Pickup Magnet: Alnico 8

rgalpin · Post by **rgalpin** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:03 pm

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

Tone Slinger · Post by **Tone Slinger** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:02 pm

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.

sadwings75 · Post by **sadwings75** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:26 am

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.

Mr. Beasty · Post by **Mr. Beasty** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:44 pm

It would be a "bright" magnet, right?

sadwings75 · Post by **sadwings75** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:48 pm

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.

908ssp · Post by **908ssp** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:10 pm

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.

rgalpin · Post by **rgalpin** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:44 am

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.

Winder · Post by **Winder** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:44 pm

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

rgalpin · Post by **rgalpin** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:02 am

i wonder why it's not more widely used.

???

can't wait to try it.

Winder · Post by **Winder** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:49 pm

sadwings75 · Post by **sadwings75** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:31 pm

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?

908ssp · Post by **908ssp** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:39 pm

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

rgalpin · Post by **rgalpin** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:04 pm

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.

sadwings75 · Post by **sadwings75** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:31 am

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.

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:51 pm

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