Tell me about alnico 3

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tell me about alnico 3

"Strength" is a bit vague term. There are 2 notions of strength when it comes to what we are talking about. Permeability (the measure of the magnetic charge a piece of metal could give), and magnetic field density (the magnetic field produced at the center of a plane circular coil of one turn and a radius of one centimetre, which carries a current of 5 amperes). It is the first one that Duncan controls in the below pic (taken from the "mighty" Brobucker thread a while back)

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3756&stc=1&d=1140108190

The magnetic field density is given by the alnico grade (determined by its chemical composition).

Gauss is simply the multiplication of these two values.

And checking the information from the Duncan Q&A #226, A2-A6 do not have an ordering with any notions of strength. In fact, A3's and A4's have less "gauss" and less "maximum energy" than A2's, meaning that the string pull of A3's and A4's is lower than that of A2's.



Here is an old thread on the subject:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?p=797842#post797842

Best,

B

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Tell me about alnico 3

wouldn't a CC with a A3 sound real good?

It would. I have one in my 355.

A3 tonally is basically a thinner, sparklier A2. It does wonders for a neck pickup that's too fat/dark for your tastes.

I agree that in a vintage output bridge humbucker, A3 isn't the best choice. But for a higher output pickup (like the CC) it can be killer. And it's flat-out wonderful in Tele and Strat rod mag bridges.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Tell me about alnico 3

wouldn't a CC with a A3 sound real good?

tried the "C3" and hated it. Lost too much output, got too bright.

that was a long time ago, though. I should give it another shot sometime.