Finally got a chance to shoot out the 3 alnico 8 pups.
The test beds:
Crazy 8 in a Charvel 4
Alternative 8 in a Charvel 4
Custom 8 in a Kramer Focus 6000
I tried to make as level a playing field as possible.
I used my Peavey Ultra plus half stack so I could test under Ultra/Crunch and Clean.
Let me first say, this was fun.. These are 3 GREAT pickups!!!
And ALL will stay right where they are..
The similarities first:
I find they all have great note separation, even under high gain. Plus, if you slam a big chord and then pick notes under it, the notes come thru. NICE!!
The Eqs on all are similar. And are pretty level. There is no mid hump (like a CC) or big lows or anything. So you have more control with your amp or outward EQ.
All have chunky lows without any flab, present highs with no piercing.
They are all very expressive and sensitive to picking dynamics.
They all respond to clean up noticably when the volume is rolled down.
Now the differences:
I find this quite simple... Its basically 3 flavors but its all ice Cream.. (same ingredients listed above)
The Crazy 8 is more distortion flavor. Has more sizzle (NOT fizzy) and more cutting prescence. This is the best choice for players that like the Distortion type pups. This would be the last choice to use clean
The Custom 8 is more PAF/Vintage Flavor. Has a bit of a "squishy" attack with note bloom. This one I could just slam an A chord and hear the tubes clip. This would be the one to use if you want to occasionly cop a brown type of tone. ( NO, its not Brown sound pup!) Im just saying in has that paf natural tone.. This has the warmest clean.
The Alternative 8 is more crisp flavor. This is clean and prescise, but NOT sterile in any way.. Big, present sound all thru the range. This one would be great for guys who use lots of effects and this would probably be preferred by players who like Dimarzios.
Plenty of presence and tone , but very clear. Sounds good clean.
All in all, they are all great.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE em! And honestly think that if I had just 3 pups to choose from, Id be happy with these and can put whatever would suit the guitar. More distorted sound, vibey or clear for effects. Honesty, I think Ill prob buy Custom 8s and Alt 8s going forward.. They really are good. Thank You Seymour!!
Disclaimer.. I am not an authority, these are my opinions.. If anyone who has played any of the above have info to add, please feel free. I was going back and forth for about 2 hours.. Id prefer to have spent a day and made some tapes, but time didnt permit. Thanks!
Hope this is helpful!!
The test beds:
Crazy 8 in a Charvel 4
Alternative 8 in a Charvel 4
Custom 8 in a Kramer Focus 6000
I tried to make as level a playing field as possible.
I used my Peavey Ultra plus half stack so I could test under Ultra/Crunch and Clean.
Let me first say, this was fun.. These are 3 GREAT pickups!!!
And ALL will stay right where they are..
The similarities first:
I find they all have great note separation, even under high gain. Plus, if you slam a big chord and then pick notes under it, the notes come thru. NICE!!
The Eqs on all are similar. And are pretty level. There is no mid hump (like a CC) or big lows or anything. So you have more control with your amp or outward EQ.
All have chunky lows without any flab, present highs with no piercing.
They are all very expressive and sensitive to picking dynamics.
They all respond to clean up noticably when the volume is rolled down.
Now the differences:
I find this quite simple... Its basically 3 flavors but its all ice Cream.. (same ingredients listed above)
The Crazy 8 is more distortion flavor. Has more sizzle (NOT fizzy) and more cutting prescence. This is the best choice for players that like the Distortion type pups. This would be the last choice to use clean
The Custom 8 is more PAF/Vintage Flavor. Has a bit of a "squishy" attack with note bloom. This one I could just slam an A chord and hear the tubes clip. This would be the one to use if you want to occasionly cop a brown type of tone. ( NO, its not Brown sound pup!) Im just saying in has that paf natural tone.. This has the warmest clean.
The Alternative 8 is more crisp flavor. This is clean and prescise, but NOT sterile in any way.. Big, present sound all thru the range. This one would be great for guys who use lots of effects and this would probably be preferred by players who like Dimarzios.
Plenty of presence and tone , but very clear. Sounds good clean.
All in all, they are all great.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE em! And honestly think that if I had just 3 pups to choose from, Id be happy with these and can put whatever would suit the guitar. More distorted sound, vibey or clear for effects. Honesty, I think Ill prob buy Custom 8s and Alt 8s going forward.. They really are good. Thank You Seymour!!
Disclaimer.. I am not an authority, these are my opinions.. If anyone who has played any of the above have info to add, please feel free. I was going back and forth for about 2 hours.. Id prefer to have spent a day and made some tapes, but time didnt permit. Thanks!
Hope this is helpful!!
)
