Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

G

GOLDWING68NV

New member
hey guys,i'm interested in the SH-15 pickup,but i've read conflicting reviews on it and i'm confused...is the SH-15 pickup considered a "brighter" or "darker" pup? i have a cheap,old les paul-copy(****ty wood),and it's a very bright,thin "toneless"sounding guitar.i was considering sticking an Invader pickup in it,but i usually prefer "alnico" magnets...wondering it the SH-14 will work well for this les paul-copy,as far as "warming" it up(i.e. lots of tight bass,thick mids and rounded,singing highs)??? i've tried a Custom 5 SH-14,but it's too lacking in mids & overly bassy for this guitar...thanks! btw,happy 4th:unitedsta to everyone!!!
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

Its not bright but its not dark sounding either. Its highs just aren't shrill. Still good amounts of treble.
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

so would the Custom 8 be a good "fit" for my aforementioned bright,thin-sounding les paul-copy guitar or should i go with an Invader instead.i'll be playing hard rock thru metal,btw... thanks!
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

GOLDWING68NV said:
so would the Custom 8 be a good "fit" for my aforementioned bright,thin-sounding les paul-copy guitar or should i go with an Invader instead.i'll be playing hard rock thru metal,btw... thanks!
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If you play mostly rhythm, riffs, power chords and such, an Invader is great. If you do alot of lead work, go with something else.
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

It's not bright, that's for sure. It's not dark either.

It'd be awesome to tame a too bright guitar and still get cut. In a too dark guitar you may struggle though. I find it darker than bright, but it's in the middle really.
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

ok,seeing that i do as much or more lead work than rhythm,it sounds like i'll have to give the "Custom 8" a try in my les paul copy! thanks to all who replied... :)
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

The SH15 is the Alternative 8

The Custom 8 is what we call a SH5 Custom with a DIY swapped magnet (ceramic for Alnico8)
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

Thanks Pierre for posting that!! Im reading thru go "please, somebody set it straight!!"

I dont know where there has been any conflicting reports about tha SH15. Those of us who have them pretty much state the same thing.

Please be careful not to confuse the Alternative 8 SH-15 with the Custom 8.

The Alternative 8 is big sounding and has a great clarity to it. Great for leads and rhythym.

I also have and love a couple of custom 8s.. great too. This is has a more driven sound, but very musical and responsive. If you have ever played a Duncan Custom, its alot like the custom with alittle more warmth. (soul)

I think you would lose clarity if you run an invader in a paul.. BUT... Gates from A7X runs them in a mahog guitar and gets good results..
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

thanks for clarifying that for me guys! much appreciated.the SH-15 is what i'm gonna go with...i'l post my results,once i've got it in my guitar! :)
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

ok,got myself a duncan TB-15 AND a dimarzio Tone Zone,for this bright,thin,toneless old "Hondo" les paul copy...tried both pups and the winner is: Duncan TB-15...the Tone Zone was pretty close,though.it would have worked out pretty good,in this guitar,but once i tried the TB-15...it won! both pups are pretty close...thick mids and plenty of bottom-end,good rounded highs but not,at all dark.both pickups are clear,tight & punchy.the TB-15 has a little bit more overall "beef" to it,but still has a descently-bright top end.the Tone Zone is almost as beefy,but has a slightly darker tone to it...either way,both pups have great harmonics and have nice,singing "highs"......so,just wanted to report back!!! if you've got a thin,trebly bright toneless axe that needs a good pup for some
"tone",either pickup will work just fine...but the my overall vote goes to the "Alternate 8"/TB-15!!! :headbang:
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

Actually now that you did the TZ/SH15 comparison, I can see that the A8 is what the TZ should have been like from the start! The TZ is overly dark and loose, but has that chewey, fat sound otherwise... which the SH15 has while keeping a vintage 'feel' (somewhat), low compression, clearer bass and more presence (thought it still sounds like a slightly dark pickup to me, but not dramatically so).
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

Cool! GLad you dig it! I think they are similar too, but the TZ can get dark and I think the duncan has more soul/vibe
 
Re: Custom 8 SH-15 pup question???

Pierre said:
Actually now that you did the TZ/SH15 comparison, I can see that the A8 is what the TZ should have been like from the start! The TZ is overly dark and loose, but has that chewey, fat sound otherwise... which the SH15 has while keeping a vintage 'feel' (somewhat), low compression, clearer bass and more presence (thought it still sounds like a slightly dark pickup to me, but not dramatically so).
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yeah,i agree! ...i think the "darkness" of the Tone Zone comes from having ALOT of "low-mids" to it...otherwise,it's a great pup,but the TB-15 does sound a bit more "vintage/modern",whereas the Tone Zone is "all-modern".i'm definately keeping the Tone Zone,as well...either way,thanks to all,for your input!!! :)
 
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