Blade mags Vs. Cylindrical mags

[Biarnel]

Several tedious things, problems with string spacing etc, are pushing me towards a "blade" magnet, for guitar pickups and bass pickups.

What should I expect? What are the main differences in tone, response, volume..

And, the most important thing! Where could I find blade magnets?
Well, in europe it's difficult to find classical polepieces, too, if you're not a pro.

[David Schwab]

I use steel blades and a bar magnet for humbucking bass pickups. The bar magnet doesn't have to be the full length of the blades. Just a regular humbucker magnet works well.

You can use steel bar stock for blades. The thicker blades have a tendency for a darker tone. If you use laminated steel, you can avoid the eddy currents in the blade, and get a brighter tone.

Ceramic magnets work well with blades, because the ceramic is brighter, but gets tempered by the steel.

I only made one bass pickup with an actual magnet blade pole, but it had very little output, so I stopped pursuing that route. YMMV.

[Biarnel]

David, I will never thank you enough

I use steel blades and a bar magnet for humbucking bass pickups. The bar magnet doesn't have to be the full length of the blades. Just a regular humbucker magnet works well.

Ok, let's say we use the alnico bar stewmac sells for guitar humbuckers.
I should lay it flat (north up?) and place the blade perpendicular to it, right?
The mag field across the strings will be of even strenght, even on the longer 6-strings pickup?
In that case, will it be better to have the mag bar centered, or shifted towards the bass strings?

The thicker blades have a tendency for a darker tone. If you use laminated steel, you can avoid the eddy currents in the blade, and get a brighter tone.

What do you mean by "thick", in numbers?
When a bar is medium thick, when it's normal, when it's quite thick?
...same measurements for guitars?

And, sorry but... what is laminated steel?