Custom in Les Paul?

[BloodRose]

If I were to put a Custom into my Paul, What would I get?? Meaning how would it compare to the stock 498?

What about a CC in a Paul? Too middy??

something in my gut says I need to be using a Custom, but when I put one in my Explorer, I wasnt satisfied til I made it an Custom4.

thanx

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

If I'm not mistakin', Simon used to have one of those in one of his Pauls.... I sorta remember him sayin' it really brought it to life.... Maybe he'll jump in to share his input... I really did like the custom in my LTD ec-1000 (not as much mahogany has a Les Paul but basically the same materials)... sounded nice and chunky....

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

Actually the CC would be fine in a LP because of the maple cap.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

It's quite a coincidence you should ask this today, as last night I swapped the Custom / '59 pair back into my '96 LP Standard in place of the Seths. I don't know whether this will be a permanent change, as I love the Seths, but now I have Ants in my LP Classic I thought I'd like to give the Custom another spin. Not sure whether I want two vintage-output LPs or one vintage and one hot-rodded. Decisions, decisions.

I have played the Custom in my Standard on a couple of occasions previously, and liked it a lot. It is hotter than the PAF-style pickups I normally go for, but not so hot as to sacrifice versatility. It is quite a bright pickup, but the mids are strong too and the bottom is tight and chunky. I find rolling the bridge tone control back to around 7 or 8 gets it just right.

When I have played the Custom in an LP with a band, the first and most obvious thing I have always noticed is how my tone really cuts through. The second thing I have always noticed is the big silly grin on my face as I wheel out all my favourite classic rock guitar cliches. Must be the way the mids are on this pup, but you can hear yourself so clearly and the notes just leap out at you. Sustain and harmonics are suddenly more easily available. Compared with an alnico 2 pickup the mids are noticably harder, but for a ceramic the Custom still cleans up nicely when you roll back the volume.

In comparison with the 498T, I would say the Custom has similar output, but is less harsh sounding and better balanced. It has full mids, but no upper midrange spike. I find that spike in the 498T detracts from the bottom end and makes it sound tinny. None of that with the Custom - it rocks in an LP!

Not sure whether Billy Duffy used a Custom on The Cult's "Electric", but that's the kind of tone you get with one in an LP. I hear Dan from The Darkness has the Custom / '59 set in some of his LPs too. It also does a good Ace Frehley impression when pushed!

I consider myself mainly a PAF-type guy, but if I want to turn up the heat a little the Custom is my ceramic of choice. :newangel:

Whether you go Custom or CC, just get the other magnet too and you'll be all set!

 

[ratkent]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

I have a Custom Custom in my Les Paul Custom. The other Seymour Duncan pickup I tried in it were the JB, Custom and Pearly Gates. I wish I would have tried the CC sooner because it is perfect in that guitar. Don't let the mid-spike graphic on the tone chart fool you. The CC is a balanced sounding pickup and actually seems a lot smoother to me than either the JB or the Custom. I think it is one of the best higher-output PAFs ever produced.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

I moved between a bunch of pickups for Pauls, and like the C-5/59 the most, although I also like the CC and Custom too. For vintage, Seths are my first choice.

The C-5 has that tight bouncy bass and no midspike. It's the most versatile pickup for jumping between amps or channels, because it's powerful and neutral, so it picks up the vibe of a larger variety of amp tones. That pickup loves EL-34's!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

It's quite a coincidence you should ask this today, as last night I swapped the Custom / '59 pair back into my '96 LP Standard in place of the Seths. I don't know whether this will be a permanent change, as I love the Seths, but now I have Ants in my LP Classic I thought I'd like to give the Custom another spin. Not sure whether I want two vintage-output LPs or one vintage and one hot-rodded. Decisions, decisions.

I have played the Custom in my Standard on a couple of occasions previously, and liked it a lot. It is hotter than the PAF-style pickups I normally go for, but not so hot as to sacrifice versatility. It is quite a bright pickup, but the mids are strong too and the bottom is tight and chunky. I find rolling the bridge tone control back to around 7 or 8 gets it just right.

When I have played the Custom in an LP with a band, the first and most obvious thing I have always noticed is how my tone really cuts through. The second thing I have always noticed is the big silly grin on my face as I wheel out all my favourite classic rock guitar cliches. Must be the way the mids are on this pup, but you can hear yourself so clearly and the notes just leap out at you. Sustain and harmonics are suddenly more easily available. Compared with an alnico 2 pickup the mids are noticably harder, but for a ceramic the Custom still cleans up nicely when you roll back the volume.

In comparison with the 498T, I would say the Custom has similar output, but is less harsh sounding and better balanced. It has full mids, but no upper midrange spike. I find that spike in the 498T detracts from the bottom end and makes it sound tinny. None of that with the Custom - it rocks in an LP!

Not sure whether Billy Duffy used a Custom on The Cult's "Electric", but that's the kind of tone you get with one in an LP. I hear Dan from The Darkness has the Custom / '59 set in some of his LPs too. It also does a good Ace Frehley impression when pushed!

I consider myself mainly a PAF-type guy, but if I want to turn up the heat a little the Custom is my ceramic of choice. :newangel:

Whether you go Custom or CC, just get the other magnet too and you'll be all set!

All good info!! As far as the Ace Frehley reference, I got a black Epi Ace Frehley model with the SuperDistortions for when I wanna Rock and Roll All Nite and Party Every Day!!

I have all the different magnets so I can mold it if Im not tickled I guess.
Problem Im having, is Im finding I kinda like the stocker.. Just have that nagging feeling, I can improve it..

GearJoneser, you know I like my C5s (have 3 of em and 1 C4) Just thinking I should try something different. Alittle more gruff.

I have a Genesis sound Blues Humbucker ordered. If that doesnt do it, Ill try Custom.. If that doesnt, then Ill go C5

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

Too bad most of my stuff is nickelcovered, because it really makes it a pain to swap magnets. I have that C-4 sitting around.....maybe I should change it to an A3 or ceramic one of these days.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

I use a Custom/59 set in my Lester and the Custom is extremely chunky and thick! Huge bass response, scorching mids, and truly aggressive highs. The perfect way, as Simon said, "to turn up the heat a little" if your into a PAF sound. Highly recommended.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

Maybe the custom will be a fit with the paul.. I tried it in my explorer and found it too lacking in low end chunk

 

[H8Red442]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

I have a Custom in my Mockingbird (mahogany body with maple arch top like a LP Custom) and i love it. Loved it so much I bought one for my Bich which is also mahogany and maple cap. They sound great in both. I dont see why it wouldnt sound great in a LP

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

If you wanna hear a Duncan Custom in a Les Paul then click my "songs and riffs" link in my signature. There's something listed called Duncan Riff Duncan Custom/59.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

Thanks Jolly! Ill have to check it sunday.. That'll be the only day I can play tunes during the day. What type of amp?/ any effects? hard to tell sometimes what is pup and what is amp...

 

[flipside]

Re: Custom in Les Paul?

I think it would sound great. And that sound clip from Jolly sure proved it. Great playing by the way man, you sure pwned me . Very bitey, great distortion. I think i would prefer a JB though, consider that one as well. But i'm a A5 kinda guy, and i'm lookin for a bit of a "heavier" sound.