CUSTOM MAGNET HUMBUCKERS



MAGNET SWAPPING

 see below for details & pics of work in order

After reading some online blogs about humbuckers and the different sounds players can get from changing the magnet from, say an Alnico 5 to an Alnico 8, I became intrigued. Then I read through the actual ordered steps and after becoming familiar with the ins and outs of the process and visualizing what had to be done, I thought this might be kinda fun. But the key to really doing it was seeing how cheap these replacement magnets are - just a couple of bucks each. And there are Al Ni Co (ALuminum, NIckel, and CObalt) humbucker magnets combinations (numbers) I've never even heard of, like Alnico 6 and Alnico 9.

Swapping humbucker magnets is fairly simple as outlined by these steps:
  1. Take a deep breath because you're about to take apart a perfectly good pickup and swap out the AlNiCo magnet
  2. If desired, age the humbucker now, because you won't want to mess with it too much after these steps
  3. Peel away the fabric tape surrounding the coil bobbins
  4. Remove the four small screws from the baseplate
  5. Slowly remove the bobbins and magnet from the baseplate being careful not to damage any of the connecting wires (use a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen everything)
  6. Check and align the magnetic polarity of the "as is" and "to be" magnet bars
  7. Apply a light coating of wax (surfboard wax [Sex Wax] works great!) to the new magnet and carefully replicate the placement (with correct polarity alignment) between the bobbins
    8. NOTE: if the plan is to swap baseplates, do that now by unsoldering the ground wire on the stock baseplate and re-solder the ground to the new one; then guide the conductor wires through the corner plate hole
  8. If desired, replace the plastic spacer with a real wood spacer (light coating of wax)
  9. Place the bobbins and magnet back into the baseplate (six screw poles back into the baseplate holes), being careful with the wires and ensuring there's enough wax in there
  10. Re-attach the bobbins to the baseplate with the four small screws (not too tight!)
  11. Ensure the bobbins are at the correct and even height with one another and at the proper angle (unscrew and adjust accordingly with spacer)
  12. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to carefully heat up the baseplate and top to fully melt the excess and internal wax into a proper setting (the melted wax can shift the bobbin height/angle)
  13. Check the bobbins again to ensure they are at the correct and even height with one another and at the proper angle (unscrew and adjust accordingly with spacer)
  14. Use a hair dryer/heat gun lightly on the top of the pickup bobbins to melt any residual wax (then use a cotton cloth to polish)
  15. Re-wrap the bobbins with black fabric humbucker tape
  16. Replace or add any decals to the baseplate
  17. All DONE!
  18. Check humbucker DCR with a multimeter to ensure wiring health and pickup functionality




ROSWELL PAF Custom A9 Bridge

Text goes here...
Les Paul PAF (LAF)

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Roswell
LAF Alnico V Bridge
Fender Blues Stratocaster
2017
Alnico 5
ALNICO 9 rough
17.05K
17.48K
53mm
chrome grounded cover (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 9
brass baseplate - short legs





GP ZONE Custom Alnico 8 HB 16 NS Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GP Zone
Alnico 5 HB 16 NS Bridge
Kramer EVH 83 Pacer Frankenstein
2018
Alnico 5
ALNICO 8 rough
16.02K
15.77K
52mm
cream (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN Distortion Custom 5u Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Distortion Bridge SH-6b
Kramer EVH 84 -Holy Grail- Baretta
2008
Ceramic
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
##.##K
##.##K
49.2mm
black (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN '59 Custom 2 Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
'59 Bridge SH-1b
Kramer EVH Frankenstein -82 Auction-
1980s
Alnico 5
ALNICO 2 polished
8.10K
8.54K
49.2mm
zebra (reverse - naturally aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 2
nickel-silver baseplate (no SD logo) - long legs





DiMARZIO Air Classic A4 Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
DiMarzio
Air Classic Bridge DP191
TBD
2016
Alnico 5
ALNICO 4 rough
8.07K
8.29K
48mm
black; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 4
brass baseplate - short legs





GFS Vintage 59 Custom Alnico 6 Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GFS
Vintage 59 Bridge H32
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH Axis LT
2018
Alnico 5
ALNICO 6 polished
8.91K
9.12K
52mm
zebra; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 6
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





GFS Vintage 59 Custom Alnico 3 Neck

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GFS
Vintage 59 Neck H31
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH Axis LT
2018
Alnico 5
ALNICO 3 rough
7.98K
8.33K
50mm
zebra; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 3
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





JACKSON J-90 Custom Alnico 5 Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Jackson
J-90C Bridge
Kramer Pacer -Red Frank-
1987
Ceramic
ALNICO 5 polished
16.24K
17.24K
49mm
black (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 5 (from DiMarzio DP191)
nickel-silver baseplate - long legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN JB Custom 8 Trembucker

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
JB Trembucker TB-4
Kramer 1984
2000
Alnico 5
ALNICO 8 rough
17.24K
17.55K
52.6mm
black (aged - blackened screws/poles); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate (no SD logo) - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN EVH JB2 Custom Bridge

Text goes here... Just a JB2, but labeled as SHEVH A2 16K 4C

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
JB SH-4
Charvel EVH FrankWolf Prototype
2008
Alnico 5
ALNICO 2 rough
16.71K
16.99K
49.2mm
black (aged); customized with long legs nickel-silver baseplate; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 2
nickel-silver baseplate (no SD logo) - long legs





