Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

[LesPaulRules]

I've just researched a few dozen posts on both these pickups. Specs on both are very similar. They appear to be the typical 'Custom' wind. I'm probably going with one of these for the bridge position in a Randy type offset V (Carvin). Guitar is a maple neck through with ebony board and Kahler pro... and believe it or not, the guitar isn't that bright. :cool2:

How do these pickups sound different? Which one is Brighter? Tighter? Warmer?

Thanks

 

[uOpt]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

The FS bring a whip. That about sums it up. It's isn't as scooped as the C5 either.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Maole/ebony/khaler - my ears hurt just thinking about a full shred on that....

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

People here say that the Full Shred is pretty much a C5 with hex poles.

 

[rivera213]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Both are VERY tight, both are devoid of mids & have alot of treble (not harsh though). The C5 is better in the bridge since the FS is a bit too weak for riffs.

I'd suggest both go in a warm bodied & neck guitar (all mahogany set neck ideally IMO).

I wouldn't recommend either for a maple neck through guitar.

There's a guy on here who uses a modded JB & a quote from him:

For the JB, I would wire a 0.01uf cap and a 100k resistor in Artie's de-mud mod, within the actual pickup. This makes the pickup tighter, gives it more balance

The JB sounds great in maple IMO so I'd actually go for that above the FS and C5.

 

[bryan the rocker]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

The c5 has more bass than the FS, and IMHO the c5 is more versatile,

 

[Ascension]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

I have owned a "few" of the old maple Carvins. Of the two I would lean Custom 5 but i think a Alternate 8 would be a far better choice for one of those guitars.
Here are just a "few of those guitars that I have owned.
These I own now

1990 X220C in Pearl Pink Maple neck poplar body and under 5 lbs!

1988 V220R solid maple

These were sold off in the last few years

 

[Ascension]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Maole/ebony/khaler - my ears hurt just thinking about a full shred on that....

NOT SO!! Those 88-90 all maple neck trough Carvin guitars are a LOT better instruments than you think!! IMO they will destroy anything else built in that era in playability and sound a LOT better than you think! Best shreadder guitars on the planet!!
Why do you think so many of the real shreadder hairband guys endorsed them??
They will play circles around the Jacksons, ESP's, Hamers and Charvells of that era!!
I played those guitars exclusively for years in the late 80's - the 90's. At one time I owned 14!

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

NOT SO!! Those 88-90 all maple neck trough Carvin guitars are a LOT better instruments than you think!! IMO they will destroy anything else built in that era in playability and sound a LOT better than you think! Best shreadder guitars on the planet!!

I own an '86 V220 that was converted to a V. I also own a 1988 Ultra V (the guitar I'm asking about).

Will have to agree with the above statement. I prefer my '88 Ultra V to almost any other shred type guitar I've played. It really is a great instrument.... and I'm a diehard Les Paul guy.

Ascension, what pickups would you suggest for my Ultra V? While I don't mind the Carvin M22/M22SD pickups, I think it could be better. The guitar will be used for rock/hard rock. I like high definition and tightness. I've had a 59b in the bridge, thought it was a little weak and bright. Also had a Custom Custom. Smooth sound but lacked a tight bottom end.

Thanks

 

[Inferno]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

NOT SO!! Those 88-90 all maple neck trough Carvin guitars are a LOT better instruments than you think!! IMO they will destroy anything else built in that era in playability and sound a LOT better than you think! Best shreadder guitars on the planet!!
Why do you think so many of the real shreadder hairband guys endorsed them??
They will play circles around the Jacksons, ESP's, Hamers and Charvells of that era!!
I played those guitars exclusively for years in the late 80's - the 90's. At one time I owned 14!

I could be wrong, but I believe that Aceman was referring to how bright this combo would sound, not the quality of the guitar itself. I have no experience with either of these pickups, so I'm of no help - sorry!

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

^ That was my take as well.

And like Ascension said (and I trust his judgment immensely) I think I'd want to try an Alternate 8 there.
As luck would have it I just listened to a youtube clip another forum bro did for another thread and was blown away by how THICK and articulate this pickup is!)

