UberMetalDood
New member
I have read good things about alnico 3. Why isn't it used more?
Tell me about alnico 3
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IanBallard
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
The only experience (that I know of) with A3 is the Classic Vibe Tele and Strat models. Honestly, I preferred the balance and tone of those pickups, to any of the MIM or MIA models that use A5. Softer, more dynamic and more balanced. Less spike in the bass and treble. I can imagine the CV Strat would be killer with a better bridge and nut.
The only experience (that I know of) with A3 is the Classic Vibe Tele and Strat models. Honestly, I preferred the balance and tone of those pickups, to any of the MIM or MIA models that use A5. Softer, more dynamic and more balanced. Less spike in the bass and treble. I can imagine the CV Strat would be killer with a better bridge and nut.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
Some magnets are more versatile than others. Some work well in any PU in any position, and others are usually limited to the bridge or neck slot, but not both. As one of the forum's hard core mag swappers, I've used A3's the least of any alnico. It's low output and fairly bright, so it does have some value in a neck PU when an A5 is too strong or boomy. But I usually prefer to use A5's in the neck slot and lower the PU on the bass side to cure boominess when it occurs.
I don't see A3's as being a viable option in the bridge slot; there always seems to be another magnet that can do the job better. If you have an A5 PU in the neck and an A3 PU in the bridge, the neck will probably overpower the bridge.
There are applications in P-90's where A3's can handy, usually by being paired with another magnet. In a dark, bassy LP, an A5/A3 pair is nice in a neck P-90. Maybe even twin A3's. I tried an A5/A3 P-90 in the neck of an SG, and it was chimey. Some guys would like that, but it wasn't the sound I was after.
I have several very lumpy (and beautiful) roughcast A3's from Addicition FX, that I'd like to try in something. They'd have a smoother high-end than a polished A3.
Some magnets are more versatile than others. Some work well in any PU in any position, and others are usually limited to the bridge or neck slot, but not both. As one of the forum's hard core mag swappers, I've used A3's the least of any alnico. It's low output and fairly bright, so it does have some value in a neck PU when an A5 is too strong or boomy. But I usually prefer to use A5's in the neck slot and lower the PU on the bass side to cure boominess when it occurs.
I don't see A3's as being a viable option in the bridge slot; there always seems to be another magnet that can do the job better. If you have an A5 PU in the neck and an A3 PU in the bridge, the neck will probably overpower the bridge.
There are applications in P-90's where A3's can handy, usually by being paired with another magnet. In a dark, bassy LP, an A5/A3 pair is nice in a neck P-90. Maybe even twin A3's. I tried an A5/A3 P-90 in the neck of an SG, and it was chimey. Some guys would like that, but it wasn't the sound I was after.
I have several very lumpy (and beautiful) roughcast A3's from Addicition FX, that I'd like to try in something. They'd have a smoother high-end than a polished A3.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
I thought MIM Strats used ceramics? Was I misinformed, or did I dream that?
I thought MIM Strats used ceramics? Was I misinformed, or did I dream that?
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
fender started using a3 here and there a few years ago.
i like a3 sometimes but usually in the neck, especially with buckers. it has a sweeter high end than a5 with less bottom and output, almost like a2 but with out the big mids. a3 in the neck with a2 in the bridge can be a very nice combo.
fender started using a3 here and there a few years ago.
i like a3 sometimes but usually in the neck, especially with buckers. it has a sweeter high end than a5 with less bottom and output, almost like a2 but with out the big mids. a3 in the neck with a2 in the bridge can be a very nice combo.
IanBallard
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
Somebody should try a JB with an A3. Why not?
Somebody should try a JB with an A3. Why not?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
Actually, that's a very good combo. Should be in factory 'matched' pairs.
Actually, that's a very good combo. Should be in factory 'matched' pairs.
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
Not my ideal pickup for this guitar, it isn't different enough from the bridge PATB-1b (with the tone control rolled off 50% or so), and like the stock JB in the bridge it still doesn't behave well with the tone control (all on or all off are fine, anything in between is just dark and dull, rather than being a distinct, useful tone).
If I just wanted fat leads opposite a cutting ceramic bridge pickup, it'd work pretty well. But I want more flexibility than that, so it'll eventually get replaced.
Already done. I use a JB with A3 (and hex screws under the bass strings) as my neck pickup. It's got more even a midrange, smoother treble peak, but a fatter growl than the A5 JB did in the bridge. But it isn't any looser, in spite of location, thanks to the combo of magnet & screws.
Not my ideal pickup for this guitar, it isn't different enough from the bridge PATB-1b (with the tone control rolled off 50% or so), and like the stock JB in the bridge it still doesn't behave well with the tone control (all on or all off are fine, anything in between is just dark and dull, rather than being a distinct, useful tone).
If I just wanted fat leads opposite a cutting ceramic bridge pickup, it'd work pretty well. But I want more flexibility than that, so it'll eventually get replaced.
dr.barlo
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
Hi Jeremy...
That is what I keep telling everybody: A set of antiquity HBs with an a4 bridge and a3 neck is absolutely killer. At par with all, and often better than many pricey "boutique" stuff. I kinda like the aged a2s in ants especially in the neck, has some weird hollow yet clean sound. But I strictly prefer a3s over the regular a2s in ants.