G.M. 1984 Custom Alnico 5 Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
G.M.
1984 Bridge
TBD
2018
Ceramic
ALNICO 5 polished
13.63K
13.57K
52mm
zebra (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 5 (from Seymour Duncan SH-4)
brass baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED "JB2" Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-102 Bridge
TBD
2013
Alnico 5
ALNICO 2 rough
16.27K
16.59K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 2
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN JB Custom 5u Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
JB SH-4
Kramer EVH 86 Frankenstein -Baretta II-
2014
Alnico 5
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
16.65K
15.80K
49.2mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED "Distortion 2" Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-103 Bridge
Fender Stratocaster 2x
2008
Ceramic
ALNICO 2 polished
16.96K
16.24K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 2 (from Seymour Duncan TB-APH1)
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED "Distortion 5u" Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-103 Bridge
Fender Stratocaster 2x
2014
Ceramic
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
17.11K
16.90K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN Pearly Gates Custom 5 Trembucker

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Pearly Gates Trembucker TB-PG1b
Charvel Baritone
2007
Alnico 2
ALNICO 5 polished
8.67K
8.42K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 5 (from Seymour Duncan SH-4)
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





DiMARZIO The Tone Zone-F A5u Custom

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
DiMarzio
The Tone Zone-F DP155
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH Sport
2020
Alnico 5
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
17.19K
16.11K
52mm
blue; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 5 un-oriented
brass baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED "Super 8" Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-101 Bridge
TBD
2012
Alnico 5
ALNICO 8 rough
8.93K
9.01K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





GP ZONE S70 Alnico 8 Modern Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GP Zone
Alnico 2 HB 8.2 NS Bridge
TBD
2025
Alnico 2
ALNICO 8 rough
8.24K
8.31K
52mm
black; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





GP ZONE S70 Alnico 8 Vintage Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GP Zone
57 PAF
TBD
2025
Alnico 2
ALNICO 8 polished
8.13K
8.17K
49.2mm
cream; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - long legs





BANWORKS Alnico 2 16.6k HB Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Banworks
Alnico 5 16.6k HB Bridge
TBD
2025
Alnico 5
ALNICO 2 polished
16.60K
15.64K
52mm
black; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 2 (from Seymour Duncan SH-PG1)
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED JB Custom 5u Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-102 Bridge
TBD
2010
Alnico 5
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
16.77K
17.60K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





GP ZONE High Powered Alnico 5U Custom HB Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GP Zone
High Powered Alnico 2 HB Bridge
TBD
2025
Alnico 2
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
17.30K
18.38K
52mm
zebra; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





G.M. Overwound Alnico 5 Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
G.M.
Overwound Alnico 2 Bridge
TBD
2025
Alnico 2
ALNICO 5 polished
12.27K
13.51K
52mm
black; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 5 (from Seymour Duncan SH-14)
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN Alnico 5u Pro Custom

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Alnico II Pro Bridge APH-1b
TBD
2025
Alnico 2
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
8.38K
9.42K
49.2mm
zebra; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs; 2-conductor wiring





SEYMOUR DUNCAN Alnico 8 Pro Custom

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Alnico II Pro Bridge APH-1b
TBD
2011
Alnico 2
ALNICO 8 rough
8.36K
8.99K
49.2mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN George Lynch Black Demon 5u Custom

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
George Lynch Screamin' Demon SH-12
TBD
2025
Alnico 5
ALNICO 5 un-oriented rough
10.09K
10.90K
49.2mm
black; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 5 un-oriented
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





ARTEC VH-Rock Alnico 2 Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Artec
VH-Rock Alnico 5 Bridge
TBD
2025
Alnico 5
ALNICO 2 polished
11.81K
12.77K
52mm
black; swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 2 (from Seymour Duncan APH-1b)
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SEYMOUR DUNCAN Distortion Custom 8 Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Distortion Bridge SH-6b
TBD
2009
Ceramic
ALNICO 8 rough
16.41K
##.##K
49.2mm
black (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED JB Custom 8 Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-102 Bridge
TBD
2004
Alnico 5
ALNICO 8 rough
16.40K
16.33K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Alnico 5 for Alnico 8
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





SD DUNCAN DESIGNED "Distortion 5" Custom Bridge

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
Duncan Designed HB-103 Bridge
TBD
2006
Ceramic
Alnico 5 polished
16.36K
16.63K
52.6mm
black (aged); swapped Ceramic for Alnico 5 (from Seymour Duncan SH-4)
nickel-silver baseplate - short legs





GP ZONE 57 Plus PAF Alnico 5 Custom

Text goes here...

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP MODEL (original)
GUITAR
CIRCA
ORIGINAL MAGNET
NEW MAGNET
ORIGINAL DC RESISTANCE
FINAL DC RESISTANCE
SPACING
NOTE
GP Zone
57 Plus
TBD
2025
Alnico 2
ALNICO 5 polished
##.##K
##.##K
49.2mm
zebra; swapped Alnico 2 for Alnico 5 (from Seymour Duncan TB-4)
nickel-silver baseplate - long legs



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