Don't hate
- Thread starter jasona84
- Start date
Mark Le Comte
New member
Re: Don't hate
Here is a rundown of magnet properties. This was put together by Bluesman335.
Common alnicos:
A2 - Rounded highs & lots of mids. Good harmonics. Loose low end. Low output. If a HB is wound to be bright, an A2 works in the neck slot. In a hot neck PU, an A2 will most likely make it muddy with flabby lows. In a bridge it has more virtues, & provides needed warmth and the low end isn't so noticeable. Some players call it's tones rude (in a good way).
A3 - Like a A2 but with a little more treble. Low output. Good substitute for an A2 PU when more treble is needed; can be used for bridge or neck. Since I like bright neck HB's, I think an A3 makes a better neck magnet than an A2.
A4 - Balanced EQ. Good replacement for an A5 when more mid & less treble is needed. Medium output. I use these mostly for warming bridge HB's that have stock A5's, but they can also be good in the neck in some guitars.
A5 - Scooped EQ; lots of treble & low end. The treble gives good definition and cut. Can be a little bassy in the neck position of some HB's (i.e. '59N in a LP). Very popular stock magnet in both neck and bridge HB's. High output.
A8 - Warm and smooth with lots of mids but the high end isn't as rounded as an A2, so there's more bite. Tighter low end. High output, which can be used to balance volumes with a neck PU. For most music styles, suitable for the bridge position only. Players are finding more uses for these, in high output HB's (Custom, JB, etc) and low output bridge PAF's. Interesting substitute for the A2 in a PGB or the A5 in a '59B.
Here is a rundown of magnet properties. This was put together by Bluesman335.
Common alnicos:
A2 - Rounded highs & lots of mids. Good harmonics. Loose low end. Low output. If a HB is wound to be bright, an A2 works in the neck slot. In a hot neck PU, an A2 will most likely make it muddy with flabby lows. In a bridge it has more virtues, & provides needed warmth and the low end isn't so noticeable. Some players call it's tones rude (in a good way).
A3 - Like a A2 but with a little more treble. Low output. Good substitute for an A2 PU when more treble is needed; can be used for bridge or neck. Since I like bright neck HB's, I think an A3 makes a better neck magnet than an A2.
A4 - Balanced EQ. Good replacement for an A5 when more mid & less treble is needed. Medium output. I use these mostly for warming bridge HB's that have stock A5's, but they can also be good in the neck in some guitars.
A5 - Scooped EQ; lots of treble & low end. The treble gives good definition and cut. Can be a little bassy in the neck position of some HB's (i.e. '59N in a LP). Very popular stock magnet in both neck and bridge HB's. High output.
A8 - Warm and smooth with lots of mids but the high end isn't as rounded as an A2, so there's more bite. Tighter low end. High output, which can be used to balance volumes with a neck PU. For most music styles, suitable for the bridge position only. Players are finding more uses for these, in high output HB's (Custom, JB, etc) and low output bridge PAF's. Interesting substitute for the A2 in a PGB or the A5 in a '59B.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Don't hate
It is possible that the alnico 8 is more hype than reality! If the magnet swap suits you, then why not? I had a set of super 70's pickups that everyone is looking for, long before the Internet and I didn't like them. That doesn't mean AL8's are bad, that just means I didn't like that pickup. The guitar world is prone to mania's though.
It is possible that the alnico 8 is more hype than reality! If the magnet swap suits you, then why not? I had a set of super 70's pickups that everyone is looking for, long before the Internet and I didn't like them. That doesn't mean AL8's are bad, that just means I didn't like that pickup. The guitar world is prone to mania's though.
Mark Le Comte
New member
Micah
New member
Re: Don't hate
My guess with the already hot wind of the Alternative bobbins, the A2 would be all mids... Ever played a Custom Custom?? Now add 2K + in the winds to that tone-- probably Really muddy if I had to guess but who knows? The A5 mag would remove mids from the A8 sound. Maybe similar to a JB? I think the Alt 8 has a slightly hotter wind than the JB tho-
My guess with the already hot wind of the Alternative bobbins, the A2 would be all mids... Ever played a Custom Custom?? Now add 2K + in the winds to that tone-- probably Really muddy if I had to guess but who knows? The A5 mag would remove mids from the A8 sound. Maybe similar to a JB? I think the Alt 8 has a slightly hotter wind than the JB tho-
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Don't hate
Yes, the Alt 8 has a hotter wind than the JB. IIRC, it uses different wire also???
I have wondered what a different mag would do to it? I have an Alt 8, when I install it, if it does snot suit me, maybe I will swap the magnet?
Yes, the Alt 8 has a hotter wind than the JB. IIRC, it uses different wire also???
I have wondered what a different mag would do to it? I have an Alt 8, when I install it, if it does snot suit me, maybe I will swap the magnet?
CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: Don't hate
according to Frank @ Duncan the Alt 8 uses different wire and a different wind than the JB.
if I was really bored I guess I'd try an A5 but I really like it just the way it is . . . I mean the pickup was designed specifically to use an A8 magnet. there were no A2 or A5 prototypes or attempts to find the best magnet for the given coils - it was the other way around.
according to Frank @ Duncan the Alt 8 uses different wire and a different wind than the JB.
if I was really bored I guess I'd try an A5 but I really like it just the way it is . . . I mean the pickup was designed specifically to use an A8 magnet. there were no A2 or A5 prototypes or attempts to find the best magnet for the given coils - it was the other way around.
Re: Don't hate
I am not sure how the A2 would be in the alternative 8 coils. Lower output, not as punch. More fizzy than anything, but still probably musical.
I took my A8 out of my Alt 8 and took the Ceramic mag out of my Custom, to make a Custom 8. I have the Alt coils with a Ceramic mag, but havent tried it in a guitar yet.... I think that would be the epitome of balls to the walls power and crunch.
Dre
I am not sure how the A2 would be in the alternative 8 coils. Lower output, not as punch. More fizzy than anything, but still probably musical.
I took my A8 out of my Alt 8 and took the Ceramic mag out of my Custom, to make a Custom 8. I have the Alt coils with a Ceramic mag, but havent tried it in a guitar yet.... I think that would be the epitome of balls to the walls power and crunch.
Dre
