NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

[AkiraSpectrum]

Decided to get a new bridge pickup for my 2004 Godin Freeway Classic (my first guitar). It's one of the best playing guitars I've ever touched and the price (new) was absolutely dirt cheap when I bought it in 2004.

The pickups are Godin branded (made by G&B Korea) and aren't bad at all. The bridge was very powerful in the low-end (15K Ceramic), sometimes overwhelmingly so, and I wanted a more 'musical, smooth, and organic' tone for this guitar--it being my E-Standard and Drop D guitar.

The Custom Custom is definitely a musical, smooth, and organic pickup, which is likely due to the Alnico 2 magnet. Overall I really like it, and it has given me the more versatile sound I was looking for. Even though it has very little low-end (bass) it has a very full midrange which keeps the sound thick/full without sounding thin. Chord clarity is quite good as well, this is likely because it doesn't have much low end to muddy up the notes in the chord. I'm not sure how its wired, but position 4 of my 5 way switch was always garbage with the stock bridge pickup, but with the Custom Custom I am loving position 4 for cleans (I'm not sure if its full bridge and single coil, or split bridge, or split bridge with single coil though).

Overall, very happy with the Custom Custom, and its right up there fighting for top spot with my other favorite (more contemporary sounding) Duncan bridge pickup, the Pegasus.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

I’ve been contemplating his pickup as well. But I have no experience with the A2 magnet. Currently my guitars have either an A5 or ceramic. My big worry is that it won’t be powerful enough? You don’t find this to be the case?
Tonally, I love what I’ve heard in the clips I’ve seen.

 

[AkiraSpectrum]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

I’ve been contemplating his pickup as well. But I have no experience with the A2 magnet. Currently my guitars have either an A5 or ceramic. My big worry is that it won’t be powerful enough? You don’t find this to be the case?
Tonally, I love what I’ve heard in the clips I’ve seen.

It definitely has less power than any A5 or Ceramic I've used, but thanks to the medium-hot wind it isn't weak.

If you're familiar with a Pegasus in the bridge, I'd say it has roughly the same amount of output/power, although it does have much less bass, so this could in some circumstances be perceived as less power. This pickup isn't about a big powerful low-end, more about a full midrange.

What style of music are you playing? Tuning?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

It definitely has less power than any A5 or Ceramic I've used, but thanks to the medium-hot wind it isn't weak.

If you're familiar with a Pegasus in the bridge, I'd say it has roughly the same amount of output/power, although it does have much less bass, so this could in some circumstances be perceived as less power. This pickup isn't about a big powerful low-end, more about a full midrange.

What style of music are you playing? Tuning?

Thanks!
I’ve got a Pegasus in my 7 String. I like the tone of it but it’s definitely not as powerful as my LP.
I play rock/hard rock currently through a Quickrod/LP combination. The LP has a Super Distortion which I absolutely love.
I was thinking of the CC for a Charvel style build.

 

[AkiraSpectrum]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

Thanks!
I’ve got a Pegasus in my 7 String. I like the tone of it but it’s definitely not as powerful as my LP.
I play rock/hard rock currently through a Quickrod/LP combination. The LP has a Super Distortion which I absolutely love.
I was thinking of the CC for a Charvel style build.

Cool! Yeah, the CC has about the same amount of output as a Pegasus. The CC is more saturated and mid-range-y than the Pegasus with less bass. If you want something more powerful than your Pegasus then maybe another pickup would be best?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

Cool! Yeah, the CC has about the same amount of output as a Pegasus. The CC is more saturated and mid-range-y than the Pegasus with less bass. If you want something more powerful than your Pegasus then maybe another pickup would be best?

Maybe more saturated would be good...I like it when I dig in it just feels effortless with the Super D. And I like how it naturally compresses.
I’ve got my eye/ears on a Suhr Aldridge set too.

 

[AkiraSpectrum]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

Maybe more saturated would be good...I like it when I dig in it just feels effortless with the Super D. And I like how it naturally compresses.
I’ve got my eye/ears on a Suhr Aldridge set too.

I haven't played a Dimarzio SD in a very long time so I don't quite recall how that pickup feels.

I would say this video is a pretty accurate representation of the Custom Custom through a high gain amp (5150 modelled in a Kemper.... I think it has an OD in there as well but not sure): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2ZIxoXkdw&t=323s

 

[Mincer]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

Certainly the CC is one of my favorite bridge pickups, especially if you are in a one-guitar band. It takes up a lot of sonic space, so it doesn't sound like you are missing anything.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

I haven't played a Dimarzio SD in a very long time so I don't quite recall how that pickup feels.

I would say this video is a pretty accurate representation of the Custom Custom through a high gain amp (5150 modelled in a Kemper.... I think it has an OD in there as well but not sure): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2ZIxoXkdw&t=323s

Wow. That’s sounded amazing. The PGn was killing it too. That might be a damn good combination for me.

 

[Gtrjunior]

NPD: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (TB-11)

Certainly the CC is one of my favorite bridge pickups, especially if you are in a one-guitar band. It takes up a lot of sonic space, so it doesn't sound like you are missing anything.

I while back Scott Splawn had told me the CC is his favorite too. I’ve watched a bunch of his demos and he has killer tone for sure. The CC definitely is a great match for the Quickrod.
As soon as I get a couple of guitars sold I’m having Scott build me a guitar so right now I’m in research mode.
Since I already have a Super D in my LP, I want this guitar to have something different yet equally awesome. It’s going to be a Charvel style Super Strat.