59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

I'm just starting to get more into ceramic pickups. I started first enjoying the Super Distortion and then the D-Sonic even more. I recently gave the Custom an honest run and liked as much as the D-Sonic. However, the 59/Custom is kind of deceptive because even though it's not a hot pickup, it's so sensitive that it seems like it has a fairly high output. It cleans up extremely well. With all the distortion I had in this audio clip, the 59/Custom Hybrid can clean up to a bluesy breakup just by rolling my strat volume down to 7.

Ceramic pups are hard to beat for an 'in your face' sound; makes me think of drag racing. Air modded ones sound pretty good too, bit tamer if a regular one is too much.

Yea, I noticed that the output of the 59/C was lower but the overall tone didn't seem diminished. Maybe since the 59/C emphasizes those freqs flattering to one's hearing that it still sounds loud - probably that crispness and midrange discussed before doing the job.
 
Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

I think the nature of the hybrid may make it more finicky as to which magnet is best. I have a Custom/jazz, and nothing but a polished A5 worked in the chambered Studio it is in. Luckily that magnet is the 100% best for that combo.
 
Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

AN UPDATE: The 59/Custom Hybrid is a good pickup. I think it provides a much needed addition to the Duncan line. However, I think the problem that I have with it is that I don't start liking the pickup until I've been playing it for a while. When I initially pick up my guitar, it just seems like something is missing. Then, after my ears adjust, I start liking the pickup again. I can't describe exactly what it is. All I can say about it is that there's just something missing. I think I'm leaning towards a Custom, JB or back to the Pearly Gates.
 
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Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

I recently bought the 59/custom hybrid, and a Custom which I put an UOA5 magnet in. I have them in similar PRS guitars. Right now I am liking the UOA5-Custom better than the hybrid. The hybrid is a bit too... I dunno... Fizzy... Hot... clangy.... something. I think the hybrid sounds more like a ceramic magnet pickup than the custom did when the Custom HAD a ceramic magnet in it, and the hybrid is an A5. I need to put in some more time with both, and mess with the height of the Hybrid some more. I might try an UOA5 magnet in the hybrid, but I was kinda waiting for a few adventurers to do that before me, and report back to us.
 
Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

I recently bought the 59/custom hybrid, and a Custom which I put an UOA5 magnet in. I have them in similar PRS guitars. Right now I am liking the UOA5-Custom better than the hybrid. The hybrid is a bit too... I dunno... Fizzy... Hot... clangy.... something. I think the hybrid sounds more like a ceramic magnet pickup than the custom did when the Custom HAD a ceramic magnet in it, and the hybrid is an A5. I need to put in some more time with both, and mess with the height of the Hybrid some more. I might try an UOA5 magnet in the hybrid, but I was kinda waiting for a few adventurers to do that before me, and report back to us.

I'm starting to believe that the 59/Custom Hybrid would be best fit with a smaller A8 magnet. I think it would tame the brightness, tighten everything, and add low mids. To me, A8 is too powerful. I don't know if they make a slightly smaller size but if they do then putting some of those little plastic rings (Dimarzio Air mod) and the smaller size A8 would probably make a real awesome pickup.
 
Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

I really think that the UOA5 fits better in the hybrid than the A5. I haven't tried an A8 init yet, but that may also be a good option.
 
Re: 59/Custom Hybrid Review With Audio

The 59/Custom hybrid sounds imbalanced and bright to me. I think the Custom and 59 sound better. :)
 
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