58/15 LT pickup

[Lewguitar]

This is cool information. Next time I will try an Alnico III in the neck, love the SC reference. I like the V a lot better for neck application than the II, but it has a little too much bass. The III might fix that.

So Roughcast Alnico 4 might be a better magnet for you. I like alnico 5 in a bridge pickup but I like A4 in a neck pickup.

A4 is a slightly weaker magnet and has less bass so it doesn't get as muddy as A5 can sometimes.

A4 has less treble bite than A5, but more treble bite than A2.

A4 also has tighter bass than alnico 2 and not quite as much bass as A5.

It's sound is right between A2 and A5.

At least that's how I hear it in a neck humbucker.

 

[Longneck Tenon]

Clarity is definitely what I’m aiming for. The Lollar Firebird is one of the most beautiful, clear, and dynamic pickups I’ve ever heard. Especially for a neck pickup. So the balance is pretty off right now.

My 58/15 LT is a two wire and it’s split. The white wire goes to the tone push/pull.

I am strongly considering replacing the P90 bridge pickup in my Hamer Studio Custom with a Lollar Firebird pickup to see if I can get closer to the Neil Young “Old Black” sound.

 

[Geo408]

Where do you get the magnets from? I’ve been thinking about changing out a few in my PRS guitars, especially the neck positions. They all sound a bit bassy, and warmer than I prefer. Also, when you get them, are they marked N & S? I admit that I don’t know much about changing magnets, because I’ve changed hundreds of pickups out, but never fooled around with the magnets. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jjhookemup]

Mojotone, is where I get mine. Also, when you slide the magnet out of the pick up, you put the new one up to it, slde by side, longways and get em to stick to confirm it’s the right direction

 

[jjhookemup]

UPDATE: Today I put in a rough cast A5 and it definitely improved the overall dark tone. Just not enough to match the Firebirds big, beautiful clarity. So tomorrow, when I have more time, I’ll try an A5 polished.

 

[Lewguitar]

UPDATE: Today I put in a rough cast A5 and it definitely improved the overall dark tone. Just not enough to match the Firebirds big, beautiful clarity. So tomorrow, when I have more time, I’ll try an A5 polished.

You may or may not notice a big diff.

I use roughcast for everything.

Since most pickups use polished A5, I especially use roughcast A5 if a pickup is a little too bright or sharp with polished A5.

I'll switch to roughcast to warm or or round it a little.

I'm glad you're doing this! It's so rewarding.

 

[jjhookemup]

You may or may not notice a big diff.

I use roughcast for everything.

Since most pickups use polished A5, I especially use roughcast A5 if a pickup is a little too bright or sharp with polished A5.

I'll switch to roughcast to warm or or round it a little.

I'm glad you're doing this! It's so rewarding.

Definitely really love the RCA5. Seems like a stronger A2. I also didn’t want to mess with an original 58/15 LT, but I’m tired of spending constantly.
Hopefully the polished A5 will do the trick.

 

[jjhookemup]

I should notice a stronger difference between the RCA5 and the polished A5, right?

 

[jjhookemup]

Well the polished A5 is in and it sounds fantastic! Really nice. It’s not over powering anything tone wise. Just the right amounts of everything. The pickup still maintains its midrange character too. I really like it. I was hoping it would still retain some of that mid creaminess.
This is the pickup PRS needs to be making. I really think the low turns helps it too with this combination. Very pleased.