Different magnets (videos)

[Micha]

Hello everyone.
After posting a little thread about a custom shop pickup
(https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?337825-A-custom-5-based-trembucker/page1) i came across this....

Here's a little video that explain the differences between different kind of magnets.
It's could be helpful to know and see.

https://youtu.be/uu9_MNi7wvw

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

Basically stronger magnets tend to be brighter, and also increase the inductance. Ceramic magnets are non metallic so they don’t increase the inductance due to adding steel to the magnetic circuit.


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[Chris Pile]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

I have a jazz client who loves the low impedance pickups in his pair of LP Recordings, and his early L5 solidbody because of their flat response.

From watching the video, it would seem an A4 magnet would be a good choice for him. Am I getting that right?

If you wanted a big honking mid sound like a late 50's P-90, but in a silent pickup - what would be a good choice to request?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

A4 is a very poor choice for jazz in my opinion because it's the least lush.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

A4 is a very poor choice for jazz in my opinion because it's the least lush.

If the pickup is flat response, then the player can enhance whichever part of the musical spectrum he wishes. Of course, it takes an amp that had working tone controls (not a Twin or Marshall). This player I mentioned uses Ampeg stuff (solid state and tube), and Hiwatt stuff because they have clean power with tone controls that actually work.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

Well I don't know the man's taste but in general for jazz you want warmth. A4 is super dry. A2, A3, or A5 would already be in the ballpark for jazz while A4 is just all stiff and then would have to be compensated for with the amp.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

You are trying to educate me on stuff I've known for 40 years, while not even trying to understand my posts. Thanks for playing.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

So put A4 in for no reason and have it sound worse.

 

[Bowtomecha]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

Basically stronger magnets tend to be brighter, and also increase the inductance. Ceramic magnets are non metallic so they don’t increase the inductance due to adding steel to the magnetic circuit.


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Why does a ceramic magnet brighten a pickup over an Alnico?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

I've got a few A4 neck pickups going around. If you'd say they don't sound lush, I'd laugh in your face till easter and Pentecost fall on the same day. Really. With the right wind, right coil geometry, A4's super-flat response works really really well to create a tone with lots of structure and depth. A Jazz A4, for example, works really well. A '59 with an A4 works great too because it smooths out the high end and tames the boomy bass plus fills out the midrange.

Give it a go. you might be surprised.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

Some people think ceramic sounds good in the right wind also. That doesn't mean it will improve anything for jazz.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

I've got a few A4 neck pickups going around. If you'd say they don't sound lush, I'd laugh in your face till easter and Pentecost fall on the same day. Really. With the right wind, right coil geometry, A4's super-flat response works really really well to create a tone with lots of structure and depth. A Jazz A4, for example, works really well. A '59 with an A4 works great too because it smooths out the high end and tames the boomy bass plus fills out the midrange.

Give it a go. you might be surprised.

+1. A4's are different in the neck slot, where you have more warmth, mids, and lows from the increased stingy energy. Changes the EQ. In the bridge position, which is inherently a brighter, thinner slot, an A4 with it's flatter EQ might not be as appealing.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

Basically stronger magnets tend to be brighter

Then there's A8 & A6, so I wouldn't say 'tend to'. Looking at A2 thru A5, they're all over the map EQ-wise, so there's no 'tend to' there either.

 

[Micha]

Re: Different magnets (videos)

I made make a custom shop neck humbucker.
It was built with alnico 8 magnet.
I was very doubtfully.... But it's sound not modern and not vintage. Really special.
Warm, so warm without being muddy.
The highs are so sweet....
With a lot of distortion pinch harmonics are simple to make.
Really a great pickup