Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

[SDK2]

Hi All,
has anyone measured the real output increase b/n a Custom SH-5 and a Custom SH-5 with A8 (C8) ?
i pulled the trigger and will get one and a A8 mag.
My goal is to pair with with :

- middle: Vintage Hot Stack Plus Strat STK-S7 - DCR:11.9
- neck: Custom Stack Plus Strat STK-S6 - DCR:14.5

Wondering if that will be a good match in output

 

[AlexR]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

Output you measure and perceive has all to do with running it through an amp......and in such a way only you will know how your style and the rig reacts to the guitar in question (yes, that will be a variable too). As you have both pickup and spare mag, you will no doubt have way more info on this question in a few days worth of playing and swapping than we could possibly guess at.

And practically every pickup tends to be mounted with height adjustment screws.....this too is an invaluable tool for pickup output balancing.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

A8 isn't hotter than ceramic, it's cooler.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

You won't notice a difference in output going from a ceramic mag to an A8, but you will notice a difference in tone...much warmer, more mids, less biting highs.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

Some advice do NOT get the A8 pickup to close to the strings!! The mag pull with A8 is substantial you will feel it first hand when you tighten the base plate screws after you drop the mag in. They do NOT play nice to close to your strings and will loose sustain and get weird overtones. I love A8 pickups set up right and am running an Alt 8 in the bridge of my #1 guitar right now but you MUST set them up farther away from your strings than normal!! Find that sweet spot on hight with a Custom 8 and those in the right guitar can be MAGIC!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

Some advice do NOT get the A8 pickup to close to the strings!! The mag pull with A8 is substantial

Maybe I'm a bit lost, but a few comments up, someone mentioned that A8 is not as strong as ceramic. How can it have more string pull if its weaker?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

Maybe I'm a bit lost, but a few comments up, someone mentioned that A8 is not as strong as ceramic. How can it have more string pull if its weaker?

You're really not going to notice much difference in output or string pull between ceramic and A8. A8 is noticeably stronger than any of the other alnico magnets however.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

You're really not going to notice much difference in output or string pull between ceramic and A8. A8 is noticeably stronger than any of the other alnico magnets however.

Yep but if you set up a A8 mag pickup like you do an A2 or 5 they sound like poo. They definately have a sweet spot where they want to be and if you miss it can really sound bad. An A8 trademark I have seen in ever A8 pickup I have used from the Ibanez Super 70's to Custom 8's and down to the Alt 8 is how sensitive they are to height changes. Much more so than with any other mag combo I have used so be aware that with A8 small changes in height can make a BIG difference in tone!

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

Yep but if you set up a A8 mag pickup like you do an A2 or 5 they sound like poo. They definately have a sweet spot where they want to be and if you miss it can really sound bad. An A8 trademark I have seen in ever A8 pickup I have used from the Ibanez Super 70's to Custom 8's and down to the Alt 8 is how sensitive they are to height changes. Much more so than with any other mag combo I have used so be aware that with A8 small changes in height can make a BIG difference in tone!

Well, that's true. But MOST pups with ANY magnet have a sweet spot as well. That's the nature of the beast. Since A8 is so strong, it will obviously have a greater effect on the strings up close. Nothing to get hyper or paranoid about.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Custom 8 real VS perseived output increase?

Well, that's true. But MOST pups with ANY magnet have a sweet spot as well. That's the nature of the beast. Since A8 is so strong, it will obviously have a greater effect on the strings up close. Nothing to get hyper or paranoid about.

Agreed on most have a sweet spot. However my experiance with A8 has been they are MUCH more sensitive to small adjustments in distance from the strings than any other pickups for some reason. Just saying be aware of this and work with these on height as a little can change a LOT tone wise with A8.