Neodymium magnet
A rare-earth magnet made from an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron, far stronger for its size and weight than the ceramic or alnico magnets used in most pickups.
Its value in speakers is weight: a neodymium driver can produce the magnetic field of a much larger ferrite magnet, which is why modern lightweight cabinets exist. In pickups the extra strength allows a small design, though the resulting sound differs enough from traditional magnets that many players prefer the older materials. In either case the strength is a design parameter rather than an improvement in itself.
Example: a neodymium-loaded speaker cabinet can weigh half what the same cabinet with a ceramic magnet does, without losing output.
See also
Related
- PageAlnico
- PageCeramic magnet
- PageCabinet
- PageActive pickup
- PageBlade pickup
- PageBlend control
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley