Alnico vs Ceramic
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
To me, considering the wind is the same and the only thing changing is the magnet between ceramic and alnico 5, ceramic has more output, more lows (yet it's tighter), and more highs (along with a more pronounced attack).
I wouldn't say ceramic itself makes pickups sound "cheaper". Plenty of high-end pickups use ceramic magnets.
To me, considering the wind is the same and the only thing changing is the magnet between ceramic and alnico 5, ceramic has more output, more lows (yet it's tighter), and more highs (along with a more pronounced attack).
I wouldn't say ceramic itself makes pickups sound "cheaper". Plenty of high-end pickups use ceramic magnets.
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
Some would say ceramics are harsh and brittle,,,,even sterile or generic.
Others would say they are refined and more hi-fi compared to those slow, weak and muddy alnicos.
In reality the magnet is only one factor out of many,,,,,,,so you about have to judge each model individually based on your own rig.
Personally I think alnico usually sounds richer and fuller in the mids,,,,,,,but hot ceramics can have a quicker bass-response and more clarity in the highs.
Some would say ceramics are harsh and brittle,,,,even sterile or generic.
Others would say they are refined and more hi-fi compared to those slow, weak and muddy alnicos.
In reality the magnet is only one factor out of many,,,,,,,so you about have to judge each model individually based on your own rig.
Personally I think alnico usually sounds richer and fuller in the mids,,,,,,,but hot ceramics can have a quicker bass-response and more clarity in the highs.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
Ceramic or alnico, it's a matter of taste & the kind of music you play. I like the richer, more organic feel of alnicos; ceramics seem harsher and stiffer to me. If I played metal, I might use ceramic as they hold up better under a lot of distortion.
Ceramic or alnico, it's a matter of taste & the kind of music you play. I like the richer, more organic feel of alnicos; ceramics seem harsher and stiffer to me. If I played metal, I might use ceramic as they hold up better under a lot of distortion.
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Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
Remember, these are guidelines, and until you experiment with different types of magnets in the same pickups, you won't know their general effect. Comparing different magnets in different winds doesn't make a whole lot of sense with out taking into account other factors.
Remember, these are guidelines, and until you experiment with different types of magnets in the same pickups, you won't know their general effect. Comparing different magnets in different winds doesn't make a whole lot of sense with out taking into account other factors.
KNUCKLHEAD
New member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
wadr ~ That is probably true for someone who is trying to get to know their guitars , lets say 5 or so and get some Variety and personal Sound Style established . After changing out almost countless pickups over the years and builds , Recording , Live Performance ( Most Important to myself ) - I would pretty much KNOW what I am going to Get with all of the properties previously Experienced in a Swap out , as an End Result on quite alot of configs . but You guys Always get the Cobwebs knocked off and get the wheels Turning such as this Here --> What May be killer + I've Never thought of is combining Alnico with Ceramic on the Same Pickup( maybe it could make big $ ; ) and making a hybrid pickup with both , could work Awesome in a few Configs .
wadr ~ That is probably true for someone who is trying to get to know their guitars , lets say 5 or so and get some Variety and personal Sound Style established . After changing out almost countless pickups over the years and builds , Recording , Live Performance ( Most Important to myself ) - I would pretty much KNOW what I am going to Get with all of the properties previously Experienced in a Swap out , as an End Result on quite alot of configs . but You guys Always get the Cobwebs knocked off and get the wheels Turning such as this Here --> What May be killer + I've Never thought of is combining Alnico with Ceramic on the Same Pickup( maybe it could make big $ ; ) and making a hybrid pickup with both , could work Awesome in a few Configs .
KNUCKLHEAD
New member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
In other words , maybe swap out magnets on one side ( Half ) of a Humbucker . Something like half A5 or A8 and half Ceramic ?
In other words , maybe swap out magnets on one side ( Half ) of a Humbucker . Something like half A5 or A8 and half Ceramic ?
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eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
A number of humbucking sets use ceramic in the bridge pickup and alnico in the neck. It's pretty unusual to see a single humbucker that has both.
But I believe the Mojotone Black Magic humbuckers are made using a combination of ceramic & alnico in each pickup.
I'm not a high gain player myself and I've only been able to really bond with a couple of ceramic pickups, though I remember liking the DiMarzio Super D back in the 70s. Two modern ones that I have enjoyed are the standard Duncan Custom (but I will say that I like its alnico versions also) and the Railhammer Chisel.
