Still pondering a bridge pickup

J

JayD.

New member
OK guys my last thread was very informative. I've learned a lot about the Duncan Distortion.

Right now I'm playing a custom 5 in the bridge of my PRS Custom 24. My question is how does the Custom 5 compare to the JB? If you can compare both the Custom 5, JB, with Duncan Distortion, that would be very helpful too!
 
Re: Still pondering a bridge pickup

Hey man, I play PRS myself so I will take a crack at your question.

Of the 3, the custom5 will be lowest in output (although not weak, by any means). It is a PAF voiced 'bucker and is very different from the other two. It has been described as "scooped" in its EQ curve, and that would be accurate, although I honestly never found it sorely lacking mids. They are just pulled back a bit and balanced. The C5 sits well in mahogany based guitars like the custom24 (or 22 and LP doublecut where I had mine!) because you are getting alot of mids from the guitar. I love the jb....just not in my PRS's!!! A little hotter than the C5 and noticeably "louder" due to the upper mid spike. Might sound great for cutting through a mix, but in my PRS's they seem to sound congested and a little loose. The distortion, while related to the jb, is again a different beast! Powerful, loud, tight and surprisingly versatile and very musical! Alot of guys swear by them for good reason. A distortion would sound killer in your custom 24.
 
Re: Still pondering a bridge pickup

VHTJay said:
Hey man, I play PRS myself so I will take a crack at your question.

Of the 3, the custom5 will be lowest in output (although not weak, by any means). It is a PAF voiced 'bucker and is very different from the other two. It has been described as "scooped" in its EQ curve, and that would be accurate, although I honestly never found it sorely lacking mids. They are just pulled back a bit and balanced. The C5 sits well in mahogany based guitars like the custom24 (or 22 and LP doublecut where I had mine!) because you are getting alot of mids from the guitar. I love the jb....just not in my PRS's!!! A little hotter than the C5 and noticeably "louder" due to the upper mid spike. Might sound great for cutting through a mix, but in my PRS's they seem to sound congested and a little loose. The distortion, while related to the jb, is again a different beast! Powerful, loud, tight and surprisingly versatile and very musical! Alot of guys swear by them for good reason. A distortion would sound killer in your custom 24.
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Yeah I'm really considering the Distortion. I personally do feel like the Custom 5 is missing something. I would assume it's the mids. Even though it's in mahogany. I can tell you I use to have a Custom 5 in a basswood guitar and in that guitar I liked it a lot.
 
Re: Still pondering a bridge pickup

It might be worth a shot! Just keep in mind that the C5 and distortion are pretty different: an alnico 5 based hot PAF vs a beast with an oversized ceramic! like I say from using one: the tone will be more urgent and upfront but will also "feel" different to play. The distortion will feel stiffer to play if that makes sense, it is very immediate.
 
Re: Still pondering a bridge pickup

JayD. said:
I personally do feel like the Custom 5 is missing something. I would assume it's the mids
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Just change the magnet for an Alnico 8 in that Custom of yours and you'll find all what you're missing and then some.

I'd recommend an A4 '59/Jazz hybrid for the neck to balance the A8 Custom bridge tone.

With this combo you'll be able to play anything from squeaky clean to downright obnoxious hardcore metal with the same ease.

HTH,
 
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