Alnico 3 vs Alnico 5 Pickups Comparison
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- In our latest video, in association with the awesome Chris Buck and his channel 'Friday Fretworks', Radioshop's Paul Best and Chris explore and compare the sound differences between the two most popular grades of Alnico Magnets featured in guitar pickups. Alnico 3 is said to be darker and softer in tone than Alnico 5, but what do you think? Please feel free to give your thoughts in the comments section below ...
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Timestamps: Chord Demos:
4:45 - Neck, Alnico 5
5:00 - Neck, Alnico 3
5:13 - Neck & Mid, Alnico 5
5:28 - Neck & Mid, Alnico 3
5:41 - Middle, Alnico 5
5:56 - Middle, Alnico 3
6:10: - Mid & Bridge, Alnico 5
6:25 - Mid & Bridge, Alnico 3
6:40 - Bridge, Alnico 5
6:54 - Bridge, Alnico 3
=================
Playing, Section 1:
7:09 - Neck, Alnico 5
7:19 - Neck, Alnico 3
7:30 - Neck & Mid, Alnico 5
7:41 - Neck & Mid, Alnico 3
7:51 - Middle, Alnico 5
8:02 - Middle, Alnico 3
8:13 - Mid & Bridge, Alnico 5
8:23 - Mid & Bridge, Alnico 3
8:34 - Bridge, Alnico 5
8:45 - Bridge, Alnico 3
=================
Playing, Section 2:
8:55 - Neck, Alnico 5
11:05 - Neck, Alnico 3
Please thumb this up if you've found this helpful.
Got to be the best Squier affinity I've ever heard ☺
That’s Chris Buck man. A log with a few strings would sound amazing in his hands
@@CesarLeon Exactly... The dude is a killer. :)
Yep, took me 6 seconds to be sure it was Chris…
Beautiful playing, could listen all day
very interesting vid.. I actually prefer the Alinico 3's in your squire. More earthy if thats a thing.. The 5's sounded a little hotter
Having owned strat pickups with both magnet types, I found the Alnico 3s great for clean or very mild overdriven tones, but lacking when trying to push my amp harder. Perfect for Mark Knopfler style playing, but not so much for SRV style playing. Alnico 5s have more of that classic overdriven strat tone that we all know and love. I’m definitely on team A5.
Chris, your playing is on another level. Alnico 3 for me but i wouldn’t mind the 5s either.
@machinegunhoratio haha, they are my all time favorite.
Yes,... the Alnico III's are darker/warmer... but i think they improve the musicality of the upper register tones.... gives it better note separation and clarity in the upper mids and highs... where the strident/punchy aspects of the V's tends to make it harsher to the ears and harder to hear note separation... I love those III's .... well done on the design and the video !! :-)
Proud alnico 3 user here: I confim
I liked the 3 better in this video. Apart from the EQ differences I think the 3's sounded clearer and more "pro"
Sorry guys, but A5 have a bigger magnetic field.It will enhance both lows and highs, is more scooped.
An A3 is only darker in highs but also transfers less bass.
People often judge pickups by their more obvious frequencies, somewhere between 1 and 3 kHz.But one can dial out or bring in treble w the tone control.Bass is a little trickier.
The higher in output, the less scooped, the more mids.
Low output( 5.3k-6.3k) A5s neck pickups have that 3d scooped sound.The bass can become an issue though.
My A5 neck pickup guitars (lp,strat,tele,es295) have a separate EQ to deal with the bass.
The best solution imo is to use either de-gaussed A5s or A4 magnets for neck pickups.
I’ve wound several sets of PAF style buckers and I really like A4 in the bridge and A3 in the neck. Seems to be the combination that does clean and overdrive very well.
Some of the most tastefull guitar playing ever - I could listen and dream away all night. Great great playing
Threes sound good for a stand alone sound, But fives sound like they would cut through better in a group setting. Some times softer more articulate pickups have a tendency to bleed in group settings. Threes in the studio, fives in a live situation.
