Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

[playguitar]

Hi guys,

I want to fit a SD Humbucker in my American Standard Strat, in the bridge position, but I
don´t know which one to buy... Having read about magnet swapping with the Custom
Series pickups, I´d rather choose one of these and in case I don´t like it much, I could
try different magnets to convert the PU to another one of the series. I think this is the
less risky and cheaper option...

The guitar is an American Standard Strat, maple neck/fingerboard and alder body. It´s
a rather bright guitar. I´ve tried a DiMarzio Air Norton S (single coil sized humbucker) in
the bridge position, but I find it a bit too warm, not thick enough, and nasal. Basically,
I guess I want a thick humbucker tone, but not nasal at all, not too PAFish perhaps,
and not harsh. I want a vintage tone, but perhaps a bit modern too. It´s difficult to
describe the tone, as you all know, but let´s say Satriani, EVH, classic and modern
stuff...

I thought about getting the Custom Custom, but some say it may sound too middy and
that it lacks on the bass side. Could it sound nasal? Regarding the lack of bass, would
raising the bass side of the PU closer to the strings add more bass? Or perhaps raising
the poles? Tough choice, huh... Custom, Custom 5, or Custom Custom.

Now, regarding the magnets, I need you to tell me what are their exact measures and
characteristics. I read they can be magnetized or not, roughcast or not, etc. I want
them to be exactly like the ones used in these 3 pickups. You only need one magnet
per pickup, right? I´ll buy these: Alnico 2 (Custom Custom), Alnico 5 (Custom 5),
Ceramic (Custom), and Alnico 8 (experimental Custom 8).

BTW, I sent an e-mail 2 days ago to Addiction- FX, but they haven´t replied yet...
Do you know of another provider, and in Europe?

Thanks in advance.

Regards.

 

[CTN]

Re: Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

the custom custom can sound a bit middy if you're not used to it. But given the artists you mentioned, I think it'd make a good starting point. I don't think it lacks bass at all, in fact it's a common remedy for HSS strats that are too bright. The Alnico2 magnet has a good amount of bass, it's a bit loose in character, but there are lots more mids, so to some it seems like there is less bass, but there isn't.

Out of the three stock Custom variations, the custom custom is the lowest output and probably closest to the "hotter PAF" kinda thing. You may or may not like the Custom 5. In my experience it tends to be boomy in the lows, shrill/thin in the highs and heavily scooped in the mids leaving no room for definition or richness. I don't like it. Others do, but it all depends on the guitar, much like any other pickup. The Custom (with the ceramic magnet) is a hot monster. Very powerful, almost on the high output side of things, but the character and EQ is more like a PAF - very open and detailed.

The dimensions of magnets you'd need are standard 2.5"L x 0.5"W x 0.125"H.
Addiction-FX sells them either magnetized at full strength or not magnetized. Obviously, don't get the non-magnetized ones unless you have the equipment, capability, and experience to magnetize it yourself.
Addiction-FX is a small business, and they aren't necessarily the best with communication, but they're good people. Just keep bugging them until they sort it out.

As for the different types of magnets and what they do, read this:

A2 - warm, lots of mids, rounded top, great dynamics, loose low-end, low output.
A3 - similar to an A2 but with more treble. Not used a lot, but handy when an A2 is too dark, and an A5 is too much. Probably best in a neck PU.
A4 - balanced EQ, makes for a good middle ground between A2's and A5's. Medium output. Becoming more popular.
A5 - lots of treble and bass, mid-scooped. Tight low-end. High output. The most commonly-used alnico.
A8 - ample mids, moderate treble, firm low-end, high output. Usually used for the bridge poistion only, very popular in a Custom, making it a 'C8'.
Roughcast - A2, A3, A4, and A5 can also be sand cast (as opposed to polished); this smoothes out the high-end and makes for very nice tones. Best for bridge PU's.
Unoriented - A2, A3, & A4 are unoriented, and A5 is normally oriented. But the latest excitement here is unoriented A5's, which have the warmth and dynamics of an A2, but with a firmer low-end, more output, and little more treble. Great for adding body to bridge PU's.

