Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
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dxlxntxxlxr
New member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I didn't particularly like the custom custom when I tried it initially. It was too loose and undefined in the lows. Stuck a ceramic in it and it's a world of difference.
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I didn't particularly like the custom custom when I tried it initially. It was too loose and undefined in the lows. Stuck a ceramic in it and it's a world of difference.
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Blille
Well-known member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
Yes. Custom 5 is an A5 and Custom Custom an A2.
Yes. Custom 5 is an A5 and Custom Custom an A2.
oilpit
Active member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
To expand on this:
Custom = balls out rock n roll pickup. Relatively flat EQ, tight bass, fast response and more compressed compared to siblings. Hottest and least dynamic of the family.
Custom Custom = huge low mid spike, soft treble and loose bass. Great in brighter guitars and (imo) best lead tone of the family. Pickiest of the three as far as guitar/bridge/wood is concerned, loosest bass, darkest.
C5 = V shaped EQ (scooped). I used to hate this pickup because it lacked mids but have since come around to loving it. Really shines in a mahogany guitar imo but due to the mid scoop pairs very well with single coils, but the EQ is a double edged sword as it can definitely sound anemic in brighter guitars. Closer to the SH-5 than the SH-14, most dynamic (to my ears anyway)
The custom 8 is also very popular, which as you can probably guess is an A8 magnet. I have not tried this personally but have heard nothing but the most glowing reviews.
To expand on this:
Custom = balls out rock n roll pickup. Relatively flat EQ, tight bass, fast response and more compressed compared to siblings. Hottest and least dynamic of the family.
Custom Custom = huge low mid spike, soft treble and loose bass. Great in brighter guitars and (imo) best lead tone of the family. Pickiest of the three as far as guitar/bridge/wood is concerned, loosest bass, darkest.
C5 = V shaped EQ (scooped). I used to hate this pickup because it lacked mids but have since come around to loving it. Really shines in a mahogany guitar imo but due to the mid scoop pairs very well with single coils, but the EQ is a double edged sword as it can definitely sound anemic in brighter guitars. Closer to the SH-5 than the SH-14, most dynamic (to my ears anyway)
The custom 8 is also very popular, which as you can probably guess is an A8 magnet. I have not tried this personally but have heard nothing but the most glowing reviews.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
The topic has been pretty well covered, but wanted to add my $0.02.
The Custom has been my humbucker of choice since 2003, and it may be my favorite higher output SD pickup. I first tried the Custom Custom in a '77 LP Custom and didn't care for it. Tried it again in my Charvel Model 4 earlier this year and it's great there. It has some of the smoothest lead tones I've ever heard, and the harmonics seem to leap out effortlessly. I've also tried the C5 in several guitars and I hated it in all of them. I like my tone with a healthy dose of mids, so I find the C5 extremely scooped. The closest I came to liking it was in the Chavel Model 4, but it was still too boomy down low and too screechy up high.
The topic has been pretty well covered, but wanted to add my $0.02.
The Custom has been my humbucker of choice since 2003, and it may be my favorite higher output SD pickup. I first tried the Custom Custom in a '77 LP Custom and didn't care for it. Tried it again in my Charvel Model 4 earlier this year and it's great there. It has some of the smoothest lead tones I've ever heard, and the harmonics seem to leap out effortlessly. I've also tried the C5 in several guitars and I hated it in all of them. I like my tone with a healthy dose of mids, so I find the C5 extremely scooped. The closest I came to liking it was in the Chavel Model 4, but it was still too boomy down low and too screechy up high.
oilpit
Active member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
Interesting. I love the SH-5 but smooth is not a word I would use to describe it.
What amp do you run it into?
Interesting. I love the SH-5 but smooth is not a word I would use to describe it.
What amp do you run it into?
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
Had a Custom in a 7-string and loved it.
Had the Custom 5 in an alder Charvel Star and didn't like how scooped the mids were. A DiMarzio Tone Zone quickly replaced it.
Also had a Custom 5 in a mahogany Hamer Special with thick maple top, liked it a lot better, but it still wasn't all that.
