Ceramic vs Alnico pickups - your preference and why?

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Trenchant63

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I’ve slowly come to the realization that I prefer ceramic/ferrite magnet pickups vs Alnico. I’m not a metal player (more classic rock, pop, jazz, etc), but I feel I’m more in tune with the sound of ceramic pickups. As an example - I have Lace pickups in my Strat, MFD pickups in my G&L ASAT. My other Strat has Alnico along with my Gibson. The Alnico 5 based pickups seem less punchy with less full bass than the ceramics. I also find the ceramics more immediate and “snappy”/articulate. Anyone else experience this or prefer the opposite?
 

mandoloony

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I don't care about magnets.

I don't care about windings.

I don't care about wire size, insulation, base plate material, cover material, plating, potting material, scatter winding, or what the builder had for breakfast. I can't hear most of these nit-picky differences and I don't believe that most other people can, either - certainly without a controlled A/B comparison, which almost never happens.

I care about how the pickup sounds in a particular guitar. And how it looks, because red cars go faster.

Generalizing about one property when there are half a dozen important ones is misleading at best.
 

Trenchant63

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I don't care about magnets.

I don't care about windings.

I don't care about wire size, insulation, base plate material, cover material, plating, potting material, scatter winding, or what the builder had for breakfast. I can't hear most of these nit-picky differences and I don't believe that most other people can, either - certainly without a controlled A/B comparison, which almost never happens.

I care about how the pickup sounds in a particular guitar. And how it looks, because red cars go faster.

Generalizing about one property when there are half a dozen important ones is misleading at best.
Yeah you’re right. Magnets have zero influence in the sound. I’ve been misled.
 

mandoloony

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You mean you think magnets impact a guitars sound? If so - why would you say my post was “misleading at best”? Would “at worst” imply I’m deliberately deceptive? Now I’m really confused….
Generalizing about ceramic vs alnico is misleading because it's one of many factors that influence the sound. Unless you're 1) comparing specific types of alnico and ceramic, and 2) A/Bing otherwise identical pickups in the same guitar as a point of comparison, it's like debating what size tires make the fastest car.
 

bottlenecker

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I wouldn't swear off a magnet type or assume one couldn't work in a pickup I like, but in my experience ceramic magnet pickups are less responsive. The two examples you gave, MFD and lace (I have no idea what's in lace sensors), are pickups that make a sound I usually like, but when I play them they just make that one sound no matter what I do. They flatten the differences in sound I try to get with different things I do with my fingers. In contrast, the pickups (and amps) I like make those differences more pronounced. The response is more important to me than overall EQ characteristics.
 

Trenchant63

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Generalizing about ceramic vs alnico is misleading because it's one of many factors that influence the sound. Unless you're 1) comparing specific types of alnico and ceramic, and 2) A/Bing otherwise identical pickups in the same guitar as a point of comparison, it's like debating what size tires make the fastest car.
To make sure I’m tracking here, you’re asserting that it would not be possible to discern a sonic difference across different models of pickups attributable to the magnet type alone (e.g. Alnico vs Ceramic). Do I have this correct?
 

mandoloony

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To make sure I’m tracking here, you’re asserting that it would not be possible to discern a sonic difference across different models of pickups attributable to the magnet type alone (e.g. Alnico vs Ceramic). Do I have this correct?
No. I'm saying you can't change multiple variables and attribute the results to one of them. I'm also saying it ultimately doesn't matter what kind of magnet is in your pickup as long as you like the sound.
 

Swirling Snow

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I’ve slowly come to the realization that I prefer ceramic/ferrite magnet pickups vs Alnico. I’m not a metal player (more classic rock, pop, jazz, etc), but I feel I’m more in tune with the sound of ceramic pickups. As an example - I have Lace pickups in my Strat, MFD pickups in my G&L ASAT. My other Strat has Alnico along with my Gibson. The Alnico 5 based pickups seem less punchy with less full bass than the ceramics. I also find the ceramics more immediate and “snappy”/articulate. Anyone else experience this or prefer the opposite?
Slowly... though I don't want to admit it. ;)
 

Danb541

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For single coils I seem to like alnico better, that said I did have a MIM ceramic strat set that sounded really good. For humbuckers it doesn't make much difference to me. I like them equally and have a hard time telling the difference. For example, I love the Dimarzio super distortion humbucker and it's ceramic. I also like PAF type humbuckers, Ibanez Super 70's are alnico and excellent. I think the alnico sound better for cleaner tones. Ceramic seem to excel at higher gain type stuff. Both alnico and ceramic can be great or terrible. The magnet is just part of the pickup.
 

Trenchant63

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No. I'm saying you can't change multiple variables and attribute the change to one of them.
I think you meant to say yes. Your statement agrees with what I just said. I disagree, but I can’t prove it scientifically. I think the magnet type is big enough variable that can be noticed across pickup models, other changing variables, etc. so we’ll have to agree to disagree. My post was not misleading and is a valid question IMO until proven otherwise.
 

mandoloony

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I think you meant to say yes. Your statement agrees with what I just said.
Wow, you really failed out of troll school, huh? Seriously, if you're going to just make stuff up about what other people wrote, when it's all visible for everyone to read, things aren't going to go well for you.
 

Diminished7

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Typically Alnico 2 & 3 for the sound and response characteristics. On the A5 front, I prefer a slightly degaussed A5 just to take a little of the sometimes hard feel and some harshness that can be there just due to the scooped and upper mid spike nature.

Again just speaking generally. As with anything there is no absolute.
 

Trenchant63

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Wow, you really failed out of troll school, huh? Seriously, if you're going to just make stuff up about what other people wrote, when it's all visible for everyone to read, things aren't going to go well for you.
I leave it others to judge. I don’t troll - I debate calmly and logically without taking alternative viewpoints personally. Note - I have not once insulted you in the slightest. I’ve engaged in a spirited debate.
 

Happy Enchilada

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Depends on what you're after.
I used to swear by my LP doublecut with a SD "Custom" (ceramic) in the bridge, and '59 (AV) in the neck.
But I've gotten away from the ceramics because they're not my style any more - too harsh.
I like AVs and my next HB guitar will most likely have A4s. A2s still don't flip my skirt up.

What I really enjoy of late is P90s. They come in various flavors from mild to extra spicy.
I am finishing up an Agile LP killer with Lollars in it (Low Wind neck, Standard bridge).
I have an Indonesian Hamer Junior with a Lollar Standard in it that wails.

So it's like anything else - say rifle calibers - get what works for that which you intend to do.
From the sound of it, OP, Ceramics would do you just fine.
It comes down to personal taste and musical genre.
 
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