I've gotten pretty bored of the Lace Sensor pickups that I put in my '69 reissue mustang. Since I bought a vintage 'stang, I've fallen in love with the stock american pickups, so I want something similar. I've been looking at Duncan Antiquities, specifically the Duo Sonic and Mustang sets. It seems that they are the same, except that the former is alnico II, while the latter is alnico V.
What kind of difference in tone and output could I expect between the two different magnet materials, assuming all other components and windings are the same? And for that matter, what would alnico III sound like?
Can I haz scienze?
alnico II vs. alnico V vs. alnico III
Moderated By: mods
Alnico V is the traditional Fender single-coil sound. Bright, wide, slightly scooped sounding.
Alnico II has less magnetic strength. The result is slightly less output, less treble, a touch more midrange, and a softer sound overall.
The difference is subtle - II is more of a fifties sound, V is more 60s. I prefer II personally because I play clean. If yr planning to use a lot of distortion, you might be better served by the better definition and output of V.
Alnico II has less magnetic strength. The result is slightly less output, less treble, a touch more midrange, and a softer sound overall.
The difference is subtle - II is more of a fifties sound, V is more 60s. I prefer II personally because I play clean. If yr planning to use a lot of distortion, you might be better served by the better definition and output of V.
Tim at Bareknuckle pickups wrote:Magnets do add to the character of a pickup although it must be understood that a magnet doesn't have a sound on it's own, it contributes by the way it accentuates certain frequencies as current is induced in the coil windings.
Alnico II is the softest and generally has a smooth bass and treble although this is more pronounced the hotter the windings get.
Alnico III is very transparent, low output and clean,sounds great for rounded fat jazz applications-typical of '50s tone.
Alnico IV is probably the best vintage tone IMHO(for humbuckers) and along with II and III was used in the earliest PAFs-this is a fact and not myth as we've had them analysed and a collegue of mine has also seen original Gibson purchase orders that clearly state AIV bar stock being purchased.The tone of AIV is balanced and extremely organic, it produces the most authentic vintage tone and sits better in slightly hotter vintage winds than AII which tends to get very soft in the bass and highs if used incorrectly.
Finally Alnico V is the hottest producing more highs and lows, great for rock applications or where power and cut are important.
