I just put a Custom-4 in my Telecaster!

[StrangeDay]

I was looking forward to writing you guys this long descriptive review, but it sounds almost exactly the way it did before. WHat is going on?! Did I not install it right?!

Anyway, I put an Alnico 4 magnet into a C-5, then into my Tele bridge. Compared to the stock Tele bridge pup, ofcourse the C-4 is a little crunchier (distorts easier with a pedal).
And the bass seems to be tighter than the C-3.

But like I said, my Tele sounds almost exactly the way it did before. It just has a little more bass, and more output. It's not what I was looking for. Oh well, I was just experimenting anyway. I'm actually waiting for a couple of Alnico 3 magnets to arrive. Hopefully that will do the trick.

 

[dr.barlo]

Who knows! Maybe there was a slight difference but due to the break changing the mags you forgot it. Could that be the reason? Anyway happened to me, that is why I record the tone keeping the amp settings height etc the same. Hence the tests!

 

[StrangeDay]

I could tell a difference, but I didn't think it would still Twang as much! Still, I really want to fix taht noise problem.

 

[Lewguitar]

Just a mention: these a4 magnets are coming from Lindy Fralin and Lindy never uses them in a humbucker wound stronger than 9.5K. In fact, Lindy always discourages me from using anything hotter than 9.5K whenever we get to talking about humbuckers. Also, the pickups Lindy uses the a4 magnets in are wound with vintage style 42 gauge plain enamel copper wire...all the Duncan Custom series pickups are probably wound with thinner 43 gauge copper wire. I'm not saying the a4 magnet won't sound good in a 14K Custom series pickup...just that I'm sure Lindy wouldn't recommend it. He's a Strat player...that's his tonal preference. Lew

 

[StrangeDay]

Thanks, Lew. Would you say the same about the A3 and A5 magnets?

 

[Lewguitar]

Thanks, Lew. Would you say the same about the A3 and A5 magnets?

Nah. I like hot pickups as much as the next guy.

I use the 14.4K CC in two guitars and used a 16.6K JB for many years. I'm not even saying I totally agree with Lindy...only that the humbuckers he designed to use the a4 magnets you guys are using range from 7.5K to 9.5K...no higher.

As for the a3, I've only heard them in '54 Strat pickups and didn't like them: to thin and bright. Neither did Eric Johnson, which is why all three pickups in his old '54 Strat had been changed. I trust you guys tho and Doc Barlo, so if you guys say the a3 sounds good in a humbucker I believe you.

Lew

 

[dr.barlo]

Lindy does not wind a #43 HB, no? And me thinks 14.40K with #42 gauge wire might not even be possible. So there you go.

B

 

[Lewguitar]

Lindy does not wind a #43 HB, no? And me thinks 14.40K with #42 gauge wire might not even be possible. So there you go.

B

Me thinks so too! That's why Customs and JB's probably use #43 wire. He does wind some #43 single coils (the steel pole 43 and the Blues Special Tele neck pickup I think are #43.) and told me he thinks overwound single coil pickups often sound better with thinner wire even when he COULD'VE used #42 wire. Lew