Mixing Magnet Types?

[stratocrusher]

Just a curiosity...Is it generally a better idea to choose pickups so that your whole set (in a given guitar) is the same magnet type or does it not really matter?

I'm thinking of going for a '59 bridge (Alnico V) and an Alnico II Pro neck. From what I've read it seems that they would balance better and I wouldn't have the bass balancing problems when using a set of '59's. Is this a bad idea?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Mixing Magnet Types?

Hey man don't worry about the magnet types not being calibrated or anything like that. As long as you have a bridge pup with a little more wind on it you'll be alright.

In my heritage 150 (LP body construction) I have a Jazz neck (A5) and A2Pro bridge. It's a great combo. The a5 maintains clarity in the neck position for runs and picked notes while the a2 pro cuts through in the bridge. The smoothness of the treble (in the A2P) really does it for me.

Remember you are going to have the bridge pup closer to the strings and further back so it's going to brighter already so IMHO the A2P in alot of situations balances REALLY well.

Luke

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Mixing Magnet Types?

Yeah...it's all personal taste. Some guys love a 59' or C5 or Distortion in the neck, and a PG, APH, Seth, ect in the neck. I prefer A2's in the neck, as they don't seem as boomy or bright....YMMV on that. I can tolerate an A5 in the bridge much better, great for crunchy rythym and crisp lead work.

It sure won't hurt anything.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Mixing Magnet Types?

I know that I don't have a leg to stand on saying this, but I think obsessing over the magnet type is a bit excessive. The only time I even consider magnets is when I have a pickup that I love, but it's not quite 'there.' I don't mean to downplay the mag's role in the tone, but that it's silly to exclude a certain pickup, and limit your options strictly because of mag type.

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Mixing Magnet Types?

I know that I don't have a leg to stand on saying this, but I think obsessing over the magnet type is a bit excessive. The only time I even consider magnets is when I have a pickup that I love, but it's not quite 'there.' I don't mean to downplay the mag's role in the tone, but that it's silly to exclude a certain pickup, and limit your options strictly because of mag type.

I see what you mean, although its good to have an idea what a pickup will sound like before dropping the $$$ on it, as they all sound different and magnets do play a part in that, so to a certain extent you have to do it I suppose.

 

[captain cavman]

Re: Mixing Magnet Types?

The A2/A5 mixing work fine in a general way.
I often use the SLb/'59n combo for LPs or PRS Singlecut and it's the best combo to me.
The important thing is : how about the tone balance between the PUs ?
For exemple I don't like the PGb/59n combo but the 59b/PGn is fine , I don't like the 59b/SLn combo but SLb/59n is just great !

About your combo idea , it could be well balanced, the A2Pn is less dark than the SLn , so why not !

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Mixing Magnet Types?

Whatever gets you your tone is right for you. I've learned alot over the passed few years and one thing I've learned is that anything goes.

Personally, when it comes to neck humbuckers, I like alnico 2 because it has less bass and more mids and, like Jeff noted, I find I can get a clearer tone for chords using pickups like the A2 Seth Lover, Antiquity or Pearly Gates neck pickups.

For bridge humbuckers, I can go either way. I like the full bass, mids and treble and vintage Clapton tone of the alnico 5 59B and 59 Trembucker just fine...but also use alnico 2 Seth Lovers, Custom Customs and Antiquitys. A2 seems to give me more mids and less bite to the treble than alnico 5.

For single coil neck pickups, I like alnico 5 best: SSL-1 or Antiquity Surfers. Glassier highs for those Hendrix Little Wing or SRV Riviera Paradise tones.

For single coil bridge pickups I can go either way. My currrent fave from Duncan is the A2 Texas Hot Custom bridge ...but I like the glassy hot tone of the A5 Antiquity Surfer Custom bridge too.

Lew