Pickup mods: Magnet-Swaps and the "Half-Air" mod demystified

[jhale667]

Still writing the formal review, but here's some first impressions...

OK, as of today I have to say my two favorite "modded" pickups are the Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid and the Custom 8. The hybrid has the vintage undertone mixed in with the awesome, and the Custom 8 is all awesome all the time. They both clean up well, don't get me wrong - but mid-to-low volume settings are where the Hybrid really shines, due to the complexity of its tone. If the Custom 8 cleans up well, the Hybrid cleans up amazingly well. It really is the best of everything - serious Custom-type wallop with the classic PAF-early VH vibe going too. So if I had to describe the two - the Hybrid is for the guy that wants to cover all the bases, and the Custom 8 for the guy that wants to KILL everyone at all the bases.

[jhale667]

Cool Screamin' Demon demo...




Think my next project is going to be testing a variety of magnets in the 59/Custom Hybrid... it sounds AWESOME with the A5, but I'm curious to hear what it sounds like with an A8, and I also have UOA5 and ceramic mags kickin' about, so why not?

[jhale667]

Probably the coolest "How to swap a Mag" tutorial vid I've seen yet, done by the Duncan forums ConvoysToNothingness.

[jhale667]

I'm reeeeally digging the 59/Custom Hybrid (still with the stock A5). There's something about the two coils doing completely different things that just gives it this mojo that's something to behold. No matter how much gain you pile on, open chords still have this cool AC/DC vintage vibe going on via the 59 coil, but it doesn't fully tub out due to the extra beef from the Custom coil. The lead sound is AWESOME, singing w/total clarity and balls, but it does make you stay on top of your picking, as it's a little unforgiving of mistakes. Pretty F*ing brilliant overall!

[jhale667]

M'kay, next up - going slightly more old-school in the bridge... testing the TB-4 JB and the STK-S6 in the Koa Warmoth Strat...excited!

[jhale667]

2 for 2 pickup review.

Wow, the JB pisses all over the Custom Custom in the Koa Strat...no contest, really. And I loved the CC in it!

STK-S66 is awesome. Great neck pickup.

[Coyote]

So, how would you describe it?

[Seshmeister]

I put a new scratch plate on yesterday and just noticed that the shop put the Tone Zone bridge pickup in upside down last year when I got them to put it in!

I'm very tempted to leave it as the wiring is cut short and it sounds fine to me. Is it likely to improve much if I get it sorted?

[jhale667]

Nice!

So, how would you describe it?

It's cool. Funny, I've always heard how the JB is "finicky" in certain guitars/woods etc. if so not the case here. None of the rumored "icepick" highs or nasal mid-spike. I'd ordered a 250K pot because that's recommended to tame the highs (the JB is one of the few humbuckers designed TO work on 250K pots), but I don't think I'll need it. It has way more personality than the A2 CC did in here; just sounds more "rock". Similiar not-quite-as-tight as I'd like low-end, but it could be lived with.

[jhale667]

If only there was some... visual representation of this tone...oh, wait!

Yeah, the more I listen to it in the guitar, it's seriously kinda got this bridge vibe:



Seriously, in a good "big rock" way. Huge power chord stuff - done. Great lead tone. Bet it sits really well in a band mix too. Excellent for 80s and 90s rock tunes. And if ya think about it, people like Jerry Cantrell have used them (up until he got a MCP sig pickup). But I downloaded "Balls Out" by SP over the weekend (EPIC production btw, get it) , and it's that kinda rhythm tone. No wonder it comes standard in so many guitars, in the right one, it's pretty cool.

Thought about direct-mounting it but it would've required a trip to the Home Depot to get some small wood blocks to build up the mouting leg routs on the Warmoth body...it's like they're routed for taller than standard legs. Even with a mounting ring can't imagine the pickup mounting screw ever needing that much clearance, but oh well. So not happening with that body any time soon, too much of a pain. Really makes it questionable with this stashed Musikraft body. Routs aren't as deep, but what a PITA.

The JB's totally fine with the stock A5, but if an A8 swap (the JB8) does for it what it does for a Custom, ...and tightened up the lows even a smidge (which it might), it'd pretty much rule alongside the C8.

[jhale667]

I put a new scratch plate on yesterday and just noticed that the shop put the Tone Zone bridge pickup in upside down last year when I got them to put it in!

I'm very tempted to leave it as the wiring is cut short and it sounds fine to me. Is it likely to improve much if I get it sorted?

...Only in that it'll change which coil is sensing the string where. But generally speaking standard slug/screw-coil pickup bridge mount is screw-coil closest to the bridge. Got pic? If you like the way it sounds, leave it. Why would it involve the wiring if you're just reversing the way the pickup is oriented... are the wires cut that short? :confused:

[Seshmeister]

Oh maybe I'm ok then the screw coils are closest to the bridge it's just in some pics of other guitars they weren't.

[Seshmeister]

[jhale667]

NAaaah, you're fine. Only able to view the pic on my BB at the moment, but they look like they're oriented correctly.


*EDIT* Double-check notice: They are. You're fine. Don't change 'em unless you just wanna hear them upside-down.

[Seshmeister]

Thanks!

I'm not mad it's just that I did a google image search for DiMarzio Tone Zone and it came up with lots of pics like these and got paranoid...