Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

JammerMatt said:
Can anybody draw any comparisons from your experiences? Just curious in your thoughts.

-Matt

Dude, put a C-5 in that Les Paul for tone heaven. :)
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

My understanding is that the C-5 is like a blend between the Custom and the Custom-Custom. Is that correct?
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

compare and contrast the Custom and the distortion, OK!

distortion is grainy, shrill, not enough bass.

Custom is punchy, not shrill, enough bass/mids/ treble, balanced out perfectly.

i like the custom better :)
if anyone wants to buy a distortion from me, tell me.
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

That's about how my Custom in my Soloist sounds. It has a fantastic sound for lead and heavy rhythm. However, it's possibly a little dark, but I think that is the guitar talking. I'm looking to maybe make it a little brighter and was considering changing tone pots if that would do anything.

Mainly I was wondering:
1. How a Distortion would sound in the Jackson Soloist. But I was fearing it might be shrill.
2. How a Custom would sound in my Les Paul, (and maybe even now a C-5 I'm thinking).

-Matt
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

\m/(00)\m/ said:
compare and contrast the Custom and the distortion, OK!

distortion is grainy, shrill, not enough bass.

Custom is punchy, not shrill, enough bass/mids/ treble, balanced out perfectly.

i like the custom better :)
if anyone wants to buy a distortion from me, tell me.

not enough bass? I'd have to disagree there =D

that being said, I'm gonna be gettin' rid of mine soon too..lol...once I get it back from the shop..too many mids, very harsh and compressed sounding...ick...

I'll be sellin' that and my demon trembucker ;)
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

shreder75 said:
not enough bass? I'd have to disagree there =D

that being said, I'm gonna be gettin' rid of mine soon too..lol...once I get it back from the shop..too many mids, very harsh and compressed sounding...ick...

I'll be sellin' that and my demon trembucker ;)


it's not so much that, i guess it just has too much treble. :)
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

shreder75 said:
not enough bass? I'd have to disagree there =D

that being said, I'm gonna be gettin' rid of mine soon too..lol...once I get it back from the shop..too many mids, very harsh and compressed sounding...ick...

I'll be sellin' that and my demon trembucker ;)

Is that Trem-spaced or standard? (The Distortion). I'm guessing trem if it's coming out of your Skulls and Bones.
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Ask JOLLY, a member here, for some clips... he's got a bunch of Les Pauls and i know for certain he's got one with a Custom in the bridge... he might even have one with a C5.

The clips can also be found on Scott_F's site... under 'Jolly's metal samples' or something.
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

The DD is more grainy and compressed sounding. I like it more than I like the Custom. The Custom sounds great for jangly clean stuff but it has a squeal that I get tired of quickly. The idea of "good and bad" depends on your style and your amp.

Here are some clips/tunes with a Les Paul and Marshall JMP

C5
Custom
DD/59n
DD
DD Clean and Dirt
more dd clean and dirt
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

I like to think of the Custom as the ultimate Hard Rock pickup. I say this because when I think of hard rock (as opposed to metal) I think of a tone with some blues influence in it...or a tone inspired by PAFs. Add more mids and output, and you have a Custom, which gives you more gain, which gives you...TADA! Hard Rock!

The Distortion is a bit different. I've only heard Stevo's wonderful clips, but I hear a capacity for good cleans (providing your amp has the headroom) and a big bottom end with lots of distortion that makes crap your pants. I never got to playing this one, but that's what I hear.

So maybe to sum it up for me, I'd get a Custom for Hard Rock, a Distortion for Metal (though they're interchangable)
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Stevo said:
The DD is more grainy and compressed sounding. I like it more than I like the Custom. The Custom sounds great for jangly clean stuff but it has a squeal that I get tired of quickly. The idea of "good and bad" depends on your style and your amp.

Here are some clips/tunes with a Les Paul and Marshall JMP

C5
Custom
DD/59n
DD
DD Clean and Dirt
more dd clean and dirt

Steve, do you have any clips of the Custom and C-5 where the only change is the pickup? A clip where the amp tones and the tune is the same? That mihgt be a nice way to hear the differences.

Didn't you say you were somewhat a fan of the C-5?

I will say for anyone interested in the C-5........who says it lacks mids....just turn up the amp's mids for more thickness. That is a nice thing about the C-5, deep bass, nice highs, and the mids don't dominate allowing the amp to do more work along with the guitar.

From your clips....the C-5 comes across very rich, smooth, organic and warm.
 
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Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Papersoul. Sorry but I don't have that kind of patience. I try to play the pickups in a way that shows off their distinct attributes.

Yes I really like the C5. I never had that "mid scooped" issue that people frequently mention.

I like to post clips because words can be very deceiving around here :D I have a bunch more tunes at my soundclick site
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Mattt said:
http://www.toneninja.net/jolly.htm

Here ya go, second clip down...

Jolly's tune melted my face off! :firedevil :bowdown: That custom thru the JCM800 really had some harmonics going (IMO). My Custom doesn't sound that killer in my Jackson. I think I must own a dark Jackson.

Now, I'm really considering that Custom/59 combo in my Lester. Thanks Mattt, and thanks Jolly!

-Matt
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Stevo said:
The DD is more grainy and compressed sounding. I like it more than I like the Custom. The Custom sounds great for jangly clean stuff but it has a squeal that I get tired of quickly. The idea of "good and bad" depends on your style and your amp.

FAntastic clips Stevo!!! Good mojo going on. Man, we got some talent on this board.

Well, I got some thinkin' to do, and not enuff bux. Well, at least I have a Screamin' Demon (standard spaced) to trade (hint hint.)

Thanks guys :bowdown:
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Thanks Stevo, yes I also don't have the mid scoop thing with the C-5 in my LP but I do find the mids very natural and not over powering allowing me to crank the mids on my amp for some smooth and warm tone. I am loving this p'up more than the Rio BBQ and JB.

The C-5 also has a beautiful clean tone.
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

JammerMatt said:
Jolly's tune melted my face off! :firedevil :bowdown: That custom thru the JCM800 really had some harmonics going (IMO). My Custom doesn't sound that killer in my Jackson. I think I must own a dark Jackson.

Now, I'm really considering that Custom/59 combo in my Lester. Thanks Mattt, and thanks Jolly!

-Matt

I certainly liked the Jazz/Jazz clips... Jolly's favourite pups.

The Jazz pickup can certainly do other things besides Jazz.
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

if you want a all out ruthless tone the distortion is pefect.
the custom is more versilte,is has a paf likeness but with more meat,output and drive.
both are tight and focused but the custom is more balanced in tone.
take a look at the tone chart,

distortion, bass 5,mids 8,treble 9 output is 80 of 100
custom , bass 7,mids 6, treble 9 output is 65 of 100
 
Re: Custom vs Distortion, compare and contrast

Hi Stevo I can't get to your clips. Do you have another link? I want to hear the DD/59. I put a Custom/59 in my Les Paul and like it but it is a bit too dark for me. Would like a bit more output also.
It is either that or an EMG 85 in bridge.
 
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