I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

M

MacBradley

New member
I'm currently going through and testing out the differences of magnets on the same pickups with a couple of somewhat PAF style'd pickups I made, and I'm just now for the first time playing on a humbucker with A3 in it. I'd say that its probably my favorite magnet in the neck position humbucker I have. Its got a very nice clear and clean tone. It also sounds great in the bridge. It seems a bit brighter and weaker than the other alnico's, but at the same time it doesn't seem to have as much string pull. It gives a nice combination of clarity and sustain.

If you're neck humbucker is a bit muddy/bassy/ect, and you want a touch more clarity, putting an A3 magnet in there just might help.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

Alnico 4 is also a nice option for the neck. Very balanced and open for a neck position pickup.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

A3's have a good deal of mids, which makes them sound big in the neck. The high end is there, but rounded rather than sharp (like an A5). The low end is moderate, and not boomy like A5's sometimes are. All in all, I don't know why A3's aren't in more HB's. There are times an A2 is too warm, and an A5 is too bright and piercing.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

idsnowdog said:
Alnico 4 is also a nice option for the neck. Very balanced and open for a neck position pickup.
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A4 was what I put in after the A3. The A4 seemed much more similar to an A2 than the A3 did.

blueman335 said:
A3's have a good deal of mids, which makes them sound big in the neck. The high end is there, but rounded rather than sharp (like an A5). The low end is moderate, and not boomy like A5's sometimes are. All in all, I don't know why A3's aren't in more HB's. There are times an A2 is too warm, and an A5 is too bright and piercing.
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I'm surprised they aren't used more as well (after trying them). Especially due to the decreased string pull. I suspect it has to do with there not being much a financial benefit in marketing them. People like what they're familiar with for the most part, and people that care enough about magnet types are probably willing to swap a magnet on their own.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

Never tried one and I certainly don't need one, but I'm surprised they're not more popular too.

They seem perfect to take the bloat out of neck pickups and make them stand out.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

IDK for a fact, but I would wager a dollar that the neck 57/08 is a3. It just seems to give off that vibe and tonality.

Paul used A4s in McCartys 20+ years ago, so I wouldnt be surprised if he was going outside the (large manufacturer) box again.

I like all the weird magnets...3,4, short 5s.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

I put an A3 in a generic neck pup once. Very cool vintage classy sound.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

I love the A3 Jazz neck in my Strat. It spanks like a single coil but is fat and quiet like a bucker should be. I am very glad I did it!
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

I've been installing A4s and A3s in neck humbuckers lately. Both seem to work pretty well.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

MacBradley said:
I'm surprised they aren't used more as well (after trying them). Especially due to the decreased string pull. I suspect it has to do with there not being much a financial benefit in marketing them. People like what they're familiar with for the most part, and people that care enough about magnet types are probably willing to swap a magnet on their own.
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Fender has embraced A3's. They have the Deluxe Drive series for Tele and Strat which pair 14k resistance with A3 magnets. They have good power and solid bass while retaining an open character, good pick attack and single coil spank. They aren't dark or stuffy like some hot single coils.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

On a side note, I just tried out Ceramic 8's in a 6.3K and 8.2K humbucker. I've never tried Ceramics in lower output winds before. Holy crap! They are still incredibly high output, even in the 6.3K humbucker!!
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

MacBradley said:
On a side note, I just tried out Ceramic 8's in a 6.3K and 8.2K humbucker. I've never tried Ceramics in lower output winds before. Holy crap! They are still incredibly high output, even in the 6.3K humbucker!!
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Be careful! They might make your teeth hurt! ;)

OTOH, if you use Isotropic aka Un-Oriented ceramic mags, a much more appealing tone will emerge, and your teeth will be safe. Kinda a very "polite" A5 with no "scoop" at all.

You may even like'em! But the output will be on the low side, halfway between an A2 and an A3.

HTH,
 
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Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

Not a full-size humbucker, but I put A3 magnets in my Vintage Vibe SP90 which I used in the neck position. Less output than the A2 mags that came in the pickup. Overall very clear sounding.
 
Re: I finally tried an A3 in a couple humbuckers.

LtKojak said:
Be careful! They might make your teeth hurt! ;)

OTOH, if you use Isotropic aka Un-Oriented ceramic mags, a much more appealing tone will emerge, and your teeth will be safe. Kinda a very "polite" A5 with no "scoop" at all.

You may even like'em! But the output will be on the low side, halfway between an A2 and an A3.

HTH,
Click to expand...

I actually really liked the Ceramics in these lower winds...I just wasn't expecting so much output of of them! The volume jump was much more apparent to me than when I've swapped ceramic and alnico magnets in hotter winds. It probably has to due with the fact that this time everything was more controlled and the same pickup height was used.
 
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