The closer to the bridge, the more I like the Alnico 3. The closer to the neck, the more I like the Alnico 5. Balancing/offsetting the natural brightness/darkness of the strings in those positions, I guess. Overall, as you said, the 3s are darker - they diminish the high frequency sparkle, which I think works exceptionally well with the bridge pickup. On the other hand, the 5s are stronger, clearer, and extend the chime of the guitar in the neck position, whereas the 3s seemed too dull. All this is in reference to the chord playing at the beginning of the video. The differences were much less pronounced during the accompaniment section in the last half of the video, though I stand by my judgement. It's also worth pointing out that finger picking is also a softer, bassier style of playing. Using an actual pick would add much more brightness and articulation to the sound. Nonetheless, these pickups are an outstanding match to your style, guitar, and amp. What a beautiful tone! What amp was used for this? Thanks, from Texas!
Exactly the way I see it too. Really like the A3 in the bridge position. Very nice. It is a little sacrifice with the choice of one or the other. I think a good combination of A3 on the bridge , A5 for the neck with an A2 as the middle would be my choice for sound but everyone has different hearing abilities and desires for sound. Enjoy.
Yes I have one of the Parallel Universe White Guard Strats - the one with all Tele parts but a Start body (Love It!!). This comes with Nocaster Telecaster pickups. Alnico 3. And yes the bridge is amazing and the neck ..... well .... great if you were soloing jazzy stuff like Tim Lerch or soloing anything, but pretty much unusable in the band as it's too dark and gets lost in the mix. I'm hoping that my new acquisition, a Lollar Royal T will fix the problem - its Lollar's answer to someone like me that wants a Strat sounding neck pickup in a Tele. If that's no good will have to go to something like an Alnico 2 Stratocaster neck pickup. Or if anyone has the answer? Twisted Tele? Or what?
same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent comment!
Ditto
Thank you so much, very informative and great to see (and hear) an A/B test using both chord and lead playing without any extraneous stompboxes messing with the pure, clean guitar...but above all, what a beautiful, melodic and tasteful playing, and man, what a Tone (with a capital T) and touch...!!! Tone is definitely in the fingers...what amp are you using..? Greetings from Chile...!!
Excellent comparison video, thank you! I was thinking of switching to 5's, but I realise now that the warmer sound of the 3's is exactly what I am looking for. I also love pairing them with pure nickel strings on my Fender strat (with rosewood too) for a beautiful warm yet still bright sound. I even turn the tone knobs to 8 usually for that mellow sweetness.😅
Thank you man! I love Alnico 3s so a man after my own heart!
It comes down to the inductive reactance and the induction which sets up the resonant peak point and slope
Thanks for your soldering videos, it’s helped me put together my partscaster!
You're welcome! :)
Wow. Old, but this is a fantastic review! Thanks for share dude ;)
Alnico 3. Never known a pick-up like it
This demo helped me really pinpoint if that slightly refined, almost pointy top-end was the magnet type or not. I was correct in my thinking. The Alnico 3 have a sharper note attack/head, where as the Alnico 5 broadens out a bit. Nice stuff.
Glad you found it useful Michael 👍
I have a 99 South Korean made Squire.
The thing plays sooo good. I've had it for 20 years. I refretted the neck about 7 years ago because i like it that much. Originally the finish was satin and the maple was bright in color. Now its even darker than that one just from age. 90's S.K. squires are some of the best ones.
I have an '89 Squire11 I've modded with alnico 5a it sounds pretty good and yes those have the best necks.
Nice one Chris. And well done on your recent success in being recognised one amongst the best in the world, tasty classy playing, all killer, no filler. And great tones
There's an Edit mistake in video guys...
The Alnico 3 neck/middle and middle lead demos are switched.... the neck/middle didn't sound right with the Alnico 3 so rewatched couple times then noticed it wasn't the Alnico 3 that sounded weak in that famous 4 spot but the vids were switched lol...
The A3 actually sounded clearer and more airy to me. Great balance. Seems the mids were also affected.
Vould be that A3 is less output therefore more string definition and clearer sound but keeping the bass. I really loved the A3 sound..
That Squire Strat sounds like a million bucks ! Right up there with any 5K plus custom or vintage hoopla . I own two awesome Squires , a Tele and a deluxe Strat . Little bit of cash well spent yielding amazing returns . And yes I also own a usa Strat at much higher dollar cost ..... Squires can be amazing value .
