Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Skeesix on July 1, 2014 at 5:21am

I've done some experimentation with neos too. They're at least 5 times stronger than alnicos. So you can try using a magnet which is something in the range of 5 times smaller than alnicos, so it's not grossly overpowering the sound.

Other than that, you can play around with a steel grounding plate to spread the sound so it's not pointy or spiky. The steel becomes part of the magnetic field.

Another possibility is using various metals as a top cover. For example, brass, which is usually considered a tone sucker for alnicos, might sound good with a hot neo. I've even heard of somebody putting a large neo in an altoids tin, which would be all steel. Normally, the steel top would block the output from an alnico, but the neo was so strong it blasted right through.

Permalink Reply by David Harris on July 1, 2014 at 6:17pm

Thanks!  That's exactly the kind of input I was needing.  I'll rig up an expermental design with interchangable parts to test variations along those lines.  I was going to test wire size/number of turns  as well.

Permalink Reply by Gary Ross on February 21, 2015 at 2:53am

Just did one with neoybiums from harbor freight $2.99 for 9 I think had good luck mounted them in the bottom of the form in a 5/16 dia recess used 1/4-28 set screws for pole pieces 8000 turns of # 43 wax dipped. There is a gap between set screw and magnet wich decouples some of the field at tha pole tip not measured with gauss meter yet but lots less screwdriver attraction . The coil height is 1/2" around a 3/8" thick center with pole holes tapped 1/4 -28. First attempt at laser cut form just top and bottom plate also shows magnets in tube.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Ross on February 21, 2015 at 3:13am

Pickup winder and laser cut forms with magnets in bottom.

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Permalink Reply by John on March 23, 2017 at 5:37pm

It's been awhile since anyone has posted here about using Neodymium magnets. I just bought a bunch of Neodymium magnets... and am planning on making my first CBG pickups with them. They are small...and seem quite strong! Maybe still too strong! 

Would anyone has any advice before i start? I would greatly appreciate it. 

Here are the type of magnets I got...

Thanks! 

Neodymium Disc Magnets (NdFeB)

 Size = 6 x 1.5mm (Aprox.1/4" x 1/16")

Triple Plated Nickel Finish (Ni-Cu-Ni)

Grade N35 Axially Magnetized

 

Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on March 24, 2017 at 10:38pm

I use those magnets on all my  flat pups and induction type pickups   John, they work fine, i have had no bad tonal issues, having  said that, i've not used them in a conventional single pole design, but see no reason for them not to work well.

Permalink Reply by John on March 25, 2017 at 4:33am

Thanks, Darryl. Would you have any videos using one?