Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

[January_Embers]

I finally did it. I bought an A2 magnet a made my C-5 into a CC. Before I did that though, I recorded a few clips (sorry I can't post them . . . and besides, I don't want you guys laughing at my non-skill). I recorded the C-5, then I put the ceramic magnet back in and recorded the same thing, and then the alnico2. My results? Well . . . they all sounded great, but they're each good at something else. The regular Custom was rather bright (which I didn't like), but it had a strong, muscular tone to it. Sounded great with hard rock-ish stuff, but not so good with mid gain type of stuff. The Custom-5 sounded the darkest to my ears (which I liked) but also the thinest. Playing on the higher strings didn't sound very good at all, but on the middle and lower strings, it was nice and clear and the top end was more rounded off than the Custom. The Custom-Custom sounded just a touch brighter than the C-5 (I think its because of the extra mids) and the mids also seemed a tad bit chunkier and grainier. I didn't notice much difference in the bass, but the treble was absolutely to die for. Nice and smooth and sweet, but still present. It was quite a bit thicker than the C-5 and little bit thicker than the Custom.

Overall, like I said, they're all great pickups, it just depends on what you're looking for. I suggest that anyone that has any of the Custom series tries them all out. They're all somewhat similar in voicing (to my ears at least), but obviously have their own flavors. I think my ideal pickup lies somewhere between the CC and the C-5. I would want the darkness and clarity of the C-5 with the sweet treble and mids of the CC. However, my search is over . . . for now.

Next up: I think I need a new neck pickup. The '59 is great, but its a little to bassy/woofy. I'm thinking of trying out the APH. Any other suggestions?

 

[Dodger]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

Sounds awesome thanks for the info. You your ideal pickup lies somewhere between a CC and a C-5 perhaps you should an alnico 3 then? Im told that its somewhere between an alnico 2 and an alnico 5.

 

[dani]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

Sounds awesome thanks for the info. You your ideal pickup lies somewhere between a CC and a C-5 perhaps you should an alnico 3 then? Im told that its somewhere between an alnico 2 and an alnico 5.

+1. try an a3 or 4 in it. also you can do the same for your 59 with an a2. a few in this forum who tried loved the result.

 

[Vincent]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

I have the a2p in the neck position in my LP and love it!!! It is warm and fuzzy, not overly bright, but just a touch less bassy than a '59. But its greatest distinguishing features is its sweet, sweet tone! Have fun if you try it...

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

A 59 with an A2 mag will get you very close to a Pearly Gates.

Great comparison with the Custom series by the way. I happen to be a really big fan of the CC. Just enough highs to get me where I want, but no ice pick through the forehead. It matches up with an A2P very very well.

Now here's a question... has anyone put an A5 magnet into an A2P?

That might be the pup I wind when I go to the User Day.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

Nice post.

I'd suggest the A2Pro or Pearly Gates for the neck pickup. I went with a Seth Lover neck with the CC in my guitar (and it's a great combo) but the CC is nickel covered in my guitar and that's one reason I went for the Seth: it came stock with a nickel cover.

The PG has slightly unbalanced coils, BTW, and that brightens it up and opens it up a little. A 59 has matched coils.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

Nice post.

I'd suggest the A2Pro or Pearly Gates for the neck pickup. I went with a Seth Lover neck with the CC in my guitar (and it's a great combo) but the CC is nickel covered in my guitar and that's one reason I went for the Seth: it came stock with a nickel cover.

The PG has slightly unbalanced coils, BTW, and that brightens it up and opens it up a little. A 59 has matched coils...so even with an a2 magnet it'd probably sound thicker and not quite as bright as the PG.

But Scott's right: a 59 with an alnico 2 magnet would be similar to the A2Pro or PG. Not the exact same of course.

 

[Artie]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

I thought I'd toss this out here again, because I think a couple folks might be making the mistake of thinking that A3's and A4's are between A2's and A5's in strength. They're not.

These are the gauss specs from the MMPA Standard #0100-00: (Magnetic Materials Producers Association)

A4: 5,200 (approximate)
A3: 7,000
A2: 7,500
A5: 12,800

A4 is said to be an "experimental" A5.

The "A" number has to do with when it was developed, or patented, not its magnet strength.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

I thought I'd toss this out here again, because I think a couple folks might be making the mistake of thinking that A3's and A4's are between A2's and A5's in strength. They're not.

These are the gauss specs from the MMPA Standard #0100-00: (Magnetic Materials Producers Association)

A4: 5,200 (approximate)
A3: 7,000
A2: 7,500
A5: 12,800

A4 is said to be an "experimental" A5.

The "A" number has to do with when it was developed, or patented, not its magnet strength.

Thanks Artie! Why do A4, A3 and A5 pickups seem to usually have a brighter tone than A2?

 

[Artie]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

Thanks Artie! Why do A4, A3 and A5 pickups seem to usually have a brighter tone than A2?

I'm not sure. I haven't actually read that paper all the way through yet.
(Its kinda "dry" reading.)

They do mention, however, that the A4 tends to produce a brighter tone than the A2, with lower output. They also say that it has the same resistance to demagnetization as the A5. Then go on to say that it could be duplicated with the proper size of A5.

Edit: Slight correction. That last paragraph doesn't come from the official paper. Its part of some comments made by someone on the Ampage forum. It was posted along with the paper, and I have it attached to the document. There's no mention of A4 magnets in the standard. :smack:

 

[papersoul]

Re: Custom vs Custom-5 vs Custom-Custom

For the best of both worlds, try a Rio grande BBQ.

I agree with the thin nature of the high strings when running the C-5 and ended up going back to my Burstbucker Pros which actually seem thicker in that area. Especially with 300k volume pots.