Tone Driver SS: I had just bought an Affinity black Strat, set’er up really nice, then went to my local Open Mic Night day’s later. I left it laying on a bar table to fetch a beer. Someone tripped on the cable and she tumbled off, bouncing along the floor. ‘Damned thing was still in tune, save a few minor nicks and dings in the headstock and back-bottom body!
Yeah price means squat when it comes to electric guitars. There's an ideal combination of weight and neck density/mass for every style of music. Sometimes you get lucky..
The finest sounding/best instrument I own is a Dot 335 that cost me £156 off ebay .. its a crazy light block with a huge thick mahogany neck and the combination just sings. Its as loud as an acoustic unplugged and always wants to 'go' through a proper amp.
The second best a 1999 Squier strat that cost me £200 off ebay ..
Neither is stock anymore but both absolutely smoke anything else I have or have had (and sold) all the way up to R9's and PRS C24's.
I've had the pleasure of comparing boxes of guitars, all sorts of stuff from all eras and it was single digits the ones that 'had it'. A lot of the more expensive stuff is pretty average tonally, despite being obviously better quality in terms of construction. That's all you pay for at the end of the day, not tone. Just quality of fit and finish. Tone (above a certain price point) has nothing to do with price..
Never seen someone shake a strat as much as chris.
Wow. I absolutely love your playing. I think the A5 sounds off the best . Thanks for such a wonderful demonstration.
That's some sweet playing my friend
People talk about exotic woods, number of pieces in a body, etc, etc. This Squier (and the playing) proves them all wrong.
Might as well be playing a broom, ti would still sound incredible, both the playing and the pickups.
I love all guitars and appreciate the pretty woods but people go overboard with their tone wood nonsense.
Amp matters most
Or maybe.. just maybe.. your ears, like most.. are average (not great) and can’t hear it? 🤷🏻♂️
@@Rickyramos87 So now you not only need special woods from the forest of Lothlorien, but the matching elf ears to hear its angelic properties, gtfo, LoL. 🤣 cheers
I had this Squier model as a teen, same color and everything (but not the alnico :) ). I sold it to a friend back in 2005, and starting to regret it - it looks so good. Wonder what is the value of such a guitar (non-modified) nowadays - would like to make a generous offer to get it back.
5's definitely have higher output, would be interesting if you increase the gain on the 3's you get the same tone as the 5's.
I actually prefer this because you get more output distortion as opposed to overdriving the front of the preamp with a hot pickup.
I like the way the red one sounds.
Based on my experience with the alnico 3 pickups that used to come in the old Squier Classic Vibe, I think alnico 3 is much louder than alnico 5. Also alnico 3 seems to have a wider spectrum, whereas alnico 5 has a more foused beam-like sound, a narrower frequency spectrum. Alnico 3 has a lot more bass, and is more reactive to dynamics. Its chimey and gentle when played gently, and it quickly turns into a twangy screaming thing when attacked. Its not as bright as some may think; the top end it pleasant. I would love to have alnico 3 on all my Strats.
Exactly same experience here!
🚩 Thanks! I needed to hear difference from 3 to 5.. BIG Difference, my opinion. Looking for Country, 5 has a Punch, just what I needed to know! Tele
Like the alnico 3s, warmer and less harsh. 3s have a broader tone on this video. Thanks.
I prefer Alnico 3 pickups in Strats. They are lower output and much more crisp in the bridge and middle pickups but the neck pickup is so smooth for some solo work. Don’t get me wrong I love Alnico 5s as well but sometimes are a bit too shrill and treble heavy. It is super dependent on amps though.
You know you can lower your 5's and get similar results to a 3? I do that, my 5's can do whatever I want them to, especially when dialing way back on the tone knobs. I think the 5's are overall more versatile.
My ears hear a mid-scoop in the AlNiCo V, despite the bigger output. The AlNiCo III has a subtler tone, but that has advantages. IMHO, the 5 is better for hard rock. The 3 is better suited to more melodic pop and jazzier stuff. It lets the amp do the work. Both are great. Boy, Chris makes that Squier sing.
The alnico 5 sounds powerful and bright, but the alnico 3 sounds warmer even if it's weaker. In the wrong way it's also less well considered than the alnico 5 or 2.
Alnico III was only used in the 1954 Strat. Fender changed to Alnico V in 1955.
