Ceramic Vs. Alnico

ibmorjamn said:
I am kind of relieved to here this. I just bought a TB -5
Click to expand...
I have a very surprising set of P90 pickups that sport “ceramic 8” magnets. I find them to be fantastically versatile. I was skeptical, due to the descriptions commonly used about them, but they turned out to be just what I was looking for in this case.
Dial the volume back, and they sound like most of the standard Gibson P90 pickups from the last decade-plus. Wind them up, and they get quite aggressive…in a really good way. Lots of ground covered from 3 to 10 on the volume knobs…tone too.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
I have a very surprising set of P90 pickups that sport “ceramic 8” magnets. I find them to be fantastically versatile. I was skeptical, due to the descriptions commonly used about them, but they turned out to be just what I was looking for in this case.
Dial the volume back, and they sound like most of the standard Gibson P90 pickups from the last decade-plus. Wind them up, and they get quite aggressive…in a really good way. Lots of ground covered from 3 to 10 on the volume knobs…tone too.
Click to expand...
What P90's ?
 
Got a TB5 in the Dean V. It's a pretty aggressive pup. I've never felt a need to change it out for anything else.

Bit more toothy than the JB but similar, I guess.
 
I've some of each. If they didn't please me, I wouldn't have them.
Same is true for speakers.

As far as I recall, it's all about gauss...the electrons, and the magic of the field in which they dance, do not care a whit about how they got there.

All of the love/hate speech is just marketing. If buyers do their homework and use their ears, the ad copy people will rethink their approach. But for now, those three elements allow the makers of pickups and speakers to charge a premium.
 
Watched that Darrell vid again and still trying to wrap my head around his findings.
I've always been in the camp of agreeing with the stereotypes associated with ceramic pups are too bright and hot.
Noticed that the comparisons in the vid were done on Teles & Strats and made me wonder if my impressions are from primarily using full sized HB's in my Gibbys.

I have a set of 490/498's inbound (in one of them wooden pickup holder gizmos...).
It's coming with a SD Phat Cat in it, but the original pup is included.
I've swapped out a 498 in my Studio because of a preference for the 490 Alnico II over the 498 Alnico V.
Also love my '61 BB's in the Tribute & the '57's in the SG.

Wasn't even thinking of a ceramic, but now I'm not sure.
Window shopping the Gibson pup line up for full sized HB's - not interested in other brands ATM.

Anyone else have a more stereotypical assessment of the Alnico vs. Ceramic with humbuckers in a big hog body?
 
Last edited:
fitz said:
Watched that Darrell vid again and still trying to wrap my head around his findings.
I've always been in the camp of agreeing with the stereotypes associated with ceramic pups are too bright and hot.
Noticed that the comparisons in the vid were done on Teles & Strats and made me wonder if my impressions are from primarily using full sized HB's in my Gibbys.

I have a set of 490/498's inbound (in one of them wooden pickup holder gizmos...).
It's coming with a SD Phat Cat in it, but the original pup is included.
I've swapped out a 498 in my Studio because of a preference for the 490 Alnico II over the 498 Alnico V.
Also love my '61 BB's in the Tribute & the '57's in the SG.

Wasn't even thinking of a ceramic, but now I'm not sure.
Window shopping the Gibson pup line up for full sized HB's - not interested in other brands ATM.

Anyone else have a more stereotypical assessment of the Alnico vs. Ceramic with humbuckers in a big hog body?
Click to expand...
Love the 61 BB's.
 
ibmorjamn said:
Love the 61 BB's.
Click to expand...
They're Alnico V's, but work better in my Tribute than Studio.
I've definitely noticed that individual guitars respond differently to different pickups.
IDK, the 490/498 set may be a good match in the inbound Gibby - gotta wait & see (shipping today).

DirtySteve said:
So do I, they've become my favorite pickups. I just ordered a zebra set for my Standard, but I didn't realize when I ordered them that they have quick connects so now I think I have other plans for them. hehehe...:hmmm:
Click to expand...
IIRC, you tried some Dirty Fingers (ceramic) - did you find any correlation to the "wrong" general opinion of ceramic being harsh and bright?
 
fitz said:
They're Alnico V's, but work better in my Tribute than Studio.
I've definitely noticed that individual guitars respond differently to different pickups.
IDK, the 490/498 set may be a good match in the inbound Gibby - gotta wait & see (shipping today).


IIRC, you tried some Dirty Fingers (ceramic) - did you find any correlation to the "wrong" general opinion of ceramic being harsh and bright?
Click to expand...

Dirty Fingers are incredible. Gibson just resumed selling a Quick-Connect version, so I am definitely planning to get one to replace the '61 bridge in my LP Classic. The '61 is OK, but doesn't have a tight enough low end for my taste and the DFs are maybe the tightest, most percussive and hi-fi pickups I have ever used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top