EVH tone

[Masta' C]

To back up LLL, I think anyone looking for "EVH" tones should start with the SH-5 Custom.

When I read that the OP liked the Super D over the "Custom Custom", I'm betting they would have loved the regular, ceramic-based Custom :headbang:

 

[renovatr]

I`ll check out the Custom 5, I`ve tried so many others ... thanks for everyone`s input!

 

[Toejam]

I`ll check out the Custom 5, I`ve tried so many others ... thanks for everyone`s input!

The Custom 5 is scooped in the mids. You want a regular Custom or Custom Custom.

 

[Masta' C]

I`ll check out the Custom 5, I`ve tried so many others ... thanks for everyone`s input!

The "Custom 5" and the SH-5 "Custom" are slightly different. Custom 5 has an A5 magnet and a somewhat scooped tone. The regular Custom (model SH-5) is the one you want. If it's too much, you can always make it a "Custom 5" by swapping the magnet

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I personally think the regular Custom is as scooped as the 5, just scooped in slightly different frequencies. The Custom seems to have more of that ceramic upper-mid rasp, and the 5 more of that alnico lower mid warmth.

But yeah, that is the VH pickup, IMO.

 

[Securb]

The key to the EVH tone and closely guarded secret is to load up on cheap cheeseburgers before every gig

 

[gsammo79]

The "Custom 5" and the SH-5 "Custom" are slightly different. Custom 5 has an A5 magnet and a somewhat scooped tone. The regular Custom (model SH-5) is the one you want. If it's too much, you can always make it a "Custom 5" by swapping the magnet

You're right. One thing was understated though. The Custom 5 is ultra scooped

 

[renovatr]

Looks like I`ll end up trying the SH-5 Custom... I really didn`t get much help calling SD and talking to them about it. and didn`t have much luck with the 78, the Frankenstein, the JB antiquity although the Custom sounded great with the first 4 strings but it lost it`s crunchiness with the E and A strings!

 

[Cdwillis]

I had a SH-5 in my franky style strat and it did the job. This was before the 78 was a regular production pickup and it didn't seem worth the extra cash to order the custom shop 78 over the SH-5. I've always wanted to try a Dimarzio Super Distortion for that sound too and never got around to it (yet). I never felt like the Custom was mid scooped. It has a nice top end presence without being harsh and the low end isn't blown out like some overwound A2 pickups.

 

[renovatr]

I love the tone of the duncan custom pickup on the last 4 strings! For some reason it loses crunchiness on the E and A strings almost sounding''out of phase'' for lack of a better description. Any suggestions for this issue?

 

[beaubrummels]

Are you using a regular standard-spaced Custom in a super strat (e.g. SH-5 and not a TB-5)? Is the pickup angled, or straight with the strings? If the poles aren't lining up you could raise the adjustable poles a little bit to compensate. Might be better to switch to a TB-5 if the strings aren't lining up.

 

[renovatr]

Are you using a regular standard-spaced Custom in a super strat (e.g. SH-5 and not a TB-5)? Is the pickup angled, or straight with the strings? If the poles aren't lining up you could raise the adjustable poles a little bit to compensate. Might be better to switch to a TB-5 if the strings aren't lining up.

Hi, I installed it in an ESP strat shaped body.. the pickup is straight. I purchased the duncan custom which I believe is the SH5. I`m getting a nice tone from it on the 1st 4 strings... the E and A string not so much. It almost sounds like a single coil tone on the E and A strings, which is so weird... I never experienced that before!

 

[Masta' C]

Yeah, that's not normal. Looking down at the pickup, are the pole pieces lining up with the strings? Where did you buy the pickup?

 

[Aceman]

So, have we came to the conclusion that there is "no" single VH pickup yet?

78, Super Distortion, Custom, Custom Custom are all in the mix depending on the time/place we are talking about, and the gear you might be using.

 

[Securb]

So, have we came to the conclusion that there is "no" single VH pickup? yet

78, Super Distortion, Custom, Custom Custom are all in the mix depending on the time/place we are talking about, and the gear you might be using.

Don't forget the Super 70

 

[Mononoaware]

The key to the EVH tone and closely guarded secret is to load up on cheap cheeseburgers before every gig.

Ah, youth.

 

[misterwhizzy]

You need to scoop the brown M&Ms.

 

[Securb]

Ah, youth.

I have always loved that picture. Eddie looks miserable. Two kids from sunny warm Pasadena CA finding out their first tour will take them to freezing snow-covered locations. And they will consume copious amounts of garbage food and sleep in crap hotels. Can't say EVH didn't pay his dues.

 

[renovatr]

Yeah, that's not normal. Looking down at the pickup, are the pole pieces lining up with the strings? Where did you buy the pickup?

I got it from my guitar tech and he ordered it straight from Seymour Duncan.. I`ve been using this guy for over 20 yrs so I trust him... do you think the PU could be defective?

 

[renovatr]

So, have we came to the conclusion that there is "no" single VH pickup yet?

78, Super Distortion, Custom, Custom Custom are all in the mix depending on the time/place we are talking about, and the gear you might be using.

I have a few different amps a 71 Marshall SLP, a hand wired Marshall plexi reissue, a Germino lead 55 and the Suhr SL 68. They all sound close but I think I`m missing a pickup that will get me the rest of the way.