Pickup Magnets and Tone

A short run-down of the tone characteristics of each type of humbucker bar magnet. Including: A2, A3, A4, A5, A8, Ceramic, UOA5, and Rough-cast.

[@keithrowe1007]

Thanks for really clearing this up. Tone examples would be great, as they seem to be few and far between, but it's good to get a sense of what each type does to sound.

[@Stonedpimpin76]

I put an A5 in my 490R and now its the best sounding neck pup ive ever owned.

[@caiusmadison2996]

A5 is my favorite. It does nearly everything perfect.

[@lumberlikwidator8863]

I never had a computer before the pandemic shutdown in Spring 2020, so I never saw this video before. This is really helpful to me, since I build guitars but don’t wind my own pickups. I’m chasing a tone I’ve heard on recordings but never quite gotten there on my own. Thanks for the advice, and the low-key style. I’m subscribed and will be checking out your channel a lot more from now on.

[@kickpublishing]

The Spinal Tap in me wants to use A8 magnets over A5 since its 3 more

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

I want one that goes to 11!

[@blisterbill8477]

Stack an A5 with an A6 (Actually, I think that would be an 11 on the d and g but ones on the high and low e)

[@theconsortion2037]

Hahaha

[@bassfishingwiththeantichri2921]

With Neodymium, I just LOL when people start talking about their weak little magnets.

[@puppatweena]

Great info. It would be nice to hear some samples of the magnet swaps that you mentioned (like the 490r with an A5).

[@gtrvoice4Him]

Very good instruction. I mean, really usable. Thanks very much.

[@GTX1123]

Well done. This is the best explanation of pickup magnets you will ever hear - especially the differences between an A5 an UOA5 and a roughcast A5. Can you do another video and explain how pickup windings interact with the magnet they're paired with? You touched on it a bit when you talked about certain pickups like the JB and how swapping magnets can improve the tone.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

This is thee magnet guide if you ask me. Great job.

[@richardroberts6480]

I watched this video with the hindsight of my own experience and knowledge on the matter and totally agree with all that is said. It is a really useful and concise explanation of the differences the magnet type can make. The example of the Seymour Duncan Custom range is perfect, as the only thing different about them is the magnet and they all have totally different tone characteristics and feel. I have a SD Custom Custom (A2 magnet) in one guitar and a SD Custom (ceramic magnet) in another. I swapped them around from the original guitars and improved the sound of both guitars because they then better complemented the natural tone of each guitar. I never appreciated until I did this how significant the magnet is, and I also realised that it is the character of the A2 magnet I like because they are the stock pickup magnets in the Gibson Les Paul and SG Standards I own. Great informative video! 🎸👍

[@EvLoutonian]

Is the (SH-4) 'JB' humbucker very different tonally, compared to the (SH-14) 'Custom 5'? (both Alnico 5 pickups)

[@hadleymanmusic]

Would you answer less magnetic sounds better? Ive a cheap quad pickup. They got 3 bar magnets on the bottom plate . Ive wondered what sound I might get removing the center magnet

[@wyldeslash2003]

Super informative. I’m planning to trying a “ceramic PAF” and see what happens. Specifically trying a 490r and swapping for a ceramic magnet.

[@royabelrodriguezherrera6930]

I changed the A5 in a pair of USM Duncan to A2 and got a nice early VH tone. Interesting video thanks for the great info.

[@cliffb2454]

I've just swapped the A3 magnets in a pair of new Ibanez super 58 pickups for A5. Wow, what a difference. They were too bright and clean. I wanted something more like a burstbucker pro. The resistances were similar and now with A5 magnets these things rock!

[@m.a.nelson9427]

I put together a parts box strat clone, for slide. It had two awful ceramic humbuckers in fatstrat pickguard, but I found a loose A5 and A2 magnets in the junk box so I swapped them in - A5 in the neck, A2 in the bridge. Both were over-wound because you can do that with ceramic and loosing some highs from extra wire is good. The result was excellent slide pickups, warm, full mids, smooth distortion tones, just right.

