yamaha spinex pixkups

[mr fab]

I have seen many references about the Yamaha Spinex pickups, and actually have 2 guitars with them installed.

from what I have read, Yamaha used some special alloy in these pickups and the magnets were alnico.

does anyone know anything about this alloy, or the pickups? they have an unusual response, very much "in your face" and sensitive, with strong upper mids.

all I can find is some reference to spinex acupuncture needles...and another reference is that it was an alloy developed by nasa (most likely incorrect)... who knows.... the only semi-official reference from Yamaha is that "spinex was a special material used by Yamaha"

any info would be appreciated

[Lyrebird Steve]

A quick search on the web I found that Spinex is a type of Surgical Stainless Steel (possibly 316 Stainless Steel)

If this is true, the polepieces in the Humbucker will only be around 65-70% Iron compared to 98-99% with 1018 or 1022 Steel Polepieces. I'm assuming this has a significant impact on the strength and aperture/direction of the magnetic field.

I would have thought it would reduce the field, thus reducing the treble output which would give more mids (guessing )

[mr fab]

thanks steve
you may be right, maybe spinex is a grade of stainless which is magnetic

the pickups have a nice top end, but its the strong upper mids which amaze me of these pickups

may have to try some magnetic stainless

here is a good reference article on stainless and magnetism:

http://www.wakefieldmetals.co.nz/fil...mCorrosion.pdf


I will have to keep a lookout for a spinex pickup and disassemble it to see what makes it tick

I have worked on industrial food machines and inductive proximity sensors do pickup 316 stainless although they can be hit and miss sometimes.

[mr fab]

I just did a little more digging... Spinex is the trading name of the particular acupuncture needles made by a certain company. therefore I don't believe the spinex pickups use any material associated with these needles.

I will see if any colleagues in japan may be able to shed some light on the subject