vintage ssl-1 or 2

gnoj_LL

gnoj_LL

New member
would a 20 year old ssl-1/2 or any alnico 5 single coil sound different with a brand new one?

would the magnet decrease its magnetic pull making the its tone change a lil bit?

if so, how would age affect its tone?
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

magnets are most effected by being around transformers, or large magnets like those in speakers
so the older the pickup, the larger the odds it's been around something that may have demagnetized it somewhat

this is covered in the FAQ on the main site, although I don't have a link for you
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

I have a JB that's from the mid 80's that sounds a lot different from the new production JB I got off XSSIVE.
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

Curly said:
magnets are most effected by being around transformers, or large magnets like those in speakers
so the older the pickup, the larger the odds it's been around something that may have demagnetized it somewhat

this is covered in the FAQ on the main site, although I don't have a link for you
Click to expand...

thanks
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

I was reading something written about this one time. About magnets loosing there magnitism. I don't remmeber where I read it at. It was one of the pickup makers sites but not sure which. But I do remember them saying that a magnet does lose some of it's magnitism over time but over a great deal of time. Not years but hundreds of years & that an aged pickup magnet sounding different was not why a older pickup sounded different but in the way it was made, what kind of wire, type of magnet & how the magnet was made, & how it was wound.
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

johh said:
I was reading something written about this one time. About magnets loosing there magnitism. I don't remmeber where I read it at. It was one of the pickup makers sites but not sure which. But I do remember them saying that a magnet does lose some of it's magnitism over time but over a great deal of time. Not years but hundreds of years & that an aged pickup magnet sounding different was not why a older pickup sounded different but in the way it was made, what kind of wire, type of magnet & how the magnet was made, & how it was wound.
Click to expand...

i see. thanks

so is it safe to conclude that aged magnets are good if your looking for a vintage tone?

anyway, to narrow things down, what would it do to the overall tone. for an alnico V, would it sound like an anlico II since the magnets became weaker?

would this be the same concept as the aged magnets used in antiquties for a smoother sound (vintage sounding)?
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

Yes. Time will mellow the tone and external electromagnetic current along with extreme
heat will weaken a magnet. As far as vintage tone goes, you have to decide what you want. Ants are like having a 40 y/o pickup today,where Seth's and some other PAF pups
are like having originals new. Alot of classic rock tones were from guitars and pickups that
were 10 y/o or so! Hope this helps.
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

Thunder said:
Yes. Time will mellow the tone and external electromagnetic current along with extreme
heat will weaken a magnet. As far as vintage tone goes, you have to decide what you want. Ants are like having a 40 y/o pickup today,where Seth's and some other PAF pups
are like having originals new. Alot of classic rock tones were from guitars and pickups that
were 10 y/o or so! Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

sweet, thanks!
 
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

To quote Curtis Novak top notch pickup builder!
Do "aged magnets" really give that vintage tone?
I get this questions a lot my response is Buddy Holly's guitar sounded great brand new, Blackie, and Brownie sounded awesome when they were only 10 years old. If it is true that an "aged magnet" has any real effect on tone, then these same models from the 80's should be sounding pretty good by now. #003

I figure this is true, most of the really good tones from guitar players came from guitars that were fairly new at the time.
check out the tone some the great old jazz players used. Those guitars were new at the time! Hendrix used new guitars with new pickups! the white strat he used at woodstock was pulled right off the rack!

Check this page out. This guy makes pickups as good or better than anyone!

http://www.curtisnovak.com/comments.shtml
 
Last edited:
Re: vintage ssl-1 or 2

johh said:
To quote Curtis Novak top notch pickup builder!
Do "aged magnets" really give that vintage tone?
I get this questions a lot my response is Buddy Holly's guitar sounded great brand new, Blackie, and Brownie sounded awesome when they were only 10 years old. If it is true that an "aged magnet" has any real effect on tone, then these same models from the 80's should be sounding pretty good by now. #003

I figure this is true, most of the really good tones from guitar players came from guitars that were fairly new at the time.
check out the tone some the great old jazz players used. Those guitars were new at the time! Hendrix used new guitars with new pickups! the white strat he used at woodstock was pulled right off the rack!

Check this page out. This guy makes pickups as good or better than anyone!

http://www.curtisnovak.com/comments.shtml
Click to expand...


awesome link!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top