Ever tried CERAMIC magnets in a P-94 neck?

[LtKojak]

The subject says it all...

I find my P-94n way too muddy, even though it has A5 magnets, so i thought trying some ceramic magnets I've got...

Or, if someone have tried ceramics on a Phat Cat neck?

Any experiences to share, anyone?

I'm all ears!

[LtKojak]

Asking too much, am I...?

[blueman335]

DMz uses a ceramic in their neck Bluesbucker HB (have one, it sounds great), and Duncan uses ceramics in some of their P-90's. Nice to see manufacturers getting away from the limited "ceramic in a bridge HB" way of looking at things. Could be ceramics have a lot more uses that should be explored.

I'm just doing my first alnico/ceramic pair now myself, in a bridge P-90. A ceramic could add some desirable tone & output traits paired with an alnico. The alnico would add mids and take off the harshness of a ceramic, while the ceramic would add output & punch. There may be times when that's just what the doctor ordered.

Go for it, and report back.

[LtKojak]

I'm just doing my first alnico/ceramic pair now myself, in a bridge P-90. A ceramic could add some desirable tone & output traits paired with an alnico. The alnico would add mids and take off the harshness of a ceramic, while the ceramic would add output & punch. There may be times when that's just what the doctor ordered.

Go for it, and report back.

Wow, great minds think alike, so to speak

Looks like I've got a good project for the near future... together with an A8 Jazz bridge, JB and Gibson Dirty Fingers.

I'll keep the forum posted.

[Zhangliqun]

No harm in trying but I think two ceramic magnets at the neck position might get muddy (ceramics add a lot of bass) and on top of that, you may get some string pull/warble problems.

[blueman335]

No harm in trying but I think two ceramic magnets at the neck position might get muddy (ceramics add a lot of bass) and on top of that, you may get some string pull/warble problems.

You can lower the neck P-94 a bit to prevent string-pull; it'll still have enough volume. Try it with one ceramic, and then two ceramics. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about what they do to the tone & output.

[LtKojak]

Try it with one ceramic, and then two ceramics. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about what they do to the tone & output.

Ok. Will do. I'm curious too.

BTW, does it matter what magnet goes in what side of the screws?

[Zhangliqun]

Yes, same pole on both magnets facing in, either both Norths touching the screws or both Souths -- not North facing South. They must repel each other.

As for whether they should be both North or both South, whichever one works such that it is in phase with the other pu(s) in your guitar.

[Aceman]

bah

[oilpit]

P90 + Ceramic Mag = The most epic failure ever to happen to the world...

[blueman335]

P90 + Ceramic Mag = The most epic failure ever to happen to the world...

Wrong. Duncan has some ceramic P-90's; I have one in a Casino, and it sounds nice, and I'm not normally a ceramic fan (I'm a blues player). You might want to keep a more open mind on things. Lots of surprises around here.

[Sludgenutz]

I threw a couple ceramics in a P-Rail bridge, and they are staying. The volume knob is still useable.

I use an Anderson H1 in the neck of my Epi LP. It runs 6.3K, installed. It has a ceramic mag, and sounds great.

My Epi Iommi runs ceramic (supposedly)/AlNiCo mags, in the neck. The AlNiCo is epoxied beneath the baseplate!



People should run with whatever they feel. Screw anything but actual results.

[LtKojak]

BTW, does it matter what magnet goes in what side of the screws?

Yes, same pole on both magnets facing in, either both Norths touching the screws or both Souths -- not North facing South. They must repel each other.

As for whether they should be both North or both South, whichever one works such that it is in phase with the other pu(s) in your guitar.

Agreed, Zhang. The question was about Blueman335's suggestion of mixing magnets... so what I meant to ask was if it mattered what magnet (ceramic or alnico) went to what side of the p'up, if it could be a difference in tone if I install the ceramic closest to the neck and the alnico closest to the bridge or viceversa.

In theory, it should be the same (the screws are conducting the magnetic flow from the magnets); but if there's something I've learned in p'up modding is that the variables are so many that what you think it should be the outcome it rarely is what you get out of it... so I just ask the guy that was there before me.

Nothing beats experience.

[blueman335]

what I meant to ask was if it mattered what magnet (ceramic or alnico) went to what side of the p'up, if it could be a difference in tone if I install the ceramic closest to the neck and the alnico closest to the bridge or viceversa.

In the neck this doesn't have much impact, which magnet is on which side, and percentage-wise, the coils are almost the same distance from the bridge & string energy is almost the same. In the bridge PU, the one coil, or magnet, is almost twice as far from the bridge as the other, so this is where it makes a difference what you do with HB's & P-90's.

[Zhangliqun]

It doesn't make AS MUCH of a difference in the neck, but it does matter some. The side facing the neck has more of a flutey "loo-loo-loo" tone while the bridge side is bit more toward a middle-pu-like "guh-guh-guh".

But it does matter a lot more on the bridge for the reason Blue gives.

[blueman335]

It doesn't make AS MUCH of a difference in the neck, but it does matter some. The side facing the neck has more of a flutey "loo-loo-loo" tone while the bridge side is bit more toward a middle-pu-like "guh-guh-guh".

Do your guitars really makes those kinds of noises? Or are you using a voice box?

[Curt]

ha!

[Zhangliqun]

Do your guitars really makes those kinds of noises? Or are you using a voice box?

Yes. And my Strat literally quacks and clucks enough that Animal Control has been called to my apartment on occasion.

[LtKojak]

The side facing the neck has more of a flutey "loo-loo-loo" tone while the bridge side is bit more toward a middle-pu-like "guh-guh-guh"

Can I have some of whatever you're getting...?

Pretty please...?

[uOpt]

The P-94 just stinks. And given how high it is it is unlikely that you problem is that the magnet is too close to the strings.