Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

[WDeeGee]

Hi.

I just wondered if changing from A5 to A8 would improve dynamics in a medium hi-wound humbucker?

We know high winding count diminishes pup dynamics, so it seems logical to assume a more powerful magnet would be able to overcome the winding resistance, and up the dynamics?

I only read about the A8 having a different voicing, but nobody speaks of dynamics?

Asking for a friend who loves PAF dynamics.

 

[vinnie1971]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

Hi.

I just wondered if changing from A5 to A8 would improve dynamics in a medium hi-wound humbucker?

We know high winding count diminishes pup dynamics, so it seems logical to assume a more powerful magnet would be able to overcome the winding resistance, and up the dynamics?

I only read about the A8 having a different voicing, but nobody speaks of dynamics?

Asking for a friend who loves PAF dynamics.

I had some super 58 clones - made in Korea humbuckers wound 7.4k and 8.2k alnico 3 wound with formvar coated wire.

It turned them into super 70s clones. Like Gibson classic 57s on steroids. Loads of mid range grunt, top end sparkle and tight bass. I love them.

As long as it’s not too hot ( say up to 10k) I think they’ll sound pretty nice [emoji1360]


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[WDeeGee]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

Loads of mid range grunt, top end sparkle and tight bass. I love them.

What about pick dynamics? Did you notice a difference?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

I don't really notice a difference in touch sensitivity after swapping mags. I think either the wind has it or not.

 

[vinnie1971]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

What about pick dynamics? Did you notice a difference?

I can’t say other than it had slightly more presence - I play fingerstyle so that sometimes shows through but with a pick, it sounded fatter in the attack but it’s so subtle


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[Demanic]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

I have an Alternative 8 and it has great dynamics, even though it's louder than a lot of pickups. I once tried an A8 in a JB and I think that it lost dynamics. Both pickups have high resistance, but the Alt 8 was designed for an A8.
That being said, I put an A8 in an old Ibby powersound bridge and I think that it brought out more dynamics than the original ceramic mag.

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[Discharged]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

In a nutshell, no.

/Peter

 

[WDeeGee]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

In a nutshell, no.

/Peter

Haha lol thanks, that's all I needed to know.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

I have an Alternative 8 and it has great dynamics, even though it's louder than a lot of pickups. I once tried an A8 in a JB and I think that it lost dynamics. Both pickups have high resistance, but the Alt 8 was designed for an A8.
That being said, I put an A8 in an old Ibby powersound bridge and I think that it brought out more dynamics than the original ceramic mag.

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Since the thread has reached a conclusion I don't feel bad about hijacking: how did you like the A8 JB overall? I was just pondering that combo yesterday!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

Personally I prefer the stock JB. The JB8 didn't seem to have the same harmonics.

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[beaubrummels]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

The only pickup I have an A8 in is a Skinnerburst bridge. It sounds and behaves like a 1980’s Seymour-wound Custom. So, from a vintage PAF to a loud PAF. (If you’ve played a Seymour-wound Custom, you know how it’s different from more recent production. Doesn’t have the same bright top end, a bit smoother.)

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

Personally I prefer the stock JB. The JB8 didn't seem to have the same harmonics.

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Was it thicker and beefier? Hotter? I don't mind less harmonics.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

Well, it seemed to me like it's tonal spectrum was shifted lower in it's frequencies. It sounded similar to the Alternative 8, but I didn't find it quite as lively on the top end.

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[Mincer]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

I have to say, I always thought the magnet didn't change dynamics, and my experiments confirmed this. I have done a ton of A8 experiments, though.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

I have to say, I always thought the magnet didn't change dynamics, and my experiments confirmed this. I have done a ton of A8 experiments, though.

I have as well. I've found the most dynamic, touch- and pick-attack sensitive are A3-modded p'ups, usually used in the neck position. Being isotropic, A5, A6 and A8 are inherently stiffer and tighter than their isotropic (A2, A3, A4 and UOA5) counterparts. My personal A8-modded favorites are the Custom, '59/Custom Hybrid and the '59b.

/Peter

 

[Shooweri]

Re: Alnico 8 and pickup dynamics

To me, Alnico 8 gives faster picking response when compared to A5. That's why I prefer it in my bridge pups. It adds more gain and has different eq structure. I've A8's installed in my Perpetual Burn and Pegasus and it still has good dynamics, just has different playing feel due to added output.