Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

[IronFox]

And a "Humbucker powered by lace" on my neck pickup.

And for some reason I like the powered by lace more?

Maybe it's because I just changed the magnet? Someone told me to wait 3 days till it sounds better (something about the pickup getting used to the magnet). Or maybe it's because of my shtty amp (A layne 12w). I'm on the process of buying a new amp (400$ dollars is my budget) but haven't because I'm not sure what to buy.

I bought a Seymour Duncan Custom and replaced the magnet with this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alnico-8-Hu...808?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33a1793ae8

 

[Demanic]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

I always wondered how the "powered by Lace" pickups sounded. They aren't very expensive. Give the magnet time to set. You very well may be quite impressed. I like the Custom 8 quite a bit.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

I've used a Custom 8 for over four years, so I know very well how it sounds, however I don't have any experience with that Lace, so I can't help you with if they don't play nice with each other.

HTH,

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

As unthinkable as it sounds to a few around this forum... Maybe you just dont dig the C8. Nothing wrong with that. Ive noticed that many of the guys around here are "former" users of it only a few have carried on as the flag wavers.

The good news is that you can try other mags in that custom and there is a good chance you will like one of them.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

Before giving any advice, the first thing to ask here is, what is it specifically that you don't like about the C8?

As was suggested, you may just not like that sound, it may not fit the type of music you play, or maybe it just doesn't pair-up very well with your neck pup.

The C8 is really a great pup, very versatile, and usually is about as good as it gets for an SG bridge pup.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

As was suggested, you may just not like that sound, it may not fit the type of music you play, or maybe it just doesn't pair-up very well with your neck pup.

The C8 is really a great pup, very versatile, and usually is about as good as it gets for an SG bridge pup.

C8's can be pretty good in SG's, so can Customs and C5's. My favorite is a Custom with an UOA5, which adds a lot of texture and dials down the 'in your face' output of a C8. More of a vintage sound.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

which adds a lot of texture and dials down the 'in your face' output of a C8.

I think this is where many of trouble with the C8. Its always "ON!".

 

[superpete]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

maybe you just don't like it. just because you are on the strawberry ice cream forum doesn't mean you can't prefer chocolate chip.

 

[IronFox]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

I think what I dislike is too much output. I plugged my guitar in with my DS-1 at 3/4 distortion and I could get a sound similar to my metal zone. And I was looking for a heavy raw rock tone, not metal. My amp sounds really metal-ish, though. When I use my Big Muff it sounds really really heavy too, so I'll test my guitar with other amps first. I was deciding to upgrade my amp this month so It's probably a good idea (still don't know what amp to buy, marshall micro stack, orange crush pix35, orange micro terror, between options, etc) I might get surprised.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

I think what I dislike is too much output.

A8's have been described here as sounding like a mix of alnico and ceramic. There are plenty of situations where that's not what's wanted. Over the last several years I've been mostly been using unoriented mags in my HB's (UOA5, A2, A3, and A4) in both bridge and neck slots. I think I have one A8 left in a HB at this point (C8). The high-end of A5's can be too much in the bridge slot, and their low-end can be too much in the neck. Where I use A8's these days is in bridge P-90's, most often as an A8/A4 pairing.

 

[ColeJustesen]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

I tried getting along with a C8, and for me it wasn't what I wanted in my Yamaha SG. I could see how some people would like it, as it is very tight and percussive sounding, but ultimately I pulled it out and replaced it with a Distortion. For me it was a frequency thing, more than an output thing. On another note, I really like a Screamin' Demon 8 with 300K pots to help tame the brightness... It reminds me of a good compromise of what I liked about the Custom 8 and some qualities of the Distortion that I like too, except it has less output. I really, really like the Screamin' Demon 8 in my Yamaha Studio Lord.

Good luck with your scenario!

Cole

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Just put a Custom 8 on my Epi SG 400

I would wait until you get your new amp to decide on a pup change.