magnet size for bass humbucker?

[SteikBacon]

I would like to try to make something like musicman humbuckers. Any info about magnets please...

[David Schwab]

Music Man pickups either have big alnico rod magnets for the poles, or steel poles with a ceramic magnet on the bottom of each coil, and not one bar magnet like on most humbuckers.

I think the ceramic version sound better, but some people like the alnicos.

Which one do you want to make? Did you want the size of the rod magnets?

[SteikBacon]

I don´t know... If you say steel poles and ceramic sound better then I rather try those...

[StarryNight]

Hi David,
just out of curiousity, what are the dimensions of the rods for these pups?

[David Schwab]

Hi David,
just out of curiousity, what are the dimensions of the rods for these pups?

I'm not sure actually. I've installed a lot of Basslines MM pickups, but I don't make pickups with poles. I have some covers and the holes are 3/8"

Also regarding the ceramic v. alnico... I like a bright bass tone, and someone else might like the alnicos. I found them too dark and mushy sounding.

[David King]

Music man basses tend to be one trick ponies with a bright, clanky, scooped out sound. If you are into that sound then ceramic and steel poles will usually get you there pretty quickly. Alnicos can sound bright or dull or anywhere in between depending on how and what you wind them with. Poles or magnets are usually 3/8" dia.

[David Schwab]

That's true. My observations were based on doing a number of Jazz Bass mods installing Basslines MM pickups. Most of them had the ceramic pickups, but in one case I had one of each, so I experimented with swapping them to each position (they were two pickup basses, with the MM's in the typical Jazz locations).

I didn't care for the alnico version. It just sounded dull in comparison.