Magnets...

A

Axewall

New member
I've become pretty confused about a couple of magnets lately. I ordered a bunch of magnets, A4, A5 and A8, to do Phat Cat mods, and it worked out just fine. I also have this strange "JBL"-labeled 14kOhm Duncan I've been trying to figure out, it's almost clear now that it is a Duncan Custom, it's got a ceramic magnet. I wanted to make it into a C5 so I decided to use an A5 from a Gibson 498T I had been taking apart before. Anyway, as I had some other magnets laying around I started to compare them, their magnet strength, trying to lift a small tool. Ok, the A8 was the strongest, but then things started getting strange: the A5 from the 498T seemed to be almost as strong as the ceramic from the Custom, and a new A4 and A5 were considerably weaker compared to the 498T A5, the A2's from the Phat Cats and also compared to an A2 from a 490R! Something must be wrong with the new A4 and A5 right? Isn't the numbering supposed to show the magnet strength, an A2 is the weakest, then stronger A3, A4, A5, and A8 as the strongest of them?

EDIT!
Thank you for answering, but I'm sorry, because I'm not born into the english language I didn't express myself the right way.

I did not compare the magnets by trying them out in the "Custom" pickup, I compared the magnet strength by attaching the magnet to a pair of pliers (it was the right weight) and then trying to lift them holding the magnet. The magnets were first attached at the same starting point. Due to the appearence of the pliers I could get more or less "attach surface" for the magnets, sort of a "sliding scale", making it easier to sort out weaker or stronger ones. I also made sure that the surface of the magnets was clean.
 
Last edited:
Re: Magnets...

Don't forget about Gauss levels, too. You can degauss an AlNiCo magnet and make it magnetically weaker, too.
 
Re: Magnets...

Dont let fool you by the strength. Even weakend A5 sounds a like an A5, while being only strong like a A2.
 
Re: Magnets...

And if the sticker says JBL, it should be a JB wound by "L". But then, it's a sticker, which means they can be unstuck and restuck.


Which brings up an interesting rumor to start amongst the newbs - you can change a vintage stickered JB to a Distortion or Custom by swapping the sticker :lol:
 
Re: Magnets...

How are you getting the exact same pickup height after each magnet swap? Are you sure it isn't just your ears playing tricks on you?

Here are the compositions, not related to Cobalt (page 2):
http://www.dextermag.com/uploadedFiles/Alnico_Data_Sheet.pdf

FWIW degaussing is a weak argument. I find it complicates matters too much when you already have enough options, but we're a sick bunch us gearheads. What kind of nuts swap out 6 different mags in a single pickup searching for tone? WE DO!!!! Stick to the full gauss strengths because degaussing is not something the average person can do at home in a controlled manner and you can't really buy the mags degaussed to your liking.
 
Re: Magnets...

Natman said:
How are you getting the exact same pickup height after each magnet swap? Are you sure it isn't just your ears playing tricks on you?
Click to expand...

Another thing that can play tricks on you is the condition of your strings whilst you are performing these comparison experiments.

One worthwhile means of comparison is to follow the example of the Seymour Duncan Audio Demonstration CDs. All pickup models are fitted the same distance from the strings and played through amplification at the same settings.

Obviously, in reality, you would adjust your chosen pickup(s) to sound sweet through whatever amplification you have. Goodbye direct comparability.

Probably the most objective comparison method is to follow the technique used by Steve Vai on the DiMarzio Evo prototypes. He obsessively recorded the same parts on the same guitar with each of the prototype pickups. Later, he listened back to the recordings to make A/B comparisons. This rules out listening fatigue. Of course, it does help if you have the ability to play exactly the same on successive takes.
 
Re: Magnets...

String condition is tricky too. Every time I loosen the strings for pickup swaps and stuff, they die a little.
 
Re: Magnets...

Thank you for answering, but I'm sorry, because I'm not born into the english language I didn't express myself the right way.

I did not compare the magnets by trying them out in the "Custom" pickup, I compared the magnet strength by attaching the magnet to a pair of pliers (it was the right weight) and then trying to lift them holding the magnet. The magnets were first attached at the same starting point. Due to the appearence of the pliers I could get more or less "attach surface" for the magnets, sort of a "sliding scale", making it easier to sort out weaker or stronger ones. I also made sure that the surface of the magnets was clean.
 
Re: Magnets...

I searched the net for more info about Alnico magnets and among all hits got this http://www.salvarsan.org/content/alnico.html I thought that the gauss strength was the only thing causing magnets to sound different, now I've lerned that's not the case. But my "magnet strength test" still confuses me... A4 has the least strong MAGNETIC attraction, and it sure proved to be true, but the new A5 should have been MUCH stronger. I'm beginning to think it is a A4 with the wrong label.
 
Re: Magnets...

Negative. In the magnetic pull test, A5 should only be a little stronger, unlike Ceramic which is by far the strongest (Neodymium is way stronger still but most people have the good sense not to use them in pickups). Seems like a lot of the tone we hear with different magnets is related to a sort of eq curve that each tends to have. Strength only tells out how much current is going to be produced and how hard it hits your amp. The compressions we hear is a tough one to explain but it's definitely there. It shouldn't make sense physically (like you said it should only be about strength) but it happens and you hear it. It may be the atomic arrangement and electron valency. But in the end, follow your ears and play your guitar. Unless you absolutely HAVE TO become the next Seymour Duncan then by all means... (I fully understand that urge -I'll be winding my first pickup soon)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top