Wiring Secrets Pt.6

P90 Health Check: Magnet Alignment

Here’s a tip we picked up from Spencer Mumford from Shed Pickups when we were renovating an old Gibson ES-330: he suggested taking out the pickups and checking whether the two bar magnets were properly aligned. Apparently the screws that secure P90 backplates and clamp the magnets can become loose over the years.

The opposing polarities of the magnets can force them apart, so they’ll move off centre in opposing directions. This will change the shape of the magnetic field, which results in a softer, less aggressive tone. If you have old P90s, it’s worth checking their magnets to see if they’re working properly.

You can try moving the magnets to soften or sharpen up your tone. Remember to measure the position of the magnets before you start… you may wish to return the pickup to the way it was.