Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

[Brett Valentine]

Okay, I've got a Custom Custom lying around, ready to install in my Carvin DC400T (Maple neck, ebony fingerboard, mahogany/maple cap body, Wilkinson Trem, bypassable preamp).

After trying the CC in the Brian Moore (with an APH-1n), I decided it's new home would be in the Carvin's bridge. WHat I'd found with that guitar is that I liked the tone better when I rolled the active treble and bass down and brought out the mids. The M22's while hot, tend to lack expressive dynamics as a consequence and tend to be more "hi-fi" sounding to my ears.

Now, on the other hand, I was so taken by the contrast between the APH-1 neck and the PG bridge on the same guitar that I'm wondering if it would be better to go with something in the neck that has more "clarity" to it's warmth.

The guitar reacted well to the Boogie, but always seemed to lack a defineable, recognizable character. I need something with some middle warmth but enough of a contrast with the CustomCustom.


I'm thinking the Jazz might be just a bit too quiet, a JB might be too edgy. . . First thoughts have me possibly leaning towards a 4 wire '59 or a Pearly Gates (all neck p/u's).

Ampwise, I mentioned the Boogie Mk4 widebody, a Fender Stage 112SE, a POD (praise band).

Pedalboard gain stages: BOSS CS-3 Compression Sustainer, Marshall ED-1 compressor, Fulltone FullDrive 2, Distortion Pro (soon to be replaced by a Barber LTD), FatBoost, ZVEX SHO (with the FullDrive2, Dist. Pro and FatBoost on, I can hear a distinct difference between the APH-1 and PG on the Brian Moore. I couldn't hear any difference between the APH-1 and the CC).


Any and all suggestions welcome (and I've got to tell you that half the fun of Duncan p/u's is getting to come here and hang with y'allz so suggest away),
Brett

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

I'd go with the CC/59, although I have a CC/Seth on one of mine. The 59 isn't quite as dark.

 

[tiefightertk069]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

I'd go with the CC/59, although I have a CC/Seth on one of mine. The 59 isn't quite as dark.

As soon as my '59 gets here that's what I'll be running in my LP...
I've been thinking it'll be a nice match, but we'll see.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

Jazz matches nicely with the CC, I have that set up currently in my Carvin DC127T.

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

So 2 for the '59 right now. The funny thing is, before I started getting the full sized Duncan p/u's this was the combination I'd considered for this guitar.

Benjy_26, What's the wood combination of your DC127T. My main concern with the neck Jazz is that it will be too thin in single coil mode. Also, can it sing or is it still too clean under high gain situations?

Brett

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

So 2 for the '59 right now. The funny thing is, before I started getting the full sized Duncan p/u's this was the combination I'd considered for this guitar.

Benjy_26, What's the wood combination of your DC127T. My main concern with the neck Jazz is that it will be too thin in single coil mode. Also, can it sing or is it still too clean under high gain situations?

Brett

My Carvin is all maple with an ebony fretboard. The Jazz is a bit thin in single coil mode, but not overly so. It still has enough muscle to punch through in both single coil and in humbucker modes. With distortion, it sounds kind of like a big single coil. The lows are tight, it has strong highs, and the mids are a bit scooped, but it can still sing.

 

[theodie]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

Jazz matches nicely with the CC, I have that set up currently in my Carvin DC127T.

+1 I have the same setup in my Ibanez LP. I love the sound of the CC and the jazz when they are played together also. They are great by them selves also but, they are different pickups.

 

[ratkent]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

I have a CC in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck of a LP Custom and I think they go together well.

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

Benjy_26:
I guess the mahogany body wings on my DC400T will mellow out the tone just a bit. That single coil tone is a concern to me. THe APH-1 get's just about as thin as I would like to go. I know what you mean about a "big single coil sound" in humbucker mode. I've got a Jazz bridge in a 335 that really reminds me more of a single coil p/u. In that guitar, it's definitely "snappy" sounding. Nice blues tone a la Robben Ford/Yellowjackets era.

theodie:
I know that the APH-1/PG 2 p/u sound was a surprise as to how good it was to my ears (humbucker, single coil -both nner and outer coils- as well as out of phase humbucker mode).

I'm curious as to that 2 p/u sound you mentioned. Does it get bright and ringy or is it rounder and mellow?

ratkent:
I figured the Pearly Gates neck could hang pretty well with the CC level-wise. How is the level difference between the 2 p/u?s (I'm working with master volume, master tone).

Brett

 

[ratkent]

Re: Something to Contrast a Custom Custom?

How is the level difference between the 2 p/u?s

It seems to work for me. I have PG up where it needs to be but I have the CC backed off just a hair on the bass side. The sustain on the Pearly Gates is fantastic.