BTW, I've never played the C5 but the Full Shred in my Mahogany neck-thru shredder sounded REALLY articulate but the afore mentioned complete lack of mids also made it an extremely sterile pickup as well...
This guitar has a 1/5" thick EBONY top and a 5-piece Mahogany/Maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard.

 

[theodie]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

I have A'ed and B'ed them in the same guitar with the same amp settings. The FS is like a C5 with a layer of fuzz/hair on top and a bit more treble and or, less bass. Yes, I am nearly certain they are the same pickup with different poles.

One should make a C5/FS hybrid by taking a FS and taking one row of the short Hex's out of it and replacing it with a standard length set of filister screws.

 

[theodie]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

I've just researched a few dozen posts on both these pickups. Specs on both are very similar. They appear to be the typical 'Custom' wind. I'm probably going with one of these for the bridge position in a Randy type offset V (Carvin). Guitar is a maple neck through with ebony board and Kahler pro... and believe it or not, the guitar isn't that bright. :cool2:

How do these pickups sound different? Which one is Brighter? Tighter? Warmer?

Thanks

Maple really isnt that bright like some seem to spread as mis-information on this board and others. Mainly becasue most have not had any experience with it. They are just going off of a BS and vague Warmoth description.

Personally, the JB is great in Maple. I dont often recomend the JB but, for Maple, I can assure you it should serve you well in this combo.

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Maple really isnt that bright like some seem to spread as mis-information on this board and others. Mainly becasue most have not had any experience with it. They are just going off of a BS and vague Warmoth description.

I agree. What maple seems to do is to round off the highs and make them smoother. That's the main reason I was asking about a Full Shred or a Custom 5.

I even think a pair of PG's or even a PGn and Demon bridge would also be fine.

 

[theodie]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

I agree. What maple seems to do is to round off the highs and make them smoother. That's the main reason I was asking about a Full Shred or a Custom 5.

I even think a pair of PG's or even a PGn and Demon bridge would also be fine.

Maple also tightens up the low end and focuses it. A demon does work well in Maple. Go figure, an icepick of a pickup in any other wood does well in maple???? LOL!

A PG may do very well do to its highs and loose bottom??? Hmmm.....

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

I would take the Demon ,or a Custom with 1 row Hex poles.
Demon will do anything you need.
Oh and I agree with Odie on Maple.

 

[rivera213]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Maple also tightens up the low end and focuses it. A demon does work well in Maple. Go figure, an icepick of a pickup in any other wood does well in maple???? LOL!

Have you played the ESP M-1? (I haven't, but I'm curious to how it sounds since it should sound like a treble orgasm. Lol).

A PG may do very well do to its highs and loose bottom??? Hmmm.....

I would've said the PG in the neck to couple the JB bridge. :cool2:

 

[Rydock]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

I have A'ed and B'ed them in the same guitar with the same amp settings. The FS is like a C5 with a layer of fuzz/hair on top and a bit more treble and or, less bass. Yes, I am nearly certain they are the same pickup with different poles.

One should make a C5/FS hybrid by taking a FS and taking one row of the short Hex's out of it and replacing it with a standard length set of filister screws.

Which side would you put fillisters on the FS? The bridge fillisters like on a demon or on the neck side where the slugs should be. I like the idea of the demon setup.

 

[theodie]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Which side would you put fillisters on the FS? The bridge fillisters like on a demon or on the neck side where the slugs should be. I like the idea of the demon setup.

I would try it like a Demon but, it is easy enough to try it either way.

 

[theodie]

Re: Please Compare Full Shred & Custom 5

Have you played the ESP M-1? (I haven't, but I'm curious to how it sounds since it should sound like a treble orgasm. Lol).




I would've said the PG in the neck to couple the JB bridge. :cool2:

I have played it.

treble orgasm?????
Please get the incorrect assumption of what maple sounds like out of your head because this is not the truth.

A Demon is an icepick to the ear and a treble overload in most other guitars I have ever tried with the exception of Maple bodies or, very dark LP's. What does this tell you about Maple? It aint an icepick or, over trebly.