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MMK45 magnet swap

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mmk 45 magnet swop - MMK45 magnet swap Empty MMK45 magnet swap

Post by Westbone Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:09 am

Swapped the magnets from a ferrite/ceramic to a Alnico II in a MMK45 awhile back.
Did a comparison test, man what an improvement!
Much clearer and defined but still with plenty of oomph! A big improvement... Smile Much better pick attack.
Well worthwhile. Just make sure you put it in the right way.

Here's the new one installed
mmk 45 magnet swop - MMK45 magnet swap SANY1605_zpsf213de2b


New AII on the left, old magnet and bar on right

mmk 45 magnet swop - MMK45 magnet swap SANY1607_zps6d64a17f
mmk 45 magnet swop - MMK45 magnet swap SANY1611_zps8c201585
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Post by Barry Fri Nov 28, 2014 3:43 pm

Oh deary me, just when I thought I was done working with pickups! Chores 3

Sounds like a good idea Damian. So, how's the DC resistance now compared with the usual?

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Post by Westbone Fri Nov 28, 2014 8:58 pm

Same coils
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Post by Barry Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:32 pm

Right.
So you just created an MMK45-53?  mmk 45 magnet swop - MMK45 magnet swap Toothless_smile

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Post by Westbone Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:50 pm

No, MMK 53' are V's..... scratch

This is a MMK45 with AII's...Try it and see what you hear..  tongue
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Sat Nov 29, 2014 11:15 am

Excuse my ignorance but how do I know which way round to fit it?
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Post by Westbone Sun Nov 30, 2014 12:38 pm

The same orientation as the one you took out.

I usually mark the one coming out with a marker. Tipp-Ex.
mmk 45 magnet swop - MMK45 magnet swap SANY2231_zpsebc4a295
and then with a third magnet find the out N/S etc. and plop it in.
No problem on a single pup but with 2 you will get the 'Peter Green' effect  when on together if your magnets are out of phase.

I also mark the 'old' magnet i.e. MMK 45 etc. otherwise you end up with a pile all stuck together not knowing what is what.
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Sun Nov 30, 2014 12:58 pm

That makes total sense, thanks man!

I should have bought the UK based A II pair when I had the chance, but ordered some from across the pond, don't like those gold artecs I put in the blue thunder, look great but sound meh.
thanks for showing this westbone!
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Post by grogg Mon Dec 01, 2014 6:04 pm

DC resistance is a function of the pickup coil's wire length and strand diameter. Its like water flowing down a drain pipe, the longer and thinner the pipe the slower the water flows.
So the more turns on the coil the wire gets thinner and longer, hence higher resistance.
Changing the magnet will have no effect on the above. AC next?
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Post by Westbone Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:52 pm

grogg wrote:DC resistance is a function of the pickup coil's wire length and strand diameter. Its like water flowing down a drain pipe, the longer and thinner the pipe the slower the water flows.
So the more turns on the coil the wire gets thinner and longer, hence higher resistance.
Changing the magnet will have no effect on the above. AC next?
You'll be wearing a chainmail suit next.... Laughing

Now string gauge comes into play here.
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Post by The Chad Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:39 am

I love A2's on a neck pickup.
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Post by Westbone Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:33 pm

This particular  pup is in the neck position.
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Post by The Chad Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:48 am

Thumb Up Yummy!
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:01 am

Just done mine, maybe get a chance to fit them back in the blue thunder today. 
I just noticed damian that yours are fitted touching the Base plate whereas I put mine up against the bobbins with spacers below,  would there be any noticeable difference?
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Post by The Chad Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:35 am

I'll do this with an MMK45, too.  So discuss away my friends, I'm all ears...
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Post by Westbone Thu Dec 11, 2014 5:27 am

Sgt. Vimes wrote:Just done mine, maybe get a chance to fit them back in the blue thunder today. 
I just noticed damian that yours are fitted touching the Base plate whereas I put mine up against the bobbins with spacers below,  would there be any noticeable difference?
The base plates none magnetic so shouldn't make too much of a difference. Try it both ways?? spacer on top/bottom.
Whats the spacer made of? wood?

Chords are a lot clearer sounding than a normal MMK45 magnet.

Depending on the amp your using also.

Main tests are through a Fender Twin. Selmer 60's T/B  50 watt into a 4x12 greenback  Hi Watt cab.
Peavey Bravo 25 watt. All amps being valve.
Using 2 identical Thunders, same new strings. Just a magnet change on one neck pup.


