Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

The Alt 8 is installed—splicing the Gibson quick connect adapter from the 498 onto the Alt 8 was a pain, but it’s done now. I’ve only had a chance to play it through my modeler and headphones so far, which isn’t a great way to pick out nuances in pickups, but I’m hoping to get to run it through some real amps today sometime.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

Think you made the right choice, I have had the C8 and Alt8 in an Ibanez LP copy (ART600) and Schecter C-1 and found the C8 definitely has more of a "classic" voice, but the Alt8 still bites in a smooth modern way.

For hard rock you'll really enjoy it and it's compressed but still gives you a fair bit of control with your pick, and can get very vocal with the right amp. It can push an amp nicely as well so you've got options! Congrats


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

I got a chance to play it last night, but that was only through my modeler and through some headphones, which isn’t the best way to pick out subtle nuances in anything. I didn’t get a chance to play it through some real amps until tonight, and my first impression was extremely positive. I was A/Bing it against a different guitar with the Custom 8, and while I’m still very much in the honeymoon phase, I was actually enjoying the Alt 8 more. It was thicker, higher output (which may not always be a good thing but it seemed like it was tonight), and palm-muted stuff sounded amazing. I never had any issues with palm-muted riffs with the C8, but I felt like the Alt 8 was killing it tonight in this guitar.

Again, this is only a first impression but I’m really liking it so far. I was thinking that if it didn’t blow me away, I’d try to make it a hybrid with the C8 that isn’t working too well in my Tele (with the Gibson quick connect stuff, changing a pickup in this guitar is a PITA so making a hybrid out of it would be just as easy as installing a new pickup), but that may not happen now.
 
Last edited:
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

Ascension said:
I have run the Custom 8 and Alt 8 both in the same guitar. The Alt is the bigger rounder and warmer of the 2. Think of the Alt 8 as a bigger meaner and tighter JB.
Click to expand...

This is really interesting, because the Duncan Custom Shop told me that the Alternative 8 is the Custom 8 - they just didn't want to confuse the marketing of the current three Custom models any further.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

I don't know, the Custom has a nominal resistance of ~14k and the Alternative 8 is ~17k.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

I understand - there is evidence to the contrary - so that's why it is a puzzle when the company provides the information.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

hioctane said:
This is really interesting, because the Duncan Custom Shop told me that the Alternative 8 is the Custom 8 - they just didn't want to confuse the marketing of the current three Custom models any further.
Click to expand...

Had both it's absolutely NOT they sound completely different!
Alt 8 is much fatter smoother and hotter than the Custom 8
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

Not yet. It should be because it is very popular...because it is very very good!

I believe you can order it as a shop floor. But it is so easy to just get any Custom and change the mag to an A8.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

I stand corrected.

It's a shame to spend Custom Shop prices for such a simple mag swap procedure.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

I’d like to bump this thread....has the OP had a chance to play through an amplifier as opposed to the modelers?
I’d love to hear more about his impressions of the Alt 8 through a his amp.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

Gtrjunior said:
I’d like to bump this thread....has the OP had a chance to play through an amplifier as opposed to the modelers?
I’d love to hear more about his impressions of the Alt 8 through a his amp.
Click to expand...

Yep, post 23 talks about it further down.

Still loving it and hoping to get some time this weekend to really put it through its paces. I was hoping a pickup swap would make me reach for this guitar more often, and so far, that’s exactly what it’s gone.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

SweetClyde99 said:
Yep, post 23 talks about it further down.

Still loving it and hoping to get some time this weekend to really put it through its paces. I was hoping a pickup swap would make me reach for this guitar more often, and so far, that’s exactly what it’s gone.
Click to expand...

I saw that post but initially misread it. I thought you didn’t get a chance to play through an l but now that I re-read it I see my mistake!
Awesome....I’m glad you like it. I just might pull the trigger and try one myself one of these days.
 
Re: Custom 8 or Alternative 8 in a Les Paul

Gtrjunior said:
Would you say the Alt 8 has a scooped type midrange like the Custom series?
How would you categorize the midrange?
Click to expand...

Definitely not a scooped midrange. Strong mids, but not overbearing. Very similar tone curve to a Duncan Distortion. But I think of the Alternative 8 as smoother and rounder with all of the drive of the DD.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

alex1fly
Custom 8/59!
Replies
1
Views
63
Masta' C
Masta' C
N
Sweep picking on a Les Paul
Replies
6
Views
127
Archer250
Archer250
K
  • Poll Poll
Jazz JB or Jazz 59
2
Replies
26
Views
412
ToneFiddler
ToneFiddler
weepingminotaur
JB in my Les Paul is the bomb
Replies
16
Views
179
Rex_Rocker
Rex_Rocker
T
Best pickups to put in a Les Paul for metal?
2
Replies
26
Views
664
AdrianSD
A
Back
Top