sh-5 custom Mag question

[Jr_vw2]

So I have a duncan SH-5 I dont really remember how I ended up with it as I am not a fan of ceramic mag pickups. To me a cereamic mag pickup just sounds a little muddy on my setup. anyway......I have a couple alnico mags already a5 and a8. It is to my understanding that if I put the a5 in there then the pickup will essentially be a Custom 5. What about the a8? How will this pickup with either the a5 or a8 compare to a JB with an a8 mag?

Thanks for the input

 

[Blille]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

I can't tell you about the A8 but if you put an A2 you'll have a wonderful Custom Custom

 

[Nagisa]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Search this forum, there's a lot of info on the custom 8. Some love it. I went custom, c5, c8 then back to custom for good. Just balanced better. IMO the c8 sounds clangy and unnatural. C5 was nice but lacked mids. If you have a superstrat it may be a good choice

 

[Mincer]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

I'd say that if you aren't a fan of the ceramic, get all of the alternative magnets. You are bound to find something you like.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

I was an alnico-only guy for years. Recently i realised that i like ceramics in short scale all mahogany guitar aka Gibson Les Pauls. I first tried a Distortion then a Custom which is great. My first try in Strat style guitar were much to harsh. So i think it really depends on the guitar, woods and scale.

 

[Blille]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

I was an alnico-only guy for years. Recently i realised that i like ceramics in short scale all mahogany guitar aka Gibson Les Pauls. I first tried a Distortion then a Custom which is great. My first try in Strat style guitar were much to harsh. So i think it really depends on the guitar, woods and scale.

Calling Gibson short scale lol

What do you call a Mustang or Jag?

 

[hamerfan]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Calling Gibson short scale lol

What do you call a Mustang or Jag?

okay, shorter scale

 

[Toejam]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Stay with the Custom or go Custom Custom. The Custom 5 is way too scooped in the mids.

 

[AlexR]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

If the ceramic mag version sounds muddy then you'll get no luck from any alnico.

 

[smitty302]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

I wonder what a UOA5 would sound like in a custom?

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

If the ceramic mag version sounds muddy then you'll get no luck from any alnico.

Perhaps muddy isn't that right word. Just doesnt have the attack that I like might be a better way to describe it.

 

[AlexR]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

^ Well, ceramic typically has a slightly scooped tone in the Custom, but plenty of aggressive top-end and tight bass.

The only way you might get more 'attack' is that its the mids or part thereof you are missing. Usually attack is something not missing from Ceramic.

 

[Hank-]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

A8 & A5 mags are already in hand with you so swap them in to see if it works for that guitar. Check as well if the pots are 500k in it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

The Custom 5 is perfect in my very naturally mid-heavy poplar Music Man.

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Oh I might add that this will be for a alder boby super strat charvel with a maple neck.

 

[Mincer]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Oh I might add that this will be for a alder boby super strat charvel with a maple neck.

I'd try an Alnico II first, for a Custom Custom. It does wonders in super strats.

 

[Aceman]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Custom Family:

Ceramic = Custom; Tight bass, screaming highs, good mids, hot hot hot
A5 = Custom; bass, super-scooped mids, highs, hot. (Not essentially, EXACTLY a C5)
A2 = Custom Custom; loose bass, mega-mid boost, fat highs, hot but doesn't feel like it
A8 = Custom 8; Tighter bottom than CC, middle of the road mids between C5 and C, fat but cutting highs vs C5, a thicker, more even sounding, but powerful custom gfamily member. hot hot

 

[Aceman]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

C8 VS JB8


more and tighter bass
less but still present mids
perhaps similar highs
a little hotter


Check me on this guys....I only did C8 for a minute

 

[EmiAba]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Custom is the quintessence of the bridge pickup IMO. It sounds nearly perfect. The custom 5 is too scooped while I find the JB too compressed for my taste. You can not go wrong with the C8. It has too much of everything.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: sh-5 custom Mag question

Search this forum, there's a lot of info on the custom 8. Some love it. I went custom, c5, c8 then back to custom for good. Just balanced better. IMO the c8 sounds clangy and unnatural. C5 was nice but lacked mids. If you have a superstrat it may be a good choice

IMO the CERAMIC Custom sounds "clangy and unnatural". The C8 sounds smooth with strong, but not "brittle" highs, good mids, and solid bass.

Yes, you are correct about the C5 lacking mids.