Is it possible to tell which Warpig this is??

[studiojig]

I've a Warpig that I got from a friend on another forum. Is there a way to determine ceramic vs. alnico just by looking at the pup? I suspect the answer is no, but thought I'd check here first. I've already installed it into a Washburn BT-8 Maverick and while it sounds very hot and VERY good, it is a touch on the bright side, so my inclination is to think ceramic. However, as I've no previous experience with pigs, I'm not certain. Here it is prior to install -




Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

[Davey]

touch on the bright side? warpig?

and no, you really cant tell just by looking at it. the only way that you can really tell, is to send it in. but i dont think that's an option, or have another warpig in a similar guitar and do a side by side test

[ailean]

touch on the bright side? warpig?

Are you sure it's a pig? I'm not trying to be funny but of all the terms I'd use for pigs, bright isn't one of them. Is it a bridge or a neck?

[studiojig]

Yes, I'm sure it's a pig. It has loads of output and astounding clarity/note separation, most notable in the lower registers, but somewhat harsh/bright on the uppers (GBE strings). I suppose bright may be the wrong term, but perhaps not. As I said, no prior experience so no means of comparison really. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good sounding pup, I'm just thinking it may be the ceramic mag vs. the alnico and I'm erring on the warmer side of things so alnico would be my preference I think.

I may just buy and A5 one and do the comparison to see. That or maybe try a 300k pot.... hmm...

[Will]

Measure the DC resistance would help? I seem to recall there being quite a difference between the wind of a C vs the A5

[gwEm]

Measure the DC resistance would help? I seem to recall there being quite a difference between the wind of a C vs the A5

thats the way i'd choose...

also aren't alnico magnets conductive, where ceramics aren't? (seem to recall something like that from wez)

[Lazy_McDoesnothing]

Couldn't you ask the person you bought it from?  Or did he get it 2nd hand too? 

[ericsabbath]

you can pull the tape a bit (on the side without wire) and check the magnet side
if it's black/grey, then it's ceramic
if it's grey, but in a metallic silver tone on the sides, then it's alnico
the ceramic will also be a thicker magnet bar
but I'd check the dc resistance first do confirm if it is a warpig

[studiojig]

you can pull the tape a bit (on the side without wire) and check the magnet side
if it's black/grey, then it's ceramic
if it's grey, but in a metallic silver tone on the sides, then it's alnico
the ceramic will also be a thicker magnet bar
but I'd check the dc resistance first do confirm if it is a warpig

Cheers to you and others above suggesting measurements of DC. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Moreover, I'll have a peak at the mag as well as per your recommendation. To those above, the seller had one A5 and one ceramic pig. He assures me this is the Alnico, but I have my doubts as previously expressed. Thanks to all once more!

[BigK]

Yes, I'm sure it's a pig. It has loads of output and astounding clarity/note separation, most notable in the lower registers, but somewhat harsh/bright on the uppers (GBE strings). I suppose bright may be the wrong term, but perhaps not. As I said, no prior experience so no means of comparison really. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good sounding pup, I'm just thinking it may be the ceramic mag vs. the alnico and I'm erring on the warmer side of things so alnico would be my preference I think.

I may just buy and A5 one and do the comparison to see. That or maybe try a 300k pot.... hmm...

From that description it sounds exactly like a miracleman...... Warpigs are very even sounding across all the strings were as the miracle man is quite smooth and clear on the wound strings and brighter and sharper on the unwound strings.

[Davey]

From that description it sounds exactly like a miracleman...... Warpigs are very even sounding across all the strings were as the miracle man is quite smooth and clear on the wound strings and brighter and sharper on the unwound strings.

that's the first thing that popped into my head as i read.. you sure that aint a MM.
because the warpig is very thick across the whole range. be it alnico or ceramic. i know. i got both. the ceramic one is just hotter in the output, sharper, has a bit more thump and the harmonics fly out of it like bats on speed.  if ANYTHING, the ceramic magnet, made it sound thicker and more defined

and i doubt there will be a very noticeable difference in the wind, because the wind on my alnico WP is 21.7 and the wind on the ceramic warpig is 22.0 .. the wind on the MM however is 17.5, so if it's closer to that number you got a miracle man.

[ericsabbath]

Yes, I'm sure it's a pig. It has loads of output and astounding clarity/note separation, most notable in the lower registers, but somewhat harsh/bright on the uppers (GBE strings). I suppose bright may be the wrong term, but perhaps not. As I said, no prior experience so no means of comparison really. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good sounding pup, I'm just thinking it may be the ceramic mag vs. the alnico and I'm erring on the warmer side of things so alnico would be my preference I think.

I may just buy and A5 one and do the comparison to see. That or maybe try a 300k pot.... hmm...

From that description it sounds exactly like a miracleman...... Warpigs are very even sounding across all the strings were as the miracle man is quite smooth and clear on the wound strings and brighter and sharper on the unwound strings.

the difference of how the miracle man reacts on different gauges is enormous
that's why I'll never agree when someone calls it a "bright pickup"
it just enhances the strongest frequency of each string
will be bright as hell on the higher strings, dark as hell in the lower strings, specially on heavy gauge and low tunings