• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Felt Pen Marks on Pickup (Bar) Magnets

tybone

New member
Joined
Apr 26, 2009
Messages
22
Hi Everyone, I have a quick question about marks on some pickup magnets.

I'm a mod my guitars a LOT and, while swapping out some '68 P-90's for Fralins I noticed that the magnets in the old pickups each had 2 black sharpie marks on the edge. Two days later, I'm putting a T-Top in different guitar and noticed that that magnet in that pickup had 3 pen marks on the edge.

My question is, are the marks indicating magnet type? i.e. 2 marks for A2 and 3 for A3?

Thanks for any clarity you can provide.

Larry
 

tybone

New member
Joined
Apr 26, 2009
Messages
22
Confirmed sighting. I was looking at a P-100 and a T-Top and they both had bar magnets with 3 pen marks on it. I strongly suspect this is an alnico 3. I put one in a Burstbucker pro and it smooth out that nasty ass puppy quite well.

Case closed.
 

el84ster

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2001
Messages
1,420
No, pen marks on vintage pickup magnets were used to indicate the orientation so they didn’t screw things up. Used to indicate the north pole on a magnet. North goes toward the screw pole side on a humbucker.
 

el84ster

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2001
Messages
1,420
No, pen marks on vintage pickup magnets were used to indicate the orientation so they didn’t screw things up. Used to indicate the North Pole a magnet. North goes toward the slug pole side on a humbucker
 

tybone

New member
Joined
Apr 26, 2009
Messages
22
No, pen marks on vintage pickup magnets were used to indicate the orientation so they didn’t screw things up. Used to indicate the North Pole a magnet. North goes toward the slug pole side on a humbucker
That kinda makes sense if not for the fact that the pen marks are on the long side of the pickup on the short side (poles). Sorry for the lack of clarity on my original post.

This is an alnico 3 magnet from a 80's T-Top.
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
That kinda makes sense if not for the fact that the pen marks are on the long side of the pickup on the short side (poles). Sorry for the lack of clarity on my original post.
Yes, the long side with marks is north. The short sides are not the poles.
 

tybone

New member
Joined
Apr 26, 2009
Messages
22
Yes, the long side with marks is north. The short sides are not the poles.
Thanks Wilko, I'm a little confused AND I don't have a compass. But confusion is the gateway to learning so thanks man.

magnet-16-v2.7bf2e6b.jpg
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
Thanks Wilko, I'm a little confused AND I don't have a compass. But confusion is the gateway to learning so thanks man.
that's not a gibson humbucker magnet.

here:

apiyonkwc__41332.1589369954.jpg
 

el84ster

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2001
Messages
1,420
Yeah, Gibson used a special magnet with poles oriented along the long sides.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Three marks do not denote what grade the Alnico is!
 
Top