effect of magnet size on pickup

[mayankkr1986]

hi
i am thinking of making modifications on a cheap learning guitar that i own..the pickup configuration was single-single-&2 singles arranged together..(all 4 have diffrnt switches).the 2 singles together (in bridge posn)have a thin common bar of magnet supporting the pole pieces in a humbucker type arrangement while the other 2( neck and mid) pups have a fat common bar of magnet attached to them..( this magnet is in a supine or horizontal position).however i want to convert all singles to 2 humbuckers (1 at neck & other at bridge).so would it be wise to cut the magnet into half (since it is a thick one)and arrange this in humbucker style ie side by side (in vertical position )???could any1 plz explain to me the effect it would have on the magnet and the tone(ie brighter or dull)??
thanx

[Mike Sulzer]

I think it would be easier to buy humbucker magnets rather than cut the magnets that you have.

[mayankkr1986]

cud u plz elaborate .. I guess cutting alters the magnetic field but maybe it could be ramagnetized??ill do a
check up on the internet for this

[David King]

mayankkr,
Alnico and hard ceramic magnets are extremely hard materials (like glass). You would need a diamond coated wet saw to cut them. Some pickups use flexible (rubberized ferrite) magnets and they can be cut with a sharp knife.

Alnico magnets are easy to remagnetize but the ceramics would require some sort of impulse magnetizer ($6000+)

[big_teee]

hi
i am thinking of making modifications on a cheap learning guitar that i own..the pickup configuration was single-single-&2 singles arranged together..(all 4 have diffrnt switches).the 2 singles together (in bridge posn)have a thin common bar of magnet supporting the pole pieces in a humbucker type arrangement while the other 2( neck and mid) pups have a fat common bar of magnet attached to them..( this magnet is in a supine or horizontal position).however i want to convert all singles to 2 humbuckers (1 at neck & other at bridge).so would it be wise to cut the magnet into half (since it is a thick one)and arrange this in humbucker style ie side by side (in vertical position )???could any1 plz explain to me the effect it would have on the magnet and the tone(ie brighter or dull)??
thanx

If these are the pickups that come in import guitars?
I would probably replace with new pickups with new good materials.

[Joe Gwinn]

Alnico and hard ceramic magnets are extremely hard materials (like glass). You would need a diamond coated wet saw to cut them.

A wet diamond saw will work on ceramic, but the saw blade will be ruined if one attempts to cut alnico (which is a kind of steel).

For alnico, use aluminum oxide or the like - something rated for grinding hardened steel.