Did Fender ever use alnico2 in jazz pickups?

[Tim1]

Just curious as I always understood that Fender had used alnico 5 in all their 60s bass pickups, yet I just read that the Fender Original pickup which goes in their vintage jazz basses is alnico 2 .....???
So did they use alnico 2 in jazz bass pickups in the early 60s?

 

[LoveThatBass]

Just curious as I always understood that Fender had used alnico 5 in all their 60s bass pickups, yet I just read that the Fender Original pickup which goes in their vintage jazz basses is alnico 2 .....???
So did they use alnico 2 in jazz bass pickups in the early 60s?

Yes they did. I personally love Alnico II. Sweeter tone than Alnico 5 but 5 is a little more articulate on the notes.
You can get Fender Vintage that are Alnico II. They are the same pickup as the Fender Vintage on the Fender American Special Jazz Bass.
$85 a set. Some places are incorrectly stating they are Alnico 5. Check Bestbassgear.com. They show them as Alnico II

http://www.bestbassgear.com/fender-pickups.htm

 

[Tim1]

Ah, so that explains why the Duncan Antiquity ones are alnico 2 also. Some on the Duncan site have advised against using antiquity ones with early Fender jazz basses as they maintain Fender always used alnico 5. They are obviously misinformed. Thanks.

 

[acebase62]

Dimarzio Area J and Area P+J sets use Alnico II.

They sound good to me.

 

[Type-55]

Duncan Antiquity 1 is Alnico 2.
Agree. They have a warmer sweeter sound than 5.