Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

amazing how much diff there is in the small increments of 8 vs9. I am renewed in m love for the custom 8 tho!! thanks for putting this up!
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I liked the C9 better on the Planet Caravan Humbucker clip. The rest was C8.

Thanks for posting this.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

A few variables to consider with the clips, a9 might be a little too degaussed, also I might not have done the pickup height perfectly, I didn't measure just used a piece of paper with a mark on it. I ended up adjusting the pickup a little closer to add some more output and low end and am a little happier with the tone. It still sounds and feels pretty much like a normal custom. I need to charge it full now so if anyone has easy solutions for that let me know.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

More clips on the way in the next few weeks. I definitely want to hear this quad tracked with drums and bass, obviously metal is the strong suit so I'll record something heavy.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I may be the only one, but I much prefer the A9 in these clips. That "body" it lacked is a certain lower-mid speaker talk that I try to keep out of my recordings - it really fights with the rest of the band in a mix and makes the distortion sound more dissonant. If you can capture a nice full, crunchy sound without woofling like those A8 clips you're in business.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I liked the C9 better on the Planet Caravan Humbucker clip. The rest was C8.

Thanks for posting this.

This. It would probably be a little better if it wasn't degaussed as much. And I forgot how awesome Them Bones was! Good song :1:
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I may be the only one, but I much prefer the A9 in these clips. That "body" it lacked is a certain lower-mid speaker talk that I try to keep out of my recordings - it really fights with the rest of the band in a mix and makes the distortion sound more dissonant. If you can capture a nice full, crunchy sound without woofling like those A8 clips you're in business.


This. Low mids are nice sometimes but they do end up lost in the mix more often than not, imho...even though I've been on a low mid kick lately.:banghead:
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

Cool test, thanks! You managed to get the C8 to work nicely here (never got along with mine), and it was a lot better than the C9 in all the clips. I agree that the C9 sounded stiff and thin, reminded me of a cheap stompbox. At least, one mystery aside. If I ever get the mag swapping jones again, I'm going to try out a4.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

Here is a full mix with the c9! I re-did the guitar tracks for a song that I have posted before.

New recording is schecter with c9 on quad tracked rhythm and single track lead
http://netmusicians.org/index.php?section=id&value=10639

Old recording is agile with custom on quad tracked rhythm and custom 8 on single track lead
http://netmusicians.org/?section=id&value=10549

The new recording is much sloppier, but this is a good tone comparison for the leads c8 vs c9.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

In very few of those clips, vs either the C8 or the Custom, did I prefer the C9. I was listening on Event TR-8s, the same nearfield monitors that I make my living with, and more often than not, as much as I wanted to say "more open" or "less muddy" all I ended up thinking was "just plain weaker sounding."

Thanks for the clips. I love it when people actually do the leg work to make comparisons like this.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

Awesome clips and awesome guitar work. Really appreciate the time and effort that went into making those comparisons. Thanks for your work, man.

Between the Custom and the C9, I much prefer the C9.
Between the C8 and the C9...well that's a different story. Generally I like the extra body of the C8, very rich and full with the increased low mids.

But I can certainly see aplication for the A9 mag. Sometimes I think my Mean 90 with A5/A8 is a bit too meaty. I think the A5/A9 combination would be perfect to get just a bit more upper agression without getting too heavy/meaty/low end tone. (I like my P-90's to be bright and strong with plenty of guts, but not too overbearing in the low/low-mids).

Thanks again for your clips. Your work is greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

In the full mix, I actually prefer the C9, especially for rhythm. In the old track, neither the rhythm or lead cut through as well. The Custom and C8 may have clashed a little, or you may have just recorded it better. I would like to hear C9 rhythm and C8 lead!

EDIT: After re-listening, it seems that the Custom muddied things up and was possible too loud for the C8 to come through.
 
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Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

In the full mix, I actually prefer the C9, especially for rhythm. In the old track, neither the rhythm or lead cut through as well. The Custom and C8 may have clashed a little, or you may have just recorded it better. I would like to hear C9 rhythm and C8 lead!

EDIT: After re-listening, it seems that the Custom muddied things up and was possible too loud for the C8 to come through.

The C8 lead track was not turned up as loud thats for sure. As far as matching c9 and c8 lead that will be easy to do with some cutting and pasting, good idea!
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

In these clips I like the A8 better, I like the girth.

I'd agree with this...the A8 still seems to have more character than any other variation IMO, whereas the A9 kind of sounds like a cross between the ceramic and the A8, but leaning more towards the ceramic side of things tonally...


Great clips Franknfilms, thanks for doing this. :friday:
 
Re: Introducing the Custom 9 - Sound Clips

I thought I'd update on the live tone as I played with drummer yesterday. The tone was pretty sweet, but only after I turned the amp treble to zero! I also turned the guitar tone knob down a little as well. Although it didn't really sound that way from my clips, I think the custom 9 is even brighter than the ceramic custom in my agile. I never properly a/b'd them though with the same amp settings as I did the custom 8 and 9.

I think it goes without saying that I really have no use for the custom 9, back to the 8 it is. The A9 magnet probably has its place in 2 magnet humbuckers to try and brighten/tighten if you don't want to go for a ceramic. If I still had my washburn (which sounded very dull in the bridge) I would certainly give the a9 a shot in that guitar. I look forward to other reviews of the A9, sounds like a few forum members have some on the way.
 
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