Metropoulos Forum

Anybody care to share their experiences using pickups with Alnico 8 magnets?

Havent tried one that I know of, though I have played older Ibanez's. Seems to me that the higher the number, the stronger the magnetic field. So an 8 would be maybe closer to a ceramic magnet sound, than say a 5. Probably very quick transient attack.

I just ordered one from the link posted in the eddievanhalen section. I've got a few pickups to try it out in and I'll let you know what they do to the sound.

It would be a "bright" magnet, right?

That's what I originally thought, but apparently the Alnico 8s have a pretty smooth high end, and more mid range than the alnico 5, which can sound a little scooped. They're more powerful so you have to back the pup off of the strings more than you would usual.
Read about the specifics here: http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php ... 2&start=45
It's about midway down the page.
My mags shipped today so I should have them within a few days.

I got a deal on set of Joe DiMarzios but wasn't thrilled with the sound so I replaced the alnico Vs with alnico 8s and I like it better. More powerful which is what I wanted in that guitar and aggressive.

The thing I like about powerful pickups is that when you turn them down they really clean up nicely. You can control your distortion from the guitar easier with a powerful pickup. The powerful pickup is actually more compressed so when you turn down you get clean without getting quiet. At least that is what it feels like.

sadwings75 wrote:I just ordered one from the link posted in the eddievanhalen section. I've got a few pickups to try it out in and I'll let you know what they do to the sound.

ditto. pretty cheap little experiment.

A8 is like A3 on nitrous. Maybe a bit smoother top ... good bottom feel ... strength on par with C5 ceramic. Nice magnet.

i wonder why it's not more widely used.

???

can't wait to try it.

...

I've put the A8 in my '59 and I like it. Sounds better than it did with the A5; definitely have to lower the field away from the strings to get the best sound.
This is definitely worth experimenting with.
Rob, you get yours yet?

I got two on eBay cost was $8 or $10 each not cheap but no more than what they charge for V or ceramics.

sadwings75 wrote:I've put the A8 in my '59 and I like it. Sounds better than it did with the A5; definitely have to lower the field away from the strings to get the best sound.
This is definitely worth experimenting with.
Rob, you get yours yet?

still waiting. but when i get it, i'll get out my lab coat and prepare an A/B clip with A5 and A8 in my beloved BK VHII.

rgalpin wrote:

sadwings75 wrote:I've put the A8 in my '59 and I like it. Sounds better than it did with the A5; definitely have to lower the field away from the strings to get the best sound.
This is definitely worth experimenting with.
Rob, you get yours yet?

still waiting. but when i get it, i'll get out my lab coat and prepare an A/B clip with A5 and A8 in my beloved BK VHII.

Awesome; honestly, I think this magnet could have been used on some of the tracks from VH I, and not just in the Destroyer either. It would partially explain the more aggressive high end he had there.
Even though this pickup only measures 7.43k it sounds pretty hot with this magnet. Definitely changes the feel of the pickup and the way it responds to your picking. Could explain how Eddie got such a hot sound while still retaining clarity.

Seymour Duncan Releases the SH-15 Pickup
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Santa Barbara, California - Guitar tones are getting heavier and heavier. It