Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

[Gplayerzzz]

Was wondering how close they were.

 

[Dr.K]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

There's a bunch of info in this thread.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=157432

I don't recall if it specifically addresses your question but I found it very informative.

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

Na, everybody just fought in it lol.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

Hi people... I am afraid I will ask the same question as the op and dont want to spend the rest of my days reading the thread referred to. Can anyone tell me how the custom custom and EVH Frankie compare? And... because I never tried: would I be okay with a regular spaced humbucker on a Strat? I am concerned either or both will have too mushy low end, I dont want that. Okay there you go this is final: how do you think the IM1 compares? I thank you all a lot already so that someone might feel he really should answer. Cheers.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

OK - I read about half off that thread.

Evan Stop and MJ herself chimed in. What info could you be missing?!?!?!?!

I may be wrong here...(no coffee yet - brewing just now)

EVH had "The Mystery PAF" in his guitar - VH I, II
Then Duncan made him something - The original Custom Custom
Custom Custom goes production
Later, we want to recapture the original sound - The '78 is the new goto pickup
Then EVH goes to EB/Fender - EB is some DiMarzio concoction of Norton's/Air/Tonezones
The Fender pickup is stupid expensive and Fender only, but made by Duncan.
Back at Duncan, they can't recreate the fender pup for you, so they make the IM1

SO...If you want original VH tone, the '78 or the IM1 should do it
If you want 1984, the CC is your go to

A regular spaced pickup will work fine in a Floyd guitar, although the poles won't be all pretty in a line, and it is how you get the correct VH alignment when tilting.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

Not too interested in the intricacies of Van Halen ouvre, I just want that type of sound in the bridge of my stratocaster, and a little more modern/tighter the better. And I am a bit spoiled by boutique stuff, so production models like Custom Custom may not cut it, or they may, but I need to be as sure as possible asI don't want another pup thats going to lay around. That is why I am interested in Frankenstein or IM1, I would like to know if they have a substantial difference, especially in overall feel of quality. I didnt hear any good and truely helpful demos of Frankenstein, I liked what I heard of MI1. It sounded brighter but also tighter. The midrange is crucial since the guitar is a bit scooped. I wont be dealing with tilting my pickup and modding my pickguard for this, so got to know know if a regular spaced humbucker will work just as well. Thanks a lot for taking the time for this.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

The IM1 and the Frankenstein use different coil wire and magnets. The IM1 was allegedy voiced to sound similar to the Frankie, but not everyone feels that they are all that close.

I would reach out to fellow member, Dotsdad, whom I know has an original Frankenstein and an IM1. He can probably give you a solid comparison of those two pickups.

If you're going to spend custom shop dollars, I would lean toward the IM1 for added tightness over the Frankie or Custom Custom. Personally, I prefer the Frankie to the Custom Custom myself...similar, but a little more punch to the Frankie, in my opinion.

Based on your last post, you also sound like a possible candidate for the original VH Duncan model...the SH-5 Custom.

 

[daenius]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

The IM1 and the Frankenstein use different coil wire and magnets. The IM1 was allegedy voiced to sound similar to the Frankie, but not everyone feels that they are all that close.

I would reach out to fellow member, Dotsdad, whom I know has an original Frankenstein and an IM1. He can probably give you a solid comparison of those two pickups.

If you're going to spend custom shop dollars, I would lean toward the IM1 for added tightness over the Frankie or Custom Custom. Personally, I prefer the Frankie to the Custom Custom myself...similar, but a little more punch to the Frankie, in my opinion.

Based on your last post, you also sound like a possible candidate for the original VH Duncan model...the SH-5 Custom.

Isn't the Frankie also much higher output than the Custom Custom? So it would make sense that the Frankie is much punchier right? Would you say they're similarly EQ'd but just one has a higher output in this case?

The original Custom, though, IS AWESOME! $75 for a one way ticket to tonal heaven

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

I have played Custom Custom, Frankenstein, and IM1 in the same guitar (the one in my avatar). Completely different pickups.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

Different how?

I know what a stock Custom Custom is. Have on in a Superstrat right over there at the moment and was playing Panama this evening.

What are the differences, B-M-T-Output between those other two and the CC ???

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

I have played Custom Custom, Frankenstein, and IM1 in the same guitar (the one in my avatar). Completely different pickups.

From what I understood the Frankenstein is basically an aged Custom Custom. I have both but in very different guitars (one of my CC's is in an ash hardtail Strat, my other is in a basswood Strat with a Floyd, while my Frankenstein is in an ash Strat with a Floyd). What would you say are the differences having had them in the same guitar?

