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Guitar pickup magnets in a nutshell all compared The definitive word
Guitar pickup magnets in a nutshell all compared The definitive word
Okay gang, consider this a 1-part review of alnico magnets as used in guitar pickups. After finishing my epic six part deep dive on AlNiCo magnets, I happened to stumble across a pickup builder who claimed THIS on their website: "Alnico 4 magnets generate a flatter “EQ” overall which can sometimes sound bland to some players, yet have been the hidden little secret for others. This magnet tends to sit between the Alnico 2 and Alnico 5 in magnetic strength and tone – rounder lows than a 5, tighter lows than a...
Word: Music Makes Democracy ... Better!
Word: Music Makes Democracy ... Better!
Howdy gang! So this week I go back to the future, it's a return to topics I used to wax on about in the early days of this blog: How music makes the world better! Let's jump in with some hard-core scientific proof from Psychology Today! The article talks about a New Hampshire town that cut music and other programs because they are “not necessary to participate intelligently in a free government” and that using taxes to pay for them “crosses the boundary between public benefit and private...
Alnico 4 - exact composition and electromagnetic specs decoded
Alnico 4 - exact composition and electromagnetic specs decoded
Okay guitar gang, maybe I'm just crazy, okay, I am crazy, but I think this is HUGE! But first, Just in case you have not yet done so, go back and read my last FIVE (!!) blogs decoding alnico: The LowDown on AlNiCo Magnets The Mystical Magical Qualities of Alnico III Alnico II Properties - The musical Magnet Qualities of Alnico V magnets - The Magnet that ROCKS! Alnico 4, 8, 5DG, 5-unoriented, and other oddballs So, I've heard a lot of hype about Alnico 4 (...
Alnico 4 6 8 5DG unoriented alnico 5 and other odd-balls
Alnico 4 6 8 5DG unoriented alnico 5 and other odd-balls
Wow, oh wow ... what began as a simple question about the exact formulation of alnico magnets asked on the WGS forum has turned into quite the blog series! Warning: don't start reading this blog without first reading the ones leading up to this blog! The LowDown on AlNiCo Magnets The Mystical Magical Qualities of Alnico III Alnico II Properties - The musical Magnet Qualities of Alnico V magnets - The Magnet that ROCKS! Okay, ready to read on? Then let's dive in...
The tone of alnico V (5) magnets in guitar pickups - alnico V vs Alnico II
The tone of alnico V (5) magnets in guitar pickups - alnico V vs Alnico II
Wow, what an alnico ride we have been on so far! Just in case you have not, I recommend you begin by reading parts one, two and three of this series to get up to speed on all things alnico! Or, if you JUST want to learn a little more about the tone of Alnico V (A5), then feel free to jump right in right here! In the mid 1950's, Alnico grade 5 was a BIG deal! Alnico formulations 1, 2, and 3 were already revolutionizing the world of electronics, and of particular interest to we musicians,...
The qualaties, properties, and tone of Alnico II (2) the musical magnet
The qualaties, properties, and tone of Alnico II (2) the musical magnet
Okay, so you are officially reading part THREE in my series on the different grades of Alnico, You might just want to start with part one, where alnico in general is broken down into historical context, and also part two, which discusses the properties of "alnico" III, the weakest of all produced alnico grades. But this time around we are going to discuss alnico II, my personal favorite of the alnico family. Why is it my favorite?? Let's discuss THAT! For reference is the chart of the...
the mystical magical qualities of alnico 3 / iii guitar pickups
the mystical magical qualities of alnico 3 / iii guitar pickups
Howdy guitar friends!! The next four or so blogs are ALL going to start with THIS statement: Before you read this blog, at least skim over this blog explaining exactly what AlNiCo (alnico) magnet material is and how the grades of alnico compare to each other as well as the other magnet materials commonly found in guitar pickups and speakers. Now it's time to do a little deep diving into the individual AlNiCo grades commonly found in pickups and speakers. Let's start with the very first formulation to be readily used...
The Differences between catagories of alnico magnets Alnico II vs Alnico V and more!
The Differences between catagories of alnico magnets Alnico II vs Alnico V and more!
Howdy guitar gang! Today we start our conversation on the somewhat "Black Magic" topic of AlNiCo magnets; their composition, qualities, and what that means to their tone. AlNiCo magnets go all the way back to their development in the 1930s. AlNiCo magnets get their name from what they are made of and that would be the metals aluminum, AL, nickel, NI, and cobalt, CO along with iron and other trace elements. In the blogs that will follow this one we will get into the individual qualities of the various grades of...
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July!
This Fourth of July weekend, Warehouse Guitar Speakers, All Pedal, and Vaughn Skow Guitar Pickups join in honoring our nation and celebrating our collective commitment to liberty and freedom for all. We wish you a safe and fun Fourth of July filled with bright and musical moments with family and friends. Chuck Berry said it best: "I'm So Glad I'm Living In The USA!".
Vintage Guitar Amps, a Hedge Against Inflation?
Vintage Guitar Amps, a Hedge Against Inflation?
Howdy guitar buddies! If you have not thus far, go now and read last weeks blog to get up to speed on WHY we all need to figure out how to financially survive the next year or so. Last week I gave you my take on the viability of trading your rapidly eroding fiat/fake dollars into the hard asset of a vintage guitar. Just like last week, I must issue this disclaimer: the views in this blog are mine and mine alone, I speak for other individual or company!!! Got that?? Okay, now... lets roll! If you have been...