Tel me about different magnet options - not type

[iamthesuck]

Hey guys, I was wondering about the differences with things like "degaussed", "unoriented", "roughcast" or any other prefixes before the magnet type. I understand degaussed would seem to mean demagnetized, but I don't understand how that would benefit tone, or how you determine to what level to degauss to. Any information on this kind of thing would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SJ318]

Re: Tel me about different magnet options - not type

Hi,
I am gonnna bump this as I am curious too.
But someone might just get your toe wet with a little of that ocean of info, or you'll get thrown way out in the deep part of the info ocean. So much to learn, all things pickup. It must be close to infinite.
SJ

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Tel me about different magnet options - not type

Hey guys, I was wondering about the differences with things like "degaussed", "unoriented", "roughcast" or any other prefixes before the magnet type. I understand degaussed would seem to mean demagnetized, but I don't understand how that would benefit tone, or how you determine to what level to degauss to. Any information on this kind of thing would be greatly appreciated!

Everything you need to know and then some is to be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnico

HTH,

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Tel me about different magnet options - not type

Oriented-unoriented refers to the alignment of the magnetic structures and is a by product of the production process, Isotropic is unoriented and has magnetization in any direction. Anistropic is oriented and can only be magnetized in one direction. Anistropic are stronger and more expensive to produce as they take an additional step in the process.

For the purpose of guitars, A2,A3,A4 are always unoriented and A8 is oriented. Now the monkey wrench comes from A5 as its most commonly found oriented but can be found unoriented. An unoriented A5 is weaker and has a more even EQ than a oriented one.

Rough cast or polished refers to the surface finish of the magnets. Most production pickups come with polished mags. Un polished has a small effect on tone with a softening of the highs and more complexity in the midrange. The downside is they are just less consistent.

degaussing is just that its a magnet that doesnt have a full charge. What the level its charged to is generally only known by the manufacturer and needs a gauss meter to know exactly. Unless you are willing to shell or for some neo mags and a guass meter so you can play with the gauss its really kinda shooting in the dark.