Question from new forum member

[Jeff5]

Re: Question from new forum member

I cannot speak to how much of an upgrade real Duncans are from Duncan Designed. I can however say with 100% certainty that a pick up upgrade is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to make a low end guitar sound like a million bucks.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Question from new forum member

haha Mr. Raisin, I bet you didn't anticipate this zealous of a response!

again, WELCOME!

 

[happy raisin]

Re: Question from new forum member

I will just make a real generic statement that the 59, Custom, JB, and DD are the big flavors that cover the most ground for Duncan Humbuckers, many of the other pups are variants of those four big tonal areas.

The Custom 5 is a cool pup that falls into the Custom range, but has the mid scoop of the 59 with the output of the Custom. Some find it a little bland due to less mid range, others think it is a very good compromise between vintage PAF flavor and higher output rock/metal pups....the Custom 5 does go from vintage tones to metal with the right amp (as does the Custom)

Oh ok. Although I don't only play metal I play it more than, say jazz, but I would still like a decent amount of versatility. The set in now seems versatile enough to me, and the DD102 bridge can get a decent metal tone from my amp. Would I be able to do the same with the Custom 5? I ask this because if I can then I might as well use that instead since it doesn't seem to have as many downsides as the JB

 

[happy raisin]

Re: Question from new forum member

haha Mr. Raisin, I bet you didn't anticipate this zealous of a response!

again, WELCOME!

haha I almost wasn't expecting any response, maybe a few posts at most. I feel really glad for everyone's help though, so thanks again :1:

 

[happy raisin]

Re: Question from new forum member

Ok I found a few videos on youtube and it seems that the Custom 5 is pretty good for high gain stuff. I might just go with that instead

 

[Markk]

Re: Question from new forum member

Disagree 100%

I've had pickups that were absolute mudbaths or icepicks react well when stuck in guitars of different body woods. Some pickups are fairly universal, like the Super Distortion, Custom, X2N, 59, EMGs, etc., but others can react poorly. I had a Dimarzio Double Whammy that was horrible in alder and basswood but reacted well with Agathis. I also had one guitar that everything I put in it was so bright that I was wondering what the hell was up until I stuck a Tone Zone in it and that evened it out.

I'm not saying that the wood used in the body of the guitar is the sole factor playing here nor is it not having any influence at all. But when you sum up the components I believe it plays a very little part. If I were to point at the most tone-changing factors I'd go amp then pups and stick fingers somewhere in between.

+1. And by 'wood' we mean body, neck, & fretboard. Design is also a factor. A large mass, like an LP, is going to have a definite impact on tone and sustain. Wood is a large part of tone, and can be unpredictable.

I like the teamwork

I agree, very unpredictable, and I guess that's why I really don't like generalizing that x pickup belongs in y guitar because of wood. Ultimately it's the ears that decide.

So with that, I bid you Happy Raisin best of luck in finding that perfect (t)one

 

[dominus]

Re: Question from new forum member

I'm not saying that the wood used in the body of the guitar is the sole factor playing here nor is it not having any influence at all. But when you sum up the components I believe it plays a very little part. If I were to point at the most tone-changing factors I'd go amp then pups and stick fingers somewhere in between.

I'm talking the same amp and neck wood, the only difference being the body wood, and I've found pickups that just didn't work with some guitars but was able to find something with a swap or two.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Question from new forum member

I'm pretty outspoken with my dislike for the blah/empty sound of the Custom5, but it's a good place to start since you can step it up to a C8 very easily.

For the neck, if you really want to step up to the best pup you can get for that guitar, you definitely have to consider the Pearly Gates.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Question from new forum member

Oh ok yeah this all makes sense. I will definitely replace the pots and all that other stuff and then see how it goes from there.

HR, please be aware that a pot change from an import guitar, to the higher quality US components, usually involves making the holes in the body a little larger so the pot's thread diameter will fit. Also, the knurl (the teeth) of import pots are not the same as US pots, so budget for new volume/tone knobs with the US specs in mind as well.

I'd change the pickups first.

 

[happy raisin]

Re: Question from new forum member

Ok. With all the different opinions I'm slightly confused. What I'll probably do is change both, since it's not like I'm going to like the sound of less expensive pots more