Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

[Lewguitar]

I have three identical single humbucker Strats: one w/59TB, one w/Custom TB and one with Custom Custom TB.

Single 500K volume control.

Alder body with rosewood fingerboard,

I love 'em all!

Brightest treble: 59TB
Least treble: Custom Custom

Most mids: Custom Custom
Least mids: 59B

Most bass and tightest bass: 59B or Custom
Least bass and loosest bass: Custom Custom

Highest output: Custom
Lowest output: 59B...but still very strong!

Best overall tone: maybe the 59B...through a Marshall, sounds just Clapton did with Cream. Through a blackface Fender sounds just like BB King or Larry Carlton. Very comfortable and natural for me since I grew up with Clapton's tone in my head!

Or maybe the Custom...sounds like a beefy 59! A little less treble but more mids and a little more output than the CC or 59B. Pushes my amps harder and drives them into overdrive at a lower volume setting on the amp than the 59.

Or maybe the Custom Custom...smoothest highs and thick syrupy mids. The fullest fattest tone and most ear friendly pickup. Very smooth attack...not edgey, shrill or overly sharp at all.

I can't decide which is best...guess that's why I have three identical Strats with three differant pickups.

But here's the thing: just got a Custom Shop '78 and one pickup has to go...I think it'll be the Custom Custom.

Lew

 

[MDS]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew, could you record some stuff with these axes so we can hear the comparisions?

 

[saladin]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

I just replaced the 59b in my Strat with a CC and I'm VERY happy with the results! The CC pairs up beautifully with the PGn in the neck. Strats are very weak in the mids and the CC fills out the missing frequencies perfectly. I'd have not yet tied a Custom but I haven't cared for other ceramic mag pickups I've tried.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

I just replaced the 59b in my Strat with a CC and I'm VERY happy with the results! The CC pairs up beautifully with the PGn in the neck. Strats are very weak in the mids and the CC fills out the missing frequencies perfectly. I'd have not yet tied a Custom but I haven't cared for other ceramic mag pickups I've tried.

Every humbucker I've tried has sounded great with the PGn! :laugh2: But you're right about the CC...a great match with the PGn.

I like the Custom just as much or more with the PGn though. To me they sound similar and are very complimentary.

I don't hear Strats as actually lacking mids...but most Strat single coils certainly do! Putting full size humbuckers in any Strat makes them sound alot more like a Gibson.

Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

IMO you should pull the 59 for the 78. This way you'll have the very best of everything. Whichever one the 78 goes in, you must bring it to the Dallas Guitar Show.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

IMO you should pull the 59 for the 78. This way you'll have the very best of everything. Whichever one the 78 goes in, you must bring it to the Dallas Guitar Show.

That's what I'm trying to decide! :laugh2:

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew, I'm on the hunt now for a Strat. The weight of the LP became an issue as I always practice/play standing up. Anyways, with a humbucker bridge in a Strat, do you still get the chime/quack in the notch position between middle and bridge p/ups?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew, I'm on the hunt now for a Strat. The weight of the LP became an issue as I always practice/play standing up. Anyways, with a humbucker bridge in a Strat, do you still get the chime/quack in the notch position between middle and bridge p/ups?

No...it's not the same. Even when the humbucker is split into a single coil, the bridge/middle combined tone is not the same classic tone you'd get from a three SC Strat. It can be very good (as from a split JB or Custom) but it's not the same. Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

I think I've decided...I'm going to pull the Custom since I already have it another Strat with a PGn. And I'll bring four Strats to Dallas:

1. 59TB
2. Custom Custom
3. 78
4. PGn and Custom

Wish I had one more...I'd load it with a JB.

Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Schweet!!! Can't wait to play 'em. I'll bring along my LP so you can hear the Brobucker.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Schweet!!! Can't wait to play 'em. I'll bring along my LP so you can hear the Brobucker.

All right! Bring it on! :laugh2:

I want to bring a couple of Strat with regular pickups too...I'm thinking my Hamer Dakota with the APS-1's and Twangbanger and probably my Homebrew '57 RI with the Ant Surfers.

I'll bring a ton of Duncan pickups too...

But the real goal of going to Dallas is it show off Bruce's new amps: http://www.missionamps.com

He'll have the newest version of the Aurora...a 30 watt 2 x 12 version with spring reverb...that one's going to be mine!

Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

I'm looking forward to trying those amps. Bring a nickel cover too. I need one for my Jazz neck, regular spaced of course. Can't swing a PGn just yet.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Thanks for the review, Lew! How would you rate the pickups as in terms of openness? The '59 as the most open one and the CC as the most compressed one? Or is there a big difference?

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew... you really need to try the 59/Custom Hybrid... it will blow your socks off!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Thanks for the review, Lew! How would you rate the pickups as in terms of openness? The '59 as the most open one and the CC as the most compressed one? Or is there a big difference?

I'd say the 59B is the most open...it has a very familiar and comfortable tone, too: like the Gibson guitars on our favorite recordings from the 60's, 70's and 80's...everything from BB King to Cream to AC/DC.

As far as an overdriven tone, the CC sounds the most syrupy and "compressed" when pushing a 22 watt Deluxe Reverb amp into overdrive.

Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew... you really need to try the 59/Custom Hybrid... it will blow your socks off!

I'll bet! Do you use the alnico 5 or the ceramic magnet? Lew

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew I expect a full review on the Auroras when you return!

Unlike Christian I want to hear what you think about the smallest one.

Luke

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Lew I expect a full review on the Auroras when you return!

Unlike Christian I want to hear what you think about the smallest one.

Luke

You got it Luke! I'm really interested in the Aurora 30 watt with reverb...that's the one I asked Bruce to make for me.

The Aurora I tried is the smallest one...it's about 20 watts or so. But it goes into overdrive alot sooner than the 22 watt Deluxe Reverbs. It has a killer midrange plucky/grind to it that seems like a three way marriage of Vox, Marshall and 50's Fender tweed tone.

Alot of growl but sweet too!

Lew

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

You got it Luke! I'm really interested in the Aurora 30 watt with reverb...that's the one I asked Bruce to make for me.

The Aurora I tried is the smallest one...it's about 20 watts or so. But it goes into overdrive alot sooner than the 22 watt Deluxe Reverbs. It has a killer midrange plucky/grind to it that seems like a three way marriage of Vox, Marshall and 50's Fender tweed tone.

Alot of growl but sweet too!

Lew

Thanks Lew!

I didn't know you had already tried that one. Very cool sounding. Did it use 6V6s?

I still want reviews!

Luke

 

[ErikH]

Re: Shootout: 59B vs. Custom Custom vs. Custom

Luke, I'll be trying them out as well so I'll give my unbiased opinion.