Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

[rudygeorge]

Which do you prefer and why? Ceramic magnets or Alnico magnets?

Rudy D.

[Young Angus]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Because i find them warmer and smoother.

I am however a mainly rock/jazz/blues player. So im not into the heaviest of metal stuff.

[mrfjones]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

i like the tone of an alnico magnet in a pickup much more then the tone of the ceramic magnets. I know the ceramics can have a higher output but i don't need it for the sounds i like to get plus i really dislike the harsher high end that is typical of ceramic magnets.

[Nightburst]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I love high gain and I think alnico magnets have the warmth and smoothness to keep things from getting shrill. Ceramics have more bite?

I did an experiment once, I took my '59n and swapped the A5 out for a ceramic magnet, it got a lot more crunchy under gain but also a lot more bland/flat/cold sounding. I wanted the smoothness and the crunch so I stuck 2 ceramic magnets under the baseplate. Result: pretty good! Smooth crunch! Still great cleans.

[Jeff5]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I'd say either. Whatever works for the sound you're looking for. I like high gain as well. (lots of metal etc.) But I've kind of moved away from ceramic magnets as I too wanted a bit more warmth in my tone. I use a BBQ and it sounds great under high gain. Its really subjective.

[Dills]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I think Alnico amags are alot smoother less harsh, can get aggressive when needed, more dynamics and more versatile, ceramics just have a hard cold quality suitable for more moderate to high gain styles which can be a good thing, but I like to go clean and warm once in a while and with ceramics i find that i cant back off.

[Dirtyking]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I was a ceramic user then discovered the open tone of alnicos. Now I'm discovering low output ceramics. But I'd say alnicos for the moment.

[BS123]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

For the most part, I like Alnico magnets and specifically Alnico 2 and Alnico 3. Of course, the wiring, woods, weight, and other factors play a vital part as well.

[kill your scene]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I prefer alnico. Ceramics are a bit too shrill for my liking. Although ceramics and alnico both sound a bit smoother than active EMGs. Just my .02.

Butch - Your bulldogs are awesome. And the puppies are really cute. Congrats on your new litter. How old are they? Are you finding good homes?

[BS123]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Butch - Your bulldogs are awesome. And the puppies are really cute. Congrats on your new litter. How old are they? Are you finding good homes?

Thanks!! They are 5 weeks old today and yes they are finding great homes. On e is ours. My wife screens everyone else.

[Simon_F]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I absolutely love the distortion tones of the ceramic SH-5 Custom, but I had to vote Alnico - vintage style Alnico pups give me all the tones I need across the board from clean to dirty.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Alnico 5 is what my ears tend to prefer. Big, tight lows, neutral mids, and airy, present highs. I like Alnico II only in bright guitars.

Ceramic? Only if it fits the guitar. I voted Alnico

[MattPete]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I didn't vote. I don't care what sort of magnet the pickup uses, as long as it sounds good.

[Wattage]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I prefer Alnico II's for the most part but A5's work real well in some guitars for me as well. Oddly enough my fav is a ceramic in my SD SP-90-3 but nothing else I've used with a ceramic comes close except maybe the Invader when running flat out.

I voted Alnico since they are the bulk of my pup mags.

[Jessica]

Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I think both magnets can be good for different things....but I really do love the crunch you can get from a ceramic. So that is where my vote goes