Qualities of different AlNiCo magnets.

[JacobTM]

So, I've got some A3s and 4s to play around with in place of the 2s and 5s in my HBs and Phat Cat.

But I honestly don't know what to expect from the 3s and 4s, and I've heard that in fact there isn't a range from 2 to 5 that is steady. It's not like an A3 is an A2 with a bit more power/high end, but rather that the magnets are all individually different without much of that relating to their numbers.

So can anyone school me in the basics of 3s and 4s compared to 2s and 5s?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Qualities of different AlNiCo magnets.

correct. if you do a search there are a few good threads about this. maybe even in th vault.

a3 is brighter and weaker than a2

 

[cakire82]

Re: Qualities of different AlNiCo magnets.

Here is a nice article here. Another forum bro provided this earlier.

http://www.salvarsan.org/content/alnico.html

"Common alnicos:
A2 - Rounded highs & lots of mids. Good harmonics. Loose low end. Low output. If a HB is wound to be bright, an A2 works in the neck slot. In a hot neck PU, an A2 will most likely make it muddy with flabby lows. In a bridge it has more virtues, & provides needed warmth and the low end isn't so noticeable. Some players call it's tones rude (in a good way).

A3 - Like a A2 but with a little more treble. Low output. Good substitute for an A2 PU when more treble is needed; can be used for bridge or neck. Since I like bright neck HB's, I think an A3 makes a better neck magnet than an A2.

A4 - Balanced EQ. Good replacement for an A5 when more mid & less treble is needed. Medium output. I use these mostly for warming bridge HB's that have stock A5's, but they can also be good in the neck in some guitars.

A5 - Scooped EQ; lots of treble & low end. The treble gives good definition and cut. Can be a little bassy in the neck position of some HB's (i.e. '59N in a LP). Very popular stock magnet in both neck and bridge HB's. High output.

A8 - Warm and smooth with lots of mids but the high end isn't as rounded as an A2, so there's more bite. Tighter low end. High output, which can be used to balance volumes with a neck PU. For most music styles, suitable for the bridge position only. Players are finding more uses for these, in high output HB's (Custom, JB, etc) and low output bridge PAF's. Interesting substitute for the A2 in a PGB or the A5 in a '59B."

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Qualities of different AlNiCo magnets.

^that sums it up nicely.