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The same polarity of each magnet should be positioned towards the center metal spacer. If both magnet poles are facing the center metal spacer are South, then the adjustable pole piece will also be South. If both are North, then the adjustable pole will also be North. If they are both opposite facing the metal…

I’ve noticed that on earlier Fender pickups the polarity of the pickups often varied from North to South and North again. I’ve seen old Telecasters with a North bridge pickup and a South neck pickup. The older switching and wiring on the early Centralab 1452 Lever switch didn’t have both pickups on at the same…

There are several ways to determine the polarity of your pickups. In humbuckers made by Gibson and Seymour Duncan each bar magnet has a black line on the edge and that is used to represent the “North” polarity of that side of the magnet. The other unmarked side represents the “South” polarity. Normally on Gibson…

The polarity will need to be determined and re-magnetized opposite on pickups with rod magnets. Bar magnets used in humbucking style pickups can normally be removed from a pickup and flipped over 180° and reinserted to reverse the phasing. Reversing the phasing in a pickup will only be noticed when being used with another pickup….

Dry granules of Alnico material are compacted under high pressure in metal dies and is used for lower grade Alnico’s. Sintered Alnico magnets has a different chemical composition as compared to cast Alnico’s. Some of the various grades are: Sintered Alnico 2 10 Al, 19 Ni, 13 Co, 3 Cu, Bal. Fe. Sintered Alnico 5…

After the magnets are molded they are heated to 935°C (± 5°) and cool in a magnetic field of proper shape and intensity. They are then held at 1290°C (± 5°) for the required time and held for one hour at 627°C (± 5°) and four hours at 550°C (± 5°). The magnets leave the…

Rod magnets are made very similar to the Alnico bar magnets with the exception of many rods approximately 6.5 to 11.5 inches long inserted into sand, removed and the molten magnet is poured in each cavity. Typical rod magnets used in pickups with the diameter of .187″ start out at approximately .194″ in diameter. For…

All grades of cast Alnico magnets can be made by Shell or Baked sand molding. Sand casting in “Green” sand is used for larger magnets. The cast Alnico are typically molded in this way too for many shapes and fabrications. Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, is done when the complexity of a…

It is a proven fact that magnets can lose strength over time and outside elements such as: Outside electrical fields: Soldering guns should never be used to work on your guitar electronics or pickup modifications as the coil has a strong electro-magnetic field that can degauss the magnet within your pickups. Being in contact with…

Yes. Changing your magnet will most likely change the sound in your pickup. If you use a stronger magnet, you will probably hear a little more output and a brighter sounding pickup. If you use a weaker magnet, you will probably hear a warmer sweeter tone. The weaker magnets are my favorite and I’ve often…