Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

StefanM

StefanM

New member
Have only played a bit, but the verdict = I like! :D

More jangly, airy and cleaner than the ceramic mag. Less compressed, but less output too. I will be using the lead pickup on it's own, clean, a lot more now - the ceramic mag lacked a little character and was too piercing in my guitar used on it's own clean, though it was great in parallel with the rythum pup. The AIV also has a better parallel sound IMO - more strat like, and again, more useable, on it's own too.

Overall, the AIV has a bit more bottom end but it is woolier, but I guess I'll get used to that. The ceramic had a great crunch & overdrove the amp more when played hard; the AIV is smoother. Have only tried it a little under distortion, but it has more of a vintage rock vibe to it - warmer and less punchy. The ceramic was an awesome lead sound but I'm sure I'll get used to the AIV once I play with the eq a bit.

Just thought soem of you might be interested. The magnet swap went smoothly, pretty easy although I was a little tense until I heard it and knew the pup was still okay. Was worried I might have hurt the windings when levering the individual bobbins up to break the wax seal. The magnet was pretty tough to push out, then all of a sudden it was out!
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

I killed off a 59 one time changing mags, but for hte most part it's gone smoothly enough.

Sounds like you are having fun!
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

Yeah, I'm digging it quite a lot. It's amazing what difference changing a mag can make, and how cheap it is compared to swapping pups.

I actually thought a few more people would be interested to know what a C-4 sounds like, oh well.
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

What I think they do, compared to alnico 2 or alnico 5, is make the pickup a little bit more articulate. They have the mids of alnico 2 but the bright top and big bass of alnico 5.

Lew
 
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Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

Well, if nothing else, this thread is a free plug to you again, Lew :)

I love the butteryness of the AIV magnet. I haven't played it a lot because the neck is off my guitar at the mo - wanted to try an actual Fender neck on it, but the screw holes didn't quite line up because I'd drilled the body & original neck from scratch. I should be able to take some pics if you're interested at all - it was the first time the neck had been off since it was first assembled, and I'm pretty impressed with the neck pocket route, no idea how I managed it!
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

Lewguitar said:
Cool! I have a few more of these alnico 4 magnets if anyone's interested. What I think they do, compared to alnico 2 or alnico 5, is make the pickup a little bit more articulate. They have the mids of alnico 2 but the bright top and big bass of alnico 5.

Lew
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hey lew? i may want one? i am concerned a stock C5 will be a bit too dipped or scooped? would this 4 bring up the mids a touch? the CC is just too much mids for me i dont like that soft bass/ large mids i see on the sites chart :saeek:
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

Wall paper razor knife is slightly smaller than the magnets face dimension. A new blade is longer than the mag but because it breaks away you can break it so there's no chance of damaging the coil ends. It's perfect…no prying bobbins necessary. $3.89 at Home Depot.
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

RG 2570 said:
hey lew? i may want one? i am concerned a stock C5 will be a bit too dipped or scooped? would this 4 bring up the mids a touch? the CC is just too much mids for me i dont like that soft bass/ large mids i see on the sites chart :saeek:
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I think the a4 will bring up the mids, but I have not heard it in as strong a pickup as the 14.1K C5. I use them in humbuckers ranging from 7.5K to 9.5K. In fact, that is the set I like them in: 7.5K neck & 9.5K bridge. At one time, I thought that set was the ultimate humbucking pickup set...but I've changed my mind about that, altho I still use and enjoy that set alot. I like the a2 Seth neck & Custom Custom set just as much in the right guitar...it's warmer. And the Jazz neck & 59B is also a favorite of mine these days....as is a full set of Antiquities.

Choice is good! One set might sound better in one guitar and another set might sound best in a differant guitar. There's just no telling until you try it for yourself.

Lew
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

Lewguitar said:
I think the a4 will bring up the mids, but I have not heard it in as strong a pickup as the 14.1K C5. I use them in humbuckers ranging from 7.5K to 9.5K. In fact, that is the set I like them in: 7.5K neck & 9.5K bridge. At one time, I thought that set was the ultimate humbucking pickup set...but I've changed my mind about that, altho I still use and enjoy that set alot. I like the a2 Seth neck & Custom Custom set just as much in the right guitar...it's warmer. And the Jazz neck & 59B is also a favorite of mine these days....as is a full set of Antiquities.

Choice is good! One set might sound better in one guitar and another set might sound best in a differant guitar. There's just no telling until you try it for yourself.

Lew
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If i could get 6 bass,4 or 5 mids, 8 treble from a alnico 4 in the Custom i would buy one for sure!
:)
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

RG_2570, it may well do that. It's kind of the curve I'd give it. As you know, you can't always go by numbers, there's a lot more to a pup than that. For example, the Custom (Sh-5) which is the same winding as the custom custom and C-5, has quite a spikey sharp presense to my ears in my guitar. Swapping in an A4 magnet, it's still plenty trebly but doesn't have the harsh peak. It's not so clear whether it should now have the same treble number rating or less, however.
 
Re: Installed an Alnico IV in my Custom today!!!

StefanM said:
RG_2570, it may well do that. It's kind of the curve I'd give it. As you know, you can't always go by numbers, there's a lot more to a pup than that. For example, the Custom (Sh-5) which is the same winding as the custom custom and C-5, has quite a spikey sharp presense to my ears in my guitar. Swapping in an A4 magnet, it's still plenty trebly but doesn't have the harsh peak. It's not so clear whether it should now have the same treble number rating or less, however.
Click to expand...

A4 has more mids than A5...but it still retains the big bass and extended treble of A5. When more mids are added, it makes it seem like the pickup has less treble and sounds "smoother" and less glassy.

That's what I hear anyway.

Lew
 
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