Alnico 6 samples are in...

[Zhangliqun]

...will try them out this weekend. Stay tuned for a tone report...

[Faraday]

...will try them out this weekend. Stay tuned for a tone report...

Ohno, just when I am ready for A8, along comes another. Thanks for keep pushing us Zhang! Let us know.

[Fusion1]

Interesting zhang. Where did you find A6?

[Gearjoneser]

I'm wondering if they have the same basic tone as A5, a tiny bit more oomph, but not the same string-pull as A8? I'm just assuming, as I've never tried A8.

[OlinMusic]

I be majorly curious, homey

[Zhangliqun]

I'm wondering if they have the same basic tone as A5, a tiny bit more oomph, but not the same string-pull as A8? I'm just assuming, as I've never tried A8.

Just popped it in an O-bucker last night and you're pretty close. It originally had an A3 in it so you can imagine the change.

My first impression is that it's not the right magnet for this pickup or hotter wound buckers in general, it was strong but kind of dark -- though I may change my mind when I try it again this afternoon (changed strings last night).

But more specifically:

OUTPUT: Like a hotter Alnico 5 but not as hot as A8.

TONE: Like A5 but without the mid scoop -- mids are very solid, kind of like A4 but beefier (probably its best over all quality) and with more bass. Possibly a little darker on top than A5, but don't hold me to that until further evaluation with the new strings. You might call it Alnico 8 "Lite", but it's definitely brighter than A8 though.

Still first impressions, but I think A6 might be used best in making a very underwound bridge bucker, say 7.0 to 7.5k for the ideal combination of vintage shimmer/sparkle and beef. Could make a low-7's bucker sound like a 9.5k with Alnico 2 or 3, but possibly with a clearer, P90-ish top.

(I was thinking the same thing for Alnico 8 earlier, but its ideal DCR range would probably have to be dropped to 6.5-7.0k, and possibly use #41.5 or even #41 wire to make sure the coil wasn't too skinny.)

I will wind something like that (7.5k/A6) soon, probably in the next week, and give a further tone report. So again, stay tuned...

[Faraday]

Just popped it in an O-bucker last night and you're pretty close. It originally had an A3 in it so you can imagine the change.

My first impression is that it's not the right magnet for this pickup or hotter wound buckers in general, it was strong but kind of dark -- though I may change my mind when I try it again this afternoon (changed strings last night).

But more specifically:

OUTPUT: Like a hotter Alnico 5 but not as hot as A8.

TONE: Like A5 but without the mid scoop -- mids are very solid, kind of like A4 but beefier (probably its best over all quality) and with more bass. Possibly a little darker on top than A5, but don't hold me to that until further evaluation with the new strings. You might call it Alnico 8 "Lite", but it's definitely brighter than A8 though.

Still first impressions, but I think A6 might be used best in making a very underwound bridge bucker, say 7.0 to 7.5k for the ideal combination of vintage shimmer/sparkle and beef. Could make a low-7's bucker sound like a 9.5k with Alnico 2 or 3, but possibly with a clearer, P90-ish top.

(I was thinking the same thing for Alnico 8 earlier, but its ideal DCR range would probably have to be dropped to 6.5-7.0k, and possibly use #41.5 or even #41 wire to make sure the coil wasn't too skinny.)

I will wind something like that (7.5k/A6) soon, probably in the next week, and give a further tone report. So again, stay tuned...

I have an A8 in my 59B so this A6 sounds like I must ...have...now! OK *&@#%^, where do I find one. The orders are about to pour in...awesome post again from the Z-man. Keep pushin the tonal boundaries.

[gripweed]

Just popped it in an O-bucker last night and you're pretty close. It originally had an A3 in it so you can imagine the change.

My first impression is that it's not the right magnet for this pickup or hotter wound buckers in general, it was strong but kind of dark -- though I may change my mind when I try it again this afternoon (changed strings last night).

But more specifically:

OUTPUT: Like a hotter Alnico 5 but not as hot as A8.

TONE: Like A5 but without the mid scoop -- mids are very solid, kind of like A4 but beefier (probably its best over all quality) and with more bass. Possibly a little darker on top than A5, but don't hold me to that until further evaluation with the new strings. You might call it Alnico 8 "Lite", but it's definitely brighter than A8 though.

Still first impressions, but I think A6 might be used best in making a very underwound bridge bucker, say 7.0 to 7.5k for the ideal combination of vintage shimmer/sparkle and beef. Could make a low-7's bucker sound like a 9.5k with Alnico 2 or 3, but possibly with a clearer, P90-ish top.

(I was thinking the same thing for Alnico 8 earlier, but its ideal DCR range would probably have to be dropped to 6.5-7.0k, and possibly use #41.5 or even #41 wire to make sure the coil wasn't too skinny.)

I will wind something like that (7.5k/A6) soon, probably in the next week, and give a further tone report. So again, stay tuned...

Hmm.. I wonder what a6 would do to a Jazz...

Did you get the magnets from a Duncan lipstick?