A lot of the usual proponents of magnet swapping keep failing to inform dudes who come here of one simple fact: swapping the magnet in your pickup on your own voids the SD warranty. If you are uncomfortable doing that, then don't do it. That said, it's an easy operation and can change the character of the pickup quite significantly, so it's a cheap and very effective mod to do, if you don't mind losing the warranty.

FWIW, my favourite version of the Custom is what I have right now in my alder body, maple neck+fretboard hardtail strat - Custom with a roughcast Alnico 3 magnet. It's low-ish output, but very open, full of soul. Nice warm cleans that have a vintage edge to them. Full and punchy overdrive tones. High gain tones are thick, punchy and have a bit of growl in the low-mids, sorta similar to a Custom 8, but not as aggressive. Smooth high end that sings really nicely without ever getting harsh, Tight tracking lows and full mids that sit very nicely in the EQ. They're not too prominent like an A2, not scooped or nasal like an A5, not weirdly voiced like an A4 or A8 either.

And as far as I know, I might be the only person here using it!

I've had this Custom in this strat for a while now and have tried just about every magnet available in it.
My favourites:

1) roughcast A3
2) A8
3) Ceramic
4) A4
5) A2
6) Unoriented A5
7) A5

 

[playguitar]

Re: Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

Hey CTN,

Thanks a lot for your detailed input. I really appreciate it.

And, please, every opinion on magnet swapping with the Custom Series is welcome.
Specially on a HSS Strat. Share your experience for vault purposes.

OK, I´ll order the magnets in standard size, and magnetized. Hmm, roughcast A3...
Yeah, I think I never read here about this one being used. I´ll give it a try too.

Well, regarding the tone, what I most fear and don´t want is a nasal tone again.
Nasal, wah-wah type of thing, whatever you want to call it...

Cheers.

 

[esandes]

Re: Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

check out the audio samples from the tone chart. you can compare the sounds side by side. i think the JB sounds the best. it's clear and articulate. it has an alnico 5 bar magnet, which i think gives a humbucker a punch like no other. if that doesn't tickle your fancy check out the custom shop pickups. the brobucker and '78 are also on my wish list.

here's a brobucker for sale:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?263510-FS-Duncan-BROBUCKER

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

When you said Satch and EVH you kind of went to two different extremes as far as PUPs go. For what you want I would recommend a JB. Me personally I like the Custom 8 the best out of all the Custom variations. Most people agree that The C8 keeps all the good qualities of the other three models but fixes the problems they had as well. The reason why I prefer the C8 over the JB is because the bottom end is a tad bit tighter and I like the mids it gives off and it sounds pretty decent clean.

 

[playguitar]

Re: Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

i think the JB sounds the best. it's clear and articulate. it has an alnico 5 bar magnet, which i think gives a humbucker a punch like no other.

When you said Satch and EVH you kind of went to two different extremes as far as PUPs go. For what you want I would recommend a JB. Me personally I like the Custom 8 the best out of all the Custom variations. Most people agree that The C8 keeps all the good qualities of the other three models but fixes the problems they had as well. The reason why I prefer the C8 over the JB is because the bottom end is a tad bit tighter and I like the mids it gives off and it sounds pretty decent clean.

Thanks, guys.

Yes, I also thought about the JB, and the Pearly Gates. Some people say that the JB may sound shrill,
singing leads but no good for rhythm and very high output... Anyway, since what I want, besides a
non-nasal, not too PAFfish tone, is to experiment with magnets, is the JB a good pickup to mod? How
will it sound with different magnets? Is the Pearly Gates another option?

Cheers.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Custom Series pickups for Strat and what magnets.

The Custom, JB and PG will all take a myriad of magnets. Take your pick do you want a vintage based wind? A hot rodded PAF wind or a more modern high output wind.