Talk to me about the Custom Custom

[Mr Wolf]

Hi all,

Hope everyone is keeping well.

I would like to hear people's thoughts on the CC.

Firstly, for a bit of background the guitar in question that I am considering this for is...
Dean Hardtail MIK. Mahogany body with a maple cap, mahogany neck w/rosewood board.

Currently loaded with...

A2Pn - which I love, and has been in there for years and is staying

Screaming Demon bridge - which I am looking to change

I have played about with different pickups in the bridge over the years. I had a Custom in there for a long time which I did love, but after a while with tastes evolving I wanted something a little more dynamic, but more than that it had a very slight harshness that I wanted to move away from.

After other pup swaps, it now has a Screaming Demon which I do like for certain contexts, but it is really bright and I want something fuller sounding.

I am curious about the CC as it theoretically should have some similarities to the Custom that I know I like, but achieving those other characteristics that I want. I am concerned because on paper it sometimes reads as if the CC needs a mega bright guitar to work well, and I worry if it may result in everything being a bit too warm.

Of course whats on paper, and what actually happens can be two very different things.

Is the CC a fair choice? If I can hear some other experiences with the CC that would be appreciated.

Overall I want something fairly hot but with dynamics, and good cut in the mix, without in necessarily being razor focused (if that even makes sense!). Knowing I like the A2Pn I would have thought I would get along with this one well.

Many thanks in advance

Jeff

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

 

[Chistopher]

If the A2P isn't too dark, the CC won't be either. I say go for it. If you still have the Custom, you can save yourself a little bit of money and just get a new Alnico 2 magnet and swap out the ceramic. Custom, Custom Custom, and Custom 5 are all the same wind with different magnets.

 

[David Garner]

I can't compare the two, but I just bumped an update in a thread where I put one in my swamp ash Superstrat, and it sounds amazing in that role. In a mahogany/maple configuration, I can't say. I can say I loved the JB and, a little more, the Dimarzio Super Distortion in that role. The Super Distortion is very full, but still gives a ton of crunch and bite. It can do everything from 70s rock to 90s metal with ease. The JB is similar, but probably a little harsher on the top end and a little mushier on the low end.

The Custom Custom has a very spongy low end, which is great for EVH stuff, but probably not as good for modern metal. But the mids have a nice crunch and cut to them without being harsh or overly bright. It's a bright sounding pickup, without the icepick, if that makes sense. As inexpensive as they are on the used market, it sure can't hurt to try one.

Have you considered an A2Pb? It's obviously not as hot as the CC, but Slash manages to get great tone from his (for that matter, you could get the Slash variant if you want it a touch hotter).

 

[Mr Wolf]

If the A2P isn't too dark, the CC won't be either. I say go for it. If you still have the Custom, you can save yourself a little bit of money and just get a new Alnico 2 magnet and swap out the ceramic. Custom, Custom Custom, and Custom 5 are all the same wind with different magnets.

Thanks. Getting the impression I shouldn't worry too much about the written descriptions, and just do it. On topic of magnet swapping, my old Custom has found a home in another guitar where it pairs extremely well. Furthermore, I am sure it is simple enough, but the thought of magnet swapping sounds like something I will probably mess up!!!

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr Wolf]

I can't compare the two, but I just bumped an update in a thread where I put one in my swamp ash Superstrat, and it sounds amazing in that role. In a mahogany/maple configuration, I can't say. I can say I loved the JB and, a little more, the Dimarzio Super Distortion in that role. The Super Distortion is very full, but still gives a ton of crunch and bite. It can do everything from 70s rock to 90s metal with ease. The JB is similar, but probably a little harsher on the top end and a little mushier on the low end.

The Custom Custom has a very spongy low end, which is great for EVH stuff, but probably not as good for modern metal. But the mids have a nice crunch and cut to them without being harsh or overly bright. It's a bright sounding pickup, without the icepick, if that makes sense. As inexpensive as they are on the used market, it sure can't hurt to try one.

Have you considered an A2Pb? It's obviously not as hot as the CC, but Slash manages to get great tone from his (for that matter, you could get the Slash variant if you want it a touch hotter).

Thanks. I have read your thread. The CC sounds very promising and I think my mind is made up.

I am not aiming for modern metal tones with this guitar (I have other guitars better suited for that anyway). In short, I play in a wedding band so I like versatility, but I want the primary emphasis for this guitar to be a more traditional hard rock type sound. I use coil splits all the time as well depending on the song, so the output helps.

If it is great for Van Halen, and perhaps Alice In Chains type levels of gain (for lack of a better description) I will probably like it! Thank you for your help.

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

 

[David Garner]

Thanks. I have read your thread. The CC sounds very promising and I think my mind is made up.

I am not aiming for modern metal tones with this guitar (I have other guitars better suited for that anyway). In short, I play in a wedding band so I like versatility, but I want the primary emphasis for this guitar to be a more traditional hard rock type sound. I use coil splits all the time as well depending on the song, so the output helps.

If it is great for Van Halen, and perhaps Alice In Chains type levels of gain (for lack of a better description) I will probably like it! Thank you for your help.

