UOA5 ?

[dazco]

Can anyone describe how this magnet would change the tone of a 59/custom hybrid?

[jeremy]

it will be less sharp on the high end with a little warmer mid range

[dazco]

Thanks.

[blueman335]

Less treble, more mids, and lots more A2-type dynamics. Great magnet for vintage tones.

[jeremy]

im obviously with you on your first two points, but i dont get the a2 type dynamics. the uoa5 doesnt feel like a2 to me. it feels like a more balanced a5. it is a great magnet for vintage tones though

[Strat111]

All I know is, to my ears, through a cranked Marshall Super Lead, in an Old American maple body Kramer w/OFR, it sounds wonderful. Cleans up wonderfully when guitar volume is lowered. It's got oomph.

[dazco]

Can i assume that from the name it is a alnico 5 thats been somehow altered or slightly different alloy or some such thing? And while i'm at it, rather than start a new thread, i have a A2 pickup in another guitar that sounds a bit too hard when i stick a ceramic in there. But with the stock A2 it just doesn't have much clarity in the top. Will an A5 get me say in between the A2 and the ceramic?

[blueman335]

Can i assume that from the name it is a alnico 5 thats been somehow altered or slightly different alloy or some such thing? And while i'm at it, rather than start a new thread, i have a A2 pickup in another guitar that sounds a bit too hard when i stick a ceramic in there. But with the stock A2 it just doesn't have much clarity in the top. Will an A5 get me say in between the A2 and the ceramic?

An UOA5 is between an A2 and an A5. Nothing ceramic about it.

[Gearjoneser]

I use it to push my Custom 5 in a more vintagey direction. I've got it in my LP Goldtop with a Jazz, both splittable with pullup tone pots.

[blueman335]

I use it to push my Custom 5 in a more vintagey direction.

Which is the first PU I tried an UOA5 when they became available several years ago. Works great there.

[GuitarDoc]

I really love what the UOA5 does for the C/59 hybrid. Like was said, it softens the highs a bit over the A5, and adds a touch more mids. Like Blue said...it sounds between an A5 and an A2. The UOA5 has become my favorite mag for most pups I use (low to mid resistence/output PAF types)...really nice tone and feel and very versatile.

It is my favorite mag in the C/59, and the C/59 is one of my favorite pups, therefore...

C/59 hybrid with UOA5 is tops!!! (C/Demon with UOA5 is even better, though).

[John E Rokker]

Changed my JB from A5 to an UOA5 and it took it from sterile to sweet instantly. Love it!

[STRATDELUXER97]

Thanks to Blueman/51501984...I also really like what the UOA5 did for the 59B that had an A2 in it..The A2 was good,but it's great with the UOA5!

My buddy 51501984 gave me the magnet!

[symptom]

The UOA5 I have is not polished. Is there any difference between the polished and the one I have?

[Mr. B]

I am interested in the UOA5 in the JB, 59b, and Demon bridge pickups. Could you guys elaborate on the change in tone you hear in those after the magnet change?

[GuitarDoc]

Come on, Mr B, you need to get on the ball and read a few of the previous posts.

[Mr. B]

Come on, Mr B, you need to get on the ball and read a few of the previous posts.

"Better", "Great", and "Sweet" are not exactly explanations for the TONE differences they were hearing in the pickups I was asking about (JB, 59b, Demon). I was hoping they could elaborate on what "Better" and "Great" sounds like...

[jhale667]

Haven't heard the '59/Custom personally yet, very impressed with some of the clips I've heard - but sounds like if it didn't completely wow in a particular guitar with the standard A5 a UOA5 would probably be the way to go...

[crusty philtrum]

So how does the UOA5 compare to A4 ? Seems to me like they might be in similar sonic territory.

[LtKojak]

So how does the UOA5 compare to A4 ? Seems to me like they might be in similar sonic territory.

Not quite. The A4 has less bass, more mids, slightly more pronounced mid highs and a bit less higher highs, EQ-wise. Generally speaking, the A4 is the less "airy" of the two.

The UOA5 bass feels a bit loose and spongy; in the A4 feels tighter and more articulated, even though the difference is small.

The A4 has a slighty stronger and focused magnetic field, the UOA5 is weaker and more diffused.

You don't need trained or golden ears to hear the difference in an A/B comparison. There's no better or worse, just different.

If you ask me, I'd say the magnet is the single, most important element to take into consideration when designing a p'up, as you can alter the wind pattern to achieve the desired effect/tone.

HTH,