[@rowlandstraylight]

Changing magnets do two things, one, you get different output, higher rated alnico magnets give you more output, and ceramic more still. Secondly alnico magnets alter the inductance of the pickup, not as much as any iron so alnico vs ceramic is a very small difference in a humbucker as the alnico in a humbucker is in an addition to the iron poles. Note that in single coils alnico replaces the iron poles, so alnico rod magnet poles are much brighter than the same coil with a ceramic magnet and steel poles.

[@DougHinVA]

good tips about 'rough' magnets and using different magnets in the same Duncan 'custom custom' pickup to get the sound you want cheaply (buying inexpensive magnets). polepiece adjustment is an easy adjustment with big benefits that nearly no guys know. And bar magnets are colored on the edge to indicate the alnico makeup (A5 is red, A2 is blue, etc.). Just be sure to insert new ones oriented just like the stock/original ones.

[@LPCustom3]

I like USA made Alnico IV magnets. Almost all current pickup makers use Chinese made magnets which are a very different formula from magnets used in vintage PAF's, P-90's etc. I like to use the A-IV's because they have more of that old sound that we like. There's only 2 or 3 pickup makers I know of who use USA/American made magnets; ThroBak, Klein & TV Jones. Chinese magnets do not sound like the vintage Gibson magnets or vintage Fender magnets and TV has his made as well to the original mixture for his Gretsch replicas. An A-2 or A-5 magnet from 1959/60 will sound very different than a current production, Chinese made magnet that the big pickup makers use

[@rickmilam413]

Very helpful. Thanks. Dumb question but I'm not sure of sources for appropriate magnets. Also have never unsoldered a cover on a covered humbucker before and a little worries about the potting. But this would be so valuable once you're in the ballpark of if a manufacturer doesn't quite hit what you want.

[@stevepethel6843]

Great ideas video ...God bless you for sharing your ideas

[@michaelmadron8654]

I was just looking at the semore duncan custom humbucker pickups . This helped me decide thanks for ite information

[@deanallen927]

Great video. One thing that's cool is when Gibson was studying George Harrison's "Lucy" Les Paul, they discovered those pickups had AlNiCo III. Makes sense, watching him play it in Let It Be, as well as when he loaned it to Clapton for Guitar Wheeps. Pretty crisp tones for a Les Paul. I might try those in maybe a Duncan 59 in the future.

[@abhinavguitar]

nice Video! I have spare MIM strat single coil Ceramic pickups lying around. Thinking of changing the magnets with Alnico 5 Slugs. (already ordered them). the current DC Resistnce is ~7 for all pickups. Excited to find out the difference once i install them with Alnico 5s :)

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

This is an awesome explanation. I recently change and A2 Smooth P90 set to A5 Rough cast and it totally changed the tone to my liking. I have set of hum buckers that have smooth A5 magnets in another guitar and they are just to ice pickey on the top treble strings no matter how I set the pickup height and pole pieces. What magnet wobble you recommend to to knock that treble down? I was thinking the rough cast A5 at first, but that might not be enough treble reduction. A4 smooth perhaps? or a A5 smooth unoriented? (Also, I don't like Alnico 2 pickups at all) What would you suggest?

[@sohosteveuk]

Brilliant. Super informative and helpful to assess my collection of guitars, spare pickups and potential combinations. Thank you!

[@Dr.Hosamtalhami]

Awesome work 👍

[@pelipetteri1]

I have done magnet swaps a lot for my own fun and many times noticed that with stock magnet pickup just sounds best, like there's some magic or something like that in the stock magnet that maybe the new magnet doesn't have. Not everytime but usually. I have tested JB, Distortion, 59's, Seth's, Pearly Gates bridge, Gibson BB3, Tokai Mk4's, Gibson 57. Lately i have tested Pearly Gates and that was best with it's own magnet too but UOA5 was pretty nice and maybe best magnet to swap in it if have to.

[@rmstevens01]

come clean, you work for Seymour Duncan and you're here doing damage control.

[@LeroyOppleman]

Or just maybe the professionals actually know what they're doing. That's why people pay for their stuff.

