What mags for '59 set under C-tunning

[Jazz Rock]

First let me tell you I am now convinced that guitars are meant to be tuned in standard C. There is no doubt about it!

Now, the set of '59 with A4 mag in the neck was very nice in standard E, but I think it might be a bit bass heavy with the new setup.

I was thinking of trying something like A3 neck + A2 bridge or A8 set. Any experiences with these mags in '59s?

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: What mags for '59 set under C-tunning

Well, I will try all of the above than and come back to give a wee review later on.

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: What mags for '59 set under C-tunning

FWIW, degaussed A2 is by far my favorite magnet with the '59b (I've tried degaussed and fully charged A5, A4, and A2). If an A2 '59 is fully charged, you'll get a fat, warm wall of mids. But if you degauss the pickup using Zhangliqun's method, you can get a very balanced EQ, and the fatness and warmth of the A2 magnet.

I'm assume that you're using your Jackhammer pedal for gain? If that's the case, I'll try my degaussed A2 '59b with the same pedal in standard C, and get back to you.

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: What mags for '59 set under C-tunning

FWIW, degaussed A2 is by far my favorite magnet with the '59b (I've tried degaussed and fully charged A5, A4, and A2). If an A2 '59 is fully charged, you'll get a fat, warm wall of mids. But if you degauss the pickup using Zhangliqun's method, you can get a very balanced EQ, and the fatness and warmth of the A2 magnet.

I'm assume that you're using your Jackhammer pedal for gain? If that's the case, I'll try my degaussed A2 '59b with the same pedal in standard C, and get back to you.

Thanks Hanum.

I use the Jackhammer and the FOD for overdrive. So if you do that it'll give me a fair idea of where it is leading.

I had seen Zhangliqun's method when he first mentioned it. I think I'll start first with fully gaussed mags and if it doesn't lead me where I want I'll go down the route of degaussing.

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: What mags for '59 set under C-tunning

In a word: huge. The open C tuning just turns it into a monster. Very full, with a deep growl. Palm mutes are big and chunky, but predictably not the tightest (it is a '59, so there's nothing much new there).

How you perceive it will most likely depend on what you are looking for in the tone. If you're looking for huge, chunky tone then degaussed A2 works very well for that.

I think of a degaussed A2 '59 as being similar to a Seth, Antiquity, or BurstBucker 1/2, if that helps.