Changing Alnico Magnets in your pickup

[GuyBoden]

I've changed quite a few Alnico magnets in pickups over the years, here is a good video showing the method.

I prefer Alnico 2 or Alnico 3, but I've tried Alnico 5. There are other magnet types available too.

Video below, start at 40sec:

[GuyBoden]

Summary of Pickup bar Magnet types and their characteristics.

Description from Alegree Pickups UK.
Pickup bar magnets (humbucker, P90, mini humbucker or Firebird)
– Alegree


" Here's a short summary to help you choose which alnico grade is right for you -

Strength of magnets (weakest to strongest): alnico 3, alnico 2, alnico 4, alnico 5, alnico 8, ceramic 8

The stronger the magnet, the more output it will contribute to your pickup.

Roughcast and unorientated magnets will be subtlety less powerful than their standard counterparts and will have a slightly softened treble response. The large ceramic magnet will provide even more of all the attributes of the standard sized version.

Alnico 2: The vintage magnet. Popular in low output winds because of the full, sweet tone it gives. This contributes a large amount of mid range. It has a soft and musical treble response, and a bouncy, loose bass response. Perfect for anything clean or low gain. (

Alnico 3: The lowest level of output, pretty balanced and a bit sharper than Alnico 2. Tonally similar.

Alnico 4: The PAF magnet. The magnet found more frequently in the fabled PAF era humbuckers. This magnet sits tonally between alnico 2 and 5.

Alnico 5: The most popular magnet. This magnet is found in most non-budget humbuckers. It has a very tight bass response and sharp treble. It is at home in high output winds as it can contribute more treble lost in the overwinding of the coils. The precision and articulation this magnet brings to a humbucker allows it to excel in high gain applications. Also popular in low output winds where a scooped mid is desired.

Alnico 8: Alnico 2 on steroids. The highest output alnico grade. Maintains the alnico sweetness, but combines it with the power of ceramic. EQ wise this is just like alnico 2, with a very present mid range. However, unlike alnico 2, alnico 8 has a tight bass and treble response. Frankly it has lots of everything.

Ceramic: A powerful magnet. This magnet is used almost exclusively in high gain applications because of it's razor sharp treble. It has superb articulation and responsivity, making it perfect when lots of gain is used. The overwinding of high output pickups causes lots of treble loss, so the high level of treble of ceramic magnets puts back what is lost. The treble is often overbearing and too sharp in clean or low gain applications.

Neodymium: Extremely strong. It will boost the output of a pickup significantly, give it razor sharp treble and a thick, and never mushy bass end. Rarely used due to it's colossal strength, but can be extremely fun for funky experiments."

[Bobby Timmons]

That thumbnail is incorrect. Please delete that bunk info. Poles are on each long side, not each short side.

Another viable magnet is A6 which everyone disregards for some reason. It's oriented like A5 so responds similarly but is a tad dimmer with a few mids like A2.

[GuyBoden]

That thumbnail is incorrect. Please delete that bunk info. Poles are on each long side, not each short side.

Another viable magnet is A6 which everyone disregards for some reason. It's oriented like A5 so responds similarly but is a tad dimmer with a few mids like A2.

Yes, I agree, the poles are on the long side of the bar magnet, not as the video shows, but it was a very detailed video explanation.

I'm going to try a Alnico 8.

Edit: Thanks, for clarity, I've changed the video in the first post.

[Bobby Timmons]

You're welcome. Are you going to try A8 for jazz? It's very aggressive. Mostly used for rock bridge position.

A2, A3, A5, and A6 are gonna be the most viable mags for jazz.

A4, and UOA5 would be ok too.

You don't really want to use A8, A9, or ceramic for jazz.

[GuyBoden]

You're welcome. Are you going to try A8 for jazz? It's very aggressive. Mostly used for rock bridge position.

A2, A3, A5, and A6 are gonna be the most viable mags for jazz.

A4, and UOA5 would be ok too.

You don't really want to use A8, A9, or ceramic for jazz.

Alnico 2 is my fav sound, but I've never used Alnico 8, so I've ordered a magnet to put into standard PAF type pickup. (Not over wound.)

Alnico 8 are described as being similar sounding to an Alnico 2, but with a higher output, so I'd like to hear an Alnico 8.

See quote below:
"Alnico 8: Alnico 2 on steroids. The highest output alnico grade. Maintains the alnico sweetness, but combines it with the power of ceramic. EQ wise this is just like alnico 2, with a very present mid range. However, unlike alnico 2, alnico 8 has a tight bass and treble response."

[Bobby Timmons]

Although sharing a similar eq profile with A2, the resultant tone of A8 is the complete opposite. It is sterile, aggressive, and gritty, not warm, smooth, and chewy like A2. It is absolutely not a viable magnet for a jazz neck hum if that's what you're using it for. It's more for rock bridge hums. It's barely viable at all for rock neck hums. Would sound like crap for jazz lol.

A2, A3, and A5 are the best options for jazz neck hums. If you would like more variety, try A6. It is like A5 but with a slightly rounded top and some soft mids.

UOA5 and A4 are possible options, but they're a bit thinner. Worth a try if you like variety tho.

If you want to boost A2, then use a double thick A2.

[GuyBoden]

Although sharing a similar eq profile with A2, the resultant tone of A8 is the complete opposite. It is sterile, aggressive, and gritty, not warm, smooth, and chewy like A2. It is absolutely not a viable magnet for a jazz neck hum if that's what you're using it for. It's more for rock bridge hums. It's barely viable at all for rock neck hums. Would sound like crap for jazz lol.

A2, A3, and A5 are the best options for jazz neck hums. If you would like more variety, try A6. It is like A5 but with a slightly rounded top and some soft mids.

UOA5 and A4 are possible options, but they're a bit thinner. Worth a try if you like variety tho.

If you want to boost A2, then use a double thick A2.

Thanks for the Advice.

[Bobby Timmons]

No prob!