When I asked Tim for a A8 NB he said he was not a fan of Alnico 8 at all because it sounded very rounded in the bottom end.
But MVM speaks the truth, as I remember Tim also considering the A8 almost like a cross between Alnico and ceramic in tone, adding that "the A8 could be overbright, almost like a ceramic in some contexts due to it's low remanence".
But he also said somewhere on this board : "Just an update on Alnico 8-I've had a considerable play with it in various types of BKPs and haven't found any real advantages over the AII, III, IV an d Vs we already use.This doesn't mean I wouldn't rule it out from use in the future.I've also be playing with AVI too although it's very much like a darker IV in the the way it powers the coils. " 8) 8)
If you ask him maybe he will do a A8 NB but...dunno why....he might suggest you something else...
PDT_008
yeah, it's definitely brighter than A5
I loved it in a Duncan Custom
I installed it in my Holy Diver cause it sounded too weak, dark and loose in my SG
the A8 magnet has a way stronger field and pickup got noticeable louder, tighter and brighter
it was a good thing for that guitar, but the pickup doesn't sound as fluid and deep as the stock A5 anymore
still sounds good and maybe could sound better in another guitar, though
I was afraid that it got ultra middy or something (like the Duncan Custom with the A8), but it only changed the edges response
it was like swapping a smooth and fluid celestion greenback for an ultra-loud hard sounding celestion vintage 30
so it's more a matter of taste
the Duncan Custom was definitely better with A8 than with A5 or ceramic
Jim Wagner WCR uses that magnet a lot too in the regular models
the old Ibanez Super 70 humbuckers on 70's ibanez were A8 equiped too (the only famous tone I can think of is Van Halen on 'Ain't Talk About Love' and 'You really Got Me')
it ain't no alien experiment or something :lol:
I hope someday Tim launches a new A8 model with a special winding matching the magnet
