Is the Custom higher or lower output than the JB?

[Rex_Rocker]

Kinda want to replace my JB. I overall like it, but I want more power.

I've been wanting to re-try the Custom for a while, but if it's not what I'm looking for, I don't think I will.

I know the Custom is lower DCR, but not by much. And it has a stronger magnet.

So... will the Custom give me what I want?

 

[beaubrummels]

I seem to recall it just being different, though I felt the JB was hotter for some reason. Maybe it was the eq spike making it seem hotter.

There are other options in the JB ballpark, like the RTM, Thrash Factor and others.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I seem to recall it just being different, though I felt the JB was hotter for some reason. Maybe it was the eq spike making it seem hotter.

There are other options in the JB ballpark, like the RTM, Thrash Factor and others.

Yeah, I was thinking either Black Winter or Distortion to keep it within the JB ballpark, just maximize the output and aggression.

I know the Custom isn't very JB-like, but I just wondered if it was worth a try if I want something hotter. But if it's not, I'd rather have the 'Winter or the Distortion. Or maybe even the 500T.

 

[Masta' C]

Have you tried swapping just a regular Ceramic mag into the JB?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Have you tried swapping just a regular Ceramic mag into the JB?

I have not, but I was just about to post a thread about it.

 

[soulforger]

It's hard not to like the Custom!

 

[misterwhizzy]

It's hard not to like the Custom!

Agreed. It just works and lets me focus on my playing.

 

[Mincer]

The Custom is great, but I don't think it is hotter than the JB. Do it right...go for the SLUG.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The Custom is great, but I don't think it is hotter than the JB. Do it right...go for the SLUG.

I don't want a dark-sounding pickup, tho.

 

[AdrianSD]

Wonder what a Custom with double ceramic sounds like.

 

[AdrianSD]

It's hard not to like the Custom!

Custom, Custom Custom, Custom 8, like them all. Custom 5, not so much.

 

[elelpe]

Alternative 8 comes to mind.

 

[Mincer]

Custom, Custom Custom, Custom 8, like them all. Custom 5, not so much.

The Custom 5 works well in a very mid heavy guitar, though (which is how I use it). I generally love mid heavy instruments, but some are just too much, and the C5 fixes that.

 

[marcello252]

the time I tried an A5 in a Custom on my strat (the C5 wasn't in production yet, early days in this forum) it was the worst sounding thing I had , the combination with alder body, bolt neck and long scale maybe, don't know, but it was a bad recipe

 

[uOpt]

The JB and DD are AWG44 wire thickness. The Customs are AWG43, so thicker wire. Generally that means less hot.

 

[Seashore]

From the Duncan "output experiment" chart, in MV, the ceramic Custom measures slightly higher than the JB and significantly higher than the A5 and A2 variants:

JB - 737
Custom - 784
Custom 5 - 646
Custom Custom - 574

 

[Chistopher]

My A2 JB and Custom Custom are close enough in volume that I don't have to change the settings on the input gain on my DAC

 

[Mincer]

From the Duncan "output experiment" chart, in MV, the ceramic Custom measures slightly higher than the JB and significantly higher than the A5 and A2 variants:

JB - 737
Custom - 784
Custom 5 - 646
Custom Custom - 574

True, but we all hear different frequencies differently. If you are sensitive to high end, a Strat pickup might seem 'louder' than something like a Custom Custom.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

From the Duncan "output experiment" chart, in MV, the ceramic Custom measures slightly higher than the JB and significantly higher than the A5 and A2 variants:

JB - 737
Custom - 784
Custom 5 - 646
Custom Custom - 574

Yeah, but at the same time, that chart shows the Black Winter as being lower output than the Distortion, and I've had both, tracked DI's with both, and no way. Or the Nazgul being lower output than the JB. Nope. I have them both right now, and I've tracked DI's with both. Also shows the Dimebucker as being super high output, and not my experience either. That's why I'm dubious of that chart.

The JB and DD are AWG44 wire thickness. The Customs are AWG43, so thicker wire. Generally that means less hot.

Yeah. I mean, the Custom 5 is probably going to be lower output than the JB because of the wind being less hot and the magnet having the same strenght. But how about the wind being less hot, but the magnet being stronger, like the Custom is? The 500T, for example, is also 43 gauge wire, and it's like in a whole different league of output compared to the JB and even the Distortion precisely because of the stronger magnet.

I don't mean to discount what you are all saying, BTW, so please don't take this the wrong way. I'm just stating the reasons why I'm dubious of which is hotter.

But I guess I'll know for sure tonight, as the Custom is getting here today. ​

 

[uOpt]

The 500T has the three-magnet setup like the DD, no?

That completely re-shapes the magnetic field and hence changes everything about everything.