[The Dark Wolf]

So, I'll just sorta reiterate what I wrote in Ken's polepiece height thread -


I just recently replaced my Dimarzio D Sonic 7's ceramic magnet with an Alnico 5 magnet. I find the sound of Alnicos to generally be more pleasing, less harsh and grating, and smoother. I can't see why Dimarzio doesn't use them more. I've talked to Steve Blucher about it, and he claims Alnicos aren't as clear, but I don't find that to be true at all. The attack is softened a bit, but A5 magnets have just as good bass, just as good treble, but much smoother midrange. They are easily as articulate as ceramic, but sound more musical. And the slightly softer attack sounds much nicer for cleans and leads - if your pickup already has good attack, like the DS7, it's a win-win.

I've had the ceramic magnet on my Air Norton swapped out for a long time. My AN7 is a true Air Norton with that configuration, and I prefer it immensely. I just do not enjoy ceramic, I've discovered.


I must say, Alnico is where it's at. I wish I had before and after clips, but since I haven't recorded anything recently with my current setup, I don't really have anything to contrast new clips with the A5 magnets. But it's an interesting and rewarding experiment. All that nasty harshness disappears!

[Popsyche]

Where do you get the replacement magnets?

[eaeolian]

There are several people that seel the replacement magnets - check over at the Duncan forum.

Bob, that's my biggest gripe with DiMarzio's 7 string pickups - I really don't like ceramic magnets in much of anything. It would be interesting to hear a DS7 with alnico, for sure.

[darren]

DiMarzio's use of ceramic magnets in all of their 7-string pickups is one reason why i haven't been all that interested in trying them out. It's a bias, yes, but i also prefer the warmer, richer sound of Alnico magnets.

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by Popsyche

Where do you get the replacement magnets?

I got the bridge magnet from my SD JB-7. I got the neck magnet from e-bay. Just typed in Alnico 5. They had A2, A3, A4, A5, A8, and Ceramic 8 magnets. Each has different output strength and tonal qualities. I'm tempted to try Alnico 2 for my neck pickup.

I originally had the JB A5 in the neck, and the bridge pickup had the (rather large) original ceramic magnet. When I got the neck magnet, it's sized more for a P-90 - it works for a 7, but it's physically smaller than the SD Alnico 7-string magnets, and so was a tad quieter than the neck pickup. So, I swapped the neck for bridge, and now they balanced nicely.

Alnico magnets are generally smaller and quieter than ceramic. But the differences aren't huge, either in volume or tone. It's subtle, but like I said, if you're real familiar with your tone, and real picky (like me), it's like the difference between food with seasoning and without.

[Cancer]

So where do find magnets to put in your pickups, and more importantly how do know the flux (actual strength of the fagnetic mield, forgive if this is the wrong term) is correct?

[JPMDan]

well someone with a DS7 ceramic can post a clip and Bob can post his DS7 Alnico. Otherwise bob can just buy a DS7 ceramic and post clips of both pickups.

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Bob, that's my biggest gripe with DiMarzio's 7 string pickups - I really don't like ceramic magnets in much of anything. It would be interesting to hear a DS7 with alnico, for sure.

Gives it a bit of a JB vibe. But WAAY tighter. Not quite as upper mid snarly, but more 3D overall. Liek a JB meets an EMG and a PAF. Kinda.


The sound is basically ideal. And cleans are SO much better. I would put my guitar on position 2, the humbucker 'quack' setting, using a coil from each pickup, and I could always hear that darn ceramic magnet. If I put it on my position 4, neck parallel, the sound was so sweet (since the neck AN7 had an A5 magnet for a long time)... put it back on 2, and I could hear the harshness.

Now? Lynyrd Skynyrd heaven on position 2.


Alnicos are just overall 'sweet' sounding, whereas ceramics are 'harsh'. Play through both enough, and like Mike and Darren, you can really tell.

Originally Posted by psyphre

So where do find magnets to put in your pickups, and more importantly how do know the flux (actual strength of the fagnetic mield, forgive if this is the wrong term) is correct?

The strength is measured in guass, I believe. Like I said, I got mine from e-bay - just typed in Alnico 5.

A5 is the strongest (but ceramic is still generally stronger)
A4 is next.
A2 is next.
A3 is weakest.

I think A8 falls between A4 and A2, and is supposed to have some of the traits of ceramic.



Dan-O, they could, but unless our settings were identical, it wouldn't be real representative. It's not like the difference between an EMG 81 and a Fralin single coil.

I'd have to put my ceramic back in to be fair. Honestly, it's not hard at all... but I'm lazy. Maybe next time I string change.