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

I think you're going to be happy with it. Mine is in an HSS Strat, so I don't have to pair it with a neck humbucker, but if I did, the A2P or the Pearly Gates neck would be among my first choices.

I'm pretty sure Edward Van Halen actually used one in his Kramer 5150 guitars, so if you watch live shows from that era, it's approximately the sound you can expect. For me, when I plugged in the first time, my thought was it's "Van Halen in a box." Granted, it's 1984 through maybe OU812 Van Halen, but it really does a good job nailing that sound. It cleans up well with the volume knob. Basically, it acts like an old PAF that someone injected with horse steroids.

 

[Chistopher]

The pickup you're thinking of was an older Custom that he put an A2 in. Meaning the machine tolerances for the winding weren't as tight back then and the A2 had considerable time to degauss. This pickup is emulated in the IM1.

Not a big deal or anything, I just think that's a neat fact

 

[Mr Wolf]

I'm sold! Thank you guys

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, the CC and A2P are my favorite combo ever. Not too dark at all, and perfect for a 1 guitar band, as they take up a huge swath of frequencies.

 

[LLL]

Talk to me about the Custom Custom

Yes.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Do it. I can't tell you how many pickups I've tried in my Les Paul--and it sounds like your Dean at least spec-wise is very similar--and the Custom Custom is perfect. It cleans up well, has power at full tilt, and does exactly what I hear in my head for a Gibson-into-Marshall sound. I think you made a good choice, and I'm pretty sure you'll agree when you get it in.

 

[DonP]

Wrong guitar for the CC. Should use a full shred instead.

My CC is in an ESP Horizon, OFR, ebony FB, maple neck thru, 25.5" scale = a bright guitar. It's what the CC was meant for.

I have a Full Shred set in my Charvel 750XL - once again the right pickups for that guitar.

 

[Chistopher]

Wrong guitar for the CC. Should use a full shred instead.

My CC is in an ESP Horizon, OFR, ebony FB, maple neck thru, 25.5" scale = a bright guitar. It's what the CC was meant for.

I have a Full Shred set in my Charvel 750XL - once again the right pickups for that guitar.

That seems like quite the opposite direction from that the OP wants.

 

[Aceman]

I have a CC and have had it in an Epiphone Classic LP, which will be similar to the Dean
It is currently in a Floyded Dean Superstrat
I have played a bunch of Hardtails, and love them.

The A2P and the CC are a solid match if you want mids and fat highs. If it is super articulated hyper speed low end chug rhythms, not so much.

In that Hardtail, it will be super-fat in the highs. They can be brightened up by simply raising the pole pieces.
The mids are right down the middle, and the hump is wide. It WILL cut through the mix. with the right amp settings, because of the mids, it can crunch pretty well in the bridge.
The bass is less-than-definitive, to say the least. It it soft and sloppy at worse. Very Rolling Stones/Aersmith in the vibe. This can be tightened up by cutting the bass pole ends, or swapping for three hex heads (naturally shorter).

I used this guitar/pickup combo in a band playing Allmans, ZZ Top, Vintage Clapton, Skynrd, Stones, Blues-rock in general, etc...It worked great for all that and with a slide.
I paired it with a PG for more cut in the neck. But A2P makes a lot of sense too.

Now - in a 25.5 scale, Floyded Superstrat - whole other beast. Full, present, smooth. Just fantastic.

I found in the mahogany/maple 24 3/4 it was a particular pickup. You might love it or hate it. I didn't think it was a great all-around, as I do in the Strat. That said - it was fantastic for the classic/southern rock I was playing with it.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Thank you all for the thoughts on this pickup. It is an interesting pickup in how opinions vary on it which is why I wanted to ask.

Hearing descriptions like it being like "a PAF on horse steroids", to it being good for Aerosmith, allmans etc... automatically seems to place it in the territory that I'm after for this guitar. I have other guitars that do other things so I am not put off with this one not necessarily being so razor focused. If it sounds ballsy, and if it sings - then great!

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

 

[Aceman]

Give it a shot. You are a Mag Swap away from a Custom or a Custom 5 if you don't dig it.

 

[JamesPaul]

If one of those 3 does not work, you could even try out a Custom 3, Custom 4, Custom 6 and Custom 8.



​​​​​​

....OK, and for Clint 55 a Custom 9.

 

[beaubrummels]

Clint would be double-thick something, doesn't matter, just double-thick.

 

[Clint 55]

Exactly lol. I'm gravitating towards lighter wound bridge hums although the JB is my favorite wind because a double thick mag provides all the power you need. The next pickguard I make will have a JB hybrid with a vintage coil and a hybrid double thick mag. Then I want to put a single coil size humbucker in the neck and an angled mini humbucker right behind that as a 2nd neck pickup. I'm gonna have to pull the trigger on cs 42 and 43 awg JBs some time in the future.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Give it a shot. You are a Mag Swap away from a Custom or a Custom 5 if you don't dig it.

I don't know much about magnet swapping but it sounds like something I can mess up well enough! Still, a back-up option nevertheless if I am not keen on a CC.

Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk