Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

[Chistopher]

Since the Custom Shop Amos set came out I'm slowly seeing more and more people recommend A6s for their pickups. I've got two questions for those of you that have tried them:

1- How did you like them and what did you put them in?

2-Where on earth did you get them?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

Got a few from forum member Zhang about 10 years ago. They're pretty warm, seem warm as or warmer than an A8, but without as much output. I was hoping they'd be more distinctive tonally, as A2 thru A5 are all so different.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

Got a few from forum member Zhang about 10 years ago. They're pretty warm, seem warm as or warmer than an A8, but without as much output. I was hoping they'd be more distinctive tonally, as A2 thru A5 are all so different.

Well, in layman terms, an A6 is like an A2 in steroids.

It's the weakest of all Anisotropic magnets, it occupies the third place, where A8 is the strongest (A9 is even stronger than A8 but as it doesn't sound very good, I'm leaving it out of the equation), then it comes A5.

/Peter

 

[jeremy]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

as an a2 junkie, would i like a6 ya think?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

From what I've heard about it, An A6 would be an excellent match for someone with an A2 PAF bridge that they find too bright but like the overall character of the pickup.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

as an a2 junkie, would i like a6 ya think?

Tonewise, it'll match very well when changing from the neck to bridge p'up to solo. However, the extra muscle comes with the price of less apparent dynamics and a certain loss of the "vintage" vibe due to an enhanced kinda "rigid vibe", similar to the A8.

The "chirp" of the middle position gets a bit darker as well. Depending on the guitar and the winds themselves, it may or it may not being a welcomed feature.

Great for sustaining power chords, for sustaining singles notes a little bit less great, unless it goes into controlled feedback.

/Peter

 

[PicoRiveraTele]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

Based on a few datasheets on the internet, it looks like A5 and A6 have very similar remanence and coercivity values. They should perform more or less the same.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

hmmm i dont love a8 and im not a big power chord kinda guy, probably not going to rush out to try one

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

Both the A4 and A6 are pretty subtle sounding magnets and you wouldn't necessarily know you're listening to one unless it was pointed out. They don't have the strong characteristics of A2, A3, A5, A8, ceramic or neodymium magnets. If you like A5's power but you want more midrange, fuller bass, plus less piercing treble then A6 is a choice. Also if you like A2's but want something tighter and a little more power A6's might work.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

as an a2 junkie, would i like a6 ya think?

I assume you're an A2 fan because of their rich texture, and you probably like UOA5's too. Those two are my favorite magnets. A6's give warmth without the rich A2 sound. If they really offered much, there would be more demand for them and people would be finding sources. If someone bought a bunch to sell, I think they'd be sitting on them for a long time.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

This clip is pretty true to the character of A6's. It's not as percussive as A5, the bass and midrange are fuller and you don't have that strong treble peak around 2.5k. Not as dynamic as A2 or articulate as A5, but more consistent and less fiddling with the volume and tone controls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuA_bQeIXw

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Who Here Has Experience With A6s?

Sounds cool.