A magnet swap takes I dunno, 5-10 minutes. Piece of cake, really. I've done it bunch of times. The guys on the Duncan forums are mad about doing it!

[JPMDan]

I wonder how a Evolution 7 would sound with a Alnico magnet.

[D-EJ915]

The 7-string ones are the same size as the 6-string ones, yes?

[The Dark Wolf]

What? Magnets? No.


Finding 7-string sized magnets (not in bulk) is impossible. I looked for days, and e-mailed every pickup maker out there.

The e-bay ones fit P-90s, like I said, But they'll work for a 7.

[Popsyche]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

What? Magnets? No.


Finding 7-string sized magnets (not in bulk) is impossible. I looked for days, and e-mailed every pickup maker out there.

The e-bay ones fit P-90s, like I said, But they'll work for a 7.

Did ya try Lollar?

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by Popsyche

Did ya try Lollar?

Not e-mail, but I did check his website. There was nothing on individual magnets.

I posted on the SD forum I e-mailed them, I e-mailed Wolfe Macleod, I posted on a pickup maker's forum, I e-mailed several magnet manufacturers, I e-mailed High Order Pickups, Has Sound...

Any rate, the e-bay magnets work good.

[darren]

Hm. Now i'm really curious to maybe replace the magnets in my JP7's pickups.

[The Dark Wolf]

I was immediately impressed with the Air Norton's tonal improvement, Darren. It almost sounds... fake? With a ceramic in comparison (IMO, that is). Just doesn't have that magic vibe or something. Put an alnico in, viola!

[noodles]

It seems to me that one could just pick up a bunch of 7-string Duncan Designed pickups off of E-bay, and use them for their magnets.

[Metal Ken]

TDW - You should do a pic story on changing magnets. i'm curious to see the process.

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by noodles

It seems to me that one could just pick up a bunch of 7-string Duncan Designed pickups off of E-bay, and use them for their magnets.

Hmm. That's true - although something tells me they're ceramic...

[noodles]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Hmm. That's true - although something tells me they're ceramic...

Originally Posted by seymourduncan.com

The HB-102 was modeled after Seymour's favorite humbucker combination, the USA-made SH-4 JB™ bridge and SH-2n Jazz Model™ neck set. Like the HB-101s, these pickups also use Alnico 5 magnets, but have a hotter winding spec, based on the world's most popular "hot-rodded" humbucker. The bridge pickup is Trembucker-spaced.

The HB-7 is a seven-string version of the HB-102 set.

[noodles]

Bob, did you take pics while you were doing the magnet swap? This is exactly the kind of thing that needs a write-up for the How To section.

[mefrommiddleearth]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Hmm. That's true - although something tells me they're ceramic...

....like how ceramic costs less to make?

[ohio_eric]

If you do decide to do a pic story on swapping magnets Dark Wolf do me a favor and turn on some lights. The last set you sent in of your recording room was so damn dark I nearly burst a blood vessel in my forehead from all the damn squinting.

Also if you swap out the Alnico V for another Alnico in your Air Norton I'd recommend looking for an Alnico IV instead of the Alnico II. Alnico IV have more highs and lows than the ALnico II and don't get that squishy nasally sound Alnico II does when you wind them fairly hot. Just a suggestion.

[Enmesarra]

Now I really wonder how would a X2N sound with an A5, the quietness and warmness of alnico and the might and power of X2N!! Yee-haw!!

[Popsyche]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Not e-mail, but I did check his website. There was nothing on individual magnets.

I posted on the SD forum I e-mailed them, I e-mailed Wolfe Macleod, I posted on a pickup maker's forum, I e-mailed several magnet manufacturers, I e-mailed High Order Pickups, Has Sound...

Any rate, the e-bay magnets work good.

Try Carvin. They do make their own pickups. Email their service guys.

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by noodles

Bob, did you take pics while you were doing the magnet swap? This is exactly the kind of thing that needs a write-up for the How To section.

Nope, I didn't. I should... but they're perfect now!

Originally Posted by ohio_eric

If you do decide to do a pic story on swapping magnets Dark Wolf do me a favor and turn on some lights. The last set you sent in of your recording room was so damn dark I nearly burst a blood vessel in my forehead from all the damn squinting.

You! you! And my name is Bob, butt nugget!

Originally Posted by Popsyche

Try Carvin. They do make their own pickups. Email their service guys.

Well, I could try that. But A) the e-bay mags work great (again ), and B) I'm done. I've swapped my magnets. Besides, almost no one wants to sell or give you the alnico magnets... and aren't Carvins ceramic?

Dave - I couldn't find any DD pickups on e-bay or the net, so that idea might not be so hot, even though it sounds good in theory.