Hello,
I read somewhere that the Alnico v in the American Standard Strat gives more of a modern sound.
What is the difference between a modern Fender Strat sound and a more vintage sound.
Is it midrange, clarity, bass....?
Ronald

The general consensus of "vintage" would be a smooth, spongy bass, 'healthy' midrange and 'singing' highs vs. the more "modern" tonality of a tight, crisp bass, midrange dipped and screaming highs.

In your context, Alnico II or Alnico III magnets in the same pickups you have now would produce the aforementioned "vintage" tonality as they are weaker than Alnico Vs. Or, you could simply lower your pickups far away from the strings. This will also achieve a vintage tonality as the magnetic pull on the strings would be reduced to mimic Alnico IIs or IIIs.

_________________
You dig?