Custom overload

T

twebb0716

New member
I'm replacing the neck and bridge pickups in my american HSS strat. I'm wanting to get a beefier sound with a better bottom end, more output, and a more modern sound. From what I've read, the little 59 fits the bill at the neck but I can't make up my mind for the bridge.

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.

I've narrowed it down to the Custom Custom SH-11, the Custom 5 SH-14, and the Custom SH-5. They all seem to offer different versions of what I'm looking but they also all seem pretty similiar. I'm getting custom overload! Anyone have a strat and used any of these pickups? I'm pretty new to guitar mods so I'm sure someone way smarter than me can give me some input. Thanks!
 
Re: Custom overload

The C5 (SH-14) is bright and scooped, and I think the Custom (SH-5) is pretty bright too, but not scooped. This is a function of the magnets used (A5 and ceramic). The CC (SH-11) is warmer but the A2 magnet has a loose low end and is low output. Each of these is the same PU except for the magnet, which makes them sound very different.

For a 'beefier sound with a better bottom end, more output, and a modern sound' you're describing a C8 (Custom 8). It's any one of the above Customs with an A8 magnet. Very popular PU here, works well for many genres in many woods. Arguably the best and most versatile of the Customs. Warm, full, powerful, tight low end, takes gain well, and is great clean.
 
Re: Custom overload

Thanks breaking that down, the C8 sounds like what I'm looking for. Where can you find those pickups? I didn't see it listed on the site here or on MF or sweetwater. Is it the same as the alternative 8? I saw that uses the A8 magnet as well. Thanks again.
 
Re: Custom overload

It's not a production PU yet, for some bizarre reason, but all you have to do is swap mags yourself in one of the other Customs. There's instructional video how to do this on project guitar.com. Very simple, no skill or experience needed: loosen strings, flip over PU, loosen 4 baseplate screws, peel back tape, push out old mag, push new one in. You can practice on a cheap Asian PU first if you want. We get replacement magnets at Addiction FX, which has the best selection and lowest prices.

The Alt 8 is a different PU. The C8 is far more popular. To some of us, Duncan could retire the existing 3 Custom models and replace them with the C8.
 
Re: Custom overload

I don't know if blueman was clear enough, but the SH-5, the SH-11, and the SH-14 are exactly the same pickup. The only difference is the magnet. Everything else is identical. I was a Custom 8 convert immediately upon putting it in my Les Paul, and it has never left. It wasn't the first pickup in that guitar (or second, third, or fourth), but I'm pretty sure it will be the last.

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.
 
Re: Custom overload

That helps a ton. I was going nuts looking everywhere for that Custom 8. That addiction fs site has the magnets and they're not expensive at all. Would I order them magnetized or unmagnetized? Also, the A8 magnets are bars and the SH-5 looks like it has the rod magnets. Does that make a difference? Thanks!
 
Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
That helps a ton. I was going nuts looking everywhere for that Custom 8. That addiction fs site has the magnets and they're not expensive at all. Would I order them magnetized or unmagnetized? Also, the A8 magnets are bars and the SH-5 looks like it has the rod magnets. Does that make a difference? Thanks!
Click to expand...

They're all centrally located bar magnets, just of different types. The only humbucker I can think of that has actual magnetic poles off the top of my sleep-deprived, undercaffeinated head is the Stag Mag. I'm sure there are a few more, but it's not the norm.
 
Re: Custom overload

So does 1 magnet fit under the entire pickup or do you use 2 magnets and 1 goes under each coil? It doesn't sound to hard to change the magnets but I like the idea of practicing on a cheap pickup just to get the hang of it. Thanks again!
 
Re: Custom overload

GilmourD said:
They're all centrally located bar magnets, just of different types. The only humbucker I can think of that has actual magnetic poles off the top of my sleep-deprived, undercaffeinated head is the Stag Mag. I'm sure there are a few more, but it's not the norm.
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The Diablo has A2 magnets as blades. Firebird pickups are constructed similarly, as well. Not all that common design.

I'm kinda surprised more isn't done with magnetic slugs, in the way of real strat/tele pickup combined with a more traditional humbucker coil, smaller magnets like are used for SC-sized humbuckers ought to make it easier to avoid the humbucker magnet influencing the single sound.

Back to the original poster: you definitely want it magnetized, magnetizing it yourself is an unnecessary hassle. The parts that look like rods are metal slug polepieces, humbuckers most common arrangement is with 1 coil containing slugs and the other screw polepieces. And yes, it's just 1 bar magnet per pickup in most humbuckers.

Alternative 8 would meet your described tone goals, but it's a bit hotter, and thus harder to balance against a middle single.
 
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Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
So does 1 magnet fit under the entire pickup or do you use 2 magnets and 1 goes under each coil? It doesn't sound to hard to change the magnets but I like the idea of practicing on a cheap pickup just to get the hang of it. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

HB's have one magnet, in the middle, between the baseplate and coils.

P-90's have two magnets, side-by-side, under the one (and only) coil.

If you're into P-90's, there's so much you can do EQ-wise mixing different kinds of magnets.

Some guys buy PU after PU, trying to get the tones they want, when all they had to do was change a magnet in the first PU. Saves you a lot of money. Best thing to do is get a few magnets to try out.

