Watching this new video of yours, I'm astounded both by how incredibly competent you are; your methodology is always so clever and the way you define the goal of a test is just above the rest. It's equally perplexing how those older videos of yours seem to have no impact on how other video creators in this area of UA-cam do this kind of thing
I have researched a lot of magnet videos here on the Tube. I have come to the conclusion that Alnico II sets, Alnico IV sets, or a IV/II set is where it is at for me. Thanks for confirming my decision to go with Alnico II in my Les Paul and Alnico IV in my Eastwood Esprit.
I bought a vintage vibe pickup for my Jaguar. It's a P-90 in a Jaguar housing. I haven't put dow. The Jag since I installed it. It came with A5 installed but I bought all the magnets. I believe I'll be trying out the A2s next. Great video!!! Thanks!!!
Great demo. Although I could hear some subtle differences between magnets, it wasn't enough to make me want to swap out my ceramics just yet. Rather than spend my money on a new set of high-end pickups I think I’ll be investing in a better amp!
Really good comparison! Great illustration why I never liked ceramic pickups; too harsh and high output. Alnico 2 and 5 sound pretty much the same. Alnico 3 has audibly less output than the 2 & 5 but sounds pretty nice too.
When I played for a living, I used a Gibson SG with upgraded pickups: DiMarzios. It would have been nice to have this information back then ... for me it was just trial and error. The DiMarzios worked well for rock and also for other styles. For my ears the Alnico 5 and Ceramic 8 have the best and fullest tonal profiles. Thanks for the vid.
Very good demo. Surprisingly, I thought A-V was warmest and most balanced, followed by A-II. A-III sounded relatively thin, except in Fender Twin "Without Love" sample, where it had significantly more volume. Ceramic was definitely hotter, but seemed alternatively harsh and muddy depending on sample. If I were to choose based solely on this video, I would go with A-V.
Hi John, superb video and guitar work! You had very good control over the human factor (tempo, picking volume and position)! I like the Alnico III, it sounds brighter to me than the Alnico V in some of your examples. I should try it out in the neck position for a more equal sound compared to the bridge pickup. Do you think this would be a good idea? Cheers Sven
I actually did record sustain tests and showed a stop watch, etc- but I ended up removing from the video because it wasn't particularly conclusive - the results seemed pretty random. I think maybe that really needed a more controlled pluck impulse (to ensure they are all picked with the identical force), and I'd need a robot to do that! I've just updated my blog to include those results. Take a look: www.planetz.com/pickup-magnet-comparison/
Interesting demo. I really like A2's and A5's and it's no coincidence that they sound somewhat similar. While magnets are a big part of what shapes the sound of a pickup, there are other variables too, such as single or HB, windings, neck position vs bridge, what kind of amp you play through, what effects you use etc. All of those factors influence the resulting tone. The great thing about magnets is that it's fairly easy to swap them out so you can experiment.
Thanks dude. You have done all the hard work so we don't have to. Great to hear the magnet types being compared directly instead of reading about them.
Seymour Duncan claims the magnetized string vibrates above the coil making it conduct. Not the metal string disrupting the magnetic field. I also watched a video where a pickup with no magnets was put above the string and it sounded exactly like the pickups below in the guitar with magnets.
I have Alnico 2's, 5's and ceramics . Each type of PUP along with its magnet type pairs well with certain amps on a modeler . I recomend, before buying new pups, use your amp modeler, you can tweak a Tele PUP to shred , or a Strat to cream l like a Humbucker.
Seems like a case of flux strength vs permeability, but the output also affects the tonality of the tube amp sound. Would be interesting to hear DI recordings at the same loudness level. Then we'd really hear what's happening. From lowest to highest Flux and Permeability it normally goes: -A3: F1, P3 -A2: F2, P4 -A5: F3, P2 -C8: F4, P1
I had to use my head phones to truly hear a difference. Having said that, my ears preferred the Alnico V most, and 2nd would be the Alnico II Cheers John !
What did you think? I didn't include a conclusion at the end of the video, because I wanted to leave it up to the viewer/listener's personal preference. I did share some of my thoughts at the end of my accompanying blog post though: www.planetz.com/pickup-magnet-comparison/
What did you think? I didn't include a conclusion at the end of the video, because I wanted to leave it up to the viewer/listener's personal preference. I did share some of my thoughts at the end of my accompanying blog post though: www.planetz.com/pickup-magnet-comparison/
Watching this new video of yours, I'm astounded both by how incredibly competent you are; your methodology is always so clever and the way you define the goal of a test is just above the rest. It's equally perplexing how those older videos of yours seem to have no impact on how other video creators in this area of UA-cam do this kind of thing
AlNiCo II has been my long time favorite. Great demo!
I have researched a lot of magnet videos here on the Tube. I have come to the conclusion that Alnico II sets, Alnico IV sets, or a IV/II set is where it is at for me. Thanks for confirming my decision to go with Alnico II in my Les Paul and Alnico IV in my Eastwood Esprit.
