Loving Alnico 4's in Wolfetone Marshallhead / Dr V set

[Prina]

Summary:
Switched out the Wolfetone Marshallhead / Dr Vintage A2's for roughcast A4's in a SE245 and the sound is amazingly like the 57/08's in the Stripped 58. For $7 cost & the half hour needed for the swap it's the biggest bang for the buck-minute I've ever had.

It's been pickup optimization here over the last month or so, starting with putting in a vintage Gibson bridge / Wolfetone Meaner P-90 set in the SE245 Soapbar and finally dialing in the bridge 57/08 in the Stripped 58. Even though I'd been pretty happy with the Marshallhead / Dr Vintage set in the other SE245 previously, after hearing how good the other two were, it seemed that that SE245 needed both a little more clarity and output.

As usual, there's a wealth of info info available. In this case PAF style pickups in a set-neck, mahogany, maple capped singlecut. Key influencers included:

Justin York (IR maker on Fractal forum), talking about the pickups in his Les Pauls:
For humbuckers, Alnico 4 and Alnico 2 magnets are the most pleasing, IMO. Alnico 5 can get brash depending on the pickup, and ceramic magnets always sound washed out and undefined to my ears. The only humbuckers I've kept have either A4 or A2 magnets and typically between the 8k-9k'ish range because I like clarity and dynamics in a pickup. Try raising the pole pieces a full turn for starters and then adjust your pickup height for the body and output you want.

Bareknuckle website:
Sand cast Alnico IV magnets give The Mule faster response in the bass, fuller mids and better control in the high end.

@Lewguitar (RIP):
I'm fussy and prefer the sound roughcast Alnico gives to a pickup

So in went the A4's, adjusted the bridge pup as Justin recommended, and out came great sound.

 

[SinSir]

Wolfetone pickups are amazing and Wolfe is the best is the business to work with. The first time I picked up a set of his pickups I was blown away. Quickly followed by ordering a few more and snagging others off reverb. Swapping mags is a great way to shape tone for not a lot of money or time. Glad to hear it worked out so well. I haven't tried the A4 but Wolfe has sent me some mags to try. A5 turned out to be my fav in the MH. Maybe I should give an A4 a try my next swap?

 

[Gtrbldr]

Very cool! Magnets make a difference, but the impact varies with the position and the amount of turns. I noticed I like AlNiCo 2 in the bridge, but - both for p90s and HBs alike - I prefer low turn, AlNiCo 5 for the neck. Gives definition and chime, while retaining HB qualities as well.

 

[SinSir]

AlNiCo 5 for the neck. Gives definition and chime, while retaining HB qualities as well.

I've semi recently discovered this myself. I originally thought no for A5 in the neck but I was wrong. Sounds great. That's exactly how I'd describe it definition and chime while retaining HB qualities.

 

[Gtrbldr]

I've semi recently discovered this myself. I originally thought no for A5 in the neck but I was wrong. Sounds great. That's exactly how I'd describe it definition and chime while retaining HB qualities.

It is a little counter intuitive, given the stronger magnet properties, but it works like a charm!

 

[Prina]

It is a little counter intuitive, given the stronger magnet properties, but it works like a charm!

Maybe there just aren't any hard rules. Guidelines, yes. But it seems that there maybe enough differences in each guitar and pickup that one really isn't sure until it's actually given a trial. For instance, in the bridge position I have an A2 in the Stripped 58-57/08 and superstrat-SD Pearly Gates, an A4 in the SE245-Marshallhead and A5s in the SE Soapbar-Gibson P90. All sound great.

Uncovered and unpotted pickups like the Marshallhead almost seem to want an easy tryout of different magnets just to make sure.

 

[SinSir]

For instance, in the bridge position I have an A2 in the Stripped 58-57/08

I've often thought about slapping an A5/A4 in the 5708

 

[Gtrbldr]

I've often thought about slapping an A5/A4 in the 5708

The 5 might actually work very well in the neck. I kind of like the A2 for the bridge, but not to much for the neck.

 

[SinSir]

The 5 might actually work very well in the neck. I kind of like the A2 for the bridge, but not to much for the neck.

I should have specified.. I talking about the bridge. I dig 5708 but often wish there was a little more bite from the bridge. I like the neck a lot as is, lol! Shows no two ears are always the same.

I have a set of 5815LT-V the neck is about .5 hotter and per an email from PRS CS it also has a mag swap. The natural assumption is that's an A5. I always thought the V was just because of the .5 hotter. The guy showed me a screen shot from PRS saying it has a mag swap.

I've wondered if it's a mag swap the + in the 5815LT+ too? The readings seem to be the similar as other LT but they do sound different.

 

[Prina]

I dig 5708 but often wish there was a little more bite from the bridge.

That was also my original impression of the Stripped '58 bridge at PRS standard height. And I agree that the neck pickup sounds great.

Raising the pole pieces a full turn and then bringing the pickup even closer to the strings made a huge difference. Lots more bite and I was surprised how much clarity it still had.

Let us know of your impression if you try it.

 

[SinSir]

That was also my original impression of the Stripped '58 bridge at PRS standard height. And I agree that the neck pickup sounds great.

Raising the pole pieces a full turn and then bringing the pickup even closer to the strings made a huge difference. Lots more bite and I was surprised how much clarity it still had.

Let us know of your impression if you try it.

Thats pretty much how I ended up diggin the bridge of the '58. I resisted for the longest time. I don't look at recommend settings, but I'm more of pickups lower type of guy. With the '58 I went against my usual and now it's great.

 

[Prina]

Thats pretty much how I ended up diggin the bridge of the '58. I resisted for the longest time.

It took me a year. But ears, especially fresh ones, don't lie.

Even then, I never considered trying to swap the magnet in it and having to deal with the cover.

 

[SinSir]

It took me a year. But ears, especially fresh ones, don't lie.

Even then, I never considered trying to swap the magnet in it and having to deal with the cover.

Fresh ears don't lie. I always double check for a day or two just make sure.

Removing/reinstalling covers is typically pretty simple. PRS covers are a lil more difficult to get off. They're what finally made me break down for a better iron. PRS always wants my cash one way or another!