Another is the PRS Dragon 1 bridge; I have two of those. The Dragon 1 is super overwound- quite full and compressed, with lots of midrange. Warm and fat, not well defined on cleans or particularly responsive to nuances of pick dynamics and fingertouch. There are those who would call it congested but you have to treat it for what it is and use it for its strengths: it's a really great pickup for high gain lead tones. Not a pickup that suits my overall style, yet nice to have in my arsenal for certain stuff.
A number of humbucking sets use ceramic in the bridge pickup and alnico in the neck. It's pretty unusual to see a single humbucker that has both.
But I believe the Mojotone Black Magic humbuckers are made using a combination of ceramic & alnico in each pickup.
I'm not a high gain player myself and I've only been able to really bond with a couple of ceramic pickups, though I remember liking the DiMarzio Super D back in the 70s. Two modern ones that I have enjoyed are the standard Duncan Custom (but I will say that I like its alnico versions also) and the Railhammer Chisel.
Another is the PRS Dragon 1 bridge; I have two of those. The Dragon 1 is super overwound- quite full and compressed, with lots of midrange. Warm and fat, not well defined on cleans or particularly responsive to nuances of pick dynamics and fingertouch. There are those who would call it congested but you have to treat it for what it is and use it for its strengths: it's a really great pickup for high gain lead tones. Not a pickup that suits my overall style, yet nice to have in my arsenal for certain stuff.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
That Dragon I set was my first experience with alnico 4. The 8K neck pickup is alnico 4.
I liked the neck pickup.
But the 18K ceramic bridge pickup was way too hot for my tastes.
I have a modified set of Duncan 59's in that '95 PRS CU22 guitar now...modified with Roughcast Alnico 5.
That Dragon I set was my first experience with alnico 4. The 8K neck pickup is alnico 4.
I liked the neck pickup.
But the 18K ceramic bridge pickup was way too hot for my tastes.
I have a modified set of Duncan 59's in that '95 PRS CU22 guitar now...modified with Roughcast Alnico 5.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
Nice magnet choices. A4's have been underappreciated for decades (Fralin loves them), and RC UOA5's have become my favorite.
Nice magnet choices. A4's have been underappreciated for decades (Fralin loves them), and RC UOA5's have become my favorite.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
Definitely not "cheaper." Cheap sounding is very subjective. Alot of cheap imports used Ceramic magnets in their pickups which is probably why it is described as sounding cheap.
In my experience, Ceramics always have a slight "edge" even when clean while Alnicos clean up better (extreme generalization.)
You can do this with a P90, haven't done that but I think some have.
Edit: Wasn't thinking clearly, a P90 is not a humbucker. Sorry
Definitely not "cheaper." Cheap sounding is very subjective. Alot of cheap imports used Ceramic magnets in their pickups which is probably why it is described as sounding cheap.
In my experience, Ceramics always have a slight "edge" even when clean while Alnicos clean up better (extreme generalization.)
You can do this with a P90, haven't done that but I think some have.
Edit: Wasn't thinking clearly, a P90 is not a humbucker. Sorry
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Davii
New member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
I've been working on this. I've actually made a humbucker that doesn't suck big hairy donkey plums for once:
I've been working on this. I've actually made a humbucker that doesn't suck big hairy donkey plums for once:
KNUCKLHEAD
New member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
Know what ? I have several I could pick from to try that but it may take me a little time to decide . I WILL report back if and When I do it , but have to Build a Bass 1st. I love A4 as well ( usually in neck pos. ) A5 not too bad either . But , Yes - A4 is kinda underrated IMHO
Know what ? I have several I could pick from to try that but it may take me a little time to decide . I WILL report back if and When I do it , but have to Build a Bass 1st. I love A4 as well ( usually in neck pos. ) A5 not too bad either . But , Yes - A4 is kinda underrated IMHO
KNUCKLHEAD
New member
Re: Alnico vs Ceramic
I couldn't answer it in the OP's Context of a question because I use All of the main types to : Practice, Record , live shows and they have ALL made some Good Money at one time or Another . Another thing, I have hung on to a couple of 80's MMK's that sound as good ( Relative to the models traits ) as either of the 2 main Brands Do , so That make sense gregory ?
I couldn't answer it in the OP's Context of a question because I use All of the main types to : Practice, Record , live shows and they have ALL made some Good Money at one time or Another . Another thing, I have hung on to a couple of 80's MMK's that sound as good ( Relative to the models traits ) as either of the 2 main Brands Do , so That make sense gregory ?
