Gibson Burstbucker Pro magnet replacement (with pics)

robinbowes

So, inspired by this thread, I replaced the magnets in a Gibson Lead Pro pickup with Alnico 2 magnets from cermag.

Here's what I started with:

First, I removed the outer cover. This would normally involve melting the solder, but the cover was already loose so the cover just pulled off:

Next, I removed the four brass screws:

Next, I unscrewed the pole pieces so they were clear of the base plate:

Once all the screws were clear of the base plate, I could ease the base plate up off the coils:

Next, I tested the magnet polarity with the new magnet. North and South run along the long sides of the magnet, so when the new magnet and original magnet repelled each other, I knew which way up to put the replacement.

Once I'd established this, I removed the original magnet:

...and slipped in the new magnet:

Reassembly was simply the reverse of the above procedure:

Once reassembled, I soldered the cases back in place - the heat burned the sticker!

And the finished article:

Next job is to fit it to something to see how it sounds. I have a Pacifica 112 that should be just the job...

R.

robinbowes

Here we have it in-situ:

The two single coils are Fenders - I forget what type. Hopefully, the A2 magnet in the Bucker should drop the level to me better matched with the single coils that it might otherwise have been.

R.

Sarge

Good work!
I did this with a pair of mmk45's from my Westone Thunder (my avatar) replacing the ceramics with Alnico II, much more pick definition and a lot less abrasive with chords, I'll be doing it again soon with alnico 3 for experimental purposes