Lower output alternative to custom custom

[mike.g.smith]

Hi all - I have a patrick eggle berlin pro (mahogany body/maple top, mahogany through neck ebony f/board - british PRS style guitar with Wilkinson trem) that currently has a custom custom in the bridge and a pearly gates in the neck. The alnico II's work great in this quite bright sounding guitar. For the band I am now in it would be nice to have a slightly lower output bridge pup to give me a better balance and also a clean tone in the bridge with a bit less grunt and more sparkle. I am thinking of a pearly gates there too but am concerned that it may be way to "toppy" for this guitar from what I have read. I like the sound of the custom custom but am looking for a lower output that sounds close. Has anyone got any experience of a pearly gates in this type of guitar or can suggest another bridge pup that would sound close to the custom custom with a bit less grunt?

Cheers all

Mike
UK

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

You can order any pickup with Alnico 2 magnets, as a custom shop order. I'd say there's the "JB Sr.", or JB with an A2 magnet in it, that should be a bit less output, or maybe a Pearly Gates (they already come in A2). You could ask for an overwound model. There's also the Pearly Gates Plus (Fender-ized SD pickup), but you should try playing some Showmaster HH guitars to see if you like that sound.

You can also ask for any pickup from the custom shop with less output. Like if your needs are half way between a CC and an A2P humbucker, you could ask for one half way between the two in output.

Hope that helps.

 

[lemonman]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

The A2Pro fits your description better than the PG, which is much more aggressive in the upper mids, and would be my suggestion.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

I have a Hamer Studio with a Pearly Gates at the bridge. It's got a mahogany body, mahogany set neck, maple tope, rosewood (very dark and dense piece) fretboard.
The PG does sound bright, but not harsh. It might give you the tone with more sprakle and less grunt that you're after.

 

[Majestic]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

The most common-sense answer I can think of that matches his description DEAD-ON would be a Custom//59 A2 Hybrid.

A2 pickup at around 11k. Do a search on it..

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

You may even try turning it into a Custom 5 for $6. The tone gets a bit tighter and brighter. It'll still have some output, but it's closer to a 59 in tone.
You loosen the 4 brass bolts on the bottom, wiggle the coils loose, push out the magnet, and slide an Alnico 5 in there.

The expensive option would be to sell it and buy a 78, Seth Lover, or APH.
The Pearly Gates is an A2 pickup with as much or more brightness as an A5.
The Seth, to me, sounds like a CC lite. Not enough players give it a chance, but if you check the Duncan soundclips, you'll see that it's one of the most toneful Duncan humbuckers.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

A pearly Gates would be fine but an Alnico II Pro would probably be my choice. ITs lot less output but still nice and fat with a bit more top end than the CC

 

[Ascension]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

+1 on the Custom 5.
I have a Custom 5 and a 59 in my 95 MG 122 Washburn with the mahogany body and that set up matches up really well in tone and output. The Custom 5 is brighter and more open than the Pearly Gates that it replaced and matches much better with the 59 in tone and output IMO. The Custom 5 is like a vintage PAF on steroids. It still has that nice vintage character of a good PAF but with some real ADDITUDE!!

 

[BigDaddy]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

If you have the money a Brobucker is the way to go.

 

[mike.g.smith]

Re: Lower output alternative to custom custom

Thanks to everyone for their time replying to this post. As my primary concern is to get a medium output (10-11k) *and* keep the A2 thing happening I'm going to look at the CC/59 Hybrid (found the info after a quick search - thanks) or the Brobucker with A2 magnet (yes very expensive to get from the UK!!!).

I guess at least with the CC/59 hybrid I'll end up with 2 pickups (hopefully both working...) at around 11k so if I don't like the A2 one I can always see how the A5 one sounds (probably more akin to a slightly beefed up 59)!

Has anyone here actually made the CC/59 hybrid and is there anything I need to watch out for in the process?

Thanks again for all your replies.