Tweaking a pickup I kind of already know, or going for something new?

Music&Chaos

Music&Chaos

Well-known member
Hello RT,

I apologize ahead of time for the length of this truly unimportant post lol

I have a set of BK Silos in a guitar, and whilst they are really killer pickups, I have something else in mind.

Definitely going to let the Silos go.

I know there can be a million recommendations on what to get, but I am decided on going one of these routes.

Onward!

I recently threw a set of Planet Tone Blues Heritage humbuckers in my LP. Super sweet pickups and have Alnico 5s in them.

Well, while I like A5 in general, I think these would sound extra, extra good with A4s. Listening to how the magnets shape the spectrum, I feel it would push these to sound extremely similar to my PRS McCarty Bass/Treble pickups, which I really dig.

My initial thought was to order a BH set with A4s to test in this guitar. So, what's the conundrum?

The builder can swap the magnets to whatever I would like, but mentioned that doing so would basically the same as or make them very, very similar to another set they already make.

I notice on the Blues Heritage set, the one I am thinking of modding, the resistance measers 7.5k & 8.5k.

The 'very similar' set made with A4s, called the Road Pro IV, have resistances of 9k & 12k.

This would probably push them more into modern territory, and I am uncertain if I would like that.

I would not think that just changing magnets alone could cause resistances to vary that greatly, if at all, so I do not believe it is just the Blues set with A4s.

Funnily enough, though I am into listening to and playing super modern music, I have found that more vintage voiced pickups that let my own dynamics shine through with minimal compression and maximum openness, are my preference.

The Road Pro IV was designed with the A4s in mind and probably add a bit more clarity than if I experimented with the Blues Heritage set....

This will be a single knob guitar, so I can't play with different caps or anything to shape the top end in that slight way or anything, just roll down volume.

Decisions, decisions.....

Do I experiment with a fairly vintage set I already really like in an effort to possibly perfect them for this other guitar, or do I go with the set from the builder that seems similar, but may add just a bit more 'juice'/modern flavor?

I can also mention that they have a demo on their site, but man does it sound bad. I do not think it is the fault of the pickups, but man that does not make it any easier.


To enhance the length of this post even further......

Here is the description of the Road Pro IV set:

Introducing the Road Pro IV Humbucker. Like the Session Pro IV, the Road Pro IV is still a rich, smooth and dynamic humbucker but with an extra helping of midrange. Slightly hotter for a bigger presence needed in “live” applications. Much like the Session Pro IV, it is ideal for the discerning musician who demands the highest quality in tonal warmth, balance but wants more drive out of their pickup.

The Road Pro IV humbucker offers strong sustain, a nice sparkling warmth with driving mids when needed. The top end has rich highs, nice chime with a wonderful vibrancy that is not thin but full. The humbucker is designed to be very responsive, clean and crisp with a luscious and smooth tonal voicing. The mids are perfect, not overpowering and compliment both the highs and lows to give a well rounded tone. The bottom end has a perfect driving response yet is still tight and punchy. The perfect pickup for the Road Pro guitarist.

Perfect for all styles of play.

Features:

  • Alnico IV magnets
  • Neck Output Approx. 9.0k
  • Bridge Output Approx. 12.0k
  • Wax Potted
  • All mounting hardware included
  • Hand made to order in the USA
 
After some further testing - I am going to go with the Road Pro IV set.

The extra bit of power to make it a bit more modern can't hurt.

Still think the Blues Heritage set would sound damn good with some A4s though, so I may revisit that in the future.
 
Changing magnet won’t change resistance, so sounds like the road pro iv is just a different wind and maybe even different gauge wire. IIRC thinner wire will have a higher resistance for the same amount of turns, so while it reads higher resistance it may not be that much hotter than your blues heritage set. But you’d have to ask the builder or try them yourself to know for sure.

If you’re set on getting the new set then great, but order some alnico IV’s anyway in case you get the desire to compare that new set to the set you know you like with A-IV’s.
 
Was wondering how black covers with gold pieces would look.

Found a couple of examples from Kiesel actually. I dig the look:

1756316305225.png
 
mnemonic said:
Changing magnet won’t change resistance, so sounds like the road pro iv is just a different wind and maybe even different gauge wire. IIRC thinner wire will have a higher resistance for the same amount of turns, so while it reads higher resistance it may not be that much hotter than your blues heritage set. But you’d have to ask the builder or try them yourself to know for sure.

If you’re set on getting the new set then great, but order some alnico IV’s anyway in case you get the desire to compare that new set to the set you know you like with A-IV’s.
Click to expand...

This is a great idea! Yeah, I can never truly know unless I get the same exact set to test. I'll see if I can get some A4s from the builder to try in the BH set. The process doesn't seem to be too difficult of swapping magnets in most pickups.

That being said - I get great deals on the Planet Tone stuff, so part of me would almost just buy a set already built and then A/B them. Mix/match as I please, and sell off what is unused to hopefully make most of my money back.
 
If the winder recommends the road IV I would give them a shot. DC resistance is a good start but doesn’t tell the whole story for power.
I get it though because I shudder when I see 12k on a bridge pickup, but I’m often pleasantly surprised when I try one out and see that it isn’t always a screamer.
 
Dan Gleesak said:
If the winder recommends the road IV I would give them a shot. DC resistance is a good start but doesn’t tell the whole story for power.
I get it though because I shudder when I see 12k on a bridge pickup, but I’m often pleasantly surprised when I try one out and see that it isn’t always a screamer.
Click to expand...
^This. I also think the builder can tell what I am getting at with the magnet swap. I have another one of their pickups that is called the Legacy - A5 at 9.5k and that thing rips in HD! lol i would not have guessed it due to the bit of low mid that the A5s tend to add so.... yep, going with the builder on this one.

The 12k does have me a bit on edge but as mentioned, that could be due to a number of things like thinner wire even so time will tell.
 
Music&Chaos said:
This is a great idea! Yeah, I can never truly know unless I get the same exact set to test. I'll see if I can get some A4s from the builder to try in the BH set. The process doesn't seem to be too difficult of swapping magnets in most pickups.

That being said - I get great deals on the Planet Tone stuff, so part of me would almost just buy a set already built and then A/B them. Mix/match as I please, and sell off what is unused to hopefully make most of my money back.
Click to expand...
Easy to do on uncovered pickups, though sometimes the baseplate is tricky to get off gently, with wax holding it on.

Covered pickups are a bit tougher as you have to unsolder the cover and as it’s a big chunk of metal it soaks the heat up fast and it’s hard to keep the solder melted.

I do the same as this video, works well
 
mnemonic said:
Easy to do on uncovered pickups, though sometimes the baseplate is tricky to get off gently, with wax holding it on.

Covered pickups are a bit tougher as you have to unsolder the cover and as it’s a big chunk of metal it soaks the heat up fast and it’s hard to keep the solder melted.

I do the same as this video, works well
Click to expand...

I've removed and added several covers. I found a great trick is to use a small flat head and pry near the solder and the plate pops right off. Apply heat when putting back on and it solders right back together.
 
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