Duncan Custom rocks!

cheezemaster

cheezemaster

New member
I recently put a Custom in my Les Paul (b) and finally had a chance to rock out with the full band last night through my JCM 900 half stack.

This sucka smokes! I love it. It retains the PAF vibe, but it's got lots more punch and guts. Barre chords are chunky, open chords still ring out, leads are fat. It also doesn't really sound "ceramic" in the traditional sense, it still has warmth and openness and my Les Paul still sounds like a Les Paul. I also love the extra sustain I get.. it rocks. Playing in a power trio - I was looking for a little more punch, cut and oomph than I was getting with 57 classics or 59s and this is it.

I'd always been pretty much of the alnico-only mindset, but am recently becoming open to ceramics. The 500T is cool too.

I know people like the other 2 "Custom" series pickups as well as other mag swaps for this pickup, but for me really I don't see any need.. There's a reason why Seymour made the original this way. :headbang:
 
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Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

I have that too, great pickup!

Lately I've been thinking what would it sound if I would swap Custom's ceramic magnet with alnico 2... Has someone tried that ? I just love the natural and warm sound of alnico II pro neck and got this strange idea yesterday..

Ofcourse the custom with alnico 2 magnet would still be in bridge
 
Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

Well the CC is a very dark pickup. If you have a Les Paul sounding guitar than forget it. It'll be a muddy mess. If you want an A2 vibe in a guitar like a Les Paul an A8 would be the way to go. It's like an A2's body but with a little more upper mids and the tight bottom end of a Ceramic.

If you don't have an LP the give it a shot lol. Just letting you know if you do though.
 
Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

ACH91332 said:
Well the CC is a very dark pickup. If you have a Les Paul sounding guitar than forget it. It'll be a muddy mess.
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I'm going to have to disagree with that. I have a Custom Custom in a Les Paul and I don't find it dark at all. To me it actually has quite a bit of presence to it. I personally don't find it to be a super tight (for lack of a better term) pickup, but I don't find it to be a muddy mess either.
 
Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

CesarM13 said:
:) so what humbucker are you using in the neck of your LP?
very nice choice btw. :)
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I have a Gibson 57 Classic in the neck. I rarely use my neck pickup.. occasionally for more of a "bluesy" solo or a semi-clean rhythym part with the volume turned down. It balances pretty well with the Custom in the bridge after raising it a hair. (I previously had a 57 Classic Plus in the bridge)

I use the bridge pickup 98% of the time, that's the sound I like. I NEVER use the middle (both pickups) setting.
 
Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

ACH91332 said:
Well the CC is a very dark pickup. If you have a Les Paul sounding guitar than forget it. It'll be a muddy mess. If you want an A2 vibe in a guitar like a Les Paul an A8 would be the way to go. It's like an A2's body but with a little more upper mids and the tight bottom end of a Ceramic.

If you don't have an LP the give it a shot lol. Just letting you know if you do though.
Click to expand...

I have an Ibanez S with floyd rose. I always felt the midrange (d and g strings) in the guitar itself were kind of blocked up/mushy. Tried many pickups without good result until I put Alnico II pro in its neck. First I couldnt believe what I heard, I mean the whole midrange came to life and I could hear every note I play! (shredder as I am). That gave me the idea that If my Custom trembucker would also have Alnico II maybe It would be like heavenly combination. I love the kick ass sound of Custom, but compared to Alnico II pro it has not as good note-to-note separation.
 
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Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

JOLLY said:
I'm going to have to disagree with that. I have a Custom Custom in a Les Paul and I don't find it dark at all. To me it actually has quite a bit of presence to it. I personally don't find it to be a super tight (for lack of a better term) pickup, but I don't find it to be a muddy mess either.
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i agree with the Jolly; it depends on the LP in question. a chambered or lightened one may be brighter and sound great with a CC, for example
 
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Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

I absolutely did not like the custom in the bridge of a les paul. wayyyy to warm. in the neck, though, is sweeeeeeet!!!!! I really, really like the duncan custom in the neck. warm, fat, punchy, nice sweet tone, clear though, articulated.
 
Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

cheezemaster said:
I have a Gibson 57 Classic in the neck. I rarely use my neck pickup.. occasionally for more of a "bluesy" solo or a semi-clean rhythym part with the volume turned down. It balances pretty well with the Custom in the bridge after raising it a hair. (I previously had a 57 Classic Plus in the bridge)

I use the bridge pickup 98% of the time, that's the sound I like. I NEVER use the middle (both pickups) setting.
Click to expand...

The Custom/57 Classic is an awesome LP combo. I'll never understand why anyone would want anything wound hotter than a Custom. It's output WITH tone. The 57 Classic neck is a great pickup too.
 
Re: Duncan Custom rocks!

I used the CC in my Les Paul but I also have a Marshall which is a mid heavy amp. So those two put together was just hell for me.
 
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