smoother overdrive and pickup magnets?

[10thTx]

I noticed something about my D'Mars ODS that is inspired by D-style amps.

I got to experimenting with pickup magnets comparing Alnico 5 to Alnico 2 & Alnico 3. I found I could get both a more transparent clean tone and a smoother overdrive with Alnico 2 & Alnico 3 magnets. And I could increase the value the cathode cap values on the OD channel. More info here:

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=18890.0

In an article posted by Talbany it mentioned Dumble would ask to have the artist's guitar when building their Dumble amp for them. So, it sounds like Howard factored in an artist's "main" guitar tone in building their amps.

"The amplifier responds so differently to each guitar that to get some effects, I need to use the player's guitars, instead of my own"

Anyone else make note of smoother overdrive with their Dumble clone using Alnico 2 or 3 magnets vs. Alnico 5 magnets?

There is quite a noticeable difference in my amp, so I thought I'd mention it here. Over the years of reading TAG, I've seen quite a few posts complaining that their overdrive sounded too harsh and lacked smoothness. Maybe the pickup magnets played something of a factor there?

http://www.mojotone.com/support/kb-pick ... kup-for-me
http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/F ... coded.aspx

With respect, 10thtx

[aflynt]

I've noticed that the Dimarzio Area T 615 pickups have a smoother sound with my D-Style circuits than other pickups that I have tried (which I believe are all Alnico 5 or Ceramic). The Area Ts are Alnico 2. The high end has less "hardness" to it if that makes any sense.

-Aaron

[10thTx]

It only takes me about 30 minutes now to change out the magnet on a dual coil humbucker. So, it's an easy experiment to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXbzqQZu-Qk

On the neck alnico 3 magnet, I got one that was not smooth which reportedly smooths out some of the highs. Don't know if that is really the case or not, but I sure like the way the pickup sounds in my amp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alnico-3-Humbuc ... 33a321417c

The Alnico 5's are midscooped and I am wondering if the Alnico 2's and Alnico 3's having more mids and a "softer" bass response help with the smoother overdrive tone?

I never could get the overdrive on the D'Mars to sound like I wanted with one of my guitars in particular. It always had a slight harshness to it and lacked some of the warmth I wanted. The guitar sound great to me in the OD now with the magnet changes.

With respect, 10thtx

[JD0x0]

I've had similar observations. A2 and A3 to me, sound a bit 'sweeter' more transparent and smoother.

A5 tends to have more Bass and treble, and the top end is often a bit sharper, which can sound brittle/harsh or aggressive.

The Alnico 5's are midscooped and I am wondering if the Alnico 2's and Alnico 3's having more mids and a "softer" bass response help with the smoother overdrive tone?

That would be my best guess as well.

Also, I've noticed in a lot of youtube videos the A2 and A3 singe coils have a sort of an 'Eric Johnson-esque sort of OD tone, quite often. 'Soft' bass, with even (not scooped) mids, and a smooth cushiony top end with a singing sustain.

[talbany]

I noticed something about my D'Mars ODS that is inspired by D-style amps.

I got to experimenting with pickup magnets comparing Alnico 5 to Alnico 2 & Alnico 3. I found I could get both a more transparent clean tone and a smoother overdrive with Alnico 2 & Alnico 3 magnets. And I could increase the value the cathode cap values on the OD channel. More info here:

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=18890.0

In an article posted by Talbany it mentioned Dumble would ask to have the artist's guitar when building their Dumble amp for them. So, it sounds like Howard factored in an artist's "main" guitar tone in building their amps.

"The amplifier responds so differently to each guitar that to get some effects, I need to use the player's guitars, instead of my own"

Anyone else make note of smoother overdrive with their Dumble clone using Alnico 2 or 3 magnets vs. Alnico 5 magnets?

There is quite a noticeable difference in my amp, so I thought I'd mention it here. Over the years of reading TAG, I've seen quite a few posts complaining that their overdrive sounded too harsh and lacked smoothness. Maybe the pickup magnets played something of a factor there?

http://www.mojotone.com/support/kb-pick ... kup-for-me
http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/F ... coded.aspx

With respect, 10thtx

I have also noticed this..In working with lindy Fralin to design a Humbucker pickup that works best in a High plate/Skyliner we used Alnico 2's..The 2's were punchy and stayed fairly smooth..Pickup height was critical..

Tony