P90 and P90 derivative magnet mixing

[Zhangliqun]

I've got a Phat Cat neck model that I had underwound to 7.0k and it sounds absolutely dreamy in the neck of my LP Standard. I had for the longest time assumed that the magnets were Alnico 5's but it turns out they are 2's.

The only 'complaint' I have about it is that it needs a little more output, which can't be solved by raising the pickup because it's already high enough that any higher makes it sound harsh. But...now that I know those are Alnico 2's in it and I have somewhere to go with magnet swaps, I've hit upon an idea that led to this topic:

I'm going to try out an Alnico 4 on the neck side of the poles and an Alnico 3 on the bridge side. In addition to raising the overall output of the pickup slightly, this will give a little more emphasis to that sweet harmonic node right next to the neck and relatively de-emphasize the other side.

The point being that we talk magnet swaps all day and night in here, but so far rarely if ever on P90-type pickups, which is odd because they have two bar magnets instead of one, leaving room for even more magnet experimentation than humbuckers.

Anyone else ever tried mixing magnets in your P90's?

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: P90 and P90 derivative magnet mixing

Yeah, I was always sure that my PC bridge was an A5. It sounds so A5. I was quite confused to learn that it was an A2. It's so chimy and punchy.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: P90 and P90 derivative magnet mixing

Makes me wonder how mean a Phat Cat bridge would sound with Alnico 5's.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: P90 and P90 derivative magnet mixing

Wow, this is weird. Apparently not only has no-one else done it, they've never even thought about it.

That makes me....a pioneer....

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: P90 and P90 derivative magnet mixing

I've thought about it, but where does one find bar magnets that would fit a p90? I think a PC would probably sound a little too to harsh on the top end and boomy on the bottom end with an A5. With an A2, I already find it to have a very hollow sound that works well, but it would probably get to be too much with an A5. However, I also have a Reverend P-90 that has Ceramic bar magnets in it that I think would sound better with A5.