Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

[Push to Shuv]

Im getting a new les paul studio and i want to change the pickups right away. I want a pickup that has tons of clarity, even if the cleans are a bit rough. I like the PAF sound a lot. I have had a set of 59's in my schecter a long time ago and i like the way they sounded but im concerned that they might not cut it when playing hard music. So i was interested in the Duncan Custom.

I like the way the Custom is described but i have also heard that it can be shrill. Anyone have any opinions on it?

 

[PRG]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

It sounds like the SH-5 is perfect for you. If you like the '59, then imagine a louder, crunchier, more aggressive version. It has a ceramic magnet, so it may be a little "stiff" compared to the '59, but I find the '59 bridge to be more shrill than the Custom bridge. In a Les Paul, the Custom should be perfect. It has a TON of clarity, it'll really cut and slice through high gain amps. I really don't think you can make this p'up muddy. But the cool thing is that if you back off the gain and the volume, the Custom can be nice and vintage sounding for classic rock. Smooth and polite and even "pretty" (for a bridge humbucker) on clean.

 

[Destroying Angel]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Thanks for that post PRG. I've got a Custom in the mail im going to put in my LP and i've been wondering what i should expect out of it. If those are the types of tones it's capable of, i really cant wait to get it wired up.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Wow, thank you PRG. It sounds like the Custom will suit me very well. I really appreciate your input. Would it match well with a 59 or Jazz in the neck?

Any other opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Travis]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

The Custom matches very well with a 59 in the neck and there's no reason why it wouldn't match just as well with a Jazz. The description of the Custom above is right on target. I dropped a Custom in the bridge of my homemade V with a 59 in the neck. It is a hard rock crunch machine, but still versatile enough to wear many different hats.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Thanks Travis

 

[guitarmart]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

I have an SH5 Custom bridge and 59 neck in my Epiphone Elite Les Paul. It's a great combination. Very versatile, I can get great crunch and awesome clean tones too. I changed my capacitors to Sprague orange drops also and it seemed to make my tone knob more alive. The capacitors were only about $5 on Ebay. The 59 is an awesome neck pickup too!
Good Luck with your new pickups!

Let us know how your LP Studio sound.

 

[madguitar26]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

im taking the custom ceramic out of my les paul .
its perfect if all EQ is set to flat 12:00 clock.but as i increase treble it turns to a buzz saw.very harsh.
for this reason om replacing it with a custom custom.
when EQ is flat its very fat IHMO way more than my JB in strat.

 

[fretburner]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Go Custom/APH1 !!!

 

[madguitar26]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Go Custom/APH1 !!!

better go custom custom/APH1:fingersx:

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Thanks guys, im not a fan of the APII, i have had one in the neck of my schecter before. But thank you all for the advise, i think im gonna go with the Custom/59.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

I had recently selfmade cc (Custom with Alnico 2) in my strat (alder/maple) i changed over in this bright guitar to C3, because i lost too much bass and cut on the treble side. I would only consider a CC in an overly bright guitar (ash/maple/ebony). In a mid heavy Les Paul (i play also very bright ones) it would loose punch and cut in a band situation too easily.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Although my tastes I reckon have changed over the years and really have no desire for another one, I've had the Custom in a few Paulas and other gibsons and it is a great hard rock pickup. Cleans are def rough though

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

Although my tastes I reckon have changed over the years and really have no desire for another one, I've had the Custom in a few Paulas and other gibsons and it is a great hard rock pickup. Cleans are def rough though

I'll vouch for these statements.

I too have a Custom/59 set. I find the Custom to be a great hard hitting pickup with tons of thump, but I still find it a bit shrill compared to other options.

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

The Custom in a LP is awesome for hard rock. Great great pickup. Not shrill at all.

If you want less mids, more vintage vibe, but the same basic sound with strong output, a custom5 in a LP sounds amazing too.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

I was looking at the Epi les paul studio deluxe which is all mahogany, but now ive found a good deal on a standard which has a flame maple top. Do you guys think the Custom will still sound good with the maple top?

 

[dani]

Re: Tell me about the SH-5 Duncan Custom

i have a custom in a strat with a locking trem and single 500k volume pot and it was way too bright. put a 250k pot in and it was great. trebles are slightly knocked off while maintaining bass and mids. now my tinny sounding strat is tonally balanced.

i went with a jazz in the neck after auditioning both the 59 and jazz. the jazz's lower bass response suited the custom better while maintaining clarity in the tubby neck position. also, the middle position with both the custom and jazz both on sounds heavenly especially when split.