Magnet strength "formula?"

[EFK]

I do realize that it is impossible to make generalities that fit all situations, but is there a formula or 'standard' of some type as pertains to gauss and the overall brightness or darkness/warmth of a paf-type pickup? All things being equal - same pickup with no other changes or adjustments (assuming it stands off the strings a bit to begin with as I'm not a fan of the pu and the strings being kissin cousins) - if you used a full-charged mag and then replaced it with a mag of same alnico grade but degaussed somewhat (or just degaussed the same mag), would you expect the overall tone to get brighter or warmer?

[Possum]

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No, there is no generality. Well sorta not. I did a bunch of experimenting with degaussing magnets in humbuckers, basically degaussing makes them sound kind of dull, the zing goes away. If you want to call that making them "warmer" thats your call. It really depends alot on what you are making. a real PAF accurate repro you don't want them real strong or they just will overpower your amp and turn into total mush. Wish your average StewMac kits parts a strong magnet sounded better to me.

[EFK]

That's actually very helpful, especially in the sense that every time I hear something described as 'warmer' all I hear personally is mud and something being muffled.

[Possum]

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Well I don't' know if its helpful or not, just try it out and see what you think.

[JGundry]

In general terms the high end is a little less harsh and the low end a bit more defined if the charge dropped a bit. Possum is right a bit of zing is gone. I guess you could say a bit of tonal bandwidth is lost when you drop the charge but if the extra bandwidth was mud or ice pick then it can be a good choice. Fully charged can work also in the right pickup.

[Possum]

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In single coils its a different story, dropping the magnet strength does almost nothing, ice pick doesn't go away it just gets less loud, you get more sustain from less string pull...