Mojotone vs. Philadelphia Luthier Tools magnets

[simply rod]

I'm in the market for some AlNiCo 2 and 4 bar magnets to swap in some humbuckers I have. I'm considering Mojotone and Philadelphia Luthier Tools. Between the two of them, does anyone have any comments regarding things like quality and consistency from batch to batch?

I'm looking for something a bit deeper than the usual "I buy my magnets from ____ and have had no problems with them." For example, I wrote to Mojotone recently and was told that the magnets they sell are the same ones they use in their own pickups. That gives me a little more confidence in them, because it's another level of quality control. Compare that to Philly, who seems to just buy the magnets and pass them along to the consumer. I don't know whether or to what extent they check the magnets they sell.

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[Masta' C]

So, you're wanting us to sell you on Philadelphia instead of Mojotone? If you already know the Mojotones will suit your needs and their QC process inspires more confidence than Philadelphia's, what are you hoping the Philadelphia ones might give you that the Mojotones don't? Just get the Mojotone mags and don't overthink it.

 

[idsnowdog]

I have no experience with Mojotone, but I have always been pleased with Philadelphia.

 

[Masta' C]

I'm looking for something a bit deeper than the usual "I buy my magnets from ____ and have had no problems with them."

I have always been pleased with Philadelphia.

Hehe

I agree, though...I've never had a problem with parts or supplies from either Mojotone or Philadelphia. I consider both top sources.

 

[idsnowdog]

The only supplier I would stay away from is Stewmac. They have a great selection, but their prices only make sense if you're buying 100 of something. They also screw you by overcharging for shipping.

 

[jeremy]

they want you to join their club for $60 a year so you get free shipping.

ive used mojotone and philly magnets and find them both high quality. i dont have a preference, but i dont buy many from either.

 

[simply rod]

So, you're wanting us to sell you on Philadelphia instead of Mojotone? If you already know the Mojotones will suit your needs and their QC process inspires more confidence than Philadelphia's, what are you hoping the Philadelphia ones might give you that the Mojotones don't? Just get the Mojotone mags and don't overthink it.

Philadelphia's magnets and shipping are considerably cheaper.

 

[jeremy]

ive said this before, but i bought a bunch of bar magnets many years ago. a2, a3, a4, a5, c8, from allstar magnetics and have been using those for probably almost two decades for the most part. they are all polished and 2.5". its only when i need something else that i order something.

 

[JamesPaul]

Appears the vendor experience thread subject is being addressed.

From the text, magnet quality? Not sure what vendor would invest in this. Felt a little like maple spacers, butyrate bobbins, bumblebee caps, etc., however I did some research anyway. Short of buying a gaussmeter and becoming the Myles Rose of magnets, these may be helpful:

Magnet Quality

Measuring Magnets

 

[Masta' C]

I would shoot a message to both vendors and just ask about their QC for magnetized bars...do they buy them pre-charged or do they magnetize them in-house? Do they have a way to double-check the gauss/charge before shipping? Hint: I know Mojotone does.

As for magnet "quality" from a materials/construction standpoint, I genuinely don't think one is going to be better than the other.

 

[Chistopher]

Even with perfect quality control, it's best not to assume magnets from one batch are going to be identical to another. Especially Alnico 5. Boy howdy are there a lot of subgrades of A5

 

[Mincer]

Has anyone gotten Really Bad Magnets from a vendor?

 

[Chistopher]

One time Axesrus gave a ceramic 8 (which is just a normal ceramic) instead of the Alnico 8 I ordered

 

[hamerfan]

Since I have a gaussmeter I can measure the magnetic strength a certain point of the bar. Some magnets are more even chargeable than others. I don't know whether this is a quality factor, since the 50ies magnets are said to be very inconsistent compared to the nowadays magnets.

 

[Artie]

I got an A2/A3 from Addiction FX when I ordered an A3/A4. Didn't notice 'til it was too late return it.

 

[ehdwuld]

Philadelphia has the dimensions of the magnets posted on their site

They sell several different sizes

I was disappointed that they didn't have a double thick one with the dimensions of a ceramic that I was replacing

But I was able to create a cardboard shim to take up the extra space

This is my experience with the two sellers you mentioned

No experience with mojotone for magnets

Their other items were of good quality and arrived promptly as I remember

 

[Masta' C]

Even with perfect quality control, it's best not to assume magnets from one batch are going to be identical to another. Especially Alnico 5. Boy howdy are there a lot of subgrades of A5

I think it's important to differentiate "subgrades" from the concepts of "quality" or "consistency".

Most bar magnets are of sufficient quality and consistency. You're not likely to see earth-shattering differences between batches of the same magnet type, though every product allows a certain tolerance range for natural production variances.

Subgrades have more to do with material composition and construction. On paper at least, it's likely that Philadelphia and Mojotone are purchasing the same or very similar sub-grades for their pickup magnets.

Is it likely that an A5 from Philadelphia will vary in composition compared to an A5 from Mojotone? Well, if they purchase from different magnet manufacturers, then yes, it is possible.

Is any difference in composition likely to be enough to make one magnet sound or function completely different from the other? Not likely, at least not to a degree most players should worry about. Yes, there could be subtle differences, but the real-world difference between an A5 from one manufacturer to another or one batch to another of the same sub-grade is generally going to be significantly less than switching grades entirely (i.e. A5 to A2, etc)

 

[ehdwuld]

I think it's important to differentiate "subgrades" from the concepts of "quality" or "consistency".

Most bar magnets are of sufficient quality and consistency. You're not likely to see earth-shattering differences between batches of the same magnet type, though every product allows a certain tolerance range for natural production variances.

Subgrades have more to do with material composition and construction. On paper at least, it's likely that Philadelphia and Mojotone are purchasing the same or very similar sub-grades for their pickup magnets.

Is it likely that an A5 from Philadelphia will vary in composition compared to an A5 from Mojotone? Well, if they purchase from different magnet manufacturers, then yes, it is possible.

Is any difference in composition likely to be enough to make one magnet sound or function completely different from the other? Not likely, at least not to a degree most players should worry about. Yes, there could be subtle differences, but the real-world difference between an A5 from one manufacturer to another or one batch to another of the same sub-grade is generally going to be significantly less than switching grades entirely (i.e. A5 to A2, etc)

I find the difference between A2 , A4 & A5 to be subtle at best

Even between ceramic and alnico is very slight

In a mix all of the differences disappear

Or an adjustment to the tone control will do that

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Some mentions of subgades of A5. What are these?

I know UOA5... and the stuff that Suhr uses... what else? Are you all counting these?

What's the stuff SD uses? Is it different from other makers?

 

[Mincer]

SD has used different vendors over the years.