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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Alnico III vs. Alnico V

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9/22/1999 7:21 PM
Mook	Alnico III vs. Alnico V I was looking at the Fralin web site for new Strat PUPs.... What is the difference between Alnico III and Alnico V? Thanks, Mook

9/22/1999 7:26 PM
anonymous	II? ;->

9/22/1999 8:30 PM
Gus	Alnico is AL NI CO and other metals copper etc the amount of each metal as well as the construction of the magnet affect the parameters. I have a book I will try to find with the info you are looking for.

9/23/1999 12:03 PM
Mook	I guess I should have said, "what is the difference in sound between III and V"? Thanks, Mook

9/23/1999 3:46 PM

As far as I know, I haven't heard a pickup with alnico III magnets. I think you are probably referring to alnico II, not III.

Alnico V (fully charged) exhibits a stronger magnetic field than a piece of alnico II of the same dimensions. Modern day pickups using alnico II magnets usually sound smoother, a little more relaxed, and closer to what an older vintage pickup would sound like today. The voltage output is slightly lower than the same winding using alnico V blend magnets. For maximum output, they generally use alnico V magnets.

9/23/1999 8:42 PM

Alnico II and V are used commonly and have been since electric guitars were "invented" (if that's the right word...) Alnico II is the standard for P-90s and Gibson humbuckers, Alnico V the time-honored material in strats and teles, if that makes it any clearer. Of course, V in shorter, fatter bobbins would probably sound more like II, and II in thinner, taller bobbins probably sounds more like V. Seymour Duncan has experimented (rather successfully) with Alnico II strat and tele pickups, and of course the "Nashville Studio" pickups using both materials. The only person I know of who uses any other type of aluminum/nickel/cobalt magnet for pickups is Wolfetone, who uses Alnico VIII, reputed to be a scapious, airy sounding pickup. Don't know from personal experience... Wolfe McLeod used to work for Reverend Guitars, maybe he used alnico VIII on their pickups? I really don't know, and don't know of any pickups made with any other type of alnico magnets.

Hi

9/23/1999 8:44 PM
Hi	Oops, that should be "spacious". Maybe my spelling grades in school were specious? Hi

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