Had a Custom in a 7-string and loved it.
Had the Custom 5 in an alder Charvel Star and didn't like how scooped the mids were. A DiMarzio Tone Zone quickly replaced it.
Also had a Custom 5 in a mahogany Hamer Special with thick maple top, liked it a lot better, but it still wasn't all that.
Tone Meister
New member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I believe he was talking about the Custom Custom having the smoothest lead tones, not the SH-5.
I believe he was talking about the Custom Custom having the smoothest lead tones, not the SH-5.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I was referring to the Custom Custom at that point. I enjoy it through my Mini Jubilee as well as my Jet City 22H and Marshall Mini Stack.
I was referring to the Custom Custom at that point. I enjoy it through my Mini Jubilee as well as my Jet City 22H and Marshall Mini Stack.
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I love the sound of a Custom Custom in an alder Strat. Also, the 59/Custom Hybrid is a good compromise between a regular PAF-type and the Custom family...it sounds like a slightly more powerful PAF, without the compression of a Custom. I use the Custom 5 in darker sounding instruments.
I love the sound of a Custom Custom in an alder Strat. Also, the 59/Custom Hybrid is a good compromise between a regular PAF-type and the Custom family...it sounds like a slightly more powerful PAF, without the compression of a Custom. I use the Custom 5 in darker sounding instruments.
oilpit
Active member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
Okay that makes much more sense!
And oh man I would love to play any of those pickups through that amp. I can only imagine how balls out the SH-5 sounds through that amp.
Okay that makes much more sense!
And oh man I would love to play any of those pickups through that amp. I can only imagine how balls out the SH-5 sounds through that amp.
ibanezrocks
HardtailPisser
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I had the custom custom in an SG and it was great. I later converted it to a custom and stuck it in an Ibanez, also to great results. I think it's pretty hard to go wrong with that group of pickups.
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I had the custom custom in an SG and it was great. I later converted it to a custom and stuck it in an Ibanez, also to great results. I think it's pretty hard to go wrong with that group of pickups.
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Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I don't know about the FS, but the C5 always seemed like a hotter '59 with a tiny bit more mid scoop.
I don't know about the FS, but the C5 always seemed like a hotter '59 with a tiny bit more mid scoop.
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
Ran Custom winds in a lot of different guitars with different mags.
Custom bright tight and aggressive but always rude.
Custom 5 big open smooth rhythm tones but scooped in the mids so has trouble cutting for solos in some guitars. Can be absolute magic in the right guitar though.
Custom Custom smooth and sweet great singing solo tones and overall well ballanced but can feel a little sloppy and loose at high gain. Very dynamic pickup that feels much hotter than the specs show.
Custom 8 the singing solo tone of the Custom Custom with a much tighter bottom and aggressive edge good hard rock to metal pickup but lacks sweetness and dynamics when you try to back off with touch or roll the volume back.
Ran Custom winds in a lot of different guitars with different mags.
Custom bright tight and aggressive but always rude.
Custom 5 big open smooth rhythm tones but scooped in the mids so has trouble cutting for solos in some guitars. Can be absolute magic in the right guitar though.
Custom Custom smooth and sweet great singing solo tones and overall well ballanced but can feel a little sloppy and loose at high gain. Very dynamic pickup that feels much hotter than the specs show.
Custom 8 the singing solo tone of the Custom Custom with a much tighter bottom and aggressive edge good hard rock to metal pickup but lacks sweetness and dynamics when you try to back off with touch or roll the volume back.
Last edited:
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
Pretty accurate except that mid scoop is pretty pronounced IMO .
Pretty accurate except that mid scoop is pretty pronounced IMO .
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
That's funny, I've never heard it called that. I'm gonna start calling it that now.
That's funny, I've never heard it called that. I'm gonna start calling it that now.
Re: Difference between, SH-5 Custom, Custom Custom & Custom 5 ?
I love the C8. It works especially well in the bridge of an SG or similar guitar.
I love the C8. It works especially well in the bridge of an SG or similar guitar.
