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I'm new to this board and extremely glad I found it. It's most informative!!!

I have a 1998 (Prehistoric but Custom Shop Firebird V11 and
a 2003 Firebird V (Historic). I Also have a 2005 Regular Firebird V11 (not Historic).

My question(s) are; What pickup magnets (Alnico or Ceramic) are in the 1989, 2003 (Both Custom shop Historic's - and the regular non Historic models? Both Historic's sound differently than the non Historic model.

Thank you for any assistance and glad to be a part of this great place.
WRD

IIRC the 03 & 05 will have the standard ceramic High-output units. Is the other one an 89 or a 98?
I know that FBs were made 1980-85, but am not aware of any later in the 80's. My 1980 FB has alnico lower output units that sound wonderful!

Tony

Hi Tony,

I do have a 1998 Prehistoric Firebird V11. I'm still checking the Internet and all I can come up with is that it appears the NON Historic Birds come with ceramic magnets. I can't find any info on the type of magnets that come in the HISTORIC models.

WRD

I'm pretty sure ANY FB post 80's has the high-output ceramic units, even the Historics, as wrong as that seems. It would be easy to check with an ohm meter. If it's over 8 or so, they're the new units.The older ones are usually in the mid to upper 6's. The new ones are about 16-18 on the neck & 24 or so on the bridge! WAY too high for a FB IMO.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Thanks again for your input. I called Gibson- customer service- and spoke to a gentlemen about my questions. He said he was not sure himself, would do the research and get back to me by email. As soon as he responds, I will share this information with everyone.

Thanks again,
WRD

Thenks man! Gibson is actually pretty good about info...now.

Tony

OK, I got an email from Bob Burns - Gibson Customer Service - with the answer to my question. He wrote: "Ceramic magnets were used on Historic Custom Shop Firebirds Pick-ups."

I guess they never did, or so it seems, use alnico magnets on the Historic reissue Birds.

Thanks for everyone's input, it is very much appreciated.
WRD

Some re-covered Duncan SM-1's would sound MUCH better in there & won't be too costly either!

Tony
PS - It's not just the magnets, but the coils are massively overwound.

Tony,
Okay. So as I understand it, you are replacing the stock Gibson Firebird mini's w/S.D. SM-1's that you would use in a Les Paul Deluxe type guitar.
You are just removing the embossed logo'ed S.D covers and replacing them w/ std Firebird Mini covers. No Logo and no screw holes.
You are not using Antiquities, or the SD firebird replacement pups.
Are these three statements correct?
Will the stock covers from my Gibson Mini's fit the S.D. SM-1's, without modification to the pup or the cover?
Any mod's needed to be done to the pup cavities in the 'Bird to make the S.D. pickups fit?
Tell us again, if you don't mind, how you remove the soldered on pup covers and if any sort of mods need to be done for grounding, or other purposes.
Please elighten us. 8-)
Thanks
Pappy

Here's a link to the SM-1. http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/e ... ntage_min/
It IS a Firebird style pickup, except with the ugly embossed logo. I'm PRETTY sure the Gibson covers would fit, but would make the Gibsons unsellable & you could get more for them than the SDs would cost ou, especially if you are patient & get some used! Here's a link to the covers, they're only $30 & you could probably get them cheaper IF you can find a dealer, or maybe even used.
http://www.allparts.com/store/mini-humb ... roduct.asp
The SDs will fit the cavities with no mods.
As to cover removal, I simply heat the solder with a LOW wattage iron & remove the solder with wicking or a suction bulb. While the cover is warm, not hot grip it firmly & gently work it loose. Be patient & it should be fairly easy. Just work slow & keep the heat low. When putting new covers on, I simply put a bead of silicone on the magnet in the center of each coil, clamp the cover to the base plate, with something to protect the cover from scratches & put a bead of solder on each side where it was before. Just don't overheat the base plate when soldering.
It's really very simple...after all...I can do it! Just remember...work slow...heat low.
I hope I helped.

Tony