I am trying to get a sense of how an A2 is different than an A5, tone wise - for example, if I had an A2 and an A5, each with the same wind and same wire, am I right to expect that the A2 would be darker sounding, while the A5 would be hotter? Is one more prone to producing the "quack" in 2 & 4? If this has been beat to death already in another thread, let me know and I will check it out - thanks very much!
A2 v A5?
- Thread starter thehtm
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uOpt
Something Cool
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: A2 v A5?
a5's are brighter, have slightly scooped mids and more growl compared to the a2, the a2 is warmer, sweeter, more mellow sounding.
a5's are brighter, have slightly scooped mids and more growl compared to the a2, the a2 is warmer, sweeter, more mellow sounding.
korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: A2 v A5?
I think of stronger magnets like A5 as having a very crisp, punchy feel, and the A2 as being slightly more fluid in feel.
I think of stronger magnets like A5 as having a very crisp, punchy feel, and the A2 as being slightly more fluid in feel.
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Skaforlifeologist
Re: A2 v A5?
this is more of a humbucker example, but think of how people describe the custom custom(alnico 2 CC) vs the custom 5(alnico 5 C5).
people often describe the CC as very fat with smooth, not so pronounced highs, big fat mids, and a low end that's loose and doesn't really extend that low. with the C5, it's got sharper, more pronounced highs, clearer slightly scooped mids, and a bigger tighter low end.
as far as singles and quack go, you probably want a5 for more quack but your straight single tone won't be as smooth.
this is more of a humbucker example, but think of how people describe the custom custom(alnico 2 CC) vs the custom 5(alnico 5 C5).
people often describe the CC as very fat with smooth, not so pronounced highs, big fat mids, and a low end that's loose and doesn't really extend that low. with the C5, it's got sharper, more pronounced highs, clearer slightly scooped mids, and a bigger tighter low end.
as far as singles and quack go, you probably want a5 for more quack but your straight single tone won't be as smooth.
oilpit
New member
Re: A2 v A5?
The wind has a lot to do with it, but in general A5s will have a bigger low end, more high end, and less midrange, they have a tighter, stiffer feel and are a bit more grunt.
A2s have a fuller, fatter sound, smoother high end, spongier bass and more pronounced mids. They have a vocal, singing quality that A5s lack.
However as I said before, everything can change based on what pickup it is in...
The wind has a lot to do with it, but in general A5s will have a bigger low end, more high end, and less midrange, they have a tighter, stiffer feel and are a bit more grunt.
A2s have a fuller, fatter sound, smoother high end, spongier bass and more pronounced mids. They have a vocal, singing quality that A5s lack.
However as I said before, everything can change based on what pickup it is in...
ACH91332
New member
Re: A2 v A5?
Yeah what everyone said comparing the two is true however an A5 can pretty much do anything given the pickups wind. The A5 is probably the most versatile magnet out there. It is used in so many different pickups with so many different tones. From PAF tones to brutal crushing tones or very aggressive tones to smooth warm tones the A5 can pull it off depending on the wind. Dimarzio doesn't make any A2 humbuckers. They just use A5 and Ceramic with the majority of them being Ceramic.
Having said all that pretty much all magnets depend on the wind really but each magnet does alter EQ and have a character to it that shines through. It's nice knowing what they tend to do to the EQ in cooperation with the wind so that if you do have an A5 pickup but its too scooped you can put an A2 or A4 in it. Or if an A2 pickup you have is a little muddy you can put an A8 in there and etc.
Yeah what everyone said comparing the two is true however an A5 can pretty much do anything given the pickups wind. The A5 is probably the most versatile magnet out there. It is used in so many different pickups with so many different tones. From PAF tones to brutal crushing tones or very aggressive tones to smooth warm tones the A5 can pull it off depending on the wind. Dimarzio doesn't make any A2 humbuckers. They just use A5 and Ceramic with the majority of them being Ceramic.
Having said all that pretty much all magnets depend on the wind really but each magnet does alter EQ and have a character to it that shines through. It's nice knowing what they tend to do to the EQ in cooperation with the wind so that if you do have an A5 pickup but its too scooped you can put an A2 or A4 in it. Or if an A2 pickup you have is a little muddy you can put an A8 in there and etc.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: A2 v A5?
Along with using 500K or 250K pots. Some combination of magnets & pots can usually get what you want.
Along with using 500K or 250K pots. Some combination of magnets & pots can usually get what you want.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: A2 v A5?
With magnet rod pickups the difference is much smaller than in pickups with bar magnet and passive polepieces. Somebody once explained to me why but it was too complicated. Basically about how the magnet and the strings start fighting over what state the polepieces are in and that amplifying the difference in magnet field from the magnet.
In practice all this is useless. My most aggressive pickup is my 78 which is A2. I sold my Brobucker, A5, because it was too muffled. My A2 Ant1 for Strat are much warmer than the Surfer but that's the coils. My APS1s sound very close to SSL1s. My Imperials are A5 IIRC and give the most "woman tone" I have in any pickup.
So it's useless unless you specifically change magnets in the same coils. The moment you go with sophisticated boutique pickups it all goes out the window.
With magnet rod pickups the difference is much smaller than in pickups with bar magnet and passive polepieces. Somebody once explained to me why but it was too complicated. Basically about how the magnet and the strings start fighting over what state the polepieces are in and that amplifying the difference in magnet field from the magnet.
In practice all this is useless. My most aggressive pickup is my 78 which is A2. I sold my Brobucker, A5, because it was too muffled. My A2 Ant1 for Strat are much warmer than the Surfer but that's the coils. My APS1s sound very close to SSL1s. My Imperials are A5 IIRC and give the most "woman tone" I have in any pickup.
So it's useless unless you specifically change magnets in the same coils. The moment you go with sophisticated boutique pickups it all goes out the window.
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