That was a great gag! Truth is he never changed pickups! 😂😂
They both sounded good to me. How much of a difference does the winding make? All I see now are 'these alnico pups are overwound (or wound hot).'
And why are non staggered relatively scarce?
Good vid, but Chris kinda interrupted and talked over Paul.
I like the sound of those 5’s, was kinda hoping the 3’s would have more clarity/definition.
I like scooped tones tho, so I’m biased.
IMO the Alnico 5 are brighter which is what I am looking for in a Strat. Thank you for doing this test.
Thank you too!
For this I prefer A5
But for the comparison between Squier CV50(A3) vs CV60(A5) I actually prefer A3
Best playing and demo-ing!
It's Generally accepted 54, 55 and 56 Strats had AlNiCo III and everything else after had V. Fender says II has the most clarity and "air". They're describing III as I would describe II, which I don't like.
Alnico 3 is probably more forgiving and not such a common strat sound. I like alnico 5 but I have maybe burnt out on that sound and prefer the feeling I got from the alnico 3's. For SRV or John Mayer the alnico 5. But for me alnico 3.
Hey chaps, your CB57 neck+middle, and middle clips are the wrong way around I think?
I’ve got Alnico 5s in my strat. Got a preloaded pick guard from Amazon. Definitely prefer them over the 3s.
I think I'd say richer rather than darker. Like them.
The difference is super subtle to my ears, but comparing the outro playing, the A3's sound more produced/compressed/mastered/smoother without any loss in articulation. Comparatively, the A5's seemed a bit pokey on the top and bottom imho. Not unlike the difference I hear between heavy formvar and enamel. I find formvar-wound Strat pickups to be generally more musical in many ways.
I appreciate you both doing these tests. I'm in the market for a Tele. Having said and tested all this great stuff... a lot of these variable are ultimate altered/enhanced in the studio anyways?
Alnico III sounds great on paper, but unless you're playing rockabilly or country, it occupies a niche sound.
Alnico Vs extended highs and deeper lows give it real authority and versatility for many more music styles especially considering that a Start isn't a powerful sounding instrument to begin with.
It can be degaused, flat poled to give as good of string balance and clarity as III if not more.
Awesome playing…awesome sound!
Wow. Those are some great tones
I think I like the original CBs the best. I'd probably even put them in a maple board strat over the 57s. It's easier to add warmths than taking it away. There is a tone control on the guitar for a reason.
You are a great player Chris, natural talent in bushels and buckets , and im a shredder
Imo. The alnico 5s sound more john mayer-ish like and the alnico 3s sound more telecaster for country
I have an A3 set in my strat and i love it but not a Christ Buck pick-ups. I think it has more dynamics, the A5 is hotter good for rock.
So basically the difference is nothing anybody would be able to hear in the mix or that couldn´t be compensated for with a slight adjustment on the amp EQ -- and way less consequential than mic placement.
A5 NECK A3 BRIDGE FTW!
amazing video!!
My goodness. Chris is the most soulful, melodic, and amazing guitar player alive today. He's surpassed John Mayer in my book. His technique is unique and incredible but that's not what makes him so great. It's his ability to use that technique to create such beautiful melodic soloing. I've played guitar for 40 years and I'm not easily impressed but this man just blows me away every time I listen to him. The pickups are great too I guess but I forgot all about them once he started playing over that loop. Unreal.
Great skils
Pretty close really but my ears had a slight preference for the A3.
Strange to call a pickup a 57 style with A3 magnets in it as A3 was stopped being used in 55. And the magnets from the era were different diameters.
Great sound & playing,making that squire sound like a very expensive guitar,guess its all in the hands of the player and thats you chris 🎸
Id liked to hear them with some overdrive
Both sound really, really great, but the 5s were most beautiful in my ears. The 3s have slightly stronger fundamentals, the 5s have slightly more complexity in overtones in the higher register..The differences are subtle, though. It is most noticeable when single notes are played, less pronounced with chords. 5s makes Buck play better, as well;)
Why no overdrive tones not everyone plays a Srat clean all the time.
Think I'd go with A5 in the neck, A3 mid and bridge... ;)
Wich ones are more versatile....? I love grunge 90's sound.....
