Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

Franknfilms

Franknfilms

New member
The alnico 9 was degaused to the same strength of a fully charged alnico 8. The pickup height is the same, the amp was warmed up for the same amount of time, the recording settings mic placement were not touched in between recordings of course. The only adjustment was gain, as noted below.

I need to get back to work so I won't comment on the A9 just yet. After all I have played with it for about 10 minutes so far, too early to tell. I'm very happy that it is at least a usable guitar tone!

Here is a rundown of the sound clips:

Planet Caravan Humbucker - Clean - Custom 8
Planet Caravan Humbucker - Clean - Custom 9
Planet Caravan Single Coil - Clean - Custom 8
Planet Caravan Single Coil - Clean - Custom 9
Funk #49 Single Coil - Low Gain - Custom 8
Funk #49 Single Coil - Low Gain - Custom 9
Whole Lotta Love Humbucker - Low Gain - Custom 8
Whole Lotta Love Humbucker - Low Gain - Custom 9
Them Bones Humbucker - Med Gain - Custom 8
Them Bones Humbucker - Med Gain - Custom 9
The Heaviest Matter of the Universe Humbucker - High Gain - Custom 8
The Heaviest Matter of the Universe Humbucker - High Gain - Custom 9

http://netmusicians.org/index.php?section=id&value=10617

If you care about amp settings, I put bass and mid at noon and treble at 9 o'clock for both channels. Volume was at noon for both channels. Low gain = 7 o'clock, med = 9, high = noon. The guitar was direct to amp. Everything sounds pretty bright due to the brand new strings (GHS 10-52).
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

Interesting. It sounds to me as if the C9 has a more on the higher mids and less bottom end than the C8, but still has tightness to it. A little more aggressive sounding too. I might want to try an A9/A5 soapbar now.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I heard the most difference between the two on Planet Caravan, Funk #49, and Them Bones. For the record, I only listened to the clips through my crappy laptop speakers.

I was surprised at how good it sounded. I heard a big difference on Them Bones - sounds like the A9 has way more output then the A8.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

It is pretty much what I expected, a middle ground between custom 8 and custom ceramic. The clean tones were pretty revealing, a9 sounded pretty cold, kind of like the ceramic. I think there is more growl on the a9 with gain. Custom 9 vs. Custom would be a really helpful comparison too I'm sure. The Custom 9 in my schecter does sound a little warmer than the ceramic custom in my agile 3100, not a very good comparison with those guitars though, agile has an ebony board.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I have band practice this sunday, that is always a great way to judge the overall brightness. This is usually gaged on how far I need to turn down the treble to stop the ear bleeding, with the custom I have the treble very close to zero at high volumes.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

In the clean part, the A9 sounded close to an A5... I too thought it sounded a little bit cold.

Interesting how the A9 responds with gain, it cuts through the mix a bit better than the A8, but it lacked body.

I didn't dislike it, but I guess I'm too used to the A8. It didn't make me want to try one myself. Does it make me a bad person...?

Thanks for your time and effort, Franknfilms. Much appreciated! :notworthy
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I wonder if the degaussing might have affected its character a touch? All in all it wasn`t too bad, I figured it would be alot darker and more sinister than it was. Maybe I will get a hold of dennis and try an A7 ? I have a GFS Vintage 59 bridge pup that luvs magnet swapping. Thanks for the clip and for the work you went through to make it frankfilms ! !
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I think a full charge is a good idea too before I give up and go back to a8. Maybe I'll try that method from the forum a while back, running a neo magnet over it without removing the a9, has anyone done that?
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

ill have to check these tommorrow.. be cool to hear!
Tween the Custom 8 and custom , going from 8 to 9... man are we splitting hairs these days.. LOL :eyecrazy:

Thanks for putting these up Frankn!
 
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Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

nice efforts man! we appreciate it. sorry took so long to get here.
C8 sounded the best of all them!
but it was hard to say what i liked more between the Sh5 and C9.
the Sh5 had a tad more forward sound and the C9 was quieter all around.

ive almost completed my tour and the eventual return of the C8.
no particular reason other than im bored. oh that boredom thing.
 
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