magnet swapping in mini humbuckers

[gibson175]

I have a friend who has a floating mini bucker in his Yamaha aex 1500. He find the the high e string to sound too thin compared to his B string. I had the same issue a while back on my 175 and found that heavy strings and a magnet swap to a2 sorted things out. Hes alrerady using thomastik 13 guague flatwounds, so now he want to shoehorn an A2 into his pickup. Is this even possible?
Here's the axe:

[LtKojak]

I've never come across one of those p'ups specifically, but if they're made like normal minibuckers, I'd say it's NOT a job for a first timer.

Also, what I think's happening here most probably is a less than ideal mechanical coupling of the first screw, so it's not letting enough magnetism through to the string and from the string. You can see this with a Gaussmeter. If that's the case, a mag swap's not going to help.

Your best bet is taking the p'up apart and reassemble it choosing the best screw for the first string and the worst for the sixth. If you gotta pay a pro for do the job, you'll be better off changing the p'up altogether.

HTH,

[gibson175]

The string imbalance is an acoustic thing. Hes juts hoping the a2 will fatten the mids and reduce the treble somewhat to compensate when he plugs in. Its not a problem with the pickup per se.
I guess he needs to measure the pickup size and maybe find a suitable replacement then, if mag swaps are not as easy as normal humbuckers.

[LtKojak]

The string imbalance is an acoustic thing.

If that's the case, you'll need to look at the nut. It probably is not perfectly cut. That's a two-minute job for an experienced luthier, so chances are, he's not even charge for it. I wouldn't, if it was me.

HTH,

[gibson175]

nope its not the nut. He plays jazz and classical on it. This imbalance happens up the neck. He rarely plays open strings. FWIW tho, he's just replaced the nut for another reason. The top string sounding thin has been there for as long as he's had it. He can live with it, if he can get a pickup that can somewhat compensate for when he plugs in.
I think ive explained what he needs pretty well. Its not the pole pieces. Its not his nut. Its not his strings. Its not the setup. Its not the pickup height. What he's after is a magnet swap.
I know exactly what the fellow is experiencing, because its something ive worked with on my axes also. The axe in question is an old one of mine also.

What i wanted to know is how difficult is it to do a magnet swap on a floating mini bucker. If its possible then great, i'd like to hear from people that have done it and get some tips. If its not possible, then perhaps a replacement pickup suggestion would be good.

[jtougas]

The string imbalance is an acoustic thing. Hes juts hoping the a2 will fatten the mids and reduce the treble somewhat to compensate when he plugs in. Its not a problem with the pickup per se.
I guess he needs to measure the pickup size and maybe find a suitable replacement then, if mag swaps are not as easy as normal humbuckers.

Has he checked how the slot is cut on the bridge? The saddle may need replacement.

[gibson175]

nope its not the nut. He plays jazz and classical on it. This imbalance happens up the neck. He rarely plays open strings. FWIW tho, he's just replaced the nut for another reason. The top string sounding thin has been there for as long as he's had it. He can live with it, if he can get a pickup that can somewhat compensate for when he plugs in.
I think ive explained what he needs pretty well. Its not the pole pieces. Its not his nut. Its not his strings. Its not the setup. Its not the pickup height. What he's after is a magnet swap.
I know exactly what the fellow is experiencing, because its something ive worked with on my axes also. The axe in question is an old one of mine also.

What i wanted to know is how difficult is it to do a magnet swap on a floating mini bucker. If its possible then great, i'd like to hear from people that have done it and get some tips. If its not possible, then perhaps a replacement pickup suggestion would be good.

Its not the bridge either. The bridge is fine.
....now ffs:
DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MAGNET SWAPPING IN MINIS?

[LtKojak]

Its not the bridge either. The bridge is fine.
....now ffs:
DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MAGNET SWAPPING IN MINIS?

I've never come across one of those p'ups specifically, but if they're made like normal minibuckers, I'd say it's NOT a job for a first timer

Yes, I'm quoting myself as I think is quite reasonable as an answer.

Also, you don't have to shout. I'm right here...

PS: I don't know 'bout the Yamaha p'up, but minis ARE A2...

[King IzzO)))]

I don't see why it's impossible, is the cover spot welded to the backplate or something? I'm pretty sure I've seen firebird/mini sized mags on ebay, I know Mojo has them, not sure about A2 though.

[speed2dirt]

Check the links below for repairing a mini humbucker:

http://www.guitarattack.com/winder/minihum.htm
http://www.curtisnovak.com/pickups/repairs/MiniHum3x3/
http://music-electronics-forum.com/t15508/

[Funkfingers]

Several correct answers already. The job is do-able BUT requires a skilled hand and the right tools.

No mention has been made yet of the pole piece screws. How are these set at present? Has any attempt been made to correct the volume imbalance by either lowering the B pole, raising the E pole or both?

[gibson175]

Izzo and speed2dirt: thanks for your helpful posts.
Thanks all of you for trying to help.
Kojak...sorry for yelling.

[LtKojak]

Kojak...sorry for yelling.

[crocodile dundee mode=on] no wucken furrys! [crocodile dundee mode=off]

[gibson175]

if you are gonna use crocdile dundee mode then you need to say "no worries, cobber". Or if you want to get real oz, then try "no wucken furrys" lol....or even just "no wuckers"!

[dr. ad]

mini mags are a different size, kent
and bloody yamaha will have copied the old design from decades ago, so it'll self-destruct if you attempt a dismantle
i don't really think you're a kent, i'm just in bogan mode

[gibson175]

Nah im a Cam, but kent armstrong might be able to help out in this situation....
btw....gig at the factory theatre on the 28th...

[dr. ad]

^ see also "fark off, kent"
"YOU WANT A GO, KENT?!"

[dr. ad]

btw....gig at the factory theatre on the 28th...

yes! i can finally make it to one!

[gibson175]

sweet. I think we have 3 bands tho that night instead of nekeed wimmen. Bummer eh?
http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/eve...-factory-floor