toneseeker74
New member
Anybody try this? Thoughts?
Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
- Thread starter toneseeker74
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Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
We have, and we have found it's an evil, loathsome tone. The idea of a ceramic in a high output pickup is to bring back treble otherwise lost in the high number of turns of wire of a hot wind. PAF-clones for bridge have no shortage of treble so if you put a ceramic in there, you'll think somebody shoved a razor blade in your ear. In the neck it will result in mud because it's just too hot.
Alnico 8 would be better by far for the bridge. Go no higher than A5 in the neck.
We have, and we have found it's an evil, loathsome tone. The idea of a ceramic in a high output pickup is to bring back treble otherwise lost in the high number of turns of wire of a hot wind. PAF-clones for bridge have no shortage of treble so if you put a ceramic in there, you'll think somebody shoved a razor blade in your ear. In the neck it will result in mud because it's just too hot.
Alnico 8 would be better by far for the bridge. Go no higher than A5 in the neck.
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
i had a paf wind with a ceramic in the neck and it wasnt bad, but it was thick any creamy. it matched up well with a hot bridge pup but im sure it would sound thin and bright in the bridge.
warren haynes used to use a 496r in the neck of his main les paul for years with a pg in the bridge. he set the neck really low and the bridge really high and got some great tones thru his slo100
i had a paf wind with a ceramic in the neck and it wasnt bad, but it was thick any creamy. it matched up well with a hot bridge pup but im sure it would sound thin and bright in the bridge.
warren haynes used to use a 496r in the neck of his main les paul for years with a pg in the bridge. he set the neck really low and the bridge really high and got some great tones thru his slo100
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
I have a Dimarzio PAF bridge with ceramic magnet plus hex heads and it's a great sounding pickup. The ceramic is brighter than the stock A5 and gives the pickup lively harmonics.
Ceramic magnets are just another option and there's no right/wrong answer. If you're going to swap magnets be prepared to try a few different kinds and then fine tune with different types and length polepieces.
What determines if they will work is:
1) The pickup
2) The guitar
3) Your preferences
I have a Dimarzio PAF bridge with ceramic magnet plus hex heads and it's a great sounding pickup. The ceramic is brighter than the stock A5 and gives the pickup lively harmonics.
Ceramic magnets are just another option and there's no right/wrong answer. If you're going to swap magnets be prepared to try a few different kinds and then fine tune with different types and length polepieces.
What determines if they will work is:
1) The pickup
2) The guitar
3) Your preferences
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King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
I like ceramics in 59B's when using them in the neck. More power, doesn't seem as tubby/thuddy, better mids, and I like the attack. Some won't.
I like the 496R and 490R's with ceramics too, which are in the same range but neither of which are technically PAF's (poly vs. PE wire).
I don't think I'd like a ceramic 59N or PGN, but it might make someone who likes really bright neck pickups happy.
I LOVE the brobucker with a DD mag in it, soo ****ing good. I still suspect that a PGB with a DD mag is tittays too.
I like ceramics in 59B's when using them in the neck. More power, doesn't seem as tubby/thuddy, better mids, and I like the attack. Some won't.
I like the 496R and 490R's with ceramics too, which are in the same range but neither of which are technically PAF's (poly vs. PE wire).
I don't think I'd like a ceramic 59N or PGN, but it might make someone who likes really bright neck pickups happy.
I LOVE the brobucker with a DD mag in it, soo ****ing good. I still suspect that a PGB with a DD mag is tittays too.
HALENisking
New member
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
I've played a set of Whole lotta humbuckers that someone switched with ceramic magnets. A terrible mistake IMO. Sounded like a broken Tone Zone to me, was a mess with multiple notes/chords.
I've played a set of Whole lotta humbuckers that someone switched with ceramic magnets. A terrible mistake IMO. Sounded like a broken Tone Zone to me, was a mess with multiple notes/chords.
MacBradley
New member
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
I agree. For example, G&L makes their MDF pickups tend to be really low winds with ceramic magnets, and they sound outstanding.
I agree. For example, G&L makes their MDF pickups tend to be really low winds with ceramic magnets, and they sound outstanding.
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
Used to have a Ceramic mag in an old 59n that was moved to the bridge in my old LP studio, I liked it alot better the Custom 5 I originally put in there, funny thing is that was pre forum days and my friend just liked messing around with pickups that people would return to the music shop he worked at,
Was about the only thing I liked about that guitar, it sounded good but played like **** no matter what we tried, my korean epi played way freaking better!
Used to have a Ceramic mag in an old 59n that was moved to the bridge in my old LP studio, I liked it alot better the Custom 5 I originally put in there, funny thing is that was pre forum days and my friend just liked messing around with pickups that people would return to the music shop he worked at,
Was about the only thing I liked about that guitar, it sounded good but played like **** no matter what we tried, my korean epi played way freaking better!
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
Got great tones with LOW GAUSSED ceramic mags. If you can fin one if these thin bars mounted in Charvel / Jackson pickups in the 80's, try it: it has the same magnetic strenght than the short A5 mag of a T-Top and sounds accordingly (clear, bright and strong but not harsh). IME.YMMV.
Got great tones with LOW GAUSSED ceramic mags. If you can fin one if these thin bars mounted in Charvel / Jackson pickups in the 80's, try it: it has the same magnetic strenght than the short A5 mag of a T-Top and sounds accordingly (clear, bright and strong but not harsh). IME.YMMV.
DreX
New member
Re: Ceramic magnet in a PAF style pickup
Here's a sound demo I just made with a neck '59, first with an A5 bar, then a C8. First strumming then, then single notes, then finger picking.
The A5 had a much wider dynamic range when I was plucking the strings. The C8 hits the ceiling with light pick attack. The '59 w/C8 definitely has a harder, sharper sound.
Here's a sound demo I just made with a neck '59, first with an A5 bar, then a C8. First strumming then, then single notes, then finger picking.
The A5 had a much wider dynamic range when I was plucking the strings. The C8 hits the ceiling with light pick attack. The '59 w/C8 definitely has a harder, sharper sound.
