alnico 5 magnet types

[metalmachine]

whats he difference between polished unpolished and rough-cast in terms of tone. who has tried all of these in a JB. also if alnico 5 has tight bass why do so many complain of the jb's bass being loose. would any of these magnets tighten it. also would any of them add low mids?


by the way are there any threads explaining magnet types

 

[skynyrd]

Re: alnico 5 magnet types

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=200860

 

[Despair]

Re: alnico 5 magnet types

A magnet, or even a pickup, doesn't do all the work by itself.

People complain of JB's being loose because they are. In their guitar, at least. The JB was originally used in alder guitars, and is also popular in neck-through (effectively maple) guitars and in soft maple bodies. Put it in something that already has more lower mids, or has too much in the wrong frequencies, and it sounds boxy or loose, depending on the chunk of wood.

There aren't tooo many magnets that would add lower mids. Ceramic and A8 add bass... but they also fill in the mids where A5 has a bit of a dip.

And A8 has slightly more upper mids, but less highs, compared to the A5. But doesn't worsen the upper mid peak of the JB, since it's a different frequency that's stronger.

Ceramic of course carries that all the way through treble out to increased presence, and tends to have a harsher presence/gritty edge/bite that is very divisive for different guitar players.

 

[blueman335]

Re: alnico 5 magnet types

A magnet, or even a pickup, doesn't do all the work by itself.

People complain of JB's being loose because they are. In their guitar, at least. The JB was originally used in alder guitars, and is also popular in neck-through (effectively maple) guitars and in soft maple bodies. Put it in something that already has more lower mids, or has too much in the wrong frequencies, and it sounds boxy or loose, depending on the chunk of wood.

There aren't tooo many magnets that would add lower mids. Ceramic and A8 add bass... but they also fill in the mids where A5 has a bit of a dip.

And A8 has slightly more upper mids, but less highs, compared to the A5. But doesn't worsen the upper mid peak of the JB, since it's a different frequency that's stronger.

Ceramic of course carries that all the way through treble out to increased presence, and tends to have a harsher presence/gritty edge/bite that is very divisive for different guitar players.

+1. Well said. JB's low end problems usually manifest themselves in mahogany, along with the sudden appearance of the infamous ice pick spike. Often doesn't resonate right with a polished A5. I doubt a RC A5 would be too much different, but it would take off a little of the worst treble, if that's what you needed. I prefer an A2 in the JB, and imagine that an UOA5 would probably be very good too.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: alnico 5 magnet types

If you're looking to improve the JB's definition and clarity first try radiusing your pole pieces to match the curvature of the bridge and neck. Then use a dremel tool or a jewelers saw to cut the Fillister screws flush with the base of the pickup. It tightens up the bass and makes the pickup more taught and resonant.