Source for short pole toaster magnets wanted

[Hotzenplotz]

Exactly:

In a lot of threads I read that these are quite common. Unfortunately there was never a company named selling them.

What I'm looking for are alnico 5 magnets, 1/2" diameter and 3/8" height.

Now I know that a ratio of 1:4 for diameter:height is needed for the magnet completely working. Below that the magnet starts "to fight against itself".
- Maybe that's part of the recipe to realise that special capri sound?

But still I don't know where to buy...

- Here in Germany we still have got the metric system...

BTW: Any guess which size the long pole magnets have got?


As usual: Every input ist highly appreciated!

[collin]

The only reason these are rare is that they've never been sold as spare parts from RIC, and were only available on guitars during a few different periods of production (late 50s, late 60s and then 2004 onwards for C-series reissues).

While I have not personally done this, I have heard of people cutting the magnets on a long pole toaster. It's certainly possible I just don't know the procedure.

In my opinion, the tone of a Capri is mostly because of the body shape/depth, not the pickups.

[jdogric12]

I have heard of people cutting the magnets on a long pole toaster. It's certainly possible I just don't know the procedure.

In my opinion, the tone of a Capri is mostly because of the body shape/depth, not the pickups.

If someone does this, are they long enough to make a spare set?

[collin]

I have heard of people cutting the magnets on a long pole toaster. It's certainly possible I just don't know the procedure.

In my opinion, the tone of a Capri is mostly because of the body shape/depth, not the pickups.

If someone does this, are they long enough to make a spare set?

I don't believe so. From what I recall, the length that sticks into the bobbin is like 2/3 of the total magnet length, so the remainder cutoff of each one would be too short to use elsewhere.

The magnets pop out, there is just a small dab of glue holding each one in the bobbin.

[jdogric12]

the remainder cutoff of each one would be too short to use elsewhere.

That's a bummer, man.

[jps]

...the remainder cutoff of each one would be too short to use elsewhere..

Refrigerator magnets!

[maxwell]

Here's an ebay store with a variety of magnets for sale, a few with a 1/2" diameter, 3" long, which means you'd have to section these yourself:

https://www.ebay.com/str/erickmagnahold ... 7675.l2563

This same store, however, seems to imply that there is some customization available regarding length:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alnico-grade-5 ... SwH5NcomWW

You get five pieces of varying diameters, but likely you could request/substitute all the same 1/2" diameter.

You could always ask the seller a question, tell him what you're looking for dimensionally. This guy seems to be specializing in magnets, as that is only what he sells. Occasionally I need something a little different from an ebay seller; they accommodate you, send (email) you an invoice. Well, seems worthwhile checking out; precisely cutting off sections seems like a big PITA, and ending up with a product that probably won't be as nice as this pro can provide.

[espidog]

Wouldn't 1/2 an inch diameter be a very, very fat magnet - fatter than it was long and far too fat to fit into a toaster pickup? I'm wondering if Hotzenplotz means 1/4 inch.

However, at 3/8 inch length, even that would mean that the magnet was only 1.5 times longer than its width. That's not much, and certainly nowhere near the ratio of 1:4 he quotes.

To achieve a 1:4 ratio, a 1/4 inch diameter magnet would need to be 1 inch long, and a 1/2 inch would need to be 2 inches long!

Take a look at the photos in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=176878

There's no way those magnets are 1/2 inch diameter. If they were, the pickup would be enormous!

Hotzenplotz, if you're used to working in metric:

1/2 inch = 12.7mm
3/8 inch = 9.525mm
1/4 inch = 6.35mm

[maxwell]

FYI - I did not study these:

https://www.stewmac.com/electronics/pic ... gnets.html


Related Google search. You can do this yourself (enter your own search terms in your search engine) and get more locally available (Germany, EU) magnets.

https://www.google.com/search?ei=8WqIX7 ... ent=psy-ab

https://www.google.com/search?q=alnico+ ... AHoECAQQAQ

https://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Alnico-5#/

http://pickupbuilders.com/alnico-5-rod- ... t-top-187/

Typical guitar magnets are mostly just under 0.200 inches (1/5"). An average diameter, say, of 0.190 in. = 4.8 mm.


BTW, I was visiting threads over on the RIC website, and an awful lot of those now have a half page of error messages, and all the dialog is missing from all the individual posts.... bad news.

[Hotzenplotz]

There's no way those magnets are 1/2 inch diameter. If they were, the pickup would be enormous!

Hotzenplotz, if you're used to working in metric:

1/2 inch = 12.7mm
3/8 inch = 9.525mm
1/4 inch = 6.35mm

Absolutely right, Sir!

I was wrong, of course I meant a 1/4" diameter. I am very sorry for this confusion! Kinda typo mistake: the 2 is closer to the left index finger than the 4.

@ all: I'm impressed! Thank You all - a lot of knowlwdge, background links and ideas! I'm sure that will help very much.
Now I want to dive into that input and start some more reasearch.
- I'll keep You informed.

Thanks again!

[maxwell]

I forgot to include this link:

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/cust ... ckups.html

I was hoping that there would be some information here. It seems that all the magnets are LONG 1/4", even on the vintage style pickups.

There are a lot of smart guys here. Maybe one will pluck out a short magnet, measure and post the dimensions.

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P.S. -

Here you go, with the 1:4 ratio.....Alnico Grade 5 Rod Magnet, 1/4" diameter x 1" length:

https://www.magnetshop.com/alnico-grade ... -2116.html

Here's the link for the basic ordering page, where you can specify your desired diameter and length. Maybe you'll end up needing or wanting something else:

https://www.magnetshop.com/alnico-rod-magnets.html#1

[iiipopes]

I also prefer Alnico V for bridge pickups. Anybody try Alnico II for the neck pickup magnets? In other guitars I own where I had a choice, I like the subtly softer tone of Alnico II for neck pickups.

[Hotzenplotz]

So far I decided to got two ways:

1. I'll call a few pickup shops that offer restoration work for pickups.

2. Obviously there's no click and pay solution. So I have to find somebody that offers some affordable custom work.
- Well, the next evenings a few mails to write...

Thank You for the links and tons of input!