On the other hand, I am all into the a3 frenzy when it comes down to tele lead pickups. I am a big fan of the JD. But I think that it is a pitty that I cannot swap its mags...
I definitely wanna try it with a3s.
The Hamel STD-B, now Ellis' Broadcaster pickup are all great ones. But still I really like the JD. Maybe a 3/2 JD pickup (not to change the overall tone that drastically)...
To sum up, I am quite a fan of those suckers.
I should have a clip comparing a2 and a3's in the same pickup, a PG neck and a CC. I gotta look for it... The current link does not work (its like 6 7 years old).
B
Hi Jeremy...
That is what I keep telling everybody: A set of antiquity HBs with an a4 bridge and a3 neck is absolutely killer. At par with all, and often better than many pricey "boutique" stuff. I kinda like the aged a2s in ants especially in the neck, has some weird hollow yet clean sound. But I strictly prefer a3s over the regular a2s in ants.
On the other hand, I am all into the a3 frenzy when it comes down to tele lead pickups. I am a big fan of the JD. But I think that it is a pitty that I cannot swap its mags...
I definitely wanna try it with a3s. The Hamel STD-B, now Ellis' Broadcaster pickup are all great ones. But still I really like the JD. Maybe a 3/2 JD pickup (not to change the overall tone that drastically)...
To sum up, I am quite a fan of those suckers.
I should have a clip comparing a2 and a3's in the same pickup, a PG neck and a CC. I gotta look for it... The current link does not work (its like 6 7 years old).
B
dr.barlo
New member
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
So do the magnets a2 to a3 to a4, etc... sound like in-between incrementally? For instance, does an a3 sound in-between an a2 and a4, and so on?
So do the magnets a2 to a3 to a4, etc... sound like in-between incrementally? For instance, does an a3 sound in-between an a2 and a4, and so on?
MattPete
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
It sounds killer. I liked it much better than the CC -- the response curve (if you imagine a CC's frequency curve looking like a bell) was flattened and moved slightly upward. Less congested and middy version of a CC.
For a long time it was my favorite bridge pickup in my PRS-style guitar, but it was dethroned by the Brobucker (which is a completely different animal).
Two days ago I swapped the A2 in my Seth neck (in the neck this time) for an A3. Once again, slightly flatter response than the A2 version, with the mid-hump shifted slightly upward.
It sounds killer. I liked it much better than the CC -- the response curve (if you imagine a CC's frequency curve looking like a bell) was flattened and moved slightly upward. Less congested and middy version of a CC.
For a long time it was my favorite bridge pickup in my PRS-style guitar, but it was dethroned by the Brobucker (which is a completely different animal).
Two days ago I swapped the A2 in my Seth neck (in the neck this time) for an A3. Once again, slightly flatter response than the A2 version, with the mid-hump shifted slightly upward.
dr.barlo
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
Its not single dimensional.
The change from a2 to a3 concerns the bass, the lowmids, the uppermids, and the treble. The bass gets a bit tighter, does not increase much. The lowmids decrease a bit (as MattPete has pointed out), so the overall tone of a CC gets a bit more "open". The uppermids increase slightly, and become a bit more pronounced. The highs don't change much.
So the thing becomes a bit more snappy and open. And due to them uppermids, it starts to to sound a bit brighter.
When you go to an a4, all stuff is true as well. It becomes even more V type of eq, but the noteworthy thing is the increase in bass.
Hope this helps.
B
Its not single dimensional.
The change from a2 to a3 concerns the bass, the lowmids, the uppermids, and the treble. The bass gets a bit tighter, does not increase much. The lowmids decrease a bit (as MattPete has pointed out), so the overall tone of a CC gets a bit more "open". The uppermids increase slightly, and become a bit more pronounced. The highs don't change much.
So the thing becomes a bit more snappy and open. And due to them uppermids, it starts to to sound a bit brighter.
When you go to an a4, all stuff is true as well. It becomes even more V type of eq, but the noteworthy thing is the increase in bass.
Hope this helps.
B
dr.barlo
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?p=2832170#post2832170
I have updated the links to this ancient test of mine.
Hope this helps.
B
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?p=2832170#post2832170
I have updated the links to this ancient test of mine.
Hope this helps.
B
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
The numbering scheme is closer to their strength (output) than EQ. Plus whether they're oriented/unoriented or polished/roughcast also effects tone. Alnicos weren't invented for guitars.
The numbering scheme is closer to their strength (output) than EQ. Plus whether they're oriented/unoriented or polished/roughcast also effects tone. Alnicos weren't invented for guitars.
Diego
New member
Re: Tell me about alnico 3
My AllParts Strat has the Tonerider Pure Vintage pickup set, which is three low output single coils with A5 magnets under the low strings and A3 magnets under the higher strings.
The higher strings sound pretty sweet actually, which is nice for leads because it doesn't turn into a icepick-fest with overdrive on top.
Other Strat pups can get really nasty there, not these and I imagine it's down to the magnets used. It's a clever idea and I like A3 because of it.
My AllParts Strat has the Tonerider Pure Vintage pickup set, which is three low output single coils with A5 magnets under the low strings and A3 magnets under the higher strings.
The higher strings sound pretty sweet actually, which is nice for leads because it doesn't turn into a icepick-fest with overdrive on top.
Other Strat pups can get really nasty there, not these and I imagine it's down to the magnets used. It's a clever idea and I like A3 because of it.
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