How does an A8 sound ?

SlowGroove

SlowGroove

New member
On Duncan's site, they try and explain, very briefly, how the three diff mag sound.

The A2, A5 & Ceramic . . . and it is pretty easy to follow.

So, compared to those three, how does an A8 sound, and what is it's primary tonal properties ?

Thank
James
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

If the A5 has scooped mids and the A2 has a softer low end - - comparatively the A8 doesn't have the A5's scoop and the soft low end of the A2. Its low end is very tight, great for metal. It seems very loud across all frequencies. It doesn't get harsh like a ceramic. It has great highs that never get ice-picky - but might not be as pronounced as highs from an A5. I don't find it as chewy as an A2, but it has some of that spongy feel. I find it makes a pickup seem louder. I think it's more compressed than a A5, but not as much as ceramic. It's extremely even, meaning it seems equal in bass, mids and highs. Note separation and clarity are exceptional. Has better clean tone than ceramic.

these are just my opinions and observations...
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

GoDrex, good description.

I see A8's as a solution for a bridge A5 that's too bright & scooped, and for a bridge A2 that's too weak & flabby. Also to replace a ceramic that's too harsh. A8's seem to have the many of the best qualities of these three magnets. The warmth of an A2, but with some of an A5's treble, and the high output and firm low end of a ceramic. While it's not the solution to every bridge PU problem, it can solve some of them.

Less than two years ago A8's were considered to be pretty extreme, but thanks to some intrepid tone explorers, it's been discovered that they have a lot more uses than first thought.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

While I am sue that some people like the A8, I have not cared for it in any of the pickups that I have tried it in. It sounds huge when you're playing on your own, but quickly get swallowed in the mix when playing in a band.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

It sounds like blueman335 -- angels' wings, dogs' wet noses, and unicorn hearts.

Sorry to be a smartass, but the answer to every noobies' question isn't to take apart their pickup and install an Alnico 8 magnet.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

MattPete said:
It sounds like blueman335 -- angels' wings, dogs' wet noses, and unicorn hearts.

Sorry to be a smartass, but the answer to every noobies' question isn't to take apart their pickup and install an Alnico 8 magnet.
Click to expand...

Nor did we say it was. Maybe you ought to read the posts before you go into smartass mode.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

Thank you to everyone who helped out !

Wonder when Seymour will put a description of the A8 in the site, alongside the current three !


James



PS : I am still uber curious to know how A2's will sound in the new Alt 8 unit !
I think i will need to buy it and do my very 1st mag swap.
All in the name of experimantaion you know . . .
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

GoDrex said:
If the A5 has scooped mids and the A2 has a softer low end - - comparatively the A8 doesn't have the A5's scoop and the soft low end of the A2. Its low end is very tight, great for metal. It seems very loud across all frequencies. It doesn't get harsh like a ceramic. It has great highs that never get ice-picky - but might not be as pronounced as highs from an A5. I don't find it as chewy as an A2, but it has some of that spongy feel. I find it makes a pickup seem louder. I think it's more compressed than a A5, but not as much as ceramic. It's extremely even, meaning it seems equal in bass, mids and highs. Note separation and clarity are exceptional. Has better clean tone than ceramic.

these are just my opinions and observations...
Click to expand...

blueman335 said:
GoDrex, good description.

I see A8's as a solution for a bridge A5 that's too bright & scooped, and for a bridge A2 that's too weak & flabby. Also to replace a ceramic that's too harsh. A8's seem to have the many of the best qualities of these three magnets. The warmth of an A2, but with some of an A5's treble, and the high output and firm low end of a ceramic. While it's not the solution to every bridge PU problem, it can solve some of them.

Less than two years ago A8's were considered to be pretty extreme, but thanks to some intrepid tone explorers, it's been discovered that they have a lot more uses than first thought.
Click to expand...



Guys, is the a mag that boost the mids by a good audible amount ?



James
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

SlowGroove said:
I am still uber curious to know how A2's will sound in the new Alt 8 unit !
I think i will need to buy it and do my very 1st mag swap.
All in the name of experimantaion you know . . .
Click to expand...
You can get my Alt8 for trying - make me an offer!!
I'm a big fan of the Alnico8 and i love highs! The Alt8 dissappointed me. It brings beef, bass, mids and everything. But its dark! I lost the great highs and harmonics i have with my C8 and the Demon8, even the JB is more lively.

But i can think of styles that need that kind of sound. And thin and bright guitars (basswood or all maple) would have a great benefit of the Alt8.

Swapping in a A2 would not solve my problem.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

While I am sue that some people like the A8, I have not cared for it in any of the pickups that I have tried it in.
Click to expand...

+1, with the possible exception of the Screamin Demon. If they work for you, great, but they are far from a cure-all. Like all tweaks though, they are worth a try, if only for the learning experience.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

The Alnico 8 tends to have a tight bass, prominent mids that are full and harmonically complex, and the highs tend to be a little cut but smooth. If you are looking to make a strat sound more Gibson-ish, and can't stand the Parallel Axis look, Alnico 8 will generally do the trick for you.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

SlowGroove said:
Thank you to everyone who helped out !

Wonder when Seymour will put a description of the A8 in the site, alongside the current three !


James



PS : I am still uber curious to know how A2's will sound in the new Alt 8 unit !
I think i will need to buy it and do my very 1st mag swap.
All in the name of experimantaion you know . . .
Click to expand...
Do it. I asked about a Ceramic mag swap, and that wasn't a popular question lol. I guess some people love the A8
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

My recent experience with an A8 mag swap in a JB is here.

To summarize, A8 is louder with more overall output than A5. It has big and deep, but tight lows that don't get muddy as easily. There are plenty of mids across the whole range of mids which may more may not work against you in trying to sit in a mix, depending on what you're trying to do. The broad range of mids will probably help you fit into a mix generally, but may not help you cut through and stand out as well as a more narrow spike would. Highs are present, but not as bright as A5, which you may more may not like depending on how much bite and attack you want from your highs. A8 highs are more rounded off, and sweeter.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

MattPete said:
It sounds like blueman335 -- angels' wings, dogs' wet noses, and unicorn hearts.

Sorry to be a smartass, but the answer to every noobies' question isn't to take apart their pickup and install an Alnico 8 magnet.
Click to expand...

that's highly ignorant
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

Yes, telling every noobie to take apart their pickups is highly ignorant.

I hadn't been on here for several months, and when I log back in, I find Blueman335 extolling the virtues of Alnico 8s as the cure for virtually every instance of unsatisfactory tone. In many instances, these recommendations were potentially damaging ("Should I swap my 59 for an APH? I don't even know how to use a soldering iron" -- "No, take your pickup apart and put in an a8") to even inappropriate given the genre of music, and often backed up by weasel words. Yes, I'm being hard on him, but he has been irresponsible IMO and should be more even-handed in his recommendations.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

Back in the day (whenever that was) I was using ceramics in my 59 bridge model. Pretty aggressive and crunchy, kind of a cool sound. It makes me wonder if I'd have like the 8. I always wound up taking the ceramic out when it seemed a smidge too harsh.
 
Re: How does an A8 sound ?

korovamilkdud said:
Back in the day (whenever that was) I was using ceramics in my 59 bridge model. Pretty aggressive and crunchy, kind of a cool sound. It makes me wonder if I'd have like the 8. I always wound up taking the ceramic out when it seemed a smidge too harsh.
Click to expand...

Mmmmm, it sounds (on B&W atleast) as if the A8 just might be your pick up !



James
 
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