I can assure you that if changing PU's was hard, 95% of us wouldn't be able to do it. :14:
 
Re: Custom overload

blueman335 said:
HB's have one magnet, in the middle, between the baseplate and coils.
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Those are the most common, but there are exceptions. Birch designed a lot of humbuckers with multiple magnets. Gibson & Seymour Duncan both make some. Like the Invader, which has 3 magnets (2 smaller booster magnets on the other side of the polepieces). Or the P-Rails, which is a P-90 with a narrow coil added on the opposite side of one of the magnets to make it into an asymmetric humbucker.

Still, most follow the classic PAF design of 2 coils around polepieces on either side of 1 magnet.
 
Re: Custom overload

blueman335 said:
HB's have one magnet, in the middle, between the baseplate and coils.

P-90's have two magnets, side-by-side, under the one (and only) coil.

If you're into P-90's, there's so much you can do EQ-wise mixing different kinds of magnets.

Some guys buy PU after PU, trying to get the tones they want, when all they had to do was change a magnet in the first PU. Saves you a lot of money. Best thing to do is get a few magnets to try out.

I can assure you that if changing PU's was hard, 95% of us wouldn't be able to do it. :14:
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So if I'm getting this right, the magnet is basically sandwiched between the baseplate and the coils. To change it I just unscrew the baseplate, out with the old and in with the new, screw everything back together and I'm done? Sounds simple enough. After snooping around, I've not heard one bad thing about the C8. The magnet is pretty cheap to; I can get the whole thing done for under $80. I'm planning to pair with the Little 59 in the neck and leave the stock middle. Pretty jacked about it, I'll let you guys know how it works out. Why doesn't SD put the C8 into production? It's so popular!
 
Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
Why doesn't SD put the C8 into production? It's so popular!
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Good question! I made about 3 Custom8 for friends and bandmates. Maybe SD says as long as they buy my Custom pickups i am okay with it.....
Beneath the C8 there is a wealth of Alnico 8 pickups out there. Pearly Gates 8, Screaming Demon 8, JB8, 59B8, CustomHybrid8, Full Shred 8, PATB1 A8 ...
Maybe he does not know where to begin....
 
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Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
So if I'm getting this right, the magnet is basically sandwiched between the baseplate and the coils. To change it I just unscrew the baseplate, out with the old and in with the new, screw everything back together and I'm done? Sounds simple enough.
Click to expand...

Right. After the cover and height screws are off the PU, peel back the tape so you can access both ends of the coils. Unscrew the 4 base plate screws about 1/8" (if you unscrew them all the way, the coils come loose from the plate, which makes a lot to fumble around with). Move the wires out of the way at the one end, gently and carefully so that you can see the magnet. Push the old mag out halfway with a small flathead screwdriver. Then hold the new mag up to it for orientation, so the ends repel and the sides attract. Slide the old mag out all of the way, and slide the new one in. If the old mag is stuck in place, warm the wax in the PU with a blow dryer. Put the tape back in place and tighten the base plate screws (don't over tighten). No need to repot (rewax). Congrats! You just made a 'new' PU.

Your average 12-year old could do this, which means that most of the adults here can do it. :14:
 
Re: Custom overload

thanks for all the input. I'm probably going to order everything in the next week or two. Can't wait to hear the results! I'm a little nervous about jacking it up but I've always wanted to learn to work on my instrument so I'm really looking forward to it.
 
Re: Custom overload

hamerfan said:
Beneath the C8 there is a wealth of Alnico 8 pickups out there. Pearly Gates 8, Screaming Demon 8, JB8, 59B8, CustomHybrid8, Full Shred 8, PATB1 A8 ...
Maybe he does not know where to begin....
Click to expand...

That's true - in as long as I've been poking around this forum before I tried mag swaps myself, IIRC I've never heard anyone say adding an A8 to any pickup turned out to be a bad thing; maybe not necessarily their thing, but...

Based on my initial swap-findings, I prefer A8s to ceramics in Customs by far...
 
Re: Custom overload

twebb0716 said:
thanks for all the input. I'm probably going to order everything in the next week or two. Can't wait to hear the results! I'm a little nervous about jacking it up but I've always wanted to learn to work on my instrument so I'm really looking forward to it.
Click to expand...

You've come to the right place. We'll teach you how to do all kinds of things, all simple, but they put the power in your hands. Take control of your tone.

A great book that taught me how to set up a guitar is Dan Erlewine's "How to make your electric guitar play great", you can get it from StewMac. Lots of pics and info. Every guitarist should have it.
 
Re: Custom overload

Thanks man, these forums are awesome. One more question though. Is the Alternative 8 pickup basically the same thing as the using a custom 8? Could I just go with that and save the headache? I've read mixed reviews on the alternative 8 but I've heard some demos of it and is sounds pretty good. It's tough to tell online though. Anyone have any experience with that pickup compared to a custom 8?
 
Re: Custom overload

The Custom Custom is a strat is instant mid 80s Van Halen tone to my ears. I love the Custom that I have in my Les Paul. It has big, yet tight, lows and a very cool mid range growl very simular to a P90. It has a nice top end presence, without being harsh or brittle.
 
Re: Custom overload

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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