Does anyone think that ceramic magnet pickups get a bad rap? I understand the physical differences in those and say alninco magnets and their properties. Just wondering if anyone has played around with them and lets say bobbin width and windings? I know some of you have played around winding your own pickups, and just wondered if you ever played around with them. Alot of those good ole amps used ceramic magnets in their speakers. Just got me thinking of playin round with some pickups and see what type of tone I could get with them.

I have a 2001 Standard Stratocaster and I think the stock ceramic pickups sound pretty good. I also have another Strat that I installed a set of GFS overwound staggered ceramics and they sound good too. They don't have the chime and bell-tone like most people associate with the Strat, but have a more rounded, less bright tone. They don't sound bad, just different. I do have several Strats that have pups with Alnico V magnets, and they sound different. I know many factors are involved, not just magnet type. A quality pickup will sound good no matter the magnet material. It is the really cheap units most folks have in mind when they say they don't like ceramic pups. Jeff Becks signature Strat uses Hot noiseless units with ceramic magnets, and needless to say, he sounds good. He would sound good on a Squire Hello Kitty Strat!!!!

I like both for different things. I think a lot of the difference is due to manufacterers. Bill Lawrence has a few things to say about ceramic magnets.

http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/Pickupology/magnets.htm

I think at the moment until manufacture trends change and ceramics are no longer used primarily for budget pickups its horses for courses. hot noiseless use ceramic magnets as do scn's neither of those pickups are bad. Infact scn's are my current faves.

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No no and no

Yes, that is the important point. Ceramic pups get a bad rap from me - but then the ones I've known well are cheap models in cheap guitars. As has been said, there's more to quality pickups than just the magnets.

Cheers - C

True, but most ceramic's are still mostly used on the budget pickups because they are built on the budget along with the rest of the pickups design aspects which may warrent your bad rap Ceri. You can bet if the builder is using ceramic for its lower cost he is also doing the same for the rest of the circuts items.

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