Replacing PBG Humbucker Magnet

[Andy40]

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.
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.

[tonyw]

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]

I must also make a note that the ceramic magnets in these pickups has a very very low gauss reading.

[tonyw]

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

[Andy40]

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]

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


Resistance

[tonyw]

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



Need to break the solder


Into it with the blade


Must have in the tool kit

[tonyw]

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]

4 phillips screws need to be undone on the back of the base plate



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



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


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

[tonyw]

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.




New A5 south facing