question about the custom

[lp_gem]

Does the custom have that compressed feel typical of ceramics??? I'm reading alot on here that its very versatile and has PAF-ish qualities to it

I've only ever played one ceramic (SP90-3b) and i didnt dig the feel of its clean tones because it lacked the chime i like in alnico pickups

Does the custom also have this feel, or does it have more chime/sparkle than usual ceramics? would it be more/less compressed compared to a 498T? or Jb?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: question about the custom

I use the Custom and don't hear it as being overly compressed. It's a great humbucker...one of my very favorites. Sort of like a 59B, but more output and a thicker tone. Nice treble!

Lew

 

[Stevo]

Re: question about the custom

It doesn't have the compressed tone like a DD, if that's what you mean. It cleans up well, and it really rocks too - especially for power chords.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: question about the custom

My Custom is certainly thicker than my JB. Granted, they're in two completely different setups but you can still get the idea. The JB tends to sing while the Custom growls. I love them both for the applications they're in.

 

[real59er]

Re: question about the custom

I have two customs and it's one of my faves if not my overall favorite bridge pup. I don't hear that compression, nor the ice-picky attack I sometimes hear from ceramics. I think it's a smaller ceramic, similar in size to alnico, but I could be wrong, like Lew and others have said elsewhere, reminds me of a 59, or a paf, but thicker, and a nice tight bottom end. Great for a variety of rock tones, and it cleans up well too.

 

[JeffB]

Re: question about the custom

Custom is prolly my fave Duncan overall...I've had a bunch of 'em in various Gibsons and a few other guitars. GREAT hard rock pup...perfect with a Marshall type amp.

I'll go against the general concensus here tho and state I don't think it cleans up particularly well...it's pretty sterile sounding clean..whether rolled off or through a clean amp. Thats the only thing I don't like about it....in fact thats the one thing I actually like about a JB in a gibson-type..it does clean up well.

Custom is not too compressed either IMO but soak it with enuff gain and it will get more compressed than some other Duncans will.

 

[sungod]

Re: question about the custom

i've tried the custom in a variety of guitars and do agree it's a very versitile pickup.... compared to the other ceramics (DD, dime, 500T, HFS, etc.) it's the least compressed and most balanced sounding... the cleans are decent... however it is not as dynamic, nor sounds as good clean compared to all the A5 pickups i've tried, including the JB, C5, '59, Jazz, PG+, FS..... it sounds huge with a good tube amp in high gain.....

 

[ljberbi]

Re: question about the custom

I just put a Custom in my 1987 SG. It had a 498-T (original) previously. The Custom sounds good, but I must completely agree with the gentleman who says it lacks the dynamic of some other pickups. I am referring specifically to the bottom end. I don't hear that well rounded big bottom end the 498-T (Alnico 5) had. That's the only thing it lacks IMO. I have heard on this forum that the DD is basically a JB with a ceramic magnet. Would it have more big round bottom I am looking for? I wanted to try a ceramic pickup in the SG, but maybe the DD would better suit my taste. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!