Even toned high output humbucher

[twannieguitar]

I am looking for a humbucker sounding like the Custom 5 but with some more mids which results in en even balanced low-mid-high pickup
I like Alnico 5 humbuckers in general. The JB is too much mids for me or actual too much low-mids and high-mids without the mid-mids
So looking for a warm- even tone but with high output (14-16k)

any ideas?

 

[Mincer]

The regular Custom might be a choice, (but you don't tend to like that) and the issue is that there isn't really a pickup that has a flat EQ. Ceramic and A5 scoops out the mids, and A2 adds mids and reduces bass and treble. Also look at the Demon, and some of the more vintage-y JB variants.

 

[twannieguitar]

Thanks,
I found the Custom too spiky, too much top end for me
A5 does not scoop in a JB though

 

[Supernautilus]

Tangent question:

I like my Custom 5 but it is very scooped. Some more mids would nice. I can turn it into a Custom Custom by putting in an A2 bar, right?

And how about A4 or A3? Anyone ever put those into a Custom? Or maybe A5 unoriented?

 

[twannieguitar]

The Custom is even more scooped... I think the Custom 5 has mids but those are very low mids
Put an A2 in and then you get a Custom Custom indeed... result is a totally different sound. Much more mids but reduced low and low-mids
I tried both A3 and A4
A3 sound a bit weak, thin
A4 Sounds better but lacks of character imo. It is more even sounding though
A5 unoriented sounds somewhat weaker... slightly less lows and highs (I tried it in a JB)

 

[twannieguitar]

I you even can get your hands on an old Ibanez V2 (with the V2 stamped on top)
They have that Custom 5 low-mid warmth with more mids.. just looking for a modern version sounding the same

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Maybe try the Gibson 498T or a DiMarzio Norton.

Even sound and Alnico 5 almost sounds like an oxymoron to me, though. Alnico is inherently full of character, I feel, unless it's A4 which you already stated you don't like. You're better off with something Ceramic like maybe a D-Activator. I feel Ceramic can be shaped to be "neutral" more easily.

A5 does not scoop in a JB though

It does compared to A2. But it's the wind of that pickup that's inherently middy. So whatever magnet you drop in, it's just going to be different levels/kinds of middy.
​

 

[jeremy]

i really like the custom with an a3 magnet, like a more balanced custom custom. it does have a bit less output than the c5 though. i made a c5 years ago and didnt realize i put in a uoa5 magnet, really liked that pup

 

[nienturi]

EMG 81???
:haha:

 

[Der Oberherr]

A little lower on the DCR scale at 12.5k, but perhaps the Pegasus?

 

[Spaghetti Bolo]

I found the C8 to be pretty well balanced.

 

[chadd]

Throw an A4 into the custom and it should level everything off. Otherwise, run an EQ in your setup to reduce or bump as needed.

 

[jeremy]

every guitar player should have an eq around

 

[twannieguitar]

A little lower on the DCR scale at 12.5k, but perhaps the Pegasus?

could be... is that even toned?

 

[soulforger]

I'd maybe look at the Transition from Dimarzio

 

[donaldr]

every guitar player should have an eq around

Still waiting for MXR to add an output slider to their 6-band pedal.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I found the C8 to be pretty well balanced.

I was going to suggest A8 too. A little warmer than ceramic - and a little bouncier.

 

[Mincer]

every guitar player should have an eq around

haha, I have that on my amp!

 

[donaldr]

haha, I have that on my amp!

Try one before your amp, it's a very nice tool that makes your amp's eq works better.
As an example, cut some bass before your amp with the pedal eq. Now you can dial more bass on your amp eq without sounding boomy.

We are derailing the thread... but not that much as an eq pedal can help makes an even toned high output humbucker

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Having the ability to EQ pre-distortion is great too.