Are all magnets created equal?

[frankencat]

I just completed my first magnet swap and it has me thinking - are all magnets created equal?

Is a magnet from a neck pickup the same magnet used in the bridge pickup of the same model?

Is an A2 magnet from a APH the same as an A2 magnet from a PG (and so on...)?

Inquiring minds want to know

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

No they are not. I say that based one the one superconducting magnet that I made in chem lab once. If the ingredients are pure (i can see someone trying to save costs and using less than high quality starting materials, then you'll have unwanted contaminants in the magnet) and in the right proportions.If they aren't in the right proportions or if they don't get mixed thoroughly, then they have to be baked at the correct temp for the correct amount of cooking time. Changing any of those factors will affect the crystal structure of the magnet, thus affecting it's character.

They only way you will be able to tell the difference is by magnetic field analysis and X-ray diffraction testing of the magnets. They will all look alike and fit the same in a pickup. Your ear may or may not be able to discern a difference.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

I say each magnet type are the same,but the bridge and neck pickup model are wound differently...The Antiquities have aged magnets...

 

[APB_4]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

I would have thought that, although what Guitar Toad said is true, you would be hard pushed to tell the difference between magnets of the same type in the same pup. Especially if it's from SD or another good quality manufacturer.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

2 magnets of the exact same alloy formulation can have different strength (measured in gauss) .. and yes, a magnets gauss reading definetely effects its tone producing properties

so tell us, how did they SOUND after the swap!!?? .. your ears, not the gaussmeter, are the ultimate judge

t4d

 

[Faraday]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

2 magnets of the exact same alloy formulation can have different strength (measured in gauss) .. and yes, a magnets gauss reading definetely effects its tone producing properties

so tell us, how did they SOUND after the swap!!?? .. your ears, not the gaussmeter, are the ultimate judge

t4d

One day I will record every magnet type on a spectrograph and compare it to my ear and a gauss meter. Yes, our ears are the ultimate judge, but you know our curiosity on this forum :smack:.
Hey Tone4Days, whereabouts in central MD are you at? I'm just a Bill, yea I'm only a Bill, and I'm sittin here in central MD also... :dance:

 

[tone4days]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

howard county here - you?

 

[Faraday]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

howard county here - you?

I'm from near Catonsville, but now live near White Marsh and work in downtown Baltimore.

 

[frankencat]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

...so tell us, how did they SOUND after the swap!!?? .. your ears, not the gaussmeter, are the ultimate judge
t4d

Well the A2 in the DD sounds cool. I posted a short review here https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=39908

Now I am wanting to do some other swaps and was wondering about the "interchangability" of magnets from different pickups from the same mfgr (SD). Still don't feel like the question has been answered in general.

Outside of differences in raw materials, does the mfgr knowingly use a "different" magnet (i.e. strength, etc.) for neck vs bridge pickups of the same type?

 

[tone4days]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

yes, SD picks a magnet's strength as a design parameter along with the other aspects of the pickup to arrive at the desired tonal property ... i do not know if neck/bridge differences are arrived at with mag strength / # or winds / or both ...

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

Check out the link and point 9.1 on magnets and see if that helps. Here we are doing Seymour's and Evan's work again, but I guess we are all volunteers here: http://www.seymourduncan.com/website/support/seymours_q_and_a.shtml#9

 

[frankencat]

Re: Are all magnets created equal?

Eh. Again, we know the general properties of a given type of Alnico magnet. 9.1 discusses the different grades of Alnico magnets and then briefly talks about the general strength of "a magnet". Good info but it still doesn't address the question. I think at this point I think we can just assume that they use the same grade and relative strength of magnets for a given model and that they have a QC process in place that keeps everything within specified tolerences. Once again, we have proven that there is no substitute for our ears and a good soldering iron