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

The IM1 and the Frankenstein use different coil wire and magnets. The IM1 was allegedy voiced to sound similar to the Frankie, but not everyone feels that they are all that close.

I would reach out to fellow member, Dotsdad, whom I know has an original Frankenstein and an IM1. He can probably give you a solid comparison of those two pickups.

If you're going to spend custom shop dollars, I would lean toward the IM1 for added tightness over the Frankie or Custom Custom. Personally, I prefer the Frankie to the Custom Custom myself...similar, but a little more punch to the Frankie, in my opinion.

Based on your last post, you also sound like a possible candidate for the original VH Duncan model...the SH-5 Custom.

It’s especially suited to warmer-sounding guitars with a prominent midrange, and many players like to use it in Les Pauls and Paul Reed Smiths. This is what the Duncan site says about the Custom. This guitar lacks midrange and I think would benefit from added warmth. So I doubt the Custom could be the right choice. I think I can see where you are coming from recommending it though. Also, I will spend custom shop dollars if it will make a difference, in my experience it tends to.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

I have played Custom Custom, Frankenstein, and IM1 in the same guitar (the one in my avatar). Completely different pickups.

I really would appreciate if you share some of your experience on those, and it appears others would too.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

Hi people... I am afraid I will ask the same question as the op and dont want to spend the rest of my days reading the thread referred to.

If you're not willing to do some of your own research and read a few pages then I'm not willing to spoon-feed you the information. Aceman went above and beyond for you here

I have played Custom Custom, Frankenstein, and IM1 in the same guitar (the one in my avatar). Completely different pickups.

Yeah, a nice breakdown/ comparison would be awesome

 

[Cdwillis]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

I know this doesn't help compare the IM1, Custom Custom, and Frankenstein pickup, but I put a Custom/SH5 in my strat a while back. Basically a Van Halen 1 style guitar with the single pickup and vintage trem. It pretty much nailed the early Van Halen tones through my friend's Marshall Vintage Modern. It cleaned up nicely with the volume knob, but it still had the chunk and harmonics when flat out.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

If you're not willing to do some of your own research and read a few pages then I'm not willing to spoon-feed you the information. Aceman went above and beyond for you here



Yeah, a nice breakdown/ comparison would be awesome

I did plenty research and I realized later that I had actually read through the thread in question before. I was just expressing my frustration because historiographical discussions of Van Halen pups are not very useful in my case as I am not targeting a specific Van Halen tone. What I am looking for I tried to explain in my other posts if you cared to read them. I think positively helpful remarks are more appropriate , noone is forcing anyone to help me out after all.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

I know this doesn't help compare the IM1, Custom Custom, and Frankenstein pickup, but I put a Custom/SH5 in my strat a while back. Basically a Van Halen 1 style guitar with the single pickup and vintage trem. It pretty much nailed the early Van Halen tones through my friend's Marshall Vintage Modern. It cleaned up nicely with the volume knob, but it still had the chunk and harmonics when flat out.

I am considering Custom too, actually located a used one for a good price. But the description on the product page didnt look very promising: warm guitars with plenty midrange, Les Pauls, PRSs... thats just what my strat isnt.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

The SH-5 Custom has plenty of mids, complete with some nice ceramic bite that makes it great for that early VH sound. It's not midrange-centric like some modern pickups, but it's no slacker in the midrange department, either.

Naturally, the Custom Custom is warmer than either the regular Custom or the Custom 5 and has a fuller sounding midrange than both, but it's less direct feeling and has less output, as well.

Also, when I said "punch" concerning the Frankie vs. the Custom Custom, I should have clarified...I wasn't referring to output (which is on-par with or even slightly less than the Custom Custom), but rather that the EVH has more bite and grind to its sound. Kind of difficult to explain until you've tried both.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

Great explanation, appreciated...

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Anybody ever compare the EVH Frankenstein with the Custom Custom?

From what I understood the Frankenstein is basically an aged Custom Custom. I have both but in very different guitars (one of my CC's is in an ash hardtail Strat, my other is in a basswood Strat with a Floyd, while my Frankenstein is in an ash Strat with a Floyd). What would you say are the differences having had them in the same guitar?

The Frankie felt more balanced overall. Though the voicing is different, it played kind of like the
Wolfgang pickup. It takes gain very well. I know the spec says its A2 but it has a bit of a5 scoop to it. Definitely not as growly and low mid heavy as the CC.