Magnets for an 8 string P90 style pick up

[gtrdoc59]

Does anybody know where I can get them, I'm making an 8 string thinline lapsteel....suggestions are welcome.

[big_teee]

Does anybody know where I can get them, I'm making an 8 string thinline lapsteel....suggestions are welcome.

Mojo has some Ceramics for Basses in various lengths.
Bar Magnets
Shea with Magnetic hold lists a Ceramic Magnet 0.125 X 0.5 X 3.25
I don't know where you can find Alnicos unless you Have them cut.
Good Luck,
Terry

[David King]

Couldn't you just add a cut segment to the end of a standard HB magnet? I do that all the time with ceramic magnets and no field anomalies show up on the Gauss meter once everything is in place.

[David Schwab]

Couldn't you just add a cut segment to the end of a standard HB magnet? I do that all the time with ceramic magnets and no field anomalies show up on the Gauss meter once everything is in place.

He could if he can cut alnico. It would probably have to be recharged after that.

David, how do you cut your ceramic magnets?

[big_teee]

The other alternative is to make it like a single coil with Rod Magnets, and cut your flatwork.
Two single coil Forbon Pickups then make a small baseplate to mount them on to make a Humbucker.
B_T

[Mike Sulzer]

Does anybody know where I can get them, I'm making an 8 string thinline lapsteel....suggestions are welcome.

If you are considering ceramic as big_tee suggested, consider that it is non-conductive and has low permeability. Therefore you could just as well use multiple small neos on the sides of the spacer bar, adjusting the size of the neos to get the desired field strength, which might be what a ceramic would give or somewhat less. If you want to include some of the effect that alnico would give (conductivity and permeability), you could make a steel spacer bar that is a bit bigger than standard. Thus, you are pretty much able to do what you want with inexpensive and available magnets.

[big_teee]

If you are considering ceramic as big_tee suggested, consider that it is non-conductive and has low permeability. Therefore you could just as well use multiple small neos on the sides of the spacer bar, adjusting the size of the neos to get the desired field strength, which might be what a ceramic would give or somewhat less. If you want to include some of the effect that alnico would give (conductivity and permeability), you could make a steel spacer bar that is a bit bigger than standard. Thus, you are pretty much able to do what you want with inexpensive and available magnets.

Mike: I like your idea, just use standard Magents with longer bars.
What would be the effect if the magnet on one side went to one end of the bar.
Let the magnet on the other side of the bar go to the other end?
I didn't think of the conductivity aspect of the ceramic, but would still be worth a shot.
David K was talking about cutting magnets and extending them, could you also cut and extend a regular Keeper bar?
That way no special parts would have to be Manufactured?
B_T

[gtrdoc59]

I was thinking P90 with a slimmer magnet on either side of the adjustment screw. Maybe rod magnets are the way to go I can't see use a HB style magnet. Is there a norm style wise for Steel guitar pickups. Thank you for all the input to date.

[copperheadroads]

I was thinking about something similar a couple days ago ,how will a 7 string humbucker work with a standard size magnet
the keeper bar will help spread the magnetic field to the end screws even if the magnet is a little short ..Won't it ?

[David Schwab]

If you are considering ceramic as big_tee suggested, consider that it is non-conductive and has low permeability. Therefore you could just as well use multiple small neos on the sides of the spacer bar, adjusting the size of the neos to get the desired field strength, which might be what a ceramic would give or somewhat less. If you want to include some of the effect that alnico would give (conductivity and permeability), you could make a steel spacer bar that is a bit bigger than standard. Thus, you are pretty much able to do what you want with inexpensive and available magnets.

Mike, I've taken some of my bass humbuckers and replaced the smaller neos with a full length C8 magnet. I was surprised that the two magnets sounded a lot different in the pickup. Obviously the neo was stronger, but was much smaller than the ceramic. The ceramic was thinner sounding, while the neo had more low end.

The neos might actually sound closer to alnicos than the ceramics. But as with everything, the right combination of things can be used to get the tone you want.

[David Schwab]

I was thinking about the similar a couple days ago ,how will a 7 string humbucker work with a standard size magnet
the keeper bar will help spread the magnetic field to the end screws even if the magnet is a little short ..Won't it ?

It would work fine. I use full length blades with neo magnets that are not full length, and the magnetic field gets to the ends of the blades just fine.

The only reason to use a full length magnetic is when you don't use keepers.

[big_teee]

It would work fine. I use full length blades with neo magnets that are not full length, and the magnetic field gets to the ends of the blades just fine.

The only reason to use a full length magnetic is when you don't use keepers.

Can you give an example of how that could be done with small neos like Mike was talking about.
Maybe several small Neos stuck to the keeper bar.
If so how big, how many, and would they need to be on both sides of Keeper like a standard P90?
Thanks,
Terry

[Mike Sulzer]

Mike: I like your idea, just use standard Magents with longer bars.
What would be the effect if the magnet on one side went to one end of the bar.
Let the magnet on the other side of the bar go to the other end?
I didn't think of the conductivity aspect of the ceramic, but would still be worth a shot.
David K was talking about cutting magnets and extending them, could you also cut and extend a regular Keeper bar?
That way no special parts would have to be Manufactured?
B_T

I was thinking of small magnets placed on both sides. I think if you had a magnet on only one side at the end, the end string would be weaker, but I have not tried that..

[Mike Sulzer]

Mike, I've taken some of my bass humbuckers and replaced the smaller neos with a full length C8 magnet. I was surprised that the two magnets sounded a lot different in the pickup. Obviously the neo was stronger, but was much smaller than the ceramic. The ceramic was thinner sounding, while the neo had more low end.

The neos might actually sound closer to alnicos than the ceramics. But as with everything, the right combination of things can be used to get the tone you want.

If both materials have low conductivity and permeability, what could make the differences except the field strength?

It is true that neo is more conductive than ceramic and is usually nickel plated, so maybe that could explain the difference. But if you use small neos for each string, then the eddy currents are very small. (No large loops to develop voltage around)

[big_teee]

If both materials have low conductivity and permeability, what could make the differences except the field strength?

It is true that neo is more conductive than ceramic and is usually nickel plated, so maybe that could explain the difference. But if you use small neos for each string, then the eddy currents are very small. (No large loops to develop voltage around)

If you use a Keeper bar how many magnets would you try.
Could you not place 3 on each side of the keeper bar in a staggered pattern?
B_T