darthphineas
New member
Teach me about magnets
Also....TTT is shorthand for To The Top. A variation of Bump.
Also....TTT is shorthand for To The Top. A variation of Bump.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Teach me about magnets
Yes. A2's, A3's, and A4's are unoriented, along with UOA5's. The stronger magnets, A5 and up, are oriented, which is one of the factors in their strength.
Not sure about all that exists in guitar-size magnets, but I've seen roughcast in A2 thru A5. Also have some 'unpolished' A8's, which just have grinding marks on them, rather than sand indentations. I have a few polished A6's, and have never seen an A7 for sale, or an A1. I believe that Alnicos go from A1 to A12, but not all are cut into guitar sizes, due to lack of demand. If you want the odd ones cut that way, there's a large minimum order (that would only appeal to a retailer), which is a gamble, as you don't know if you'd even like them, or how different they'd be from what's available now. If you ordered $500 of A6's, you'd be sitting on them for a long time, as they really aren't that much different than an A8.
Yes. A2's, A3's, and A4's are unoriented, along with UOA5's. The stronger magnets, A5 and up, are oriented, which is one of the factors in their strength.
Not sure about all that exists in guitar-size magnets, but I've seen roughcast in A2 thru A5. Also have some 'unpolished' A8's, which just have grinding marks on them, rather than sand indentations. I have a few polished A6's, and have never seen an A7 for sale, or an A1. I believe that Alnicos go from A1 to A12, but not all are cut into guitar sizes, due to lack of demand. If you want the odd ones cut that way, there's a large minimum order (that would only appeal to a retailer), which is a gamble, as you don't know if you'd even like them, or how different they'd be from what's available now. If you ordered $500 of A6's, you'd be sitting on them for a long time, as they really aren't that much different than an A8.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Teach me about magnets
Just curious- while we're on the subject, is there such a thing as an unoriented A8?
Just curious- while we're on the subject, is there such a thing as an unoriented A8?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Teach me about magnets
Keep in mind, all of the various kinds of magnets aren't cut into guitar PU size. We don't have everything that's out there. When an odd one does happen to show up, it could be no big deal, like A6's and A9's. The only odd one that seems to have taken off so far is UOA5, which has a lot in common with A2's. Maybe we pretty much already have what's worthwhile in alnicos. I'd still like to play around with an A1 though...
Keep in mind, all of the various kinds of magnets aren't cut into guitar PU size. We don't have everything that's out there. When an odd one does happen to show up, it could be no big deal, like A6's and A9's. The only odd one that seems to have taken off so far is UOA5, which has a lot in common with A2's. Maybe we pretty much already have what's worthwhile in alnicos. I'd still like to play around with an A1 though...
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Teach me about magnets
I've heard A6 is used often in lipstick pups to make up for the brightness of their low wind count. I can't imagine how ice picky they would sound with anything else, even with an A6 they can get a bit harsh.
As for A1 and A7, I've never seen an A1 cut into humbucker size and I've heard A7s have a massive spike the entire range of treble frequencies.
I've heard A6 is used often in lipstick pups to make up for the brightness of their low wind count. I can't imagine how ice picky they would sound with anything else, even with an A6 they can get a bit harsh.
As for A1 and A7, I've never seen an A1 cut into humbucker size and I've heard A7s have a massive spike the entire range of treble frequencies.
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Teach me about magnets
Since we are (or at least were 3 years ago) on the subject of ceramic spacers, I would also like to add some recent experience I've had with ceramic spacers.
I recently purchased a Steam Hammer from Iron Gear. It's essentially a clone of the Duncan Distortion. I replaced the stock ceramic magnet with a double thick A8 and ceramic spacers. That thing sounds huge. The double thick A8 sounds more or less like a normal A8 on steroids, quite a bit more output and a downward shift in the eq curve. It sounded a bit bassier and quite a lot darker with huge mids.
I played around with this for a while, and while it sounded pretty nice on its one through a bright amp, it didn't sound too great anywhere else. So I took some ceramic spacers from another project pickup and tossed them in. They added enough treble to make me happy as well as add yet even more output.
Given the stats of this pickup (high output wind, double thick A8 magnet, ceramic spacers) all it's good for is its namesake. This thing can push most amps into distortion way quicker than most other pickups. I made a neck match for it which was SH-6n with a double thick A4, two rows of hex screws, and wired in parallel. It still has quite a bit of output, but it reminds of something not 100% completely unlike a P90.
