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Andy40
18-03-2016, 04:47 AM
Hi Guys, a little while back I was reading someone's build diary where they had a great tutorial (almost) on replacing the ceramic magnet in the PBG Humbucker with an Alnico magnet. I've lost the thread and I can't find it anywhere.:mad:
I've got some old PBG humbuckers that I was going to experiment with before my next build....does anyone have a link to that thread? or any others that may be helpful.
Any other mods that I may consider.:confused:

tonyw
18-03-2016, 06:18 AM
Andy i am going to be putting A5 and A2 in these HB'S i have here, its just a matter of stripping them down then changing out the Ceramic for an Alnico mag, which your probably going to have to charge up.

Ceramic mag is 62mmL 13mmW 5mm H

Just take your time and reverse engineer it, the magnet is held in by wax

tonyw
18-03-2016, 06:24 AM
I must also make a note that the ceramic magnets in these pickups has a very very low gauss reading.

tonyw
18-03-2016, 10:22 AM
OK heres what you need, i just started a rip down

Some A5 L 2.444" x W 0.492" H 0.125"

the A5 is thinner than the ceramic but will fit fine.

Ceramic black Alnico Silver

9520
9521
9522

Andy40
18-03-2016, 10:47 AM
Thanks heaps Tony....anywhere good to order the Alnicos?

By the way...do you rewind them as well or are the windings ok? I'm only asking as I can't wind, got nothing to do it as yet.

tonyw
18-03-2016, 11:54 AM
Hi Andy i dont rewind them unless they are broken, although the inductance is 4.6H hich is pretty good, the resistance is is not bad around the 9.8K for a HB, these reading taken after i put the HB back together

That H reading is far more important in determining a pickups tone, output than resistance

Inductance
9529

Resistance
9530

tonyw
18-03-2016, 11:58 AM
Strip the surround of the HB then remove the solder i use my blade rocking back and forwards comes apart in seconds, just dont be too heavy handed

9531

Need to break the solder
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Into it with the blade
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Must have in the tool kit
9534

tonyw
18-03-2016, 12:01 PM
Thanks heaps Tony....anywhere good to order the Alnicos?



I have an A5 here PM me they arnt too dear, i can flick it at cost.

tonyw
18-03-2016, 12:11 PM
4 phillips screws need to be undone on the back of the base plate

9541

Out of the cover, theres some wax in there, they arnt potted, they just run some wax between the cover and the poles, and also underneath where the plate is

9537

Ceramic magnet is under the bobbins against the pole pieces, watch you dont stuff that wiring
9538

A view from the other end, this is the end i work from
9539

tonyw
18-03-2016, 12:34 PM
Gently pries away the bobbins to expose the Ceramic, i take note of the polarity of the magnet, this one was south facing, i put the new A5 in the same way.
9542
9543
9544

New A5 south facing
9545

tonyw
18-03-2016, 12:45 PM
Put your screws back in making sure everything lines up, re-solder the cover and your done, new A5 humbucker

9546
9547

Andy40
18-03-2016, 02:01 PM
You are an effing legend my friend....

tonyw
18-03-2016, 02:25 PM
As long as it helps alls good

stan
18-03-2016, 04:46 PM
Great write up tony, you need to do one on wax potting too!

tonyw
18-03-2016, 05:03 PM
Great write up tony, you need to do one on wax potting too!

I did one a while back Stan

Andy40
25-04-2016, 09:57 AM
Hey Tony, If you are reading this.

I had a crack at replacing one of my PBG ceramic magnets with an A5. Followed these instructions, which are brilliant I might add.

I can see what you mean about the thinner A5 magnet. I intend to wax pot them (20% bees wax and 85% para) as soon as I've done all 4. However, you you think I should shim the A5 magnet with a bit of plastic or something? or will the wax be enough?

Also do you/can you replace the plastic tape around the coils?