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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
Thanks , yes i have 1 vol , 1 tone , i think i'll use 500 pots and a 047 cap
Thanks , yes i have 1 vol , 1 tone , i think i'll use 500 pots and a 047 cap
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
My guitar came stock with an .047 cap. I liked the sound of it, but it always seemed to get lost in the mix. That's the reason I changed out the stock DiMarzio's (2 Fast Track 1's and a Tone Zone.)
The Ducan Custom sounds much better than the Tone Zone, but the guitar didn't sound "right" to me until I changed the cap to a .022 cap.
In hindsight, I probably could've kept the stock DiMarzio's and just changed the cap. But it sounds good enough now that I don't want to change it.
My guitar came stock with an .047 cap. I liked the sound of it, but it always seemed to get lost in the mix. That's the reason I changed out the stock DiMarzio's (2 Fast Track 1's and a Tone Zone.)
The Ducan Custom sounds much better than the Tone Zone, but the guitar didn't sound "right" to me until I changed the cap to a .022 cap.
In hindsight, I probably could've kept the stock DiMarzio's and just changed the cap. But it sounds good enough now that I don't want to change it.
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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
DMyers77 Could you please compare the tone zone with the custom ? I know the TZ , so what are the differences ? Thanks in advance !
DMyers77 Could you please compare the tone zone with the custom ? I know the TZ , so what are the differences ? Thanks in advance !
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
It's probably been 10 years since I replaced it, but I'll try.
The Tone Zone sounded very thick and powerful. It was good enough to get me to buy the guitar. The first time I used it with my band, though, it got lost in the mix. Nothing I did could really make it work for me.... there was no clarity to the sound.
The Duncan Custom was recommended to me by my guitar tech at the time, and is great. It is a powerful pickup with great clarity. Duncan describes it as a PAF on steroids, and that's exactly what it sounds like. It nails that early EVH tone, but also has enough power to get early Dokken, Ratt, etc with the right amp.
It's probably been 10 years since I replaced it, but I'll try.
The Tone Zone sounded very thick and powerful. It was good enough to get me to buy the guitar. The first time I used it with my band, though, it got lost in the mix. Nothing I did could really make it work for me.... there was no clarity to the sound.
The Duncan Custom was recommended to me by my guitar tech at the time, and is great. It is a powerful pickup with great clarity. Duncan describes it as a PAF on steroids, and that's exactly what it sounds like. It nails that early EVH tone, but also has enough power to get early Dokken, Ratt, etc with the right amp.
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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
I know what you mean ! I had the same problem with some dimarzio Like tone zone!
It seems that duncan has that distintctive mid/high end that helps alot to cut through !
I know what you mean ! I had the same problem with some dimarzio Like tone zone!
It seems that duncan has that distintctive mid/high end that helps alot to cut through !
Reload in 5
Just Ultimate Slacker
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
If you asked me what pickup did 80s metal I would answer the custom. So there you go.
If you asked me what pickup did 80s metal I would answer the custom. So there you go.
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
Technically that is correct if you're talking about the hot lead, but the tone pot really isn't wired in parallel with the volume pot. It's actually in serries between the vol pot and ground to bleed off the treble. If you have a 500k vol pot, you won't make a noticeable difference in tone by adding a 500k tone pot, assuming it is full open. If you add a 500k resistor in parallel on the vol pot then you have effectively made it a 250k.
I believe this is correct. Hermetic Hermetico will know for sure. He's a whiz with electronics.
Technically that is correct if you're talking about the hot lead, but the tone pot really isn't wired in parallel with the volume pot. It's actually in serries between the vol pot and ground to bleed off the treble. If you have a 500k vol pot, you won't make a noticeable difference in tone by adding a 500k tone pot, assuming it is full open. If you add a 500k resistor in parallel on the vol pot then you have effectively made it a 250k.
I believe this is correct. Hermetic Hermetico will know for sure. He's a whiz with electronics.
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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
BTW I think that 250k is a must for the JB model or dimarzio evo1, otherwise i prefer 500k pots with humbuckers , cause i don't like muffled sounds.
BTW I think that 250k is a must for the JB model or dimarzio evo1, otherwise i prefer 500k pots with humbuckers , cause i don't like muffled sounds.
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
I don't think that volume and tone pots are wired in series. I found this link that agrees with my theory:
http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiringresources.wiring_faqs/
I've played around alot with HSS strats, and can tell you from experience that the sound of a bridge pickup connected only to a 250k volume pot doesn't change very much at all if you change the pot out for a 500K and wire up a 500K tone to it. Any slight change you may hear can be attributed to the cap being in the circuit (even with the tone control on 10), or tolerances of the pots used.
I don't think that volume and tone pots are wired in series. I found this link that agrees with my theory:
http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiringresources.wiring_faqs/
I've played around alot with HSS strats, and can tell you from experience that the sound of a bridge pickup connected only to a 250k volume pot doesn't change very much at all if you change the pot out for a 500K and wire up a 500K tone to it. Any slight change you may hear can be attributed to the cap being in the circuit (even with the tone control on 10), or tolerances of the pots used.
bagouser
New member
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
Try the Custom first. It ouldnt be my first choice for hair rock, but it would work from what I know about the pickup.
