You've probably heard the cliché that Alnico 2 means warm, soft sound, so prepare to be surprised. The DiMarzio DP409 Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues pick up is not at all polite. The closer it's adjusted to the strings, the more raw it gets. In particular, the Alnico 2 magnetic field opens up all of the attack and definition of the low strings. It's a very hot pickup with a strong attack in the bridge position, and its Alnico 2 magnets allow it to produce a very warm, round sound in the neck position as well.