Alnico 5 spacer magnet

Driver Blues

New member
I found these for sale on Philadelphia Luther and was wondering what to expect with replacing the nonmagnetic spacer in a humbucker with one. They also have A8 and ceramic if anyones interested. I'm thinking about putting one in my Alnico 4 PGb
 
You've twisted my arm, I'll buy some. I know there are places where you can buy A2 and A4 as well, so I will pick some up.

I also think Clint would be interested in this. It adds roughly the same mass of magnet as 1.5 thickness magnets but it gives you the ability to mix and match, widens the magnetic field, and makes the coils asymmetrical magnetically speaking. Which of those make a big difference? Who knows?

Also it makes the pickup orientation matter as far as screw or slug coil being closer to the bridge.
 
I used one of these recently on a Phat Cat. I removed one of the magnets to narrow the magnetic field. But I felt it was a little bit plinky, so I put one of these spacers in the other side. So it has a full size mag on one side and and a spacer mag on the other side. Came out just right I think.
 
There's a few production pickups that have extra magnets like those. The Gibson 500t has three oversized magnets with the 2 outer magnets looking similar to those:

https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/dissecting-humbuckers-496r-500t.217526/

The Gibson Dirty Fingers, the Duncan Black Winter, and Duncan Invader use a three magnet set up as well.

You should expect a lot more low and high end response. A higher wind pickup will probably have enough midrange to keep up, but a low wind pickup might sound midscooped when you add extra magnets.
 
You can add spacer magnets on both sides, you just have to get the cable out of the way by sticking it out the side. The main differences I notice are a bit more power and the effects from the 2 types of alnicos if you chose to mix.

I don't know why Duncan and the other builders only do 3 double thick mags with ceramic, because it would work really well with alnico.
 
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There's a few production pickups that have extra magnets like those. The Gibson 500t has three oversized magnets with the 2 outer magnets looking similar to those:

https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/dissecting-humbuckers-496r-500t.217526/

The Gibson Dirty Fingers, the Duncan Black Winter, and Duncan Invader use a three magnet set up as well.

You should expect a lot more low and high end response. A higher wind pickup will probably have enough midrange to keep up, but a low wind pickup might sound midscooped when you add extra magnets.

I wouldn't expect more high end as the inductance would probably go up.
 
You can add spacer magnets on both sides, you just have to get the cable out of the way by sticking it out the side. The main differences I notice are a bit more power and the effects from the 2 types of alnicos if you chose to mix.

I don't know why Duncan and the other builders only do 3 double thick mags with ceramic, because it would work really well with alnico.

That's pretty cool. Would you say the central magnet, or the spacer makes a bigger difference in the sound? Or is there a 3rd variable? I've got a spare ceramic spacer that I could throw on a Custom 5. Would that bring it between a Custom 5 and a plain old Custom in sound?
 
That's pretty cool. Would you say the central magnet, or the spacer makes a bigger difference in the sound? Or is there a 3rd variable? I've got a spare ceramic spacer that I could throw on a Custom 5. Would that bring it between a Custom 5 and a plain old Custom in sound?

If you were to only use 1 ceramic spacer, the central magnet might determine the tone more. You can hear characteristics of each magnet tho, it is pretty cool.
 
I'm going to try a Pearly Gates neck in the bridge with an A4 and a flanking A8 and report back. I don't really have any bridge pickups on hand so I will have to make due.
 
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