Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

[Gtrjunior]

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?

What did you think of the ceramic mag in the JB (assuming you tried that)?

 

[Nightburst]

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

Well, the A8 did make the resistance go up on both pickups I did the swap with. C8 was 15k and JB 17.2k.
I always thought that high ouput pickups with higher dc resistance will sound tighter, but also more compressed. More open would be more scooped then, which can also be a tight sound. I really have no clue to be honest

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

What did you think of the ceramic mag in the JB (assuming you tried that)?

I didn't try it, I'll probably end up taking it back to stock A5. Wouldn't the ceramic in the JB essentially make it a Distortion?
I see it this way generally speaking: A8 --> bolder, fatter, rounder, warmer and a little more grit compared to A5, Ceramic --> more aggressive, tighter compared to A5,the rest is kinda equal in terms of openness warmness etc.

Mr. Duncan got it right the first time with those pickups, at this point I can't even remember why I needed to go down the rabbit hole lol

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

Wouldn't the ceramic in the JB essentially make it a Distortion?

No

 

[jhale667]

Re: Alnico 8 versus Alnico 5?

What’s a Custom 8

Pretty much awesomeness. I have one in my oldest Charvel mutt and it's total beef. Powerful bass, just enough mids, and the high end isn't harsh. Just great for rock rhythms. I use it to double almost any rhythm track I do with a JB.