Changing Pick Up Magnets

Previously, I wrote a short article on how changing Pick up Magnets can actually change the sound of your pick up. After further investigation, I read from Jemsite that swapping the magnet for the Ibanez V7 and V8 actually improves the sound drastically. As V7 carries a Ceramic Magnet while the V8 carries the Alnico V magnet, swapping them actually changes the way the magnetic field is being projected out that picks up (That's why it's called a pick up?) the steel string vibrations of the electric guitar.

In this post, I shall attempt to show my readers out there on how exactly to change pick up magnets. The magnet measures 2.50'' long x 0.50'' wide x 0.125'' thick by the way. First things first, what you need is a cross head screw driver, and a flat head screw driver. I must warn all my readers out there, please be very careful when you attempt to remove the pick up magnets just in case you damage any of the coils, which will then be really trouble some to repair.

Now, remove the back plate cover of the pick up by first unscrewing the 4 screws located behind the pick up. Once you have done that, pry open the back plate cover with the flat head screw driver. As mention, please take great care in this process, you really don't want to break any coils.

And this is how it looks like inside.

After prying it open, you will see this very obvious stick of magnet in the middle of the pick up. Pry it out again with a flat head screw driver, and make sure you remember the position of it. I marked it with a marker, just in case I forget. The reason being is that the magnet are placed in a way aligned with the north and south pole in which since i don't own one of those meter to tell which pole it is, I have to use this primitive method to remember it. Before replacing the magnet, make sure to try putting it on top of the existing one. If it sticks, it's the correct direction and if it doesn't it's wrong.

And this is how it looks like after the magnet is taken out. Note that I written BT on the magnet. That means Bridge Top. So go ahead and replace the magnet by putting the new magnet on the middle of the pick up, cover it up with the back plate and screw back the 4 screws which you have taken out earlier.

I haven't gotten the chance to test the pick ups but I shall leave that for another day. Thanks to LonePhantom from Jemsite on providing the information on the magnet swaps and of course the sound samples at your end. You rock bro!