Alnico 4

[Rainmaker]

I know there may have been threads in the past about Alnico 4 magnets, but some new members might some info.

Could you guys please help me out and tell me about these types of magnets and compare its tonal qualities to other types of Alnico magnets?

Thanks =)

 

[Peterku]

Re: Alnico 4

Here's a quote from the BKF:

Alnico IV is totally different to Alnico V and not a weak V as some people make out.It is slightly lower in output with better balance across all frequencies whereas Alnico V tends to push the bass and highs quite aggressively.
Why use it?
Well it was used originally by Gibson, along with AII and AIII, in the early PAF humbuckers

 

[Buck Cannon]

Re: Alnico 4

I played the famous 50's Gold Top Gibson Les Paul with the "First Ever Set Of Humbuckers" this year at NAMM while helping "Evan" with early NAMM set up duties.. prior to opening. the owners of the guitar were setting on the couch playin it PLUGGED IN! ... I said "hey thats that first ever Les Paul with Buckers" and thet said " Yea- ya wanna' play it" -- SURE! -- they even took pic's of me and complimented my playin... NICE Folks!((THAT guitar HAS AlNiCo FOURS)))

Anywhoo-- the sound was more to my liking..I'm not a Humbucker Guy.. but the AlNiCo-4 buckers where much more to my taste! they were more Tele Like.. and somewhat like Roy Buchanans 1953 Tele "Nancy" that I had just played earlier that week it has AlNico 3's.. that was two priceless guitars I played in one week.. and both had a 1/4" hole drilled threw the headstocks???? I guess those old 50's guy used to like to hang them on the walls back then...???

Rev. Donzo

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Alnico 4

I have some alnico 4 magnets in stock if anyone would like to give one a try. To my ears alnico 4 gives a humbucker more mids than alncio 5 and more bass and treble than alnico 2. The overall tone seems to be a little more articulate with "better" note separation and "better" string to string separation. I can see the Tele comparism because compared to the same pickup with alnico 2 or alnico 5, the tone of alnico 4 seems to give the pickup a little edgier tone that seems to cut through a little more than either. I'm not sure I agree with the "lower output" comment though. Maybe...but that wasn't my experience.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Alnico 4

I made a Custom 4 nickelcovered, which like Lew says is more balanced and articulate sounding, yet closer to a C5 than a CC. As a matter of fact, it's almost a cross between a Custom 5 and a Jazz Bridge......really a good sounding articulate pickup!

I may yank out the C5 in my Legacy Deluxe, now that I'm reminded of the C4. I've been going between a 59 and C5 in that guitar, and now I may give the C4 a chance.

And C-4 is a pretty cool marketing name as well.

 

[RHOADS TONE]

Re: Alnico 4

I have some alnico 4 magnets in stock if anyone would like to give one a try. To my ears alnico 4 gives a humbucker more mids than alncio 5 and more bass and treble than alnico 2. The overall tone seems to be a little more articulate with "better" note separation and "better" string to string separation. I can see the Tele comparism because compared to the same pickup with alnico 2 or alnico 5, the tone of alnico 4 seems to give the pickup a little edgier tone that seems to cut through a little more than either. I'm not sure I agree with the "lower output" comment though. Maybe...but that wasn't my experience.

Lew how about AIII's whats yur take on those?
Jeff