[@MiikeyLawless]

If they are expensive pickups, then yeah theyve been tested a million times and have found the best sound...usually. For cheap ceramic pickups...it makes a huge difference.

[@lousekoya1803]

Great tutorial , thank you ! Can I change the magnet on a F-spaced Dimarzio Super Distortion ? And where to buy ?

[@alessandrogiangio4837]

Veryn useful video. Thanx a lot. please can you suggest 2- best pickup magnet companies where to buy magnets? Thanx a lot again

[@jcsk8]

UOA5 get´s me the real tasty sound of tight bass and more creaym highs than a5. But the winding also influences the pickup EQ. I have Wolfetones Dr. Vintage and those are A2, but the bass is very tight.

[@angusorvid8840]

In my experience the magnet makes a bigger difference than the brand. I always recommend pickups to players regaring around a set of characteristics they're goiing for. In general, a ceramic mag is really the best thing for metal, to get a lot of sharp cut and push and low end clarity with high gain. But for most players I think alnico will do just fine. Yes, there are plenty of alnico pups that work great for metal, but I think ceramics really push things in the right direction. As for standard rock and jazz and blues, I think the magnet matters in a more subtle way. The most common alnico grade is 5, and I understand why it works well. The JB is a great example of a well-designed A5 pup. The Pearly Gates, the Alnico 2 Pro and the Custom Custom are all great examples of what alnico 2 can do. The only alnico 8 pup I've owned is the Duncan Alternative 8. It's like a JB on steroids but with more clarity on the low end and are more extreme top end, although not harsh. It just pushes a lot more. It's great for metal and hard rock. It has the advantages of both alnico and ceramic without the drawbacks.

[@electricritual4197]

Seymour Duncan JB is made to work with the 250k pot that's why it's so bright in a 500K

[@DIYHT]

Excellent presentation - thank you :)

[@ReddenDoom]

Sound samples on that SG 490 swap would be great, exactly what I'm after.

[@JonasSweden1]

Thank you for posting, really well explained. This was very insightful. Cheers, Jonas

[@masteronone2079]

Undertones of blackcurrant and peach aromatics with a smokey peat finish.

[@jeanlawson9133]

Refrigerator magnets.... sure will bring an old Kramer.... into Metal Zone... AIN'T IT JUST AIN'T IT 😜 lols...On more serious note... good stuff... I have experimented much in the past.... Fred's for me on the most part...😎 Enjoyed your videos content... thanks

[@rolandosoto4545]

where can I buy some of these magnets? i see A5',2's but not the others. can't wait to experment.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

I had a small child's strat copy I found in a charity shop for £15. So I bought a Chinese Floyd Rose and two humbuckers for £18 delivered (!) I took the ceramic magnets out and put A2 alnicos in, added a coil tap and they are actually really good! I've got everything from vintage Gibsons to Fender Custom Shops to Duncan Shop Floor Custom pickups. As humbuckers they stand, in coil tap they are strange but its a short scale length (520mm) and the guitar had two single coils, now its got HSH, so the magnetic fields are probably overlapping horribly, but it looks and sounds great LOL! Another thing; If you get a spare guitar and make some 'FrankenPickups' then it will always be something different to record with, giving you a one-off sound.

[@anthonycongiano8890]

Excellent! I didn't know about the unoriented A5, sometimes that vintage sound is just too bright with too much treble, especially in single coils playing on the clean channel, I might try this A5u mod. BTW the Custom-Custom was supposed to be the EVH signature pickup but the deal fell through between Eddie and Seymour... but that pickup positivity nails that early VH sound... amazing 80s tone! Thanks again!

[@montyderhak]

no it was a custom5 till someone on a forum put in a A2 mag...good try though

[@fernandoreynaaguilar1438]

A3 Alnico always reminds of Jimmy Page, he is the only one I´ve heard that uses them.

[@shawn-guitar]

Thanks for the info!! Any chance you can show us how to change the magnets, where to buy, etc?

[@willdenham]

Why does A5 seem to be the standard? At least it is with a winder I have been using. They insist on A5's for each of their repros, going to short A5 for their T-Tops.

