Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

[mountain2012]

Does swapping magnet types on the same pickup affect the output of it?

In this "How to Pick your Pickups" article by Seymour Duncan, nothing is said about output in the "magnet" section, so I'm curious.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...k_a_pickup.pdf

[AlexR]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

It can certainly effect the 'perceived loudness', or make an amp crunch more depending on the magnet's character. Whether or not there is also an output increase can perhaps be answered by others.

[LtKojak]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Does swapping magnet types on the same pickup affect the output of it?

In a nutshell, yes. Being the magnet the engine that powers the magnetic field, changing it affects the output in mV. produced.

How, and how much, it's a lenghty and complicated subject, which I won't addressing at this time.

HTH,

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

For example a 59 Bridge with a ceramic magnet will have more output than the stock A5 59 Bridge

[blueman335]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Alnicos are numbered 1 thru 12, more or less based on output. As far as I know, all ceramics are high output.

[mountain2012]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Does magnet type affect DC resistance or is that solely based on the coil?

[LtKojak]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Does magnet type affect DC resistance or is that solely based on the coil?

A magnet-less coil will still have a DC reading.

HTH,

[LtKojak]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Alnicos are numbered 1 thru 12, more or less based on output. As far as I know, all ceramics are high output.

Not on output, but in recipe. The recipes themselves were changed to pack more Gauss per cm3. Anyway, the research ended with the advent of Rare Earth mags, like Neodymium and such.

Also, Ceramics come in 12 grades too:

http://www.ferrite-info.com/ferrite_grades.aspx

Personally, I haven't had any experience with other than C5 and C8, and the newcomer, Un-Oriented C8. Sounds like an A5 without the scoop. The most organic-sounding ceramic magnet I know.

If I was a p'up maker, I'd make a whole series of designs based on this magnet.

HTH,

[idsnowdog]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Swapping magnets does effect output, but it is more useful for tone shaping. Each grade of magnet has different tonal characteristics that you can use to shape the pickups tone.

[mountain2012]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Thanks for all the good info.

How about this: Say an Alnico II pickup at 8k has a hypothetical output rating of 4 and a Ceramic pickup at 16k has a rating of 11 on my made up scale. What output rating would you say that same Alnico II pickup has if you just swapped to Alnico Vs, no other changes?

[uOpt]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

The only magnet I perceive as louder is A8.

Ceramic has a bit more volume at low play but it compresses as you play harder so it doesn't exceed A2-A5, unlike A8 which does.

[mountain2012]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Thanks for all the good info.

How about this: Say an Alnico II pickup at 8k has a hypothetical output rating of 4 and a Ceramic pickup at 16k has a rating of 11 on my made up scale. What output rating would you say that same Alnico II pickup has if you just swapped to Alnico Vs, no other changes?

Anyone dare to take a shot at this? It may sound ridiculous, but it means a lot to me. After we can talk pickups and do away with this hypothetical nonsense :-)

[blueman335]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

Anyone dare to take a shot at this? It may sound ridiculous, but it means a lot to me. After we can talk pickups and do away with this hypothetical nonsense :-)

I'd say the output would be closer to each other; 7 for the 8K A2 PU and 11 for the 16K ceramic. My guess is an A5 in the 8K PU would be 9 for output.

[AlexR]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

I've not found a tremendous difference with output. Even a 2 to a 5 I have only found small differences. Maybe a few percentage points more. Put it this way.....a pg and a 59 (A2 and A5 mags) don't really sound different in output to these ears.

[p4vl]

Re: Magnet's effect on pickup output...?

The only magnet I perceive as louder is A8.

Ceramic has a bit more volume at low play but it compresses as you play harder so it doesn't exceed A2-A5, unlike A8 which does.

I agree. A8 is also the only magnet I would characterize as 'angrier' than other magnets.