Wal Bass Pickups?

[Bruce Johnson]

Here are some more magnets Alnico 5 Rod Magnet 375 x 1" Magnetized 10 Pieces | eBay

LowNote

Just for reference, I buy all my magnets from AllMagnetics in Anaheim, CA. They aren't the cheapest around, but they usually have good stock and fast service. From them, 3/8" x 3/4" A5 rods fully charged are $1.54 each. I just got another batch in.

[big_teee]

Just for reference, I buy all my magnets from AllMagnetics in Anaheim, CA. They aren't the cheapest around, but they usually have good stock and fast service. From them, 3/8" x 3/4" A5 rods fully charged are $1.54 each. I just got another batch in.

That is probably a reasonable price for 3/8.
Is there a minimum order?
Tnx,
T

[David King]

One nice thing about allmagnetics is that they are made in the good old USA.

[LowNote]

Mojotone has the closed music man covers for dirt cheap. I just got some there the other day. AddixionFX will have music man magnets as I'm sure will other places. They should be 5/8" long or maybe 3/4 depending on what they were copying. I'd still hold out for 8mm magnets. You don't want inch long mags, that will be too much string pull.

Barefootnit's alnico prices are stupid high.

Does gauss increase as the magnet gets larger?

LowNote

[Bruce Johnson]

Does gauss increase as the magnet gets larger?

LowNote

Yup, that's the idea. More magnetic horsepower. Magnetic field strength is approximately proportional to volume/weight of the magnet (assuming all else is equal). Most of the pickups that I build for my basses use 3/8" dia x 3/4" long A5 rods.

[Bruce Johnson]

That is probably a reasonable price for 3/8.
Is there a minimum order?
Tnx,
T

I don't think they do. If so, it might be $25. I've ordered less than $50 a few times. They have a web site, but it's kind of funky. You can get some information from it, but you can't directly order online. You have to call them. The same nice woman has been answering the phone for at least 15 years. She'll remember you from the last time you ordered a few years back. You can hear her flipping through the index cards, and then she sets the phone down and walks back to check and see what they have in stock. She processes your order that afternoon, probably taping up the box herself. And it arrives by UPS the next day (I'm only 75 miles away). It's that kind of a place. Right out of the '70's.

They don't stock large quantities of the rod magnets. If you want hundreds of them, she'll have to order them, which may take a few weeks. They are good for small orders, service is fast, and prices are reasonable. She said that their magnet grinder is in the Chicago area.

I've been buying from them since about 2004, and I've never seen any quality problems. The magnets have always been very consistent in dimensions.

[LowNote]

Yup, that's the idea. More magnetic horsepower. Magnetic field strength is approximately proportional to volume/weight of the magnet (assuming all else is equal). Most of the pickups that I build for my basses use 3/8" dia x 3/4" long A5 rods.

Gotcha, learned more new stuff today. Thanks Bruce

[ScottA]

I've got some longer 3/16" AlNiCo 5 (maybe some 2 as well) magnets if anyone needs a couple.

PM me if interested.

[big_teee]

3/16 are .187".
About the only bass application would be for J-bass pickups if real long, if they are short they are guitar magnets.
They would not have any Multi-coil use, which is why the 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 are being discussed here.

[Marko Ursin]

I'm about to start making an eight-coil pickup with adjustable poles. Anybody interested in seeing pics of the parts and pickup under construction?
Marko

[Chris Turner]

I'm about to start making an eight-coil pickup with adjustable poles. Anybody interested in seeing pics of the parts and pickup under construction?
Marko

Of course!

[ScottA]

3/16 are .187".
About the only bass application would be for J-bass pickups if real long, if they are short they are guitar magnets.
They would not have any Multi-coil use, which is why the 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 are being discussed here.

So then I take it you won't be pm'ing me...

[big_teee]

I'm about to start making an eight-coil pickup with adjustable poles. Anybody interested in seeing pics of the parts and pickup under construction?
Marko

Me too, looking forward to it!
T

[David King]

ScottA, I use that type of magnet, where did yours come from? I'd be interested in checking them out.
Also I'd be really surprised if a single 3/16" magnet wasn't wide enough to work for most basses, especially in the bridge position. String excursion over a J bass neck pickup is almost never going to exceed 1/4". As we have learned recently the string maintains it magnetic charge even when not directly over the magnet.

[David King]

Sorry Sheriff.