5's more than likely. I have 5's in mine just dropped down lower than average for a more unique sound.
I have a Set of cheap Alnico V Pickups - what do you think about change the Alnico V Rod to Alnico III?
Alnico 3 sounds better at the bridge positions.
To my ear, Alnico 5 is THE Strat sound. I really wanted to like Alnico 3, but it misses something.
Beatifull playing :) what's the amp?
I would like to know too!
A5 has more range, A3 sounds a bit more compressed. It kind of reminds me of the difference between a real single coil vs noiseless. A3 has this midrangey quality
Do you happen to know the output specs on the 2021 Fender Alnico 5 Humbucker pickups?
Alnico 5 beautiful sound
How could we create a solderless pickguard just like yours?
Question: Are these the two most popular magnets used in strats up until 69? I love the sound specifically of 1957 strats and always wondered what made the pickups from that year sound so great to me.
Hi Carmelo, yes indeed - Alnico III and V were the most used up until that stage. If you like 57s then it's likely to have been Alnico III which gives a slightly darker, smoky bar room vibe. Lots of variables though - winding style could have been different, it's almost impossible to put it down to one thing really! Paul :)
@@RadioshopPickups Ok to me a 57 strat and a I vi IV V chord progression is just beautiful
@@RadioshopPickups 8
TAB please.
I wanna do that solo 😎
squier affinity ?
Yeah! Well once you put the result in peoples mind it becomes impossible to honestly tell. Blind test would have been more interesting . I agree though the 5's a brighter.
Could you make a comparaison between alnico v and sumarium cobalt pickups ?
Nice job Buck..
just discovered the channel, subbed and really enjoying it. ....i much prefer the A5 as it makes the strat sound more like a strat and in a live band mix, if it is dense, it will simply be more audible without having to reach for the master or compression. the A5's take me to a thousand different records i love, the A3's dont really "take" me anywhere...but thats just my musical DNA, everyone is different.
Thank you so much Living above :) !
5 sound brighter but the 3s have a very nice balance to them.
Hi, I look for the fatter, bassy, round warm pickups for my strat ! Which model would you recommend me , sounding straty but very fat with enhance bass ? Thanks a lot for you answer, best regards from France
Bonjour Belo! Pour le son dont vous avez ecrit, je recommenderai nos Vintage 63s, ils sont parfait a mon avis - assez de bass et le son classique du Strat :) Amicalement, Paul
How would these 57s sound with a blender pot
I love A3 single coils they are just awesome. Much greater string balance on notes
Tree Of Life and great sustain ☺
I had A3 pickups on my strat, and didn't like them. They sounded weak and flat/steryle.
Do the 3's have slightly better sustain?
Potentially, because they have less pull on the strings, there is a chance for more vibration, yes. However we never set the pickups on the 5’s close enough to exert a pull either. With the 3s you can set the pickup height a little higher and get a little bit more of a snap in the attack 👍
@@RadioshopPickupsBeen playing Lace Sensor Golds now for quite a while. Can't go back to alnicos on that guitar! They'll cost you £200 though!
Nice performance and records!! Alnico 3 is slightly darker as you mentioned. I do not know the Squier wood material is, but you played really cool strat tone with simple setting.
What amp is used in this demo?
Neck pickup ping: 7:14 (A5), 7:25 (A3)
Middle pickup ping: 7:57 (A5), 8:08 (A3)
Bridge pickup ping: 8:39 (A5), 8:51 (A3)
10:27 versus 12:15. I think I like the Alnico 3s better.
Henceforth, all my Tele’s get an alnico-3 neck, and alnico-5 bridge.
(Strat’s , 3-5-5; neck-mid-bridge).
Sweet SRVish licks, by the way!
Chris buck is that you?
I like those 3's, hmmm now ya got me thinking
Thank you Brendan! The 3s do sound very sweet in the Rosewood Strat actually! If you'd like us to get making for you there is still time to get them before Christmas 😊👍 Paul
Alnico 3 has a little less treble response than alnico 5 but alnico 5 has more treble and more output
You really need some great playing to really showcase the pickups. Most videos out there are just banging out a few standard chords and that's it, you hear nothing of the sound, nuance, response, dynamics of the pickups etc.
my personal taste is alnico 5