Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

bryan the rocker

bryan the rocker

New member
1) Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ? specially Hard Rock, Light Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, Funk, Thanks



2) Already have a Custom 5, am I missing something special if I don't get a 59/Hybrid ?


3) Can I Lower the Pickup Height or Tweak an Amps EQ to make the Custom 5 Sounds Closer to the 59/Hybrid ?
 
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Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

I find it easier to get lo or mid gain tones due to the lower output of the hybrid, your mileage may vary.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

I haven't used the Custom 5, but I've found that the '59/C splits really nicely and adds extra versatility.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

And maybe interesting to know that the hybrid splits to the Custom coil.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

bryan the rocker said:
1) Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ? specially Hard Rock, Light Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, Funk, Thanks



2) Already have a Custom 5, am I missing something special if I don't get a 59/Hybrid ?


3) Can I Lower the Pickup Height or Tweak an Amps EQ to make the Custom 5 Sounds Closer to the 59/Hybrid ?
Click to expand...
Have both and no the Custom 5 is never going to sound like the hybrid' The Hybrid feels much hotter than the Custom 5 even though the chart says it's not. The Custom 5 is a big chewie fat pickup but because of the scoop in the mids doesn't cut well for single note solos. It also does not have the explosive harmonics of the unbalanced coil hybrid or its singing solo voice.
The 2 are very different with the Custom 5 being a great brown sound fat big pickup for rhythm playing but I find it can get loose and sloppy at very high gain and doesn't cut well for solos.
The hybrid is brighter but still a big sounding pickup with meat and really nice expressive harmonics plus really sings on the solo voicing. It's much more articulate clear and defined at high gain.
Have guitars set up with both they both have their place but are very different.
 
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Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

My thought is that if you have a mid-heavy guitar, the Custom 5 is a great choice. I think if your guitar is balanced, the C5 might be too scooped, and won't sound great for cleaner styles. The Hybrid is much more versatile in a balanced guitar, however. It retains more dynamic range, the EQ is better balanced, and sounds better at more gain ranges.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

The Custom isn't a universal choice for 'all kinds of music', but then again, no pickup really is. There's always better choices that are specialized for certain genres. C5's are bright and midscooped, which works in some guitars for some genres. To me it's best in mahogany and similar woods that fill in the mids and add warmth. Whereas a Custom 2 (SH-11) may be too warm in an LP, it could be well-balanced in a Strat.

Hybrids humbuckers undo some the 'humbucker effect.' Humbuckers increase noise, high end, and clarity, while adding output and mids; the hotter the coils are wound, the more HB effect. Hybrid picks have an unmatched component, due to the difference in resistance, windings, etc between the coils, so they only have a partial humbucker effect. Some single coil tone is still present, making hybrids somewhat brighter, clearer, and less middy than matched coils. For that reason, I like hybrid HB's in the neck slot to clean up any hint of a dark, muddy pickup.

With a bridge hybrid, you're adding high-end and thinning out mids in a slot that is inherently brighter and thinner due to reduced string energy. That works in some applications for some players, but not for everybody. The '59/Custom has a huge coil mismatch, 7K vs 4.1K, so it's a bright pickup without a lot of mids,and you're hearing almost half of the individual coil of the Custom leaking thru (and a 7K PU is bright). Plus it has an A5, which is also bright and scooped. For me, the only way a bridge hybrid works is with a warm magnet like an A2, UOA5, or A8 to add back some of the warmth and mids to balance it's EQ.

The '59/Custom isn't a universal PU either, but maybe more so than a C5, but you've got some high-end to tame. To me, a straight '59B would work well for a number of genres. Have you considered that?
 
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Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

blueman335 said:
a straight '59B would work well for a number of genres.
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^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^

And if you add an A8 mag to it, you'll be even able to do Modern Metal with even tighter bass than a Custom. You amp's gain will do the rest.

An A8-modded '59b is meant to be matched with an A4-modded '59n. in the neck. That's the quintaessential "universal" p'up set. It can do both the "vintage" and the "modern" without even breaking a sweat, so to speak.

You can thank me later... :cool:

/Peter
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

Discharged said:
^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^

And if you add an A8 mag to it, you'll be even able to do Modern Metal with even tighter bass than a Custom. You amp's gain will do the rest.

An A8-modded '59b is meant to be matched with an A4-modded '59n. in the neck. That's the quintaessential "universal" p'up set. It can do both the "vintage" and the "modern" without even breaking a sweat, so to speak.
Click to expand...


And a '59B with an UOA5 makes a great blues/classic rock pickup. With Duncan expanding their Custom to 3 variants in production, they could do the same thing with '59B's. Offer one with an A8, and another with an UOA5. They really should have a '59N model with an A4 too.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

A double screw A8 59n is my secret weapon humbucker. I got the idea from a mix of Allen Holdsworth, EVH, and the Super 70.

Come to think of it, I think I actually managed to record decent sound clips of that one back when my church used to stream their services on YouTube.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

Ascension said:
Have both and no the Custom 5 is never going to sound like the hybrid' The Hybrid feels much hotter than the Custom 5 even though the chart says it's not. The Custom 5 is a big chewie fat pickup but because of the scoop in the mids doesn't cut well for single note solos. It also does not have the explosive harmonics of the unbalanced coil hybrid or its singing solo voice.
The 2 are very different with the Custom 5 being a great brown sound fat big pickup for rhythm playing but I find it can get loose and sloppy at very high gain and doesn't cut well for solos.
The hybrid is brighter but still a big sounding pickup with meat and really nice expressive harmonics plus really sings on the solo voicing. It's much more articulate clear and defined at high gain.
Have guitars set up with both they both have their place but are very different.
Click to expand...

I've never heard anyone call a C5 "fat". The scooped mids are pretty much the antithesis of a fat tone to me.
 
Re: Custom 5 vs 59/Hybrid for All Types of Music ?

blueman335 said:
The '59/Custom isn't a universal PU either, but maybe more so than a C5, but you've got some high-end to tame. To me, a straight '59B would work well for a number of genres. Have you considered that?
Click to expand...
I like the higher output, so when its split, its closer to real single coils
 
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