never heard them.

I'm not trying to "shut questions like this down" at all. It's just that your question has already been answered by Blueman, LtKojak, myself, and now FuzeG4.

You seem to be rather dense, so I'll spell it out for you...

Magnets have certain characteristics which they impart to any pup that they are installed in. An A5 has bright highs, scooped mids, solid bass, is very articulate. A UOA5 is softer in the highs, has more mids, a slightly softer low end response. It still retains that A5 character, but it is smoother/softer. It is still chimey and articulate, but not spikey in the high end. It is between an A5 and an A2 but much closer in character to the A5, but with some of the response of the A2.

You want to know what a UOA5 will do in a 59?
It will soften the highs, add some mids, reduce the boominess in the bass and make it feel a bit softer, and generally make the pup sound a bit smoother and more even (tonally).

You want to know what a UOA5 will do to a Demon?
It will soften the highs, add some mids, reduce the bass, and generally make the pup sound a bit smoother and more even (tonally). The Demon already has a pretty even tone.

You want to know what a UOA5 will do to the JB?
It will soften the highs (the high-mid spike, in this case), add some mids (esp lower mids), reduce the bass and make it feel a bit softer, and generally make the pup sound a bit smoother and more even (tonally).

You want to know what the UOA5 will do to a Custom5?
It will soften the highs, fill in some mids, reduce the bass slightly and make it feel a bit softer, and generally make the pup sound a bit smoother and more even (tonally).

You want to know what the UOA5 will do to a P-Rails? A Jazz? A Vintage P-90?
Well, I think you get (or should get by now) the answer.
 
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Re: UOA5 ?

Ok, Guitardoc, you win. I'm asking if the UOA5 did anything unique in pickups that HAD NOT been elaborated on yet. I apologize for being excited about new tones and trying to find more detailed information from fellow players about pickups they have tried. It was my mistake for not realizing that questions could not be asked after "THE ONE" answer had been given to us. I don't know why I am so dense that I did not know that EVERY PICKUP IN THE UNIVERSE reacts EXACTLY the same way to the UOA5 magnet. I'm so stupid, that I assumed it COULD possibly have other secondary effects (like the one you stated about it lessening the mid hump on the JB). I'm so glad that now, NO ONE should ever need any explanation beyond the one sentence you repeated over and over again. Thank you for pointing out what a lowly cretin I am. I shall never bother the guitar gods here on the forum again for any additional information on anything.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

Mr. B said:
Ok, Guitardoc, you win. I'm asking if the UOA5 did anything unique in pickups that HAD NOT been elaborated on yet. I apologize for being excited about new tones and trying to find more detailed information from fellow players about pickups they have tried. It was my mistake for not realizing that questions could not be asked after "THE ONE" answer had been given to us. I don't know why I am so dense that I did not know that EVERY PICKUP IN THE UNIVERSE reacts EXACTLY the same way to the UOA5 magnet. I'm so stupid, that I assumed it COULD possibly have other secondary effects (like the one you stated about it lessening the mid hump on the JB). I'm so glad that now, NO ONE should ever need any explanation beyond the one sentence you repeated over and over again. Thank you for pointing out what a lowly cretin I am. I shall never bother the guitar gods here on the forum again for any additional information on anything.
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Get off it, man. You asked a question that had just been answered a couple posts previous in the same thread. If you didn't notice the answer, you should have reread the posts, since that was what this thread was all about in the first place.

You're not a nubee to this forum so you know that we are all very happy to answer questions and help everyone out with their problems. But as you well know, there is not always one simple answer to any given question. Sometimes (usually) only can be given a generalized answer because everyone hears and interprets and describes tone in different ways. Three or four answers had already been given by posters in their individual ways. What more did you want?

You wanted specific detailed answers regarding several specific pups that you listed? Well I gave you those specific answers and now you're getting all bent out of shape and criticizing me for giving you the answers you wanted.

So now if you are feeling that you don't want to ask anymore questions for fear that they may already have been answered, then I might suggest that you do a search first before asking. You may actually get a precice answer to your question without having to even publicly ask, therefore avoiding any potential embarrassment.

Mr. B said:
I shall never bother the guitar gods here on the forum again for any additional information on anything.
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I'm sorry you feel so upset about this. It would be a shame if you took it to this extreme. You have a lot of knowledge and experience that can be of help to many forum members, and your questions can also help others that may be looking for the same answers. Just be willing to accept the advice given to you without being so combative.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

If you go back and read the entire thread from anyone else's perspective but your own, you will find I am correct in stating that no one had mentioned specifics about the pickups I asked about.

Quoting myself:

Mr. B said:
I am interested in the UOA5 in the JB, 59b, and Demon bridge pickups. Could you guys elaborate on the change in tone you hear in those after the magnet change?
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What had been said about those pickups with an UOA5 magnet, up until that point was:

JB: "sweet"
59b: "great"

You seem to think that knowing what UOA5 does "in general" to pickups ends the discussion. I think there is more to be said about each individual pickup and its reaction to UOA5. Since you don't want to say any more about it (although you did actually add more details in your insulting reply) why can't you simply say nothing, and allow the rest of us to continue a discussion if anyone else has anything to add.

UOA5 is still being experimented with by many members, and I don't think anyone would agree that no more needs to be said about it. Searching for the pickups I am asking about with UOA5 brings up very little to read through, and even if it did, I don't see why a little more knowledge would hurt anyone.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

I kinda agree with guitardoc on this subject it's been answered numerous times, no one is trying to be argumentative.

But if you already know what the pickup and how it's winding imparts a flavor to the tone than knowing the basics of the magnet types should tell you exactly what to expect when you mag swap.

You can't really expect that a lot of people can give you specific answers on every case by case instance. Most guitarists don't own that many different pickups nor do they all swap that many magnets out (if any at all).

And as has been said you probably aren't alone in asking these questions and this forum can be a resource to many others that have similar issues/questions. So don't shut down and be combative.

Something to bear in mind is that pickups, their windings, and the magnet selections are all very subtle tone changes. So if the player is weak or the instrument sucks for the desired end tone very little can be done to change the final result from crap in to awesome out.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

I dont know why but I always thought a4 would be good for metal if you wanted to use low output pickups. Never tried it though
 
Re: UOA5 ?

blueman335 said:
Somebody ought to try A4's for metal...volunteers?
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not the greatest recording quality, but here's the C4 through my old Jet City



Sounded pretty good but had something left to be desired in terms of responsiveness and feel.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

I have a Strat with a rear routed Alder body with no finish, Maple neck with a Rose Wood FB, a single 59/C I put together, a 83 OFR, 500k vol. I run 9s but replace the .042 with a .049 to .052 and tune it to Drop D. I think it sound much better with the UOA5 than it did with the polished A5. If you are curious about the UOA5 you just need to get one and try it. You will like it. If for some reason you don't like it in that pup in that git box try it in something else. You will find a home for it.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

Plain ol' Custom.

ended up changing out numerous times and now my Custom has an RCA3. The A4 ended up in the '59N in my SG.
It could've just been the guitar, but I didn't care for the CustomA4 all that much. Worth trying though. It's very balanced, with a bit of chewiness in the low end and a very sweet/singing high end. Mids are there, but nothing special about 'em.
 
Re: UOA5 ?

UA5 to me is right between A2 and A5. It retains much of the bite of A5 but not all, with less bottom than A5. It's nothing at all like A4 to me.
 
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