[Zhangliqun]

SECOND IMPRESSIONS:

It's brighter than I thought, still not quite right for the O-bucker, but I popped it in an 8.2k slugbucker and it sounded really good. For my ear it could use just a little more sparkle and shimmer when played clean and sizzle when overdriven but most of you would probably like it as is because I like my pu's a little brighter than most.

Anyway, that indicates that the ideal DCR range for A6 can be raised a bit, to mid to high 7's/low 8's on a wind that's about 0.5k slug-heavy, maybe even higher on a bucker with matched coils. I will still try it in a +/-7.7k Slugbucker at some point and see if that satisfies my shimmer/sparkle cravings.

The first impressions on the midrange held up. The mids are very solid, its best feature, which is often A5's weak point, depending on the pickup and guitar A5 is in, of course. It's a genuine alternative to Alnico 5 when you want just a little more power and more mids.

The bass can get slightly boomy, but to me, just dropping the low E pole piece significantly lower than the rest has always solved that problem in any pickup I've used.

SOURCE:

I didn't get the A6 from a Duncan Lipstick as originally planned. I searched for magnet vendors on the net and sent out e-mails to about half a dozen. Magnetic Hold, Inc., was the only one that responded and they sent me some free samples, but only because I told them that if I liked them, I'd probably be buying from them in semi-significant quantities down the road, which is true. I also told them that depending on their pricing and terms, I might be buying all my magnets from them. (Allstar Magnetics doesn't have A6 very often and when they do, they only sell it in quantities that would take me 30 years to use!)

In other words, for those interested in just one or two A6's, don't contact them and raise false hopes about future large orders if you never intend to place any just to get some free samples -- that would not be cool and would reflect very badly on me.

Probably the best way to get some A6's in small amounts right away is to pool your orders to at least about 50 magnets and maybe offer them $5 a unit. I'm just guessing, grabbing numbers out of the air, so take that with a grain of salt. I don't know what kind of minimum they'd be willing to work out but it might be worth a look.

If you want me to buy some extra for you with my next order, you might have to wait a while because I have everything I need at the moment, plus I need to work out pricing and minimum orders with them, so I may end up not going with them at all if their terms aren't viable for me. But the gal I e-mailed back and forth seemed pretty friendly, so probably it'll work out.

[Zhangliqun]

Hmm.. I wonder what a6 would do to a Jazz...

Would definitely fill out the mids and add a touch more bass.

[Fresh_Start]

How do you think A6 (or A4) would do in a Heritage 535 that's currently loaded with Antiquities?

I love the neck pup, but the bridge seems like just a thinner version of the neck. Something with more output and tighter bass might be just the ticket...

Thanks for any thoughts,

Chip

[BlueGuitar]

Thanks for your reviews!

As for us getting the bar magnets, would you be interested in brokering the deal? I'll take an even dozen...

Yeah I know it could be a real hassle but let us know.

[hamerfan]

I always have problems to call the A8 to be darker than - lets say - a A4 and a A5. It a kind of attack thing - the A8 is a little bit darker in the highest registers - but most of that Darkness comes out of a softer attack like a A2/A3.
The A5 has the sharpest attack besides the thin Ceramic i have. This was made perfectly clear to me since i changed the magnet in a JB to a A8, than a A3 and finally a Ceramic. This is the attack thing which made the Ceramic even harsh and overpowering sounding.
Since i realized that i'm into thinking (what a forum buddy stated once) it is a function of the different shapes of the magnetic fields. Check out Stephen Kerstings new graphics (sk guitar specialties website).

[OlinMusic]

Zhang

our schedules work sooooooooo opposite each other
lol whne you are tied up, I am free vice versa

So how would a Custom 6 sound?

[gripweed]

I always have problems to call the A8 to be darker than - lets say - a A4 and a A5. It a kind of attack thing - the A8 is a little bit darker in the highest registers - but most of that Darkness comes out of a softer attack like a A2/A3.
The A5 has the sharpest attack besides the thin Ceramic i have. This was made perfectly clear to me since i changed the magnet in a JB to a A8, than a A3 and finally a Ceramic. This is the attack thing which made the Ceramic even harsh and overpowering sounding.
Since i realized that i'm into thinking (what a forum buddy stated once) it is a function of the different shapes of the magnetic fields. Check out Stephen Kerstings new graphics (sk guitar specialties website).

I agree. I don't think my Seth has less bass or highs than a '59, but it is a softer (some say spongier) bass. It does have more mids than a5 however.

I'd also be interested in getting in on an order of a6. Maybe we could do a thread on the trading post to see who else is interested?

[Zhangliqun]

Zhang

our schedules work sooooooooo opposite each other
lol whne you are tied up, I am free vice versa

So how would a Custom 6 sound?

It would definitely have more mids than a Custom 5. Maybe just a little less bright, but since you bury your pole pieces, you could compensate for that easily by raising them some. The bottom might be a little boomy though.

[gripweed]

It would definitely have more mids than a Custom 5. Maybe just a little less bright, but since you bury your pole pieces, you could compensate for that easily by raising them some. The bottom might be a little boomy though.

Sounds like it might fix that scooped sound that the C5 is criticized for.

[Zhangliqun]

It might.