Magnet size, tone, and output

[Peterku]

Hello,

I wonder what effect on the tone has simply changing the original magnet for a bigger one of the same type. Will output and the brightness increase? :?:

Does the Black Dog and the Nailbomb use the same size magnet? (If it isn't a secret, of course...) Which BK model has the biggest A5 bar?

Peter

[PhilKing]

Changing the magnet to a different type affects the gain and tone of the pickup.  I had Tim change an AV to AIV to move a pickup from the bridge to the neck.  The AIV gave a sweeter tone with less gain, and works great in the neck.

I think all BK humbuckers use the older length magnets, which is the original length that was used in humbuckers.  

I would guess that the pickup with the biggest AV magent would be a P-90 (the physical size is longer, so the magnet would be longer, and I think there are 2 of them in there too  PDT_002 ).  The BK P-90's have a great sound, everything from blues through the original Black Sabbath tones.

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

All of our pickups, whether it be humbucker or p-90 use exactly the same size magnets. The size of a P-90 may be different but the string spacing is the same.  The only exception is humbuckers using ceramic magnets which are slightly taller.

[Tim]

I primarily use a vintage cut unpolished Alnico V magnet..............these are slightly longer than modern mags which,although larger, actually softens the output........everso slightly and sounds better to my ears.

You can put larger mags in, we do with ceramics, but you have to be careful with magnetic effect on the strings and also the front end of most amps don't like too hot a signal coming in.

Having experimented with allsorts of different sizes I'm happy and confident that what we use sounds the best....................it also happens to be the most vintage authentic too which is a bonus. :D

[Peterku]

Very interesting. Thanks for the info! :D