Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

I'm under the impression that these are A2 mags,... I know my newer epiphone is for sure. I though I had some literature somewhere saying the g400's were as well

Also, where are you guys having the best luck buying magnets? is there a way to know what size I need without pulling the old one out?
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Tough one - looks like BOTH might be perfect for you.

It will just depend on what your ears, and fingers prefer.
I too would like to at least try an A8 pick up.
Maybe an A2P with an A8 pick up swap.
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Redbowties88 said:
I'm under the impression that these are A2 mags,... I know my newer epiphone is for sure. I though I had some literature somewhere saying the g400's were as well

Also, where are you guys having the best luck buying magnets? is there a way to know what size I need without pulling the old one out?
Click to expand...

The Epi PU's with A2's are the upgraded ones that accompany push-pull pots: Probuckers and Alnico Classic Pros (not to be confused with the regular 'Alnico Classics' which have A5's). The G-400 Pros have A2 Alnico Classic Pros; the older G-400's have A5 Alnico Classics (yes, the names are confusing).

Most of us get our magnets from Addiction FX. Huge selection and low prices.
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

disturb said:
I have no interest in this pickup at all. I was surprised a custom shop build was wasted on it. But I guess a lot of guys really wanted it. I was kinda hoping for a hybrid. Maybe a CC coil with a Demon coil, on top of an Alnico II magnet. I'd get one of those.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I made a couple of those. I like it much better than the C/59 hybrid. Especially useful in the neck position.

I'm beginning to be a real fan of A2 mags...does wonders for the Distortion as well.

However, the C/Demon hybrid is also very cool with an A8 for use in the bridge. The A8 doesn't solve every problem with a weak or thin pup, but it has its place.
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

If your G-400 has the A2 pups, you might want to try A8 in the bridge and A5 in the neck. That should give your guitar some new life.
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Gearjoneser said:
It wasn't my choice to have parallel axis poles, mostly because I use nickel covers.

My worry about PA poles is that they have a strong magnetic pull, and so does Alnico 8. Do you think stringpull will be an issue with the Crazy 8?
Click to expand...

What drugs are you on?
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Interesting that this post gets revived now. I've had a Custom 8 in the bridge of my '76 Destroyer for 12 or so years. But lately it's felt a little too thick in the mids. Maybe my approach has somewhat changed after 5+ decades. Whatever the case. I just got a 59/Custom Hybrid TB. I'm going to try it with A5 and A8 magnets. Want a bit more upper-mid emphasis. We'll see. I typically don't like A5 pickups because they tend to be lacking midrange. I'm betting the 59/Custom with A8 is going to really do it.
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Zhangliqun said:
No, A8 is MUCH MUCH stronger than A5. It's got all the punch of ceramic, maybe more, but with a fatter, sweeter Alnico attitude.

A5 is scooped in the mids a bit, depending on how fully charged it is, while A8 has tons of mids and a sweet, A2-like top.
Click to expand...

Pretty accurate assessment. A8 is one of my favorite mags in the right wind Very balanced and yes it has that sweet A2 like top. The trick to A 8 is finding that sweet spot in distance from the strings as it has a very strong string pull and if you get it to close it gets really nasty overtones and looses sustain. One of my all time favorite pickups is the ALT8. Super versatile in the right hands more so than many think. I also orderd 2 of the Crazy 8's when they did them as forum pickups BTW and have a Dimarzio Satur8 in coming so--.
This is my KOA DC 127 Carvin with a Alt8 Bridge Sentient neck through my little Boogie Subway Rocket never leaving the high gain crunch channel using the pickup selector and guitar volume only to get the different tones. A8 in the bridge is very very dynamic and touch sensitive in the right hands!
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

NoelH said:
Interesting that this post gets revived now. I've had a Custom 8 in the bridge of my '76 Destroyer for 12 or so years. But lately it's felt a little too thick in the mids. Maybe my approach has somewhat changed after 5+ decades. Whatever the case. I just got a 59/Custom Hybrid TB. I'm going to try it with A5 and A8 magnets. Want a bit more upper-mid emphasis. We'll see. I typically don't like A5 pickups because they tend to be lacking midrange. I'm betting the 59/Custom with A8 is going to really do it.
Click to expand...

Give the Hybrid a fair chance with the A5 it's going to surprise you! Punches WAY above its weight per the specs and sure doesn't lack mids!!!
 
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Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

disturb said:
I have no interest in this pickup at all. I was surprised a custom shop build was wasted on it. But I guess a lot of guys really wanted it. I was kinda hoping for a hybrid. Maybe a CC coil with a Demon coil, on top of an Alnico II magnet. I'd get one of those.
Click to expand...

The Crazy 8 wasn't a normal CS pickup it was one of the Forum pickups from here.
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

I don't use any hot humbucking pickups. Only pafs like the Duncan 59, Seth Lover and Antiquity, although I dial in my own tone by doing magnet swaps. I like roughcast A2 or A3 in the neck and roughcast A2 or A5 in the bridge.

How does A8 do in a pickup like the 59B?

Does it still have "too much of everything" except treble?
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

I have experimented with A8 magnets in both the JB and Custom. Although I like what it does to the pickups, the difference in tone is actually quite subtle when compared to an A5 magnet. It just sounds much 'fatter' but still similar to my ears. It's really subjective in the end so I'm sure there will be people who agree and disagree with me.
However, I did notice one very big drawback, and I'm not sure what causes it. The A8 will do chords and riffs amazingly but there is also a sort of spongyness to it that makes it not so good for tracking notes when playing faster, especially fast single note runs.
I ended up changing back to a ceramic Custom and it performed way better, much tighter and faster tracking. The JB is back in the drawer again.
Am I crazy or did anyone else experience this also?
 
Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Nightburst maybe the dc res is to high on your custom which is 14.4k. I would think a lower output
resistance would sound better more open sounding
 
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