[@davidbuzzin426]

🤓ALNICO II my fave 👍(Big fan of the GIBSON 490R & 498T)

[@JoeBaermann]

498T comes with Alnico V though

[@lorencing]

Nice vid, thanks for the info. What about putting pickups too close, how close is too close when thinking about magnetic fileds or tone of the pickups? For example I have moded Pacifica, have a Hb bridge and a Tele neck, want to put a HB sized P90 in the middle, does it matter much if I put it like 5 milimeters away from one or the other pickup or should I never put it close than 10-15 milimeters?

[@heavymetal11]

Where do you guys bought the magnet from? Can introduce some trustable source?

[@b.canpolat2182]

Great video,very informative.Thank you very much.

[@rogerowens5669]

Curiosity how can you tell what magnets is in the pickup for you go swapping it out didn't have a certain amount of polarity or something the four-year swap in the maggots out so you know which way you're going or something

[@FraJa1980]

These higher end pickups usually already sound good to me and even stock Gibson pickups don't disappoint, got the 490 series in my 01' Gibson Smartwood and i wouldn't change them but i've also played a couple of those mass produced Stratocasters from China and they sound thin as fuck.... i wonder how swapping those would turn out. They usually have cheap ceramic magnets but if one were to replace these with alnico 2 bars they should sound a lot better for a couple of bucks and a little effort, would be a fuckload cheaper than replacing them and a fun mod to do.

[@tomfoolery2082]

Is there a way to tell what # it is ? From an older strat,, the magnetic pole pieces .

[@tomfoolery2082]

Hav u tried neodymium magnets along with alnico ? Is that even a good idea?

[@OverlandOne]

Awesome information, thank you.

[@jester3xt720]

I am building my own guitar to suit my play-style Originally i am/was a bass player i have since moved over to classical nylon Flemenco/fingerstyle guitar. For my guitar project i am using the neck width which i found on a classical nylon guitar except i am using a gibson 25ish guitar scale. I will be using a TonePros Standard Locking Tune-o-matic/Tailpiece Set (small posts/notched saddles) Gold. The body is made from Jamaican Mahogany (back) and Patterned Purple heart and Bloodwood top. And lastly the nut will be made from Brass. Now, with all that being said I am wondering about pickups. I want a classical (Sink & Steel) guitar clean sound coupled with a Warm blues tone/sound Cello for bass tone French Horn for mids and Saxophone for highs..respectfully)what types of magnets would you use as a starting point in your endeavor if it was you and is it best to have the high clean sound coming more from the bridge or neck pick-up or a combination of both? My playstyle is alot of Travis picking open chords and slash chords so ringing out the low tone is essential as much sustain as possible ..hence the Brass nut. My thoughts based upon what i have researched via your video and others was Alnico V for neck pickup, and Alnico VIII for bridge Adjustable Poles in a classic Gibson Humbucker stype pickup.

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇺🇸❤ALNICO 2.......all the way....hands down !!!!!!!!

[@hadleymanmusic]

I hear so much about alnico 5?

[@davidbuzzin426]

@@hadleymanmusic 👍🇺🇲🤓i used A5's ( bridge position ) for many decades , but when I tried a A2.......I NEVER WENT BACK.......A2 RULES !!!!!!!!!

[@scottdunn2178]

@@davidbuzzin426 I was a JB diehard for decades and thought of A2 as a sloppy bottom magnet unsuitable for metal (power metal). But I have to admit the "Arena Rock" GFS (Custom Custom copy) A2 in my new SBS MS260 aren't terrible... in fact I'm actually really digging them.

[@davidbuzzin426]

@@scottdunn2178 😁KEEP ON DIGGING IT BROTHER ❤GOD BLESS ❤ & TAKE CARE XO......

[@scottdunn2178]

@@davidbuzzin426 🎸

[@thetoneknob4493]

ive ben doing experiments mixing the stock cheap ceramic magnets in combination along with alnico5 pole peaces and the results wer quite an improvement over the stock configuration.

[@stringtheoryx]

Where do you get your magnets? Can you recommend some sources?

