Tone and Output Comparison for Different Grades of AlNiCo Magnets

There are two main factors to consider when discussing the overall sound of a pickup, the EQ balance (tone) and the output. Let’s start with the tone.

Alnico 2: warm and smooth vintage tone

Alnico 3: dark and glassy tone

Alnico 4: balanced tone

Alnico 5: punchy tone

Alnico 8: bright and aggressive tone

Now let’s discuss the pickup output. Keep in mind though that several other factors including how many coil windings the pickups have will greatly affect this.

Here’s the order from lowest to highest output:

Lower output magnets such as Alnico 2 and 3 are easier to “clean up” and don’t distort as easily. Higher output (hotter) magnets such as Alnico 5 and 8 sound louder and more distorted.

This is often why Alnico V magnets are used in humbuckers designed for high-gain genres like metal, whereas Alnico II magnets are used in vintage humbuckers found on ‘50s Les Pauls.

Alnico 3 magnets sound darker and glassier compared to Alnico 2 magnets which sound slightly brighter. Alnico 3 magnets have a tighter low-end but less mid-range compared to Alnico 2 magnets. Alnico 2 magnets have a higher output compared to Alnico 3, meaning they distort more easily.

Alnico 4 magnets have more output and a punchier tone with a tighter low-end compared to Alnico 2 magnets. Alnico 4 magnets distort more easily and Alnico 2 magnets sound cleaner, quieter and looser by comparison.

Alnico 2 sounds warmer and looser in comparison to Alnico 5 which sounds tighter and brighter. Alnico 5 has a higher output meaning it sounds louder and more gritty in comparison to Alnico 2 which sounds quieter and cleaner.

Alnico 3 magnets sound quieter and cleaner in comparison to Alnico 4 magnets. Alnico 3 magnets sound quite dark and glassy, whereas Alnico 4 magnets sound more balanced and more distorted.

Alnico 5 magnets sound brighter in comparison to Alnico 3. Alnico 5 also has a higher output so sounds much louder and grittier. Alnico 3 magnets have a smoother top-end and sound more balanced in comparison to Alnico 5 magnets.

Alnico 4 sounds more balanced in comparison to Alnico 5 which sounds punchier and more aggressive. Alnico 5 has a higher output so sounds more distorted and has a tighter low-end compared to Alnico 4 which sounds more rounded and warmer.

Alnico 8 sounds brighter and more aggressive compared to Alnico 5 as it has a higher output. This means that Alnico 8 sounds more distorted and punchy whereas Alnico 5 sounds tamer and cleaner in comparison.