Custom overload

Re: Custom overload

wolf5150 said:
One thing noone`s warned you about is that tampering with the magnet will void your warranty. I'd strongly advise doing a bit more research to get it right 1st time. The other thing that greatly affects the pickup is the value of the volume and tone pots. You need to take that into account when making your choice. What value do the mid and neck pickups require ?
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I was actually thinking about that when I asked about the Alternative 8. Even though it sounds easy, I'm more than a little nervous because my budget doesn't really allow for a lot of room for error. It sounds like the key to the tone I'm looking for is in that alnico 8 magnet which the Alternative 8 already has. Maybe I should just go with that one and not stress about voiding warranty or something. Thanks for bringing that up.
 
Re: Custom overload

Seriously guys?

Someone asks about choosing a pickup and we immediately jump to magnet swapping?

Listen to misterwhizzy and get a Custom 5. Personally, I like the Custom Custom. It's excellent in an alder-bodied Strat. Try one of the stock ones first, then think about an A8 mag if need be.

If you're a tweaker and just enjoy taking things apart, then go for it. Otherwise start off with stock and get a gauge on what that can do for you, before you void the warranty and possibly mess up your pickup. With SD's return policy you can try out both the Alt8 then the Custom 5 (or Custom Custom) before having to worry about swapping mags.

Because the Custom series will get you several good options try that second if the Alt8 interests you.
 
Re: Custom overload

dvadneau said:
Seriously guys?

Someone asks about choosing a pickup and we immediately jump to magnet swapping?
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Yes, seriously. Because what he wants in a bridge PU is what a C8 offers. C5's and CC's don't. C8's should be a production PU, but in the meantime we can take several minutes and convert one ourselves.

Anyone having any initial reservations can try mag swapping on a cheap Asian HB, and see how simple it really is. I just don't see adults getting worked up over something so simple to do. Some guys make it sound like you're on the bomb squad.
 
Re: Custom overload

I'm not against mag swaps, I just don't think it's the first thing that should be suggested without first asking if the person knows anything about pickups, let alone what to do if something does not go as planned.

If you want to educate people about mag swaps, which I'm all for, and I can't think of anyone better suited to contribute, maybe we should have a sticky with a detailed explanation and photos of a mag swap and the pitfalls therein, and point people to that - ask them if they're comfortable with doing that and then praise the virtues of the mag swap.

There are many things that different people find easy, that others do not. Let's not go down that road. It won't end well for anyone.
 
Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
I was actually thinking about that when I asked about the Alternative 8. Even though it sounds easy, I'm more than a little nervous because my budget doesn't really allow for a lot of room for error. It sounds like the key to the tone I'm looking for is in that alnico 8 magnet which the Alternative 8 already has. Maybe I should just go with that one and not stress about voiding warranty or something. Thanks for bringing that up.
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as for the Alt-8, it depends on your rig. I put it in a basswood w/ rosewood board tuned to D and I thought it was too strong in the very upper mids and the highs. not bad. just a bit stronger than what I was wanting in that guitar. this guitar was getting by fine with a JB, as a point of reference.

then I've been messing with a mahogany body w/ maple board tuned to standard that's been giving me trouble for being on the darker side. I had a Custom 8 in there, but tried the Alt-8 and it's been working out well.

once again, it depends on your rig. I play high-gain 80s/90s stuff through an ADA MP-1 and out through 2-4x12s, using mainly JBs and Hot Rails.
 
Re: Custom overload

I went ahead and ordered the little 59 for my neck and I went with the Custom for the bridge. I think I'm going to leave it stock. All the input from here and other reviews paint it as getting as close to the sound I'm looking for in between all the customs. Thanks for the input, if nothing else I've learned a heck of a lot. Should have it soon so I'll let you know how it sounds. Thanks!
 
Re: Custom overload

I will say that as a pretty new member of the forum, the mag swap thing comes across as an obsession. In the same way some people aren't ever happy with just going with the stock pickups that came in their guitar (most of us, I suspect), it feels like this forum is not happy with a pickup until the mag has been changed from stock.

It's a fantastically cheap way to get a new pickup but take a step back. It's not something everyone wants to do. They may well want to buy a pickup that's suited to their task and go with it. It really can feel like the overall opinion in here is that SD got the magnet selection in every pickup they make, wrong.
 
Re: Custom overload

I believe you can order a floor shop special and get a Custom 8 for a minor upcharge over standard Custom, talk to your Duncan dealer to see what they can do.

Or you can check the trading post here and see if you can nab one used.
 
Re: Custom overload

jumble jumble said:
I will say that as a pretty new member of the forum, the mag swap thing comes across as an obsession. In the same way some people aren't ever happy with just going with the stock pickups that came in their guitar (most of us, I suspect), it feels like this forum is not happy with a pickup until the mag has been changed from stock.

It's a fantastically cheap way to get a new pickup but take a step back. It's not something everyone wants to do. They may well want to buy a pickup that's suited to their task and go with it. It really can feel like the overall opinion in here is that SD got the magnet selection in every pickup they make, wrong.
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Not really true. It depends on what people want with the guitar. Most of the magnet swappers are very conscious of what tends to work right on the first try with a particular sort of guitar and set of tastes. I recommend stock pickups more often than not.

But sometimes what's asked for is better covered by a modded pickup than anything available stock. So should we give the advice that is most likely to nail it on first try, or suggest something that is more convenient but less likely to entirely solve the problem?