This guys makes me feel secure as I go on this ride
I bought a vintage vibe pickup for my Jaguar. It's a P-90 in a Jaguar housing. I haven't put dow. The Jag since I installed it. It came with A5 installed but I bought all the magnets. I believe I'll be trying out the A2s next. Great video!!! Thanks!!!
The dude is back!
Great demo. Although I could hear some subtle differences between magnets, it wasn't enough to make me want to swap out my ceramics just yet. Rather than spend my money on a new set of high-end pickups I think I’ll be investing in a better amp!
Really good comparison! Great illustration why I never liked ceramic pickups; too harsh and high output. Alnico 2 and 5 sound pretty much the same. Alnico 3 has audibly less output than the 2 & 5 but sounds pretty nice too.
When I played for a living, I used a Gibson SG with upgraded pickups: DiMarzios. It would have been nice to have this information back then ... for me it was just trial and error. The DiMarzios worked well for rock and also for other styles. For my ears the Alnico 5 and Ceramic 8 have the best and fullest tonal profiles. Thanks for the vid.
I liked the Alnico V the best followed by III. Thanks for this demo, it's very helpful. I'm gearing up to buy and or modify a P90 guitar.
THANKS, JOHN! … ALNICO 3
Very good demo. Surprisingly, I thought A-V was warmest and most balanced, followed by A-II. A-III sounded relatively thin, except in Fender Twin "Without Love" sample, where it had significantly more volume. Ceramic was definitely hotter, but seemed alternatively harsh and muddy depending on sample. If I were to choose based solely on this video, I would go with A-V.
Heyyy i saw your potentiometer video and i really appreciated it now i will watch your other videos❤
Hi John, superb video and guitar work! You had very good control over the human factor (tempo, picking volume and position)!
I like the Alnico III, it sounds brighter to me than the Alnico V in some of your examples. I should try it out in the neck position for a more equal sound compared to the bridge pickup.
Do you think this would be a good idea?
Cheers Sven
Thanks Sven! Sounds like it's worth trying!
Nice test. Thanks. I was kind of hoping you would do a sustain test, with a stopwatch.
I actually did record sustain tests and showed a stop watch, etc- but I ended up removing from the video because it wasn't particularly conclusive - the results seemed pretty random. I think maybe that really needed a more controlled pluck impulse (to ensure they are all picked with the identical force), and I'd need a robot to do that! I've just updated my blog to include those results. Take a look: www.planetz.com/pickup-magnet-comparison/
I just wanted to have a good sounding guitar. Now I have to study magnetics lol
Interesting demo. I really like A2's and A5's and it's no coincidence that they sound somewhat similar. While magnets are a big part of what shapes the sound of a pickup, there are other variables too, such as single or HB, windings, neck position vs bridge, what kind of amp you play through, what effects you use etc. All of those factors influence the resulting tone. The great thing about magnets is that it's fairly easy to swap them out so you can experiment.
Thanks dude. You have done all the hard work so we don't have to. Great to hear the magnet types being compared directly instead of reading about them.
So here's your holiday!!
hope you enjoy it this time!
Seymour Duncan claims the magnetized string vibrates above the coil making it conduct. Not the metal string disrupting the magnetic field. I also watched a video where a pickup with no magnets was put above the string and it sounded exactly like the pickups below in the guitar with magnets.
you are formidable !!!! happy new year ! wish you are well watch your channel from france thank you for your work my friend
Excellent review !
I have Alnico 2's, 5's and ceramics . Each type of PUP along with its magnet type pairs well with certain amps on a modeler . I recomend, before buying new pups, use your amp modeler, you can tweak a Tele PUP to shred , or a Strat to cream l like a Humbucker.
Seems like a case of flux strength vs permeability, but the output also affects the tonality of the tube amp sound. Would be interesting to hear DI recordings at the same loudness level. Then we'd really hear what's happening.
From lowest to highest Flux and Permeability it normally goes:
-A3: F1, P3
-A2: F2, P4
-A5: F3, P2
-C8: F4, P1
6:57 all sounded great, the ceramic stood out. Running on all 8 cylinders.
I had to use my head phones to truly hear a difference. Having said that, my ears preferred the Alnico V most, and 2nd would be the Alnico II Cheers John !
Alnico II sounded best to my ears.
Pleasantly surprised by the blink 182 riff
WOW !
Alnico 3 just sounds "expensive" for the lack of a better term.
Ceramic painted a picture.
Alnico 2 is most mellow, yet it's too sandy. Alnico 3 is most balanced
The difference is mostly in volume -- so why all of this ?
Take most powerful and slap into the pickup. )))
What's the conclusion?
What did you think? I didn't include a conclusion at the end of the video, because I wanted to leave it up to the viewer/listener's personal preference. I did share some of my thoughts at the end of my accompanying blog post though: www.planetz.com/pickup-magnet-comparison/
and conclusion is......?
What did you think? I didn't include a conclusion at the end of the video, because I wanted to leave it up to the viewer/listener's personal preference. I did share some of my thoughts at the end of my accompanying blog post though: www.planetz.com/pickup-magnet-comparison/
Mini John Cooper Works 2022