So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

[RockStarNick]

... and I love it.

To my ears, it's the clearest magnet I've heard for a neck bucker. Really articulate, crisp top end, and a very detailed bottom. Zero mud. Almost a strat-like quality to the attack, which I really dig.

I know on paper, A5 has more treble, but depending on the guitar, the big bottom end can almost cancel it out in a neck PAF. Alnico4 solves that.

Alnico IV is a weird magnet. It truly does take on the character of the wind more than any other magnet that I've used. If the pickup is wound cool, A4 will be clear and articulate. If the pickup is wound hot, A4 will be fat and punchy and present.

I can't wait to try this in my ES335. I have a feeling it's going to open up the neck bucker a LOT - and get rid of some of that A2 murkiness. (For the record, I love LOVE love uncovered A2 neck buckers, but in a 335, with covers, it's just too wooly.)

 

[Demanic]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

I have one in the SH-6n in my Ibanez. I love it. You have given a very apt description of what the A4 does.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

LtKojak will be pleased.

Now that you mention it...

OP, what p'up did you use?

 

[DeathMetalRob]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Have you got any audio from this, friend..?

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Have been using and loving a4's for more than 10 years now... An a4 antiquity is hell of a pickup. I am also loving my a4 59N (7.50K). If you wanna here it here is how it sounds clean (no pedals, just my Blues Jr) in the neck of my walnut hardtail partscaster.



B

 

[MacBradley]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

The pickup sounds great!

 

[AlexR]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

I like A4 in neck pickups too - just stuck one in a Zhangbucker. Its a good subject for an A4 as its one of his handwound ones and the wind is very musical.

 

[SJ318]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

I have an A4 in every guitar with a humbucker that I am now using. Every one sounded better. Less spiky, less muddiness, seems to let the wind stand out, apart from one or the other, SH-2, SH-55, an Electric City bridge pup ( Freedom or RD-59 ) bought on the strength of Lt. Kojack's advice is made with an A4 pup and that thing is my new leader of the pack! Thanks Pepe, you called it and you were right!!
Big Love.
SJBuffington

 

[AlexR]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

^ Bill winds great pickups. I have the RD59 hybrid set and it is incredible.

Funnily enough, before he began to be well know on the MLP forum (for his humbucker winds) he was known primarily for his singlcoils.

 

[blueman335]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Lindy Fralin is a big A4 fan, it's the default magnet for his HB's and P-90's.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Thanks Pepe, you called it and you were right!!
Big Love.
SJBuffington

Big Love back at you, Steve! :cool2:

Yours very truly,

 

[ram_man]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Sorry if it's a bit off subject (not really a PAF) but has anyone tried an APH-1n with an a3 or a4?

I've searched for this but as yet have only read about Jazz necks being modded from a5 to a4 & a2 (similar wind to APH-1 some say, others say not).

 

[Davii]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Not APH-1N, but have tried APH-2N with A3, A4, A5, and A8

 

[ram_man]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Not APH-1N, but have tried APH-2N with A3, A4, A5, and A8

Thoughts, conclusion?

 

[Davii]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Thoughts, conclusion?

A3 sounded best to me, as I liked the clarity it had, and noticeable compared to the others. I did record each, but as I was primarily looking at dirty lead tone at the time, none of those were clean:



I've the bridge version on it's way, so I might do the same again, but record things clean, and post how it looked with A4.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Sorry if it's a bit off subject (not really a PAF) but has anyone tried an APH-1n with an a3 or a4?

I've searched for this but as yet have only read about Jazz necks being modded from a5 to a4 & a2 (similar wind to APH-1 some say, others say not).

The official word is that the Jazz and the APH1 winds are the same, being the magnet the only difference between the two.

My L-5CES copy hosts an A3n/A2b modded Jazz set and the tone is great: excellent woody and warm tone but with great articulation and note separation to boot.

Best qualities for complex Jazz chord- and arpeggio-work, with not even the least hint of muddiness whatsoever.

HTH,

 

[ram_man]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Thanks Gents,

Sounds like an a3 it is, didnt want to pull it apart until I'd asked the question.

 

[JeffB]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Nice.

3s, 4s, and short 5s always seem to sound/work best in the neck, IMO.

 

[Demanic]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

The official word is that the Jazz and the APH1 winds are the same, being the magnet the only difference between the two.

My L-5CES copy hosts an A3n/A2b modded Jazz set and the tone is great: excellent woody and warm tone but with great articulation and note separation to boot.

Best qualities for complex Jazz chord- and arpeggio-work, with not even the least hint of muddiness whatsoever.

HTH,

Which is why I always recommend the UOA5 in the Jazz for those who wish to smooth out the response. I suppose an A4 could be another good choice. Though I do admit that the stock Jazz is a pretty sweet pup.

Nice sound clip btw. At first the backing track was a bit too dominant, but then towards the end, you could hear that A4 just really stand out,(well, yes, you playing it).

 

[Drak]

Re: So I FINALLY tried Alnico 4 in a neck PAF...

Yeah yeah yeah, back from the dead thread...
But I've had a few RC A4's in the drawer that I never tried until tonight.
Wowza man, wowza.

I had an SH11 with a UOA5 in this build for a few months.
It was just too much, too hot, too gnarly for 'this' build.
Didn't play well with the Lollar Mini (A2) in the neck.
This build is sort of my Allman Brothers guitar.
So, I had a pair of APH-1's sitting in a drawer doing nothing.
I took the SH11 out, swapped in the APH-1B/A4 and JEEZUS!
Allman Brothers Lovefest.

It's Clean, Clear, Bold, (slightly) Compressed, Authoritative and in your face.
Without being grating, strident, or overbearing in Any way.
I freaking Love it.
Just wanted to share.
A4 is Damn Perfection in this one.