Sorry for the long post, but this just goes to show that a few magnets and moved wires can completly change the character of a guitar. This is an important thread, especially for people who want to learn how easy it is to make a night and day difference on pickups with just a few dollars.
Since we are (or at least were 3 years ago) on the subject of ceramic spacers, I would also like to add some recent experience I've had with ceramic spacers.
I recently purchased a Steam Hammer from Iron Gear. It's essentially a clone of the Duncan Distortion. I replaced the stock ceramic magnet with a double thick A8 and ceramic spacers. That thing sounds huge. The double thick A8 sounds more or less like a normal A8 on steroids, quite a bit more output and a downward shift in the eq curve. It sounded a bit bassier and quite a lot darker with huge mids.
I played around with this for a while, and while it sounded pretty nice on its one through a bright amp, it didn't sound too great anywhere else. So I took some ceramic spacers from another project pickup and tossed them in. They added enough treble to make me happy as well as add yet even more output.
Given the stats of this pickup (high output wind, double thick A8 magnet, ceramic spacers) all it's good for is its namesake. This thing can push most amps into distortion way quicker than most other pickups. I made a neck match for it which was SH-6n with a double thick A4, two rows of hex screws, and wired in parallel. It still has quite a bit of output, but it reminds of something not 100% completely unlike a P90.
Sorry for the long post, but this just goes to show that a few magnets and moved wires can completly change the character of a guitar. This is an important thread, especially for people who want to learn how easy it is to make a night and day difference on pickups with just a few dollars.
Discharged
New member
Re: Teach me about magnets
Christopher, where exactly did you get those double-thick A4 and A8 you talked about?
I haven't seen it offered anywhere... care to share? I'm positive this bit of info will be well appreciated here.
Also, can you provide a link to that reference of the tonal outcome of an A7? That's another magnet I've never seen offered anywhere.
/Peter
Christopher, where exactly did you get those double-thick A4 and A8 you talked about?
I haven't seen it offered anywhere... care to share? I'm positive this bit of info will be well appreciated here.
Also, can you provide a link to that reference of the tonal outcome of an A7? That's another magnet I've never seen offered anywhere.
/Peter
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Teach me about magnets
Yeah, I got them right here:
http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Humbucker-Magnets-s/2507.htm
And about the A7, I haven't actually heard an A7 pickup as such, but there is a grade of Alnico 5-7 that is often times shortened to A7, which I have heard. There was a shop teacher in my highschool who modded guitars and he was shipped one on accident, they spent about 5 minutes in his guitar. They sound more or less like a really scooped A5 with a really harsh high end.
One last thing I'd like to add is a link to this one place where you can get almost any magnet you want (make sure the size is correct, they don't specialize in guitar magnets, I've had to do some work on a few of nine to get them to fit after not paying attention to the dimensions). They aren't the best for getting a steady supply, but they are quite fun to experiment with.
http://www.usneodymiummagnets.com/alnico-magnets.html
Yeah, I got them right here:
http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Humbucker-Magnets-s/2507.htm
And about the A7, I haven't actually heard an A7 pickup as such, but there is a grade of Alnico 5-7 that is often times shortened to A7, which I have heard. There was a shop teacher in my highschool who modded guitars and he was shipped one on accident, they spent about 5 minutes in his guitar. They sound more or less like a really scooped A5 with a really harsh high end.
One last thing I'd like to add is a link to this one place where you can get almost any magnet you want (make sure the size is correct, they don't specialize in guitar magnets, I've had to do some work on a few of nine to get them to fit after not paying attention to the dimensions). They aren't the best for getting a steady supply, but they are quite fun to experiment with.
http://www.usneodymiummagnets.com/alnico-magnets.html
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Teach me about magnets
Yeah, I'd say the difference between standard and double thick is about the same as the difference between an A2 and an A3. I'm tempted to believe a double A3 might not sound too far off from an A2.
Yeah, I'd say the difference between standard and double thick is about the same as the difference between an A2 and an A3. I'm tempted to believe a double A3 might not sound too far off from an A2.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Teach me about magnets
Would you say a double thick A5 is a bit less mid scooped than a standard one? or is it mostly just more output and fatter lows?
Would you say a double thick A5 is a bit less mid scooped than a standard one? or is it mostly just more output and fatter lows?
Discharged
New member
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