Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

Docrock

New member
Thinking of trying this in the bridge of my "hollowbody" LP Studio (chambered)

I have a SH6N I can pull the mag from

I have a CC in it now and its not really doing it for me, nor was a straight A2P

All will or will be nickel covered
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

It will sound horrendous...the APHb is already quite bright with th stock A2

Seriously, it'll be super shrill, brittle and buzzy...
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

Isn't the SH-6n a thick magnet like the bridge Distortion? That's likely to be one loud, bright pickup.

Some people have gone on about the Custom with a thick ceramic, though. Either way, you're going to have to do some modding to make the separators fit right with the thicker magnet (flip them on their sides, IIRC).

Might be easier to order some other magnets. If you just want a little more oomph and frequency range out of the A2P, I'd start with an Unoriented A5, could also try that in the CC.

Some comments about what ways each fell short in the LP might help get suggestions that'd save you trial and error...
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

The A2P seemed a little "stiff" without much power

The CC was nicer, but had a vintagey flavor???? that it doesnt have in my Nuno which is where I put in originally and loved it.

My all time favorite pickup in a LP style guitar was a vintage Dimarzio Super D

Felt loose, easy, powerful, crunchy.....if any of those subjective terms makes sense

Ive tried 5-6 newer super ds and none match that old school one
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

I feel you on those old super D's. I have an early 80's, non-potted example that's awesome. I say try the DD neck in the bridge slot of that LP. If it's too bright, try the ceramic mag in the CC. Takes it far beyond vintage, TBH. Almost like a passive EMG 81 in attack and immediacy of response.
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

BTW, the closest thing I've found in general feel and flavor to that old Super D (if not necessarily in tone) is the CS El Diablo. It's an awesome pickup that you'll probably really dig if you like those older, fatter Super D's.
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

i think it's a very interesting idea, and one i may try myself
the cover should help.
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

Give it a try, because only you can say whether you like it or not. If you like it our conjecture is meaningless.
 
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Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

I think it would work fine in the neck, in the bridge it would probably be real bright.
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

I wouldnt call it bright, but the bass strings sound luck flubby poop
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

That would be after the magnet swap and BEFORE the slicing of the body, that was a load of bollocks, as ozzy would say
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

Sort of off-topic, but isn't the El Diablo using A2's on their sides AS the poles? I think that's BRILLIANT. The fact that bar mag humbuckers lose some of the bite of their single coil cousins, results in the fact that the magnet is transferring energy through metal rods instead of applying the energy to the strings directly. I'd love to see more designs like that, particularly lower-output, more PAF-type winds.
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

What it's going to sound like, IMO, is a cheap import pup. Low wind, ceramic mag to compensate. Run the treble at 0 and it might be usable.

The CC is supposed to have a certain vintage flavor, in fact the whole Custom series is. The A2P needs to be ran pretty high to get the crunch, but the bass side needs to be lower with the poles raised to thin out the bass and give you more definition..

Bottom line is that if you don't want a vintage flavor you need to go for the hot winds and the different polepieces.

Luke
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

Thats some good info...thanks

I did end up trying it, like I said above it was bass poop
but I didnt try adjust pole pieces

I didnt think it sounded like a import, which to me usually sounds warm and fuzzy not necc in a good way

Your saying raise the poles adds definition?
good to know
 
Re: Anyone use a Alnico II Pro with ceramic?

Thats some good info...thanks

I did end up trying it, like I said above it was bass poop
but I didnt try adjust pole pieces

I didnt think it sounded like a import, which to me usually sounds warm and fuzzy not necc in a good way

Your saying raise the poles adds definition?
good to know

The regular filister poles are going to have less definition than a hex head (like a Super D) the larger Invader style will have less still, but more magnetic "area" to be influenced by.

I'd honestly try an A5 in it to get the Jazz tone. A great sound in and of itself.

Luke
 
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