I like neodymium - simply because it's such a fun word to work into a conversation!
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How many really believe.
- Thread starter gary mitchell
- Start date
My understanding is that AlNiCo pickup slugs gradually lose their magnetism over time, whereas ceramic slugs do not. So the pickups in old vintage guitars from the '50s and early '60s have become a little weaker. That gradual weakening can be heard as a "mellow" or "sweet" tone which is coveted by guitar players. By contrast ceramic pickups can sound brighter and louder, which can be heard as a "harsh" tone.
Of course as others have noted the magnetic slugs are only one part of the equation, and a talented designer can make a great sounding pickup using many different types of materials.
Of course as others have noted the magnetic slugs are only one part of the equation, and a talented designer can make a great sounding pickup using many different types of materials.
When did the switch happen w/ the super ferrites? I have a 92 foundation that sounds pretty dang good to my ears.
Same here. I’ve been through a lot of aftermarket J pickups and I never chose based on magnet type. I let my ears decide what I like. After all that I’ve got an MIM J with Dimarzio Model J and another one with Dimarzio Ultra J, a couple Highway One (1?) j basses with whatever Fender loaded them with, and an old Jazz Plus with Lace sensors in it, also what Fender loaded it with. I’ve also got an Ibanez Jet King with original pickups. I’m not in love with its output but I got the thing to load with a couple of steel guitar pickups and a bunch of switches, but life came along and derailed that little tangent so it’s still as it was birthed.
+1 on the Delano Ceramics. I installed the PJ's and received nothing but compliments on their sound.
If you put all types of pickups in a row in front of me, I am not able to say which ones are made of which material.
What I can do is decide for myself, which ones sound best.
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Another thread attempting to establish the best of whatever when there is no best. Only what you prefer over something else. Make up your own mind.
I prefer the sound of Alnico pickups with nickel wound strings, thats just what my ears like. Better is very relative…is it better to drive a less powerful, but more fuel efficient car, or to drive a car with more horsepower that is less fuel efficient? All a matter of perspective.
1996, you'll see Foundations from that time wrongly listed as having " passive VFL" pickups.
They're not "VFL" but a c-5 single coil in a VFL shell. Peavey had started importing bodies/necks/hardware for US assembly so it made sense to continue their 'shared parts' policy and stick with the same pickup style across several models.
Black/Maple in the middle has the C-5 singles.
Ceramics usually use a steel slug pole pieces with Ceramics glued to the bobin looks cheap on a single coil
Some really nice pickups use slugs but on most Leo's pickups it's a big nope , in my opinion
Some really nice pickups use slugs but on most Leo's pickups it's a big nope , in my opinion
I am taking my Donner Jazz bass to Church this morning to play so I can hear those ceramics again with a band. I emailed Donner last night and ask them just what they meant when they said they had their electronic team specifically design these pickups. I know they are a little thicker than a regular Jazz pickup, they might be a humbucker. If they get back to me that will be the question. I just know they get a really good sound to my ears but again who am I . I like them a lot better than the Geezer pickups in my Ibanez but you’re talking about a whole different configuration. And they are Alnico Geezer Butler are who ever pickups . I was thinking about changing the pickups in my Donner to the cheaper Alnico but my ears and you guys have help me decide I think I will leave well enough alone . I like it the bands I play with seem to like it. I just have it in my head maybe Alnico will give me a little more edge are something but again maybe it won’t so I am going to stay with what I have .
It’s all preference. I prefer ceramic. I even have replaced all my alinco pickups. I always just kinda assumed though it’s because it’s the sound I grew up playing and now prefer. Some people like Ford and some people like Chevy. Both kinda suck these days but people will still argue one is better.
I have no idea. I don't really care either though, as long as I like the sound that I hear.
Yep, a pedal will cure all sounds! Your bass can sound like a strat !!
Yes! the makeup of Alnico and Ceramic will affect the pull on the strings and this will affect the sound.
Generally speaking, ceramics tend to be hotter than AlNiCos. I prefer a well made ceramic for this reason.
Donner doesn't have an "electronics team" that I know of. They're just a distributor of unbranded products.
They put their name on all kinds of things. Those pickups MIGHT be Roswell or G&B, but you can bet Donner had virtually nothing to do with them.
for the last few years, i probably wouldn't hear the difference between magnets, everything else being the same..