It may deliver the sounds you want. The mids are fat and its warm and brassy. It's way more about your amp and how you have it set IMO. If you don't like the Custom, sell it on ebay and go for the JB. It's so perfect for hair rock, it should come with a tube of lipstick and a can of aerosol hairspray. Your neighbors will swear that CC Deville is in your living room. Just kidding.
Try the Custom first. It ouldnt be my first choice for hair rock, but it would work from what I know about the pickup.
It may deliver the sounds you want. The mids are fat and its warm and brassy. It's way more about your amp and how you have it set IMO. If you don't like the Custom, sell it on ebay and go for the JB. It's so perfect for hair rock, it should come with a tube of lipstick and a can of aerosol hairspray. Your neighbors will swear that CC Deville is in your living room. Just kidding.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
I have a feeling that if you A/B'd the Custom and JB, you'd probably keep the Custom.
Think of it like a graphic EQ. The Custom is like nudging every frequency up a notch.
The JB is like decreasing the bass slightly and bumping up the high mids.
I have a feeling that if you A/B'd the Custom and JB, you'd probably keep the Custom.
Think of it like a graphic EQ. The Custom is like nudging every frequency up a notch.
The JB is like decreasing the bass slightly and bumping up the high mids.
Kosh Naranek
New member
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
The JB (with with 250 k ohm pot) screams. The Custom is fat, chunky, with a more lower midrange. It has a little bit of that mid boosted Boston or Satriani tone. In an alder super Strat, it will sound great, adding more beef to the lower mids and bass.
The JB (with with 250 k ohm pot) screams. The Custom is fat, chunky, with a more lower midrange. It has a little bit of that mid boosted Boston or Satriani tone. In an alder super Strat, it will sound great, adding more beef to the lower mids and bass.
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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
Nice to read that it is fat with more lower midrage. I was little worried about it was too harsh but probably it could work
Nice to read that it is fat with more lower midrage. I was little worried about it was too harsh but probably it could work
LesPaulRules
New member
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
I agree with the above.
I think a regular Custom would work great for 80's metal. It's a tight pickup with good bottom and bright highs. The highs might be a little bright for some, but I like how they cut through a mix.
I also like the Custom Custom, but only if I'm doing more of a Van Halen type of thing.
I agree with the above.
I think a regular Custom would work great for 80's metal. It's a tight pickup with good bottom and bright highs. The highs might be a little bright for some, but I like how they cut through a mix.
I also like the Custom Custom, but only if I'm doing more of a Van Halen type of thing.
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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
I' agree that the custom custom can get a good brown sound emulation , but imho iy isn't an hard rock hair metal pickup
Good to read ! Btw the highs can be tamed with a 047 cap or via eq.
I' agree that the custom custom can get a good brown sound emulation , but imho iy isn't an hard rock hair metal pickup
TSE
New member
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
The Custom is clearer, it is more percussive, and it has a classic sound that works well with many different types of music. It is great for hard rock and 80's lead stuff. If I had a guitar with only one pickup, my first consideration would be a Custom.
The Custom is clearer, it is more percussive, and it has a classic sound that works well with many different types of music. It is great for hard rock and 80's lead stuff. If I had a guitar with only one pickup, my first consideration would be a Custom.
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TheWarrior
Guest
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
thanks , glad to read that it is great for what i'm looking for
thanks , glad to read that it is great for what i'm looking for
jhale667
New member
Re: duncan custom & hard rock ?
+1
I've become a huge fan of the Custom wind in general, even though I've only tried the regular Ceramic Custom and the A2 CC - haven't gotten around to the A5 or A8 versions yet (really wanna try an A8, marginally interested in A5). But I like that my amp's going to see essentially the same input when I switch guitars, and the wood and magnets are really what's changing the overall vibe and character of the tone.:cool2:
It seems in the guitars I have them in - Ash and Koa SuperStrats - the Ceramic has a little more oomph on the low end and snarl on the highs (in a good way), and the A2 is a little more restrained on the lows, and seemingly more rounded or 'pleasant' on the highs, which may give it a slight edge in the lead tone department between the two. For heavy rhythms think I'd have to give the subtle nod to the Ceramic Custom...just a hair meaner.
I'm with TSE on one thing for sure: My single-hum Strat has the (ceramic) Custom. It was the go-to for that application, IMO.
+1
I've become a huge fan of the Custom wind in general, even though I've only tried the regular Ceramic Custom and the A2 CC - haven't gotten around to the A5 or A8 versions yet (really wanna try an A8, marginally interested in A5). But I like that my amp's going to see essentially the same input when I switch guitars, and the wood and magnets are really what's changing the overall vibe and character of the tone.:cool2:
It seems in the guitars I have them in - Ash and Koa SuperStrats - the Ceramic has a little more oomph on the low end and snarl on the highs (in a good way), and the A2 is a little more restrained on the lows, and seemingly more rounded or 'pleasant' on the highs, which may give it a slight edge in the lead tone department between the two. For heavy rhythms think I'd have to give the subtle nod to the Ceramic Custom...just a hair meaner.
I'm with TSE on one thing for sure: My single-hum Strat has the (ceramic) Custom. It was the go-to for that application, IMO.