Don't expect it to sound like a completely different pup!
It's only the magnet.
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:09 pm

Wood spacers,  and I'm not expecting too much of a difference. 
The amp is just a vox vt hybrid which I'm not too happy with and I'm looking for a small valve amp to replace it,  so until then I'm stuck with the muddy mess of the vt... 
Not had a chance to install them yet.
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Post by Westbone Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:47 pm

Peavey Bravo, a decent little amp if you can find one.
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:57 pm

Hmm,  seems to tick all the boxes, ie: fx loop,  size, wattage,  I'll bare that in mind,  thanks! 
Also looking at bugera v22, but just outside my price range,  any other suggestions I'm listening ☺
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Post by Westbone Wed Dec 31, 2014 3:02 am

How did you get on with those magnets Vimes?
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Wed Dec 31, 2014 3:50 am

I'll update this afternoon, I've had a long list of stuff to do that only just got done.
I swapped them over a couple of weeks ag.
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:00 am

Okidoke, all done and back in the blue thunder.
Comparing 2 T1A's original red and my blue, same strings (10-52)fitted within days of each other, same setups and going through the cleanest setting on the amp.
First impressions are:
The A-II magnets allow the poles to get much closer to the strings before that odd modulation effect.
Neck pickup is very definately softer on the wound strings and much less harsh on the unwound, still has plenty of Oomph but needs me to "dig in" to the strings a bit more to get that breakup, tis good .
Bridge pickup is just better all round, the A-II seems to have taken that horrible thick middle shouty tone away making it much clearer and "musical"...bearing in mind I never liked the mmk45 bridge in any guitar (too aggressive and Super Distortiony for me)

I'm impressed, very impressed!  I was not expecting much difference as as I forewarned by Damian, but there's more change, for the better,  than anticipated....all for just a few quid....Champion! Cheers for posting this "mod" Damian, as J.Saville said.."I DO like to fiddle around"

now to compare them with the MMK75's Smile
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Post by Westbone Tue Jan 06, 2015 2:22 pm

Worthwhile indeed... Very Happy
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Post by Sgt. Vimes Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:45 pm

OK, NOW I get it !
Just bought meself a virtually unused Laney LC15-110
and the mmk's with A II mags in sound unbelievable through this, makes the Vox vt15 sound like a kids toy played under a duvet!
talk about clarity! well defined crunch and just fabulous when tapped! and verry, very LOUD!!!!

cheers!
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Post by Westbone Tue Nov 22, 2016 1:28 pm

Just replying to this post as for some reason there's no cut/paste a link on the forum.

Can always move the pup further from the strings to accommodate your sound to suit at volume.
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Post by straightblues Mon Jan 09, 2017 6:54 pm

Thanks guys, I am going to try that.  Probably Aii for the neck and Aiv or Av for the bridge.  I usually like the Av in most guitars.  Has anyone done Av for their bridge pickups?
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Post by Westbone Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:09 am

Alnico 5 works just as well, an improvement indeed.
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Post by boabby50 Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:50 am

Excellent article and pics Westbone. Looks like something I may try prior to changing pups.
I notice from a previous post that the old magnets are 58x6x10.5 whereas your new magnet appears to be slimmer and wider (presumably to compensate for the loss of the spacer) Do you recall the actual dimensions of the new magnet?
Does the reduction in thickness create any problems in installation, ie is it more likely to move or rattle?
Your advice would be most welcome.
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Post by Westbone Thu Mar 14, 2019 4:11 pm

Any PAF size magnet.

A drop of evostick type glue to hold it in place. Just a wee drop.
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Post by boabby50 Fri Mar 15, 2019 8:43 am

Thanks for your advice Westbone, I'm convinced.
Just ordered a pair of A2 and A4 magnets for comparison purposes, just in case the A2's are a little too soft.
I had considered replacing the pups, but a look at the spaghetti in the control cavity Shocked (all original and pretty tight) convinced me to try the easier option.
I'll report back once they arrive from the UK and the job is done.
BTW excellent and informative site.
Robert
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Post by Barry Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:59 pm

Hey, since this thread appears to have been reborn, here's a great little video comparing ALNICO II, III, IV, V, VIII and a Ceramic-VIII !

Very helpful to hear the differences, and as usual, our Westbone was right on the money with his assessment of A2 as the choice to replace the ceramics in the MMK45!

Oh, and I am particularly happy to hear Darell Braun pronounce it correctly as, AL'-NIK-OH and not AL-NEEK'-OH. If you are calling it the latter, then take yourself to the woodshed and self flagellate until you get it right. The metal is called Nickel, not Neekal. tongue 



Hmm...the Forum's YouTube embed link option doesn't seem to be working right now, so here's the direct URL as well:
https://youtu.be/TyKS8WGcJ34

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Post by DimensionIV-addict Wed Mar 20, 2019 4:59 pm

(and the OH stands for Ohbalt.. Razz  - off to the shed I go clown )

Great video and info!!! A+
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Post by Barry Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:49 pm

lol!

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