Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

[SemperRhythm]

I got this back in January and I haven't returned to post since. Does that tell you something?

Specs first...
Alnico 5 ~ 11.4k
Coil 1 ~ 5.6k
Coil 2 ~ 5.8k

Tone:
TO DIE FOR! :32: Ok, seriously, it sounds just as intended; a hotter and thicker '59 that still possesses the very open cleans of a "normal" '59. It has a very nice balance akin to the '59 with a bit more punch and thicker midrange due to the overwind. It has awesome clarity even when heavily overdriven. The harmonic content is just unimaginable. With every note the harmonics just ring and fill the room. At first I thought "bright", but really it's the vast harmonic overtones coming out. MJ, you wound a winner dear!

I let a friend at work whom is much older than I and has played late 50s early 60s LPs play this one and all he could do was smile. He said, "it took me back". Of course we agreed it has more oomph than old PAFs but that is it's purpose.

I have a Jazz in the neck currently and they are a great match. Still though, I want to try a Pearly Gates neck and see if the harmonically rich duo pair up as well as expected. If so, I will post within a few days / weeks after.

Nathan

 

[theodie]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Great review!!! Sounds like something I now have GAS for!!!!!!

Southern VA, where abouts are you located?

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Pittsylvania County in south central VA, about 30 miles from the NC border.
Where abouts are you in Northern VA?

 

[theodie]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Pittsylvania County in south central VA, about 30 miles from the NC border.
Where abouts are you in Northern VA?

I live near Winchester VA.

Pittsylvania County, sounds very familiar. What town is it nearest to?

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Danville is right on the NC border in Pitts Co. I'm roughly in between Danville and Lynchburg, which is in Campbell Co.

 

[theodie]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Danville is right on the NC border in Pitts Co. I'm roughly in between Danville and Lynchburg, which is in Campbell Co.

I thought it was near Danville. I just couldnt remember. Right on!!!!!

I thought this review would be generating more interest. It sounds like a great bucker!!! I want one!!!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Does it look like a standard HB? Did you get it nickel covered? It sounds like what I may be looking for in the bridge of my Les Paul.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Sounds to me like it would be similar to a Blues Trembucker, but with a bit more output.

Ryan

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Make it Alnico II and I'm all over it.

 

[theodie]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

The Custom shop does make a S-Deco alnico II bucker. Look at the list of custom shop pickups, I think they make 4 different S-decos.

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

I ordered it uncovered, but you can order it with any cover (nickel, gold) you wish. Heck, you may even be able to get one of those aged Antiquity covers if you ask. They will do about anything you want in the Custom Shop.

You can get either Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 and I don't think there is any difference in the wind. That is one reason I ordered it uncovered so that if a magnet swap hit me I could do it easier. MJ told me many people order the 10k for the bridge also and it works just as well only not quite as hot.

Also, no "Seymour Duncan" logo on the bobbin. No worries though, the tone speaks for itself...

Here is the uncovered one from the Custom Shop link...
http://www.seymourduncan.com/website/images/jpcs.jpg

Nathan

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

How much did you get it for, BTW? :naughty:

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

Make it Alnico II and I'm all over it.

This is what I thought too...

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

I bought a 10.5k SDeco 5 for the bridge of a PRS. It was a little brighter than I would have liked. Swapped mags for an A2 but it still had a piercing, ice pick, quality in the highs even with the treble on amp down to 1. I had to pull it in favor of a CC which was awsome in that guitar. I can't say for sure if this is a pup issue or just the nature of that guitar. I will likely try it in some other instruments to see what happens.

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

I bought a 10.5k SDeco 5 for the bridge of a PRS. It was a little brighter than I would have liked. Swapped mags for an A2 but it still had a piercing, ice pick, quality in the highs even with the treble on amp down to 1. I had to pull it in favor of a CC which was awsome in that guitar. I can't say for sure if this is a pup issue or just the nature of that guitar. I will likely try it in some other instruments to see what happens.

Wow. I really don't know. This is brighter than some pickups I've tried but alot of that is the harmonics, at least to my ears. I would say it's bright, as a '59 is also called bright, but not ice-picky. Maybe that extra 1k of wind on the 11.5k tames it down a bit. This is also through my Mesa Rectoverb with a Black Shadow speaker, and I'm sure that has some affect on the tone. Through my Fender Deluxe, yes it can be brighter than I like but that is with the stock speaker which is too bright IMO anyway.

How much did you get it for, BTW?

I sent in a JB I had sitting around and she rewound it for $70 I believe...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

I sent in a JB I had sitting around and she rewound it for $70 I believe...

I've never really fallen in love with the JB I have.... :wall:



How long did it take to get it wound up?

 

[theodie]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

I bought a 10.5k SDeco 5 for the bridge of a PRS. It was a little brighter than I would have liked. Swapped mags for an A2 but it still had a piercing, ice pick, quality in the highs even with the treble on amp down to 1. I had to pull it in favor of a CC which was awsome in that guitar. I can't say for sure if this is a pup issue or just the nature of that guitar. I will likely try it in some other instruments to see what happens.

If you want to unload it, let me know!!! I would love to have it.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

If you want to unload it, let me know!!! I would love to have it.

I want to try it in a few more guitars but if I do decide to move it I will give you dibs.

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

How long did it take to get it wound up?

Actually, she received them (I also had an old Sears and Roebuck bass pup rewound for my brother) and mailed them back to me in only 4 days. Maybe it was 5 days but it wasn't long at all!

Nathan

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Finally the Review: Custom Shop S-Deco-5 11.5k (B)

I want one! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

I love my 59 Trembuckers but a little hotter would be all right. The Custom 5 is supposed to be a bit like a hotter 59B but it didn't quite do it for me...something about the mids...sort of dry or something.

Thanks!