Patb-3 with alnico 3.

[Micha]

Hello guys,
Since years I loved the Saraceno parallel axis trembucker PATB3 especially in the neck position.
When I made build my luthier guitar, I didn't want to mount it .... Because of its awful design.
I also had a Pickup customshop made on the basis of the patb-3 ..... But I had asked for more harmonics. MJ made this Pickup for me. It is a neck pickup based on the Saraceno but the magnet is an alnico 8.
Anyway .....
My old patb3 was hanging around at the bottom of a drawer ....
A friend who complained about the rotten sound of his Ibanez RG with dimarzio / IBZ finally agreed to mount the patb3 in neck but after a mag swap.
I swapped the a5 for an a3.
A video will come soon .... But what I can say is that he is sounding amazing.
Very crisp but not harsh, absolutely not. He is warm too.
A lot of fluid, beautiful harmonics, a very rich tonal color. Absolutely not boomy or dark. He ist very clear but absolutely not bright.
It's simple, he is very versatile.funky, very clean and bluesy .... But what I was never expected is the note separation, the fluidity and feel of it. I very didn't expect that.
I was very surprised.
I knew that alnico 3 could make the patb-3 more open and airy but I never expected so much.

I even think I can say that it is better than the customshop designed on its basis.


What do you think. .? Should I try to change the alnico 8 to an alnico 3?
What do you think are the differences between these two types of magnets?


Thanks a lot.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

How does the output react to the magnet swap compared to stock?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

I think A3 is the most overlooked magnet type around.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

alnico 3 made the SH5 custom really usable to me, as well as the 59 and pearly gates so I really feel that mag might be an amazing choice to get rid of annoying traits in some models

That being said: the PATB3 is PAF-based; alnico3 sits really well in PAF style pickups so I shouldn't have been so surprised to hear this pickup works well with the A3. A dual set of PATB3's one with the original magnet in the bridge and an A3 in the neck, might make for a cool set?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

How does the output react to the magnet swap compared to stock?

Compared to an A5, the output will be reduced with the A3, but you get increased dynamics and lots of clarity out of it

 

[Micha]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

Compared to an A5, the output will be reduced with the A3, but you get increased dynamics and lots of clarity out of it

It's exactly that.
Very dynamic , absolut clear with very rich hatmonics.
It's really amazing.

 

[Micha]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

Sorry guys... I'll could not make a video of the pickup,
My friend swapped the patb3 and mounted stock magnet to mount it in the bridge position (becausr he doesn't grt a good bridge humbucker he decide to make this compomise).

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

In my experience, A3 works surprisingly well in "hotter" winds. For instance, the PATB-3 is essentially an overwound PAF that has more in common with the '78 model than a Pearly Gates. Similarly, the Custom wind is on the higher output side of the spectrum for its wire gauge and, so, A3 holds a lot of promise there.

Historically, people have more commonly tried the A3 in low output winds and found them overly bright or lacking punch when swapping from A2, etc. I think that's why the magnet hasn't gained more popularity, to be honest. However, a good medium-hot to hot wind with an A3 can be bright, punchy, incredibly dynamic and really wonderful all around.

 

[Micha]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

In my experience, A3 works surprisingly well in "hotter" winds. For instance, the PATB-3 is essentially an overwound PAF that has more in common with the '78 model than a Pearly Gates. Similarly, the Custom wind is on the higher output side of the spectrum for its wire gauge and, so, A3 holds a lot of promise there.

Historically, people have more commonly tried the A3 in low output winds and found them overly bright or lacking punch when swapping from A2, etc. I think that's why the magnet hasn't gained more popularity, to be honest. However, a good medium-hot to hot wind with an A3 can be bright, punchy, incredibly dynamic and really wonderful all around.

I don't know very much about magnet but for sure i agree what you said.
The result is fantastic, really.
With roughcast a3 it could be very interesting too.

 

[dominus]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

Yup, medium hot neck pickups with A3s just *work*.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

In my experience, A3 works surprisingly well in "hotter" winds. For instance, the PATB-3 is essentially an overwound PAF that has more in common with the '78 model than a Pearly Gates. Similarly, the Custom wind is on the higher output side of the spectrum for its wire gauge and, so, A3 holds a lot of promise there.

Historically, people have more commonly tried the A3 in low output winds and found them overly bright or lacking punch when swapping from A2, etc. I think that's why the magnet hasn't gained more popularity, to be honest. However, a good medium-hot to hot wind with an A3 can be bright, punchy, incredibly dynamic and really wonderful all around.

yeah, this. that's what I love about the Custom3. you just described exactly why this magnet made me like the custom wind.

 

[Micha]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

yeah, this. that's what I love about the Custom3. you just described exactly why this magnet made me like the custom wind.

Custom 3 ��

Could be very exciting.
I got an old custom 5 humbucker at home.... I think i 'll go experiment that.

It was the first time i play with a3.... I didn' t expect that.
Tjere are so much differences between a2 and a3's....

 

[Micha]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

yeah, this. that's what I love about the Custom3. you just described exactly why this magnet made me like the custom wind.

Custom 3

Could be very exciting.
I got an old custom 5 humbucker at home.... I think i 'll go experiment that.

It was the first time i play with a3.... I didn' t expect that.
Tjere are so much differences between a2 and a3's....

 

[jeremy]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

really like a3 in vintagey neck pups and i could see a3 in a hotter bridge pup being really nice

 

[orpheo]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

Custom 3 ��

Could be very exciting.
I got an old custom 5 humbucker at home.... I think i 'll go experiment that.

It was the first time i play with a3.... I didn' t expect that.
Tjere are so much differences between a2 and a3's....

absolutely!! I thought of the A3 as an A2 but with a bit more top end but it's a thing totally of its own. Custom3? Highly recommended. I don't like ANY of the customs, except the C3.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

I bet a Custom3 and an A3-loaded 59N would be a great combination.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

Double thick A3 mofos.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Patb-3 with alnico 3.

All this talk about thickness... What? Does length not matter anymore? ;P