Custom 5 vs 59 Custom Hybrid

[Supernautilus]

I've decided I want to change things up for my Gibson SG. I currently have a stock 59 set in there now, nickel covers. It sounds great, but I've decided I want some more output and grunt for the bridge pickup. Not quite JB levels, but maybe somewhere half way. I also want to use a series/split/parallel switch, so I want something beefy enough for that purpose.

I've narrowed it down to what appears to be the best choices, which are the Custom 5 and 59 Custom Hybrid. Beyond the Custom 5 having more output, the main difference I can see is the Hybrid has a lot more mids, where the Custom 5 is more scooped. That is, if the EQ charts are accurate.

For those familiar with these pickups, can you give your thoughts on the differences between them? As well as any advice or suggestions on which would be best for my application? Is the Custom really just a louder 59, as it is described? How do both pickups sounds split? Is the mid bump on the Hybrid very noticeable?

Any info would helpful, thanks.

 

[GuitarDoc]

From my experience, I don't see the Custom 5 as just a louder 59. I see it as louder AND fuller. Also, the Custom 5 is not more scooped than the C/59 Hybrid...if anything it's just the opposite.

I would say that for what you are after the C5 would be a better choice than a Hybrid. Both sound great in series but the C5 is beefier. Both sound great split because, actually, they are both the same...they split to the same Custom coil. But I think that the C5 sounds a bit better in parallel than the Hybrid (which, to me, sounds a bit thin and anemic).

 

[jeremy]

i had a 59n/c5 set in my sg and i loved it!

 

[Mincer]

It sounds like it is between the Custom and the C5 for your applications. Just choose how much mids you want/need. The C5 will be more scooped, and both pair well with the 59.

 

[beaubrummels]

I've had both in my SG, and the Custom and Custom Custom also. For me, the Custom 5 wasn't that scooped but it had less mids in general. The C/59 was fairly even, maybe even a little brighter and thinner compared to the others. The Custom at first sounds like a loud 59 but when I spent time with it, it was brighter on the top end and had a bit more on the bottom end. If you're looking for beef in the bridge that isn't quite JB level, any one of the straight Custom family would do the trick.

 

[dotsdad]

Go with the original Duncan Custom (ceramic), not Custom 5 (A5) nor Custom Custom (A2).

It really does sound like the ad says - a PAF on steroids.

 

[Supernautilus]

Ok guys, sounds like the C5 is the way to go for me. I definitely want a full sounding pickup. And the Custom sounds tempting, but I'm not a fan of ceramic to be honest so I think I'll just stick with A5.

Many thanks!

 

[GuitarDoc]

Good choice. I hope you'll be happy with it. Just remember that the Custom is a great pup for accepting different magnets. That's an easy tweak if you need it. I've loved it with A5, UOA5, A4, A6, A8, A9, a little with A2 (depends on how bright your guitar is naturally), and even (rarely) ceramic. I generally, also, don't care for ceramic mags but I have a set of P-90s with ceramic mags that rocks the socks off.

 

[Supernautilus]

Put the Custom 5 in today. Love it. Just what I was told it would be. Loud and chunky, but still clear like a 59.

The balance between the bridge and neck is perfect now too. I no longer have to drop the neck down to match the output. I'm starting to like the medium output bridge/vintage output neck combo, in fact. I might try this more often with some of my other guitars.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Glad you got what you were looking for.