Custom Custom in a Strat

[JB_From_Hell]

The pickup arrived as a TB14 Custom 5. Decided to convert it to a CC, given the general love of that in a Strat bridge. I really should’ve tried it as the C5 first, because it’s gonna be a lone time before I want to change anything.

It’s really like the big, thick sound you want to hear from position 1, but splits with the middle single really well in 2. The neck and middle are stock ceramic singles, and they balance with the CC really well. They sound better with my pedals and Orange than in the Spider IV, but I think I’m gonna start looking for a deal on a couple Texas Hot Ants. Gonna put a treble bleed in, as well. Never used to like those, but I’ve gotten really used to it in my PRS guitars, and the Strat sounds muddy when I turn the volume down.

In the meantime, I also moved the second tone pot to the bridge pickup, leaving the middle without. Might disconnect the neck pickup tone, also, to get a little more bite until I can replace them. Had a TBX on my last Strat’s neck, but I always left it wide open.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Answers a few questions I might have had about the CC in a Strat. Thanks for the post.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Answers a few questions I might have had about the CC in a Strat. Thanks for the post.

I’m going after slightly broken up to fairly high gain blues tones. Standard or Eb, with various gain staging. I run my amp pretty clean, loud, and clear, and leave a modded DS-1 on almost all the time. No real gain from it, just a volume boost and a little tone shaping. Any combination of a JHS mini Foot Fuzz, a mini Tube Screamer, and an EHX Soul Food are combined with it.

In that sort of setup, the CC is excellent. It’s the first Strat setup I’ve had where the neck pickup can be right and clear, and the bridge pickup doesn’t need the tone rolled off.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Very popular option as I am sure you know. I can't get along with most A2 pickups, but I do like me a C5

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

This is my absolute favorite bridge pickup in a Strat. Especially for 1 guitar bands.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

In a humbucker bridge strat, I am currently torn between whether a CC or 59/Custom Hybrid is king. I love them both.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

I’d like to try the hybrid sometime, but I’m not sure I want to go with less output.

The Custom Custom in this Strat has completely renewed my faith in SD pickups, though. It sounds right, like the Imperium did in my RG 7 string.

 

[SweetClyde99]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

These get such good reviews in Strats that I need to give in and try one. I’m always afraid I won’t get along with the low end though, as I do a lot of palm muting.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Aw. Now I miss my CustomCustom.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

This is my absolute favorite bridge pickup in a Strat. Especially for 1 guitar bands.

Mincer, I've seen this before (CC for 1-guitar bands). Does that mean 1 electric guitar? OK if an acoustic or two?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Mincer, I've seen this before (CC for 1-guitar bands). Does that mean 1 electric guitar? OK if an acoustic or two?

It just means that a CC occupies a lot of sonic space. I am sure an acoustic would be fine, as that sort of rides on top of everything.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

So what do you guys think... Alnico 2 singles? Ants? SSL-2s? Tex-Amex? Texas Specials?

After a bunch of tweaking, I don’t hate the stock pickups. They’re bright and glassy, but surprisingly not harsh. But I know the Texas Specials in my other Strat were better. Don’t wanna copy SRV or Jimi or whoever... just want something that pairs well with the CC, has good clarity, and sounds like a Strat neck and middle.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Honestly, I'd say Classic Stacks. They blend well with the CC. And they are quiet. If you go for regular singles, look at the Five Two.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Stacks if you don’t want the hum, or SSLs will go well. You really can’t go wrong with any of the strat singles.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Part of me wants to go with stacks, the other part buys the BS that a little noise is part of the single coil sound. F’ing decisions...

The Five Two is pretty interesting, as well.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

I have no problem with single hum, and prefer non RWRP middles. I would wire in two vintage singles and the split the bridge. You could also change T2 from the middle to the bridge.

 

[chadd]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

I have a CC and two APS-1 singles, love that setup.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Yeah the hum drives me crazy- if that is part of the ''single coil thing', then I guess I don't like them.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

I have no problem with single hum, and prefer non RWRP middles. I would wire in two vintage singles and the split the bridge. You could also change T2 from the middle to the bridge.

Always use T2 for the bridge, leave the middle without.

Though the general consensus is hating the middle pickup, I’m a huge fan and use it alone frequently. Is there any single that’s particularly good for the middle? Most of the time, it seems like an afterthought.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Custom in a Strat

Always use T2 for the bridge, leave the middle without.

Though the general consensus is hating the middle pickup, I’m a huge fan and use it alone frequently. Is there any single that’s particularly good for the middle? Most of the time, it seems like an afterthought.

With Strats, I am more traditional (all singles the same or close), but with a say an HSS or HSH, I try to match the middle to work with the hums split.