SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

T

ThereItGoes

New member
Hi everybody !
So I'm basically looking for a new bridge pup for my HH Tele and I could seriously use some advices...

Does someone tested both of them and could tell me what is the difference between them ?

Thank you.

(BTW : I'm playing high-gain modern "punk", think Rise Against )
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

I made two hybrids out of a Custom and a 59. I had the Custom and the hybrid in the same Les Paul at the bridge position.

Custom: more output and bass, more compression, a bit narrower in the midrange, especially noticeable when playing chords on the 3rd and 4th strings.
Hybrid: less Output and compression, more highs and attack, more high midrange, fat chords all over the fretboard.

As you can see I strongly preferred the hybrid in that guitar but the Custom is a good pickup, too.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

I've had both pickups in the same SG and like them both. Seems that the deciding factor is how you're using the guitar. If you are going predominantly clean and a bit of OD, I'd go with the 59/Custom.

Please realize that the Custom has a ceramic and the 59/Custom has an A5. To me, the Custom is a great rock / metal pickup. As noted above, the Custom has a higher output and is not scooped. It can have a bit of harshness on squeaky clean settings. I never noticed this until I upgraded amps and something was bothering me about the clean tone. I switched to the 59/Custom. I agree with the above post. It improves upon the 59 model and tames the Custom. Great in between pickup.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

Condemned soul said:
I switched to the 59/Custom. I agree with the above post. It improves upon the 59 model and tames the Custom.
Click to expand...

I would like to clarify that the 59/Custom Hybrid is tamer than the Custom in terms of output but to me it's not a tame pickup in terms of character. It can sound quite aggressive if you play in an aggressive manner.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

Yeah that's why I said "pretty close". But except for that and the longer scale it's pretty much like a SG I think. What I want is really to thicken the sound, with the pearly gates plus it's only good for blues and classic rock but when it comes to high gain and powerchords it's really weak...
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

I have a 59/C hybrid in an LP and a Custom 8 in a mahogony (w/ maple cap) chambered strat. Both sound great. I put a UOA5 in the 59/C that to my ears improved it. It blends great with a DiMarzio 36th Annv. neck.

The Custom 8 started life as a Custom....didn't like it too much. As a C8 its wonderful. In parallel, it blends with the SC's and in series its my 'blower' switch.

I'm a big fan of both pickups.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

I won't play too much cleans (I use the neck pickup for that), the pickup will be dedicated to high-gain, distortion etc...
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

ThereItGoes said:
I won't play too much cleans (I use the neck pickup for that), the pickup will be dedicated to high-gain, distortion etc...
Click to expand...

I'd say SH5 is the way to go then. The cleans are not horrible, but it excels for what you are looking for.

With regards to the C8, I didn't like it very much. To round and undefined for me. Either the stock SH5 or the SH5 and replacing the magnet with a big ceramic are what I really love.
 
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Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

ThereItGoes said:
Thank you for the replies! :D
I think I'll be trying the SH-5 soon :D
Click to expand...

One thing the SH-5 excels at is early 80s metal and hard rock tones.. it truly is a "PAF on steroids".

The ceramic magnet has a fast response time.

There's a sweet midrange in the middle of the crunch, so it's not "poop-scooped".

Here's a pre-1983 SH-5 Custom test that I made a vid of:



Vintage SH-5 Custom Test
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

You know I meant to say that the cleans are NOT horrible lol. Not that they are.....
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

I don't care too much for the cleans, if they are good it's great but if I don't like them I won't really care. Anyway I ordered a bridge zebra sh-5 yesterday, I'll tell you if I like it asap. Thanks again for all the replies ! :D
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

Ok guys my luthier is going to install it, I'll make a quick review when it's done ASAP.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

Bumping this thread as I'm also interested in the difference between these in a Les Paul. Looking for something less shrill and plinky than my WLH.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

what if the sh5 had an alnico 8 magnet?
dont get me wrong i like my sh5 but not a ceramic mag fan.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

I don't like ceramic either. The C8 is bomb.
 
Re: SH-5 Custom VS SH-16 59'/custom hybrid

Clint 55 said:
WELCOME TO THE FORUM

I don't like ceramic either. The C8 is bomb.
Click to expand...

The C8 is the ultimate bridge pickup IMHO. I have it in the les paul pictured in my avatar (paired with an A4 modded 59).
 
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