how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
- Thread starter tenniso
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Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
not alot. the 4 rolls off alittle off the ends. alittle less lows and alittle less highs. I had a Custom 5 in my Explorer and the lows got alittle flubby, so I changed to an Alnico 4 and got the same tone, but no flub on the lows and a tiny bit off the highs
not alot. the 4 rolls off alittle off the ends. alittle less lows and alittle less highs. I had a Custom 5 in my Explorer and the lows got alittle flubby, so I changed to an Alnico 4 and got the same tone, but no flub on the lows and a tiny bit off the highs
GoDrex
Riffologist Extraordinaire
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
I didn't like the A4 when I tried it. To me it was like all mids with nothing happening on the highs - kind of dull. The low end is tight.
I've tried the A2, A4, A5, A8 and ceramic and the A4 interested me the least. I did think at the time that the sound I was getting would be good if I was playing rhythm guitar in a classic rock band - as long as I didn't need to do any screaming or singing leads it would sound alright. But it could depend on the guitar. In a brighter guitar it might work better. My guitar needs all the treble it can get. I just prefer the "sparkle" or "sizzle" you get with and A5 magnet. I think the A2 even has better highs.
I didn't like the A4 when I tried it. To me it was like all mids with nothing happening on the highs - kind of dull. The low end is tight.
I've tried the A2, A4, A5, A8 and ceramic and the A4 interested me the least. I did think at the time that the sound I was getting would be good if I was playing rhythm guitar in a classic rock band - as long as I didn't need to do any screaming or singing leads it would sound alright. But it could depend on the guitar. In a brighter guitar it might work better. My guitar needs all the treble it can get. I just prefer the "sparkle" or "sizzle" you get with and A5 magnet. I think the A2 even has better highs.
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ACH91332
New member
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
I've heard of people using A4's in place of A5's in order to get rid of the scooped sound while retaining the A5 bite. That seems to contradict the two posts on here about it rolling off the highs but thats just what I've heard.
I've heard of people using A4's in place of A5's in order to get rid of the scooped sound while retaining the A5 bite. That seems to contradict the two posts on here about it rolling off the highs but thats just what I've heard.
cvansickle
New member
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
I have Fralin pickups in a few of my guitars. Fralin uses A4. To my ears, the pickups have plenty of bite and mids too, and a tight bass. The biggest difference I hear is that A4s compress much less than A5s do. The sound breathes more.
I have Fralin pickups in a few of my guitars. Fralin uses A4. To my ears, the pickups have plenty of bite and mids too, and a tight bass. The biggest difference I hear is that A4s compress much less than A5s do. The sound breathes more.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
A4's have a balanced EQ, so compared to an A5 they add mids, & have a little less treble & low end. A5's are scooped with lots of treble & low end. A4's are handy when an A5 is a little thin or bright, or when an A2 is too middy & loose.
A4's have a balanced EQ, so compared to an A5 they add mids, & have a little less treble & low end. A5's are scooped with lots of treble & low end. A4's are handy when an A5 is a little thin or bright, or when an A2 is too middy & loose.
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
Doesn't really contradict the previous posts. The A5 has scooped midrange. The A4 is more balanced, it fills in the mids and takes a bit off the highs and lows. Therefore compared to the A5 the A4 will sound warmer, not as bright, tighter lows.
Doesn't really contradict the previous posts. The A5 has scooped midrange. The A4 is more balanced, it fills in the mids and takes a bit off the highs and lows. Therefore compared to the A5 the A4 will sound warmer, not as bright, tighter lows.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
^ this
I was gonna post this exact thing before I saw blueman was already on the scene.
^ this
I was gonna post this exact thing before I saw blueman was already on the scene.
Ventilator
New member
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
I suppose now is a good a time as any, and this will save me having to make a new thread. I've been wondering about the different types of magnets for pickups. Has anyone ever charted out a complete breakdown of all the different alnico and ceramic pickup magnets and how they affect tone given the same pickup? If not, this would be a great opportunity to post one.
I suppose now is a good a time as any, and this will save me having to make a new thread. I've been wondering about the different types of magnets for pickups. Has anyone ever charted out a complete breakdown of all the different alnico and ceramic pickup magnets and how they affect tone given the same pickup? If not, this would be a great opportunity to post one.
LtKojak
New member
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
+ 1.
A4 rocks in neck p'ups. I prefer A8 in bridge p'ups, and this magnet combo gives the most balanced sound ever.
+ 1.
A4 rocks in neck p'ups. I prefer A8 in bridge p'ups, and this magnet combo gives the most balanced sound ever.
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
I didnt notice much if any gain in the mids.. To me it seemed to have less highs and lows which would make the mid seem fuller. Id recommend the 4 only if you like the A5 tonality but want to slightly modify the eq range, rather than to change the sound as it would going from a 5 to a 2 or 8.
I didnt notice much if any gain in the mids.. To me it seemed to have less highs and lows which would make the mid seem fuller. Id recommend the 4 only if you like the A5 tonality but want to slightly modify the eq range, rather than to change the sound as it would going from a 5 to a 2 or 8.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: how much difference between a4 and a5 magnets?
A4 is totally different. The spectrum of overtones changes very noticeably. To my ears, A4 (and A8) lack musical overtones that A2 and A5 have.
A3 is what sounds like de-magnetized A5 to me.
A4 is totally different. The spectrum of overtones changes very noticeably. To my ears, A4 (and A8) lack musical overtones that A2 and A5 have.
A3 is what sounds like de-magnetized A5 to me.
