Di Marzio Ultra Jazz - magnets polarity

[Marco Pancaldi]

Tested Di MArzio Ultra Jazz pair:
tone and humbucking effect OK, but I noted reduced sensitivity and dynamic response on the "internal" D and A strings. I suspect this is due to the split coil with opposed polarity magnets.
Can you confirm and comment?
Thanks

[David Schwab]

Yes, it is a split coil pickup with opposite magnetic polarity on each half.

[Marco Pancaldi]

Yes, it is a split coil pickup with opposite magnetic polarity on each half.

Hi David,
do you think this problem (string balance and dynamic response) is typical of this magnet configuration?

[David Schwab]

The only time I see this problem is if the string spacing is very tight. I've never had this problem with any of the split coil Jazz pickups I have used on standard Fender style basses.

[David King]

Aren't the pole pieces adjustable? Is this a bass a 7-1/4" fingerboard radius model?

[David Schwab]

No, the pole pieces are not adjustable on the Ultra Jazz. They are standard alnico rod magnets. The Model J has adjustable poles.

[Marco Pancaldi]

After some time, I'm not satisfied enough with the string balance. But the tone is ok for me.

I verified that the Sadowsky hum cancelling (probably Di Marzio made) and Nordstrand side-to-side jazz PU have both the staggered magnet configuration. So, I'm thinking about removing silicon goop, detach the ferrite magnets, pushing out the D and A alnico magnets (the bobbin is plastic) and finally reglue the ferrite magnets.
Do you think it is possible?

m.p.

[David King]

Marco,
I think what might work is if there is a ceramic on each side of the poles you could grind one ceramic bar shorter so that it didn't quite touch the outer-most poles.
Because the coils are wrapped on plastic bobbins you feel confident you can shift the poles without cutting the coils? I would try pushing the outer poles down or even pushing them out, grinding them shorter and re-inserting them.