[@mrfauk1948]

Bob Ross of guitars

[@MajorRoadAhead]

Good video. I have just fitted a set of alnico V pickups to a Squier Stratocaster. What does the V mean. Is the V the number 5 like a Roman numeral?

[@Lee-bz2xn]

yes

[@steveuleez477]

Why no retrospect to magnet strength ?

[@dimeghost243]

What if i put an extra magnet in there?

[@batmandeltaforce]

so does a stronger magnet produce a higher output? A less bright tone?

[@DMSProduktions]

Usually a bit of both.

[@songbyrdsings1]

Very wonderful, got me thinking...

[@quadraticheart8379]

i broke a ceramic magnet in my squire affinty strat and replaced it with an A2 alniko, maybe the pick up is damaged but the out put is significantly lower than the other 2 pick ups.

[@guitarguts5530]

Quadratic Heart ceramic is generally higher output than A2, but it should not be a drastic drop.

[@subzero8410]

Hi there just wanting to ask a question,well I actually put my EMG H4 and H4A both facing each other with one of it upside down when im not using it (now its stick to each other because the of magnet attraction), My question is, will it affect the humbucker in any sort of way?The EMG HZ uses ceramic tho

[@michaelcraig9449]

OK, thinkig about the best pickups you might recommend for a Fender Strat, to get like a Hendrix, Stevie Ray type tone, but not generic, talking about getting as huge a sound as possible, but not really more distorted, more like just a huge tone, all around.

[@rosskrause3926]

Older video but I will comment..for a close to SRV tone I use the Seymour Duncan SVR-1N Vintage rails in the middle and neck position(s)..when I click on the 5 way switch to the 4th position "quack" position it sounds amazing..

[@jazzydog]

Great video, thanks for sharing this.

[@RikJSmith]

Could you suggest a magnet replacement to make a Gibson 500T sound a bit more clearer and tighter like a SD JB ? After hearing the JB in my GLP , I then realized how muddy the 500T sounded. Great video !! Thanks. 🔊💻🔊

[@Kevstratocaster]

Where do you get the magnets from ?

[@dandy4547]

Would be good to actually hear the difference between some of these magnets when put into a guitar...

[@edadpops1709]

I was given 24 bar magnets,with no markings,how do you tell one from the other??

[@toolerloot]

if i am magnetizing some pickup rods i purchased, should i use a different strength magnet for each pickup/would the same strength magnet create a cloned sound among all three pickups....i am new to the customizing game

[@MythicGuitarCompany]

learned so much. thank you

[@nonames1601]

Thanks for this..Im going to change out some Chinese made pickups that I have.

[@andrewsrea]

Good video. However if your definition of 'strength' is gauss (magnetism), A3 is the weakest, A2 and A4 are usually close and you got the rest correct. I think what you are perceiving as 'stronger,' are frequencies your ears favor and this is due to the changes in inductance, conductance and resonant frequency presented by the metal composition of the magnet. But your viewers should know that you got the description of tones and perceived output correct.

[@jazzydog]

This is great video. Thanks.

[@GuilhermeSilva-ze5mk]

Do you know how to tell the thickness of the wire used in the coils of the seymour JB and 59 pickups?

[@davesaenz3732]

Good video. Thank you.

[@kkrishnanunni857]

What about using neodymium magnets for pickups

[@dinodelpuerto9585]

What would be the result if I used alnico bar magnet to a single coil pickup for strat,and the polepieces is just a steel?does it gets a good sound ?

[@runnningonempty]

THE BEST VIDEO ON YT!!!!...THANKS

[@congamike1]

Wow! I never new! Thanks!

[@claudecansse7395]

Great explanation thanks

[@10000rambos]

Cool vid. I want to put an A8 in my 59b...I've heard good things about it. I'm worried about string pull and lack of sustain. Have you found this to be a problem? Thx

[@jcarry5214]

Does dropping in an unoriented magnet cause phase issues when played with other pickups?

[@oqsy]

Great video! I just subscribed!

[@thafantazy5757]

Where do I buy this magnet at?

[@richardloyd1707]

I put some Neodymium rare earth magnets in a cheap stock first act humbucker and it made it sound like a Hz. Great vid.

