Post Type Archives: SWD

When you decrease the amount of magnetism or increase the magnetic gap between the magnetized poles and strings, you will decrease the output and tone of a pickup. The less magnetic field to the strings also decreases the amount of magnetic field movement or induced alternating current through the coil. The combination of string vibration…

If a magnet becomes weak that’s used in a pickup, the sound will be less bright and less output. When you re-magnetize a magnet that has become weaker it re-aliens the magnetic domains within the particular magnet you are charging providing your magnetizer has enough ampere turns to fully charge the magnet. Also using a…

Using for example an Alnico 5 rod magnet that’s uncut usually starts in lengths between 6.5 and 11.5 inches long. It has a rough surface and made by larger mills. After the rod stock is ready for shipping and sent to many smaller job shops that surface grind the rod magnet to the proper diameter…

The raw material such as Alnico rod and bar magnets look very pitted and the surface is dull and dark brown. This is usually caused by the magnets being cleaned with steel shot, walnut shells or sandblasting. Often the sand casting causes many pits and a rough surface. Most magnets used in instruments have surface…

Rust on magnets can eventually cause the insulation on the magnet wire to break down and cause the exposed copper wire to oxidize and break. I call this ICPC for Inner Coil Pole Corrosion. It is caused by humidity, sweat from playing and not wiping the guitar down before it is put in the case…

The strength of a magnetic field depends on several factors. The grade of material and quality, how it is magnetized and type of magnetizer used, outside elements that can demagnetize or how random the magnetic domains are within the magnets. The magnetic path to the strings and through the coil. Alnico rod magnets used in…

Having many magnets will increase the output of a pickup if properly used. The increased magnetic field will also make the output louder, brighter and also dampen string vibration if the pickup is adjusted close to the strings. The increased magnetic field to the strings can make the tone loud and distorted even at lower…

The pits are formed into the rod and bar magnets when the molten magnet material is poured into sand cavities and the pits are from the actual sand mold. The older magnets had a larger diameter and the magnets were molded close to tolerance and cut to the desired length. The newer magnets are center-less…

Basically the magnets are chamfered on one end to allow the magnet to be pressed into the flatwork without tearing or cutting material away from the inside wall of the punched flatwork. If the magnets are inserted without a chamfer, the magnet can tear away enough material that the flatwork is loose and the ends…

Bar magnets are usually used for humbucking pickups and it eliminates 6 separate poles. Bar magnets have always been used for Gibson style pickups, though occasionally Gibson used rod magnets in some of their pickup/pickguard assemblies and P-90 style single coil pickups. Bar magnets have been used in many of Seymour Duncan pickups and have…