We should be more careful to mention the potential risks, but there have been only a few reported problems out of hundreds of swaps by first time magnet swappers. With care, it's easier than swapping pickups is. And less risk of someone high on solder fumes making burn art all over their hands and guitar. ;)

Starting with the Custom and then tweaking if it's too bright or stiff is a safe bet, in any case.
 
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Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
I basically only use the bridge for distortion and I play alternative rock and modern praise and worship (with a heavier rock sound). I really want my bridge pup to have a well defined low end that's not to trebly or harsh like the stock atomic humbucker tends to be.
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misterwhizzy said:
My advice to you is to buy the SH-5 (assuming standard spaced, TB-5 for Floyd), and if you don't like it, you can swap mags or swap pickups. Note that between the choices you listed, swapping mags IS swapping pickups. Let us know. We'll help you get there. And for what it's worth, I think the Custom in any form is a phenomenal pickup.
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dvadneau said:
Listen to misterwhizzy and get a Custom 5. Personally, I like the Custom Custom. It's excellent in an alder-bodied Strat. Try one of the stock ones first, then think about an A8 mag if need be.
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I think the ceramic Custom might be a better fit due to the tighter low end, but the Custom 5 might work. I don't think that's going to be the proper starting point, though. But thanks for the nod. It's nice to know someone reads my posts.

dvadneau said:
If you're a tweaker and just enjoy taking things apart, then go for it. Otherwise start off with stock and get a gauge on what that can do for you, before you void the warranty and possibly mess up your pickup. With SD's return policy you can try out both the Alt8 then the Custom 5 (or Custom Custom) before having to worry about swapping mags.
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Exactly. One thing I was trying to pass on is that the only difference between these four pickups is the magnet. So swapping the pickup and swapping the magnet are the same thing. And I really doubt he would screw up the pickup. If Aceman can do it, anyone can. Even Lucid.
 
Re: Custom overload

Despair said:
Most of the magnet swappers are very conscious of what tends to work right on the first try with a particular sort of guitar and set of tastes. I recommend stock pickups more often than not.

But sometimes what's asked for is better covered by a modded pickup than anything available stock.
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And most mag swap recommendations we give are for guys who already have a PU and it's not giving the sound they want. They can sell the existing one at a loss and buy a new one, or they can spend several dollars and get a magnet that may favorably change the EQ.

From the three Customs he said he was considering, a SH-5 may or may not work for him, but that's what he's getting. If so, he can change the mag to an A8.
 
Re: Custom overload

dvadneau said:
I'm not against mag swaps, I just don't think it's the first thing that should be suggested without first asking if the person knows anything about pickups.
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Did you read his original post? The C8 fits the bill the best. We've had many newbies swap mags over the years who were thrilled with the results, and said how easy it was and how there was nothing to worry about. It doesn't take skill or experience to swap a mag.
 
Re: Custom overload

@blueman335: I'm not arguing about the validity of your C8 suggestion as the optimal pickup for the OP.

@all (including me): why did only Despair remember to make the suggestion to just ask SD to make a shop floor custom of the C8? :smack:

Mag swaps are great if you already have the pickup or can get one used for cheap, but if you're ordering new, try the shop floor custom route.

Sorry we missed that before you ordered, twebb0716.
 
Re: Custom overload

RayBarbeeMusic said:
Isn't a Custom brighter than a C5? Never heard a C8 but wouldn't that be brighter as well?
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I think Customs (SH-5) are bright, as are C5's (SH-14). C5's are more mid scooped.

C8's are warmer, more mids and less treble, than either Customs or C5's. Until C8's came along, the only alternative for a warm-toned Custom was a CC (SH-11) which is often too dark in mahogany and has a looser low end. C8's were a Godsend for many of us; a middle geound between a C5 and a CC. Then a couple more warm Customs were developed by forum members, the UO C5 (UOA5) and the C4.
 
Re: Custom overload

I want to try to Custom before I decide to swap the magnets. From the instrutional videos I've seen, it doesn't look like I need to do any additional soldering or messing with wires at all to swap magnets. Before I go an void a warranty or mess up a pickup I haven't even heard yet, I want to put the custom in and see if I like it.

I'm not concerned with brightness as long as there's a good chunky low end and the highs aren't shrill or biting. From what I've read and heard hear, the Custom seemed to fit that bill. I definitely appreciate the magnet swapping suggestion because at least now I know that if the custom doesn't work, in 15 minutes and $8 I can essentially have a new pickup that should fit the bill.

I was also concerned that putting in the A8 would cause that pickup to not balance well with the stock middle and the little 59 I'm putting in the neck. Does the a8 increase output or just change tone?
 
Re: Custom overload

Custom 8 is a bit easier for pickup balance than the ceramic Custom.

A8 is roughly the same output as ceramic, except it has less high end. So it's a hair lower output. A8 is the strongest alnico magnet.

Individual pickup EQs vary, and you will get different apparent volumes with the two magnets, A8 may actually seem louder in some pickups. Also many will put the pickup with A8 closer than they would a ceramic to get sharper attack or a bit more brightness and wind up louder as well.
 
Re: Custom overload

Despair said:
A8 is the strongest alnico magnet.
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Strongest commonly available guitar magnet. Alnicos go from 1 to 12, and are more or less numbered based on strength. Getting magnets cut into sizes that fit in PU's requires placing a large order, so we certainly haven't see all the magnets that are out there.
 
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