[@10000rambos]

Richard Loyd Where do you get neo mags? Thx

[@richardloyd1707]

appliedmagnets.com/neodymium-block-cube-bar-magnets-c-1_12.html

[@cesarguitarra1975]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Do you think a 490R will sound good on the neck position?

[@Aceroxx02]

A 490R IS a neck pickup....

[@zebfernandez]

Hey bro, I strongly recommend you to check out Orpheus Pickups, hand wound by David Paul, the finest custom pickups in Australia! Lollar USA parts, with 20 years of experience.

[@DMSProduktions]

NO, MR. FABULOUS! HIS ARE THE SHIT! (& probably cheaper than Pauly!)

[@stanesposito2664]

What's your magnet choice for a Custom Custom? Doesn't seem to have a lot of low end, but a lot of mids. Thanks!

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Alnico five as in custom five would do the job for you

[@blackfender100]

Very good info Thank you Sir.

[@jeffreytelmo2135]

Very informative thanks 🙏

[@green323turbo]

A2..went to the market A3 .. stayed home A4.. had roast beef A5 .. had none A6.. drank too much beer A7..and went we we we all the way home

[@jamesfarrell7578]

green323turbo. Because you're a funny guy, I'm giving your comment an "A1" rating. (Got any good "pick-up" lines that might humor the ladies, too?)

[@caiusmadison2996]

Funny, but the A 5 is the virtual chameleon of piclups, so none is dead wrong. More like did all than had none.

[@margiedelay1716]

@@jamesfarrell7578 hi I'm Al. You must be Nicole. Let's see if opposites attract!

[@DoctorWhomThe1st]

So, I have a Seymour Duncan quarter pounder neck pickup on my start. I love the pickup except it's way too dark sounding. It reminds me of a muddy humbucker but in single coil form. I know you went through all these magnets but what magnet do you suggest I try to get some upper mids and treble back?

[@guitarguts5530]

I have never owned a Quarter Pounder Single Coil, but if it is built like traditional singles, there is no bar magnet to replace. Single coil have individual rod magnets which are seen sticking out of the top of the bobbin. You could try using a 300k tone pot though. That will brighten single coils up a bit without letting them get too bright. Disconnecting the tone pot from the neck humbucker will also brighten neck pickups up a little. I always disconnect the tone pot from the neck pickup and connect it to the bridge pickup instead. Strat bridge pickups need a tone pot, but the neck pickup does not for most players.

[@dogfacedboy6947]

Ummm... I'm a bit confused. You say you "love the pickup except it's way too dark sounding." Is it... really CUTE or something? Got a great personality?... I'm kinda new at this stuff, so: What part of a pickup that sounds bad in that guitar is the part you love?

[@salzulli6290]

DogFaced Boy He likes the dynamics and overall tone from it, it's just too dark. I have amps that I wish were much brighter, because the amp is too good overall to outright replace

[@gertzpalma]

THANKS, GUITAR GUTS!

[@felipec3788]

how can you know what kind of magnet a pickup has when its labelled and theres no info online jmmmmmmm

[@samuelcf97]

If it's black, it's ceramic. If it's silver looking, it's Alnico. Test touching it with a piece of metal like a screw. If the pull is weak it's a2, if it's somewhat strong it's a5. Very unlikely to find other types of alnico

[@meadish]

Auto generated subs: "Next up we have one that's not an owl Nicole makes..." (Alnico mix).

[@132petrit]

Hello, where magnets could buy?

[@rudi246]

stewmac.com

[@amadeovictorprieto5919]

Is there a difference between those magnets shown in this video and the Japanese matsumoku pickups

[@TheForce_Productions]

Price.

[@EvLoutonian]

Also interested to know about the old Japanese pickups with magnet swaps .. I have a few such as VH-1's etc

[@777Jonathan777]

Excellent video. Have you tried Neodymium magnets? Also, what are your takes on the "airbucker" mods?

[@fortj3]

I like ceramic magnet pups better than alnico, for a lot of uses. Take P90s, for instance. Ceramic P90s are brutally awesome.

[@celestelongway7315]

nice info vid! hurray