I'm just gonna say it

[Chistopher]

Sometimes swapping the magnet in your neck HB from an A2 to an A3 sometimes makes a bigger difference than swapping to an A5. It's especially true if you use the tone control on your neck a lot.

It's probably because the neck sound is mostly bass.

 

[Clint 55]

It's all about A9 in the neck if you don't want it mellow.

 

[beaubrummels]

All swaps have had about the same delta IME. 59 swap to A4 to date has been my favorite. Still need to try a Pearly Gates and a Seth with an A4. Supposedly the Seth with an A4 is that perfect ES-335 neck tone. A3 necks I have sound like darker, weaker Seths, which is not bad at all, just not exactly what I wanted.

 

[Chistopher]

I'm really starting to appreciate mid-heavy neck pickups a little bit more, and the bass rolloff an A3 provides helps me to be able to do that without sacrificing clarity.

 

[Guest]

I used to be some kinda ambassador for Alnico 5 on everything but I now think A5 is overrated and I enjoy A2 is Humbuckers and in single coils I enjoy hybrid sets, think like Josh Smith telecaster set where a A3 in the neck pu and a mix of A2 and A4 in the bridge. I also got the Eric Johnson set by Fender in one of my Strats so Hybrid sets have become my go-to lately.

 

[jeremy]

i really like a3 in the neck as well. a3 neck, a2 bridge has been suiting me quite well

 

[Mikelamury]

I've never tried an A3 mag. I've heard it has the lowest output of all the mags but what does it sound like when used in a high gain situation?

 

[Chistopher]

The best I can describe it as is an A2 with less bass, and a small amount more highs. I don't really notice a difference in output, but I suppose if you follow the figures, yeah A3 has weaker magnetism than A2.

As far as high gain on the neck, I'd say for most guitars it would be purely an upgrade so long as you play on the higher frets. A2 doesn't really work well at high gain on the lower frets from what I found (but then again what does) and neither does A3.

 

[Clint 55]

A3 in the neck is like A2 but a bit more snappy. (Hi gain) in the bridge it sounds vintage but not excessively chewy. Like UOA5, can be useful if you like vintage vibe but don't want slop.

 

[Guest]

I'd have to disagree with the A3 being an upgrade in most guitars neck, I think it depends on the set and on the guitar or the sound you are looking for (What's your style? Amp? Pedals? Etc.)

It was a good choice for the Josh Smith Telecaster set while in Humbuckers, I prefer A2 in the neck almost always lol

 

[Mincer]

I like A2 in the neck over everything else.

 

[Demanic]

I like an A3 single in the neck. For a 'bucker, depending on the wind, A4 or ceramic.

 

[orpheo]

A3 is such a great magnet. Some of the best PAF tones I've ever heard are A3. Neck and bridge.

The antiquity with an A3, neck and bridge, is just *chef's kiss*

 

[orpheo]

I've never tried an A3 mag. I've heard it has the lowest output of all the mags but what does it sound like when used in a high gain situation?

Check Erik Steckel. He uses an A3 in his signature set and plays with a ton of gain.

It retains a flutey, howling like quality that A2 can get, but not easily, and A5 is just too hot for that anyway.

Sometimes, a slightly weaker magnet doesn't mean less output, but simply more harmonics and dynamics, and in a PAF that is doubly so.
Now I start to wonder about a JB with an A3. I know it kicks ass with an A2 and an A4?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Check Erik Steckel. He uses an A3 in his signature set and plays with a ton of gain.

It retains a flutey, howling like quality that A2 can get, but not easily, and A5 is just too hot for that anyway.

Sometimes, a slightly weaker magnet doesn't mean less output, but simply more harmonics and dynamics, and in a PAF that is doubly so.
Now I start to wonder about a JB with an A3. I know it kicks ass with an A2 and an A4?

I just looked up Eric on YouTube. Holy mother of mercy!!
That is some incredible playing.

 

[jeremy]

i bet the jb with a3 sounds great. i have a custom with a3 and it sounds fantastic! thanks orpheo