My DiMarzio Bro'ness is somewhat being tested

[Music&Chaos]

Here is just a geenral descrition of the magnet types off the top of my head.

These will not make a pickup sound just like the magnet, it is just the general EQ I hear when using the same pickup and swapping between them - which I have done with a humbucker set and single coil set.

A2 = I want more top end extension/treble and some midrange added, with a woody/warm bass. Tighter/drier and snappy.

A3 = I want a slightly darker pick attack, with more stringiness in the sound overall and reduced top end. Can push bass and mids forward a bit due to reducing top end, which can make for a punchy sound.

A4 = I want a bit of everything in the EQ with a sweeter top end/treble range. More treble than A3, not as bright as A2, not as thin as A5 due to slightly reduced upper-midrange spike. Bass sounds full but remains tight and clear - more balanced with the midrange than the A5.

A5 = I want a strong bass and snappy treble, which may slightly "scoop" the sound a bit. The upper mids will be accented as well, giving the sound a bit of a metallic/gainy jangle. These can really cut through a mix, and give a pleasant modern edge to older PAF style pickups.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

JB/Jazz are a classic. I have a friend who has them and really digs em, though I think they sound like the complete opposite of his old rock/blues style. I have found that I personally prefer pickups that let me take the lead, if that makes sense. If a pickup has it's own foot on the gas pedal 100% of the time, it doesn't leave room for me to play around with, ya know?

As far as magnets and their different/general EQ differences - this video by Joe Perkins gives you a good representation I feel, because he uses the exact same set of pickups, and the only thing that changes is the magnet, along with the general EQ shift you should expect.

Be aware that this testing is only with Alnico, and Ceramic are not included.

This helped me to understand and spec out different pickups with different magnets, with pretty decent success so far (3 for 3!).

Thanks!

 

[JohnnyGtar]

Here is just a geenral descrition of the magnet types off the top of my head.

These will not make a pickup sound just like the magnet, it is just the general EQ I hear when using the same pickup and swapping between them - which I have done with a humbucker set and single coil set.

A2 = I want more top end extension/treble and some midrange added, with a woody/warm bass. Tighter/drier and snappy.

A3 = I want a slightly darker pick attack, with more stringiness in the sound overall and reduced top end. Can push bass and mids forward a bit due to reducing top end, which can make for a punchy sound.

A4 = I want a bit of everything in the EQ with a sweeter top end/treble range. More treble than A3, not as bright as A2, not as thin as A5 due to slightly reduced upper-midrange spike. Bass sounds full but remains tight and clear - more balanced with the midrange than the A5.

A5 = I want a strong bass and snappy treble, which may slightly "scoop" the sound a bit. The upper mids will be accented as well, giving the sound a bit of a metallic/gainy jangle. These can really cut through a mix, and give a pleasant modern edge to older PAF style pickups.

Wow. Thanks again!

 

[Music&Chaos]

Thanks!

For some of their modern stuff, like the Defiance, people describe that one as a 'Super Chunk JB'.

The Aggressor has a description that may be fitting:

"For twenty years my pickup of choice had been a JB. I now have Planet Tone Aggressor HB pickups in three of my guitars, this is what ROCK sounds like!!!Frome 80s to 90s, Metal to Grunge, throw this Alnico V midrange Rock magnet in your LesPaul, in your Floyd Rose ax, your Super Strat and you will never put your guitar down again!!! Thank you Planiet Tone for breathing life into my tone."

Another on that same set: I was blown away. It has maybe a bit more power than a super distortion but with more clarity and more crunch/chug.

Damn man.... maybe I will end up trying a set of these in the Jem lol

 

[ChurchHill]

Not much to add here because @Music&Chaos covered it really well. A4 is my favorite magnet for bridge pickups and is tied for my favorite at the neck, too. To me, it's got the best qualities of A5 and A2 with none of the weaknesses.

FWIW, I played around with the magnets in a JB years ago and ended back with A5. Disclaimer, the JB is not my favorite pickup to begin with, though and I didn't try an A4. A2 seemed to take away too much bite and with a ceramic, it's pretty much the Distortion (same coils). An A4 might work really well at reducing that mid-spike while retaining the cut.