Magnet Size/width

DMace · November 22nd, 2008, 12:14 AM

Does it make a difference? I don't mean whether the pickup magnets are alnico 2 or 3 or 5, I mean the visible size of of the magnet on the top of the pickup. How does the surface space underneath the string affect tone?

Staggered Mag · November 23rd, 2008, 07:29 PM

The bigger the magnet generally means more of a charge. The stronger the magnet more output and high end can be expected.

Zhangliqun · November 23rd, 2008, 08:46 PM

Wider rod magnets will give you a wider tone.

Don Mare · November 23rd, 2008, 11:29 PM

Focus is why I think Leo used the .200" to .187" AlNiCo Rods & not blades
or a flat bar like a Hershey Bar - its so they would capture the individual string better -
compare a Strat to A Harmony Stratotone one day if you ever get that chance - and you hear it - theres this out of focus Blur on the Stratotone
and with the Strat its not the case it has that distinct focus of the rod.
another reason Fenders were an Instant Hit with musicians..

Theres some sound difference between .187" and .200"
I never use .187"'s - I always get the early 50's magnets .194" to .200" was the specs
I think target was .197" and the tolerance allowed was .005" + or -

I like the slightly fuller bigger sound of .197"'s

that extra .010 is controversial some say they cannot hear any difference - some claim they really can tell a difference - I think I can..
\

theres one more!~ Its the .250" Rods found on some Basses and the Duncan 1/4 pounders

DMace · November 24th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the info, guys. I was wondering because I noticed that my '52RI bridge pickup has larger magnet faces than my Stuart Lapwrap. I didn't know how significant that detail was, and I was curious whether the original Broadcaster pickups had the smaller magnets of the Stuart or the larger-faced magnets of the '52RI.

November 22nd, 2008, 12:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
DMace Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,054	Magnet Size/width Does it make a difference? I don't mean whether the pickup magnets are alnico 2 or 3 or 5, I mean the visible size of of the magnet on the top of the pickup. How does the surface space underneath the string affect tone?

November 23rd, 2008, 07:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Staggered Mag Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 105	The bigger the magnet generally means more of a charge. The stronger the magnet more output and high end can be expected.

November 23rd, 2008, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zhangliqun Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Age: 44 Posts: 133	Wider rod magnets will give you a wider tone.

November 23rd, 2008, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Don Mare VENDOR Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: CA. Age: 51 Posts: 768	Focus is why I think Leo used the .200" to .187" AlNiCo Rods & not blades or a flat bar like a Hershey Bar - its so they would capture the individual string better - compare a Strat to A Harmony Stratotone one day if you ever get that chance - and you hear it - theres this out of focus Blur on the Stratotone and with the Strat its not the case it has that distinct focus of the rod. another reason Fenders were an Instant Hit with musicians.. Theres some sound difference between .187" and .200" I never use .187"'s - I always get the early 50's magnets .194" to .200" was the specs I think target was .197" and the tolerance allowed was .005" + or - I like the slightly fuller bigger sound of .197"'s that extra .010 is controversial some say they cannot hear any difference - some claim they really can tell a difference - I think I can.. \ theres one more!~ Its the .250" Rods found on some Basses and the Duncan 1/4 pounders

November 24th, 2008, 09:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
DMace Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,054	Thanks for the info, guys. I was wondering because I noticed that my '52RI bridge pickup has larger magnet faces than my Stuart Lapwrap. I didn't know how significant that detail was, and I was curious whether the original Broadcaster pickups had the smaller magnets of the Stuart or the larger-faced magnets of the '52RI.