Custom 5 with tighter bottom end

[grimm26]

The Custom 5 is my bridge pickup of choice, but sometimes I wish it had tighter bottom cuz it can boom quite a bit when chugging with some tones. Aside from maybe lowering it or just adjusting eq - too easy! - is there another SD that is close to a Custom 5 but less bass?

Thanks!

 

[gsammo79]

Look at the Pegasus. I think that would be a solid plan b option with the Duncan inventory.

 

[SFW]

Full Shred

 

[Clint 55]

The SNS sounds very similar to the scoopy jazz/custom wind. If you put an A5 in one, you would have something very similar to a lower wound Custom 5 imo.

 

[Aceman]

The Custom has no less bass, but you may find it tighter due to Ceramic mag.

 

[dave74]

Full Shred should do the trick. About the same wind but with the hex-screws.

 

[skelt101]

The Custom 5 is my bridge pickup of choice, but sometimes I wish it had tighter bottom cuz it can boom quite a bit when chugging with some tones. Aside from maybe lowering it or just adjusting eq - too easy! - is there another SD that is close to a Custom 5 but less bass?

Thanks!

You might just try installing a set of short polepieces:
https://www.mojotone.com/Short-Humbucker-P90-5-40-Polepieces-Nickel

 

[Juanhanglo]

I own a full shred set.

the full shred set is bright if you use the same settings as regular humbuckers. It changes significantly when you bump up the bass on your Amp to compensate. It takes on a fat midrangy, detailed sound. To my ears anyway. I don't think this will work in your case.

Perhaps try some hex poles under the wound strings?

Dimarzio makes the Steve's special which is another mid scooped pickup. It may be tighter?

 

[Mincer]

I'd agree with the Pegasus and even the Omega might get you what you want. The C5's scooped sound is pretty unique, so it is difficult with direct comparisons.

 

[grimm26]

Look at the Pegasus. I think that would be a solid plan b option with the Duncan inventory.

I have a guitar with a pegasus in the bridge, and it is like it is too narrowly focused and has a mid spike that the Custom 5 doesn't have. That said, I have kept it because it is useful for some stuff that I play.

 

[grimm26]

Full Shred

The Full Shred and the JB are pretty much my least fave SD pickups

 

[grimm26]

You might just try installing a set of short polepieces:
https://www.mojotone.com/Short-Humbucker-P90-5-40-Polepieces-Nickel

Really? So the ends of the screws aren't as close to the magnet or something? What's the idea behind this?

 

[grimm26]

The Custom has no less bass, but you may find it tighter due to Ceramic mag.

That crossed my mind. I know I've had a Custom Custom in the past and did not like it, but I don't think I've had a Custom. I'll keep an eye out for a used one.

 

[grimm26]

The SNS sounds very similar to the scoopy jazz/custom wind. If you put an A5 in one, you would have something very similar to a lower wound Custom 5 imo.

Now that's an idea. I have wanted to try an AlNiCo 4 pickup anyway. Hmm...

 

[gsammo79]

I have a guitar with a pegasus in the bridge, and it is like it is too narrowly focused and has a mid spike that the Custom 5 doesn't have. That said, I have kept it because it is useful for some stuff that I play.

I hear that in the Pegasus too. You might consider the custom shop if you're not finding another Duncan pup that fits what you're wanting

 

[nexion218]

Have you tried simply lowering the pickups?

 

[hamerfan]

grimm26 : It was the same with me, but the Custom is the most versatile pickup as well. I swapped any mag and hex screws in it.

 

[Ascension]

One pickup you might want to look at is the Dimarzio Gravity Storm bridge. Tight and huge sounding it's pretty unique. I really like the thick open tones I get with the Custom 5 for some things. However the scooped mids and looser bottom don't work for me in a full band situation and how I play. The Gravity storm has that big expressive open tone but is tighter and really cuts in the mids. Really cool unique pickup.

 

[jeremy]

The SNS sounds very similar to the scoopy jazz/custom wind. If you put an A5 in one, you would have something very similar to a lower wound Custom 5 imo.

i dont agree with that. the bridge sns sounds nothing like a c5 to me

 

[skelt101]

Really? So the ends of the screws aren't as close to the magnet or something? What's the idea behind this?

The ends of the screws would be closer to flush with the baseplate. It’s supposed to change the inductance and (perhaps) tighten the magnetic field a bit. The grade of steel will also make a difference, but Seymour Duncan are pretty tight lipped about what they use. I tried replacing the polepieces on a muddy set of Gibson P90s, as well as a PRS humbucker. It did make a difference, but perhaps not “night and day”. It might be worth trying on the wound strings in your case.