Custom Custom in LP

[Burk]

I was thinking about putting a Duncan Custom Custom in my '77 les Paul Standard. It's a darker guitar, and I'm pulling out a set of EMG's that have been in there forever....looking for a better tone. Playing through Soldano stuff (classic rock and radio metal). I got a Gibson brand humbucker for the neck. Anybody got any opinions on this combo (Custom Custom in a LP)?

-B

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

Much too dark. A Custom Custom is already a midrange heavy dark pickup. Try out a brighter pickup like the JB or a C5.

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

^^ +1

True. The CC (use to be a DC) I had in a SG was WAY to dark for me. The C5 might balance it out since it's a super bright p'up with 500k pot. I personally prefer it with a 250k pot. Go with a '59n and a C5 for the LP. I had that set in a LP and it was great.

*edit*

I forgot that you already have the gibson neck. Which one is it?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

PAF's are great in LP's, and for a hotter bridge, a C5 or 498T. Some of us find the CC too dark in LP's, which combines a thick, dark wood with an overwound PU and a magnet with little treble. Not your best bet. CC's are made for brighter woods.

 

[oilpit]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

I say avoid the C5 like its the plague

I think JBs sound awesome in Les Pauls...

 

[cheezemaster]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

how about ye olde regular Duncan Custom?

just put one in my LP today.. so far so good, nice and fat and balanced - yet still retains a PAF-ish vibe. I haven't run it through my live rig yet.. nor have I adjusted it much but so far, it sounds great as is...

 

[Burk]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

The Gibson Neck pick up is a lower output (7.6 or so) zebra....I assume a burstbucker. I don't utilize the neck pu very often...it's just an afterthought.....

 

[Aceman]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

In a dark LP? I'm not feeling it.

I have a CC in a fairly bright Epi, and love it. I play classic rock and blues on that guitar. It's my go to Zepp, Clapton, Allmans etc...guitar.

Heavy mids (monster mid-mids hump), really fat, highs, pretty loose base.

Radio metal? Might be awesome for solos. It can crunch big time - but still, I don't think it's what you want.

All of that said, short bass screws tighten up the bottom, and raising the treble poles brings out the highs. It has lows/highs - it's just that it has wayyyy more mids.

You can always get a couple of mags (a5, ceramic) and swap them to make a C5 or a Custom if you don't dig the CC.

 

[Burk]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

on the Duncan Custom.....I have a Duncan Distortion in another LP. I like it, but I find that I like the sound of alnico magnets a little better. I have a '91 custom with factory 498T & 490R and love the tone (just wish it had a little more output). I tried an Alternative 8 in the custom and didn't really like it....it seemed a little mid-rangey for me.....

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

a '77 would be completely solid right? the CC will likely sound too dark, depending on taste.
+1 on the JB in a paul for nickelback-type stuff.

you don't need a custom in an LP in my opinion, even with the brighter C5 the customs are still quite overwound and get a bit muddy for some

 

[Burk]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

I am interested in a C5. I'm just tryin' to stay away from the ceramic magnet pick ups.....Someone said in a different thread that they didn't like the sound of C5's in LP's....

 

[apj]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

Both the JB and Custom 5 will sound great and both are alnico 5. It just kind of depends what you are going for. THe JB is a lot more mid heavy with a real mid spike in the upper mids, making it appear quite bright. THat however allows it to cut through the mix very well. I loved my les paul with a JB when I was playing lead in bands.

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

If you find the C5 too bright try a 300k or 250k to tame it. It was too bright for me. Like Aceman said, get some magnets. Go with the Custom you want the most and buy some magnets so you try the rest.

A2=CC
A5=C5
Ceramic= Duncan Custom
A8= Custom 8

Super Rad said a A4 magnet sounds like a A8 minus the output. I want to hear this for myself so I have to order some .

 

[blueman335]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

If you find the C5 too bright try a 300k or 250k to tame it. It was too bright for me. Like Aceman said, get some magnets. Go with the Custom you want the most and buy some magnets so you try the rest.

+1. 250K's to warm & thicken a C5, and that PU is very versatile with other magnets.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

I tried the DC, CC, C5, C4, C8 in my LP and didn't really like any of them. Tried all combinations with 500k and 250k pots. They just didn't have much character IMO. I put it in my SG Custom (with the A8 mag in it) and I think I may like it there. Need more time to "live with it" and see how I feel.

Some members here really like the Customs (with any one of the mag swaps that suite their fancy). I just didn't get along with it in my LP.

Just goes to show that we all have different tastes.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

I tried the DC, CC, C5, C4, C8 in my LP and didn't really like any of them. Tried all combinations with 500k and 250k pots. They just didn't have much character IMO. I put it in my SG Custom (with the A8 mag in it) and I think I may like it there. Need more time to "live with it" and see how I feel.

Some members here really like the Customs (with any one of the mag swaps that suite their fancy). I just didn't get along with it in my LP.

Just goes to show that we all have different tastes.

I like C8's in SG's and 335's. In LP's the C5 sounds better to me.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

burk - i just tried an A2 JB in my LP, i think it'd work well for what you're playing, assuming you play lead
obviously it won't hit the amp anywhere near as hard as the EMGs, but you do have a soldano

 

[WGTP]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

Duncun Custom for more of a vintagey PAF on Steroids tone. I get a little Pearly Gates with mine

JB for singing/hotter tone and it should help the darkness...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Custom Custom in LP

C5/59 is more toneful version of what Gibson puts in their Standards, so it's become a fairly common set for a LP. I don't get why anyone thinks the C5 is bright. It's basically a beefier sounding 59B.