A3 or A4 in a Custom?

[appar111]

Has anyone tried an A3 or A4 in a Custom? I was going to slap an A2 in it, essentially making it a Custom Custom, but wondered if anyone had tried an A3 or A4 in one.

Ideally, I'd like the sound of a Custom Custom, but with a little more bass, a little more treble bite, and every-so-slightly less pronounced mids. Would an A3 or A4 do this?

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

a4 would be the way to go if you just want to flatten the EQ response a bit, though it's mids aren't as complex as a2.

 

[appar111]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

I've read that A3 is like A2, but a little weaker and with a little more treble bite. Have you used an A3 before?

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

i have. i've got an a3 jazz currently, and previously had an a3/a5 phat cat bridge in the neck. i love it in my jazz, it's not overly bright and has a certain chime to it, with tighter lows than a2. in my phat cat mixed with the a5 it was very thin and jangly and very single coil-y. it was too thin for me so i swapped the a3/a5 for a4/a5 to bring in some mids and smooth out the highs. a4 has been described as being the middle ground EQ wise between a5 and a2, while having a "best of all worlds" bass response- not too thin and/or big and not too loose/tight.

 

[appar111]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

Sounds like it might work out great in a Custom to get me somewhere between a Custom Custom and a Custom 5 sound..

 

[blueman335]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

Sounds like it might work out great in a Custom to get me somewhere between a Custom Custom and a Custom 5 sound..

The Custom is a very versatile PU, and worth trying any magnet in. Go for it.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

I have a 355 with a CC in it and an A3 mag. It's not a huge difference from an A2, maybe just a tiny bit more sparkle.

 

[appar111]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

Still pretty thick in the mids then?

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

Not much difference, certainly not enough to make you run out and say, oh I've just got to get an A3 for this thing!

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

I like A4 for the Custom. I have this weird perception that anything other than ceramic and A4 rob that pickup of it's PAF-ness. The A2 makes it too dark and round, the A5 scoops it out, and 3 just sounds somewhere between a2 and a5. A4, for some reason, sounds like the great PAF-based design, just more tame than with a ceramic.

If you can take anything away from that description power to you.

 

[MattPete]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

The A3 is god-like, and fixes some of the issues with the CC (adds a bit more highs and lows). It's been years since I tried an A4, but I remember it sounding unpleasant and harsh.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

I used to love a3's in CC's. However, later with the help of some of the great people here, I swapped the screws under the wound strings with allen heads. It works for me, a little tighter, a little brighter. But the high E B and G are still great.

B

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

I have used an A2, A3, A4, A5, A8 and ceramic in the custom series pickups. All have their voice and all can be great in the right guitar. My fav is the Custom with an A8!! I am using this in about 5 guitars now..

I posted a pretty detailed shootout thread before. The 3 and 4 are slight tweaks (baby steps if you will). The 3 is similar to the 2 but with alittle more on the high and bass sides and not quite so middy. The 4 is very similar to the 5 but with a tiny bit of the highs and lows removed. I had a little bit of flubbiness with my Custom 5 in my Explorer, so I changed to a 4 and it kept the same character, but shaved off the lowest lows and highest highs..

kind like this:
C5 tone spread
12345678910
A4
23456789

A3
34567
A2
456

Alil dramatic, but this is the best way I can think to put it..



I now have an 8 in the explorer. All the nuggets of the custom but with an alnico warmth...

 

[appar111]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

Sounds like the A3 magnet is the one I want to try out.

Which reminds me, blueman335-- I got the letter back that I tried to send you with the bucks for the A2's you sent me. No clue what happened, and if it was my post office or yours that had the mix-up, but I feel really bad! (even though it's only a few bucks). PM me your address again so I know I've got it written down right. I hate thinkin' that you sent me something I didn't pay for!

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: A3 or A4 in a Custom?

Here is an ancient test of mine, and I hope you find it useful.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=35

B