Does anyone know if the EVH/Axis pups are Alnico 2 or 5? Since alot of his other pups[Frank,78,IM1,etc...] are Alnico 2 i'm guessing the same. I've read a couple of posts that say the EBMM EVH pups had 'A2" written on the pups. Also dimarzio says that the Tone Zone/Air Norton is the closest set, so maybe it's the different magnet. Any thoughts?
EBMM EVH/Axis Pickup Magnet?
- Thread starter ZeroCool
- Start date
IanBallard
New member
Re: EBMM EVH/Axis Pickup Magnet?
I don't think DiMarzio has ever used AlNiCo 2. They have the "air" design, which simulates the softer magnet pull of A2 and they have radical asymmetrical winding that can voice a pickup just about anyway they want with an A5 or ceramic. The Air Zone/Air Norton (the closest production pickups) are both A5. It would put my money on that.
I would also be weary of trying to swap mags in "air" pickups, unless you use some calipers and precision tools to make sure the air gap is there. The bobbins are set wider apart.
I don't think DiMarzio has ever used AlNiCo 2. They have the "air" design, which simulates the softer magnet pull of A2 and they have radical asymmetrical winding that can voice a pickup just about anyway they want with an A5 or ceramic. The Air Zone/Air Norton (the closest production pickups) are both A5. It would put my money on that.
I would also be weary of trying to swap mags in "air" pickups, unless you use some calipers and precision tools to make sure the air gap is there. The bobbins are set wider apart.
IanBallard
New member
Re: EBMM EVH/Axis Pickup Magnet?
I think that the combination of the air with the asymmetrical winding means you don't need special magnets to do what you need to. Degaussed or whatever, it reduces magnet pull, just like changing from an A5 to an A2. Further, the TONE of the magnet changes when it's not touching the poles, so we are both basically on target.
It's fairly tough to "see" the gap unless you use a magnifying glass and I'm almost 100% certain EVH's pickups in HIS guitars were air-designed. Who knows what changes they've made to production models. But the whole idea that Ed wanted was a hot pickup that didn't pull hard on the strings, so he could achieve smooth sustain without ugly distortion.
I think that the combination of the air with the asymmetrical winding means you don't need special magnets to do what you need to. Degaussed or whatever, it reduces magnet pull, just like changing from an A5 to an A2. Further, the TONE of the magnet changes when it's not touching the poles, so we are both basically on target.
It's fairly tough to "see" the gap unless you use a magnifying glass and I'm almost 100% certain EVH's pickups in HIS guitars were air-designed. Who knows what changes they've made to production models. But the whole idea that Ed wanted was a hot pickup that didn't pull hard on the strings, so he could achieve smooth sustain without ugly distortion.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: EBMM EVH/Axis Pickup Magnet?
The magnets in the EBMM EVH/Axis are Alnico V. The neck is pretty much exactly an Air Norton. The bridge (or B1), is right between the Air Zone and Tone Zone. I think the Air Zone gets the B1 sound better than the Tone Zone, but that's just me.
The magnets in the EBMM EVH/Axis are Alnico V. The neck is pretty much exactly an Air Norton. The bridge (or B1), is right between the Air Zone and Tone Zone. I think the Air Zone gets the B1 sound better than the Tone Zone, but that's just me.
