Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

  • Ceramic Magnet

    Votes: 10 25.6%

  • Alnico Magnet

    Votes: 29 74.4%
  • Total voters
    39
  • Poll closed .
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Because i find them warmer and smoother.

I am however a mainly rock/jazz/blues player. So im not into the heaviest of metal stuff.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

i like the tone of an alnico magnet in a pickup much more then the tone of the ceramic magnets. I know the ceramics can have a higher output but i don't need it for the sounds i like to get plus i really dislike the harsher high end that is typical of ceramic magnets.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I love high gain and I think alnico magnets have the warmth and smoothness to keep things from getting shrill. Ceramics have more bite?

I did an experiment once, I took my '59n and swapped the A5 out for a ceramic magnet, it got a lot more crunchy under gain but also a lot more bland/flat/cold sounding. I wanted the smoothness and the crunch so I stuck 2 ceramic magnets under the baseplate. Result: pretty good! Smooth crunch! Still great cleans.
 
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Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I'd say either. Whatever works for the sound you're looking for. I like high gain as well. (lots of metal etc.) But I've kind of moved away from ceramic magnets as I too wanted a bit more warmth in my tone. I use a BBQ and it sounds great under high gain. Its really subjective.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I think Alnico amags are alot smoother less harsh, can get aggressive when needed, more dynamics and more versatile, ceramics just have a hard cold quality suitable for more moderate to high gain styles which can be a good thing, but I like to go clean and warm once in a while and with ceramics i find that i cant back off.
 
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Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I was a ceramic user then discovered the open tone of alnicos. Now I'm discovering low output ceramics. But I'd say alnicos for the moment.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

For the most part, I like Alnico magnets and specifically Alnico 2 and Alnico 3. Of course, the wiring, woods, weight, and other factors play a vital part as well.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I prefer alnico. Ceramics are a bit too shrill for my liking. Although ceramics and alnico both sound a bit smoother than active EMGs. Just my .02.

Butch - Your bulldogs are awesome. And the puppies are really cute. Congrats on your new litter. :) How old are they? Are you finding good homes?
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

kill your scene said:
Butch - Your bulldogs are awesome. And the puppies are really cute. Congrats on your new litter. :) How old are they? Are you finding good homes?
Click to expand...

Thanks!! They are 5 weeks old today and yes they are finding great homes. On e is ours.:) My wife screens everyone else. :nono: :banned:
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I absolutely love the distortion tones of the ceramic SH-5 Custom, but I had to vote Alnico - vintage style Alnico pups give me all the tones I need across the board from clean to dirty.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Alnico 5 is what my ears tend to prefer. Big, tight lows, neutral mids, and airy, present highs. I like Alnico II only in bright guitars.

Ceramic? Only if it fits the guitar. I voted Alnico
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I didn't vote. I don't care what sort of magnet the pickup uses, as long as it sounds good.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I prefer Alnico II's for the most part but A5's work real well in some guitars for me as well. Oddly enough my fav is a ceramic in my SD SP-90-3 but nothing else I've used with a ceramic comes close except maybe the Invader when running flat out.

I voted Alnico since they are the bulk of my pup mags.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

I think both magnets can be good for different things....but I really do love the crunch you can get from a ceramic. So that is where my vote goes :)
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Seems like a pretty difficult question to answer. The magnet is only a small part of the tone of a pup. A Custom sounds a lot different from an Invader doesn't it? I tend to think it's all about the wiring design. I experiment with magnets, sure. But I don't think it matters what magnet you "prefer" since they'll all sound very different in different pickups.
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

alnico dude, ive tried the crappy gibson 500T in the flying V and the 57 classics in an sg, and the classics just blow them away. I really don't believe in ultra hardcore high gain, since you can get that with any pup through a high gain amp. I think People just tend to get too obsessed with high gain and super metal, and think that that need that extra crunch
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Quencho092 said:
alnico dude, ive tried the crappy gibson 500T in the flying V and the 57 classics in an sg, and the classics just blow them away. I really don't believe in ultra hardcore high gain, since you can get that with any pup through a high gain amp. I think People just tend to get too obsessed with high gain and super metal, and think that that need that extra crunch
Click to expand...

I actually love the 500T. I think it is the best ceramic magnet p-up made. I like customs, but they just dont do what the 500T can. Just my humble opinion. :)
 
Re: Ceramic Magnets or Alnico Magnets? WHich do you prefer and Why?

Alnico magnets are sweet sounding...Ceramics are strong,direct,and in your face,also aggressive...

I just prefer Alnico magnets everytime to ceramics..
 
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