The Custom sounds brittle

[357mag]

I put a Custom in the bridge of my Les Paul and although I've used it with success in the past in this guitar the treble strings just sound brittle. I can't get that smooth, warm tone that I should be getting. Just tinny and brittle.

So I'm gonna try a pair of Dimarzio 36th Anniversary pickups.

 

[Aceman]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Umm - smooth warm tone is NOT what a Custom is about. Maybe the other is in an Uber-dark Les Paul.

Optionally - the other Les PAul may have 300k pots that take the edge off and this one has 500k pots. Put the tone on ~7.2 and see if it is the same as the other.

 

[357mag]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

What about the '59 bridge model? I've never used this particular pickup. I can probably safely assume a more sweet, singing tone.

 

[AlexR]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Well, it will have less output, and be scooped too.

It could well sound more biting, as you don't get the fullness that the greater signal would do.
I think the Perpetual Burn would be the 'singing tone' that you want.

 

[357mag]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

More biting? Don't know how you figure an Alnico 5 pickup will sound more biting than a Ceramic. Output is of no consequence.

 

[AlexR]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Well, you do realise that a pickup consists of more than a magnet don't you??


I do have A5 pickups that are more harsh than ceramic ones, so it is certainly possible.
Additionally, the 59 is well known as a bright pickup in the bridge slot just in an of itself, so even from that aspect it should be of no surprise that it could be an issue.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Output is of no consequence.

Higher output pickups saturate the input of amps easier, which leads to more compression, which tends to smooth the highs. So a lower-output pickup often sounds thinner at the same amp settings. Also, overwound pickups tend to put out more mids and less highs. I think those are the traits AlexR was referring to.

 

[357mag]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Higher output pickups saturate the input of amps easier, which leads to more compression, which tends to smooth the highs. So a lower-output pickup often sounds thinner at the same amp settings. Also, overwound pickups tend to put out more mids and less highs. I think those are the traits AlexR was referring to.

I understand what you're saying. But the Custom does have a searing high end tone typical of Ceramic magnets. I'm gonna try the '59 bridge. I also have two Dimarzio 35th Anniversary pickups coming.

 

[Mincer]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

An A2 magnet in there wouldn't sound brittle. But it will sound smooth and warm with about the same output.

 

[dystrust]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

I've had both a Custom and '59B in my Les Paul, and if either of them was brittle and bright, it was the '59.

 

[Mincer]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

With such vastly different experiences, it is amazing that pickups can be so guitar-dependent. Or, we just like different things. I am pretty sensitive to high-end, so the Custom never worked well for me. But others just absolutely love it.

 

[Supernut]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in here. Keep in mind that the tolerance on the output of pots is pretty loose. 2 pots of the same value can actually sound quite different.

 

[Aceman]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

I understand what you're saying. But the Custom does have a searing high end tone typical of Ceramic magnets. I'm gonna try the '59 bridge. I also have two Dimarzio 35th Anniversary pickups coming.

See - I think almost everyone here who has one or plays one would disagree. The Distortion and Custom have very similar high ends, and they differ in bass/mids.

But I think most agree that they are "Ceramic Screamers" - sharp, biting, searing, pricing highs. If you like warm round smooth highs neither of them is your choice.

What amp, what fx, what pots????


And yes - and A5 can be worse- see numerous JB haters for evidence.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

I put a Custom in the bridge of my Les Paul and although I've used it with success in the past in this guitar the treble strings just sound brittle. I can't get that smooth, warm tone that I should be getting. Just tinny and brittle.

Yes, that is a typical aspect of ceramic mags.

If you generally like the Custom but just don't get along with the brittle highs, just swap the magnet for a UOA5. It keeps everything great about the Custom but removes that irritating brittle high end. (A lot of people like the Custom with an A2, but I feel it just is too smooth or even muffled sounding. And I even like A2 pups). I think the A2 works much better in lower output pups with less compression and more inherent clarity.

 

[dystrust]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

See - I think almost everyone here who has one or plays one would disagree. The Distortion and Custom have very similar high ends, and they differ in bass/mids.

But I think most agree that they are "Ceramic Screamers" - sharp, biting, searing, pricing highs. If you like warm round smooth highs neither of them is your choice.

What amp, what fx, what pots????


And yes - and A5 can be worse- see numerous JB haters for evidence.

I've never agreed with your 'Ceramic Screamer' description of the Custom, but I don't think I really understood what you've been trying to say. The high end of the Custom is definitely aggressive, but in my experience the 59B is far more piercing as is the C5 depending on the guitar.

Yes, that is a typical aspect of ceramic mags.

If you generally like the Custom but just don't get along with the brittle highs, just swap the magnet for a UOA5. It keeps everything great about the Custom but removes that irritating brittle high end. (A lot of people like the Custom with an A2, but I feel it just is too smooth or even muffled sounding. And I even like A2 pups). I think the A2 works much better in lower output pups with less compression and more inherent clarity.

I don't care for the Custom Custom with Gibson scale due to the mushiness you describe, but it's amazing in a Strat.

 

[AlexR]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Well, 2 threads asking the same thing in 2 different forums giving the same advice now.

Hopefully OP can learn that the advice given here (and elsewhere too) is solid.

 

[dave74]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Just change the ceramic for an A5, or swap for a custom5, same thing as i understand it.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

Yes, that is a typical aspect of ceramic mags.

If you generally like the Custom but just don't get along with the brittle highs, just swap the magnet for a UOA5. It keeps everything great about the Custom but removes that irritating brittle high end. (A lot of people like the Custom with an A2, but I feel it just is too smooth or even muffled sounding. And I even like A2 pups). I think the A2 works much better in lower output pups with less compression and more inherent clarity.

This. I liked my uoa5 custom..but went back to ceramic for the balanced eq and badassery. In your case though uoa5 or maybe a2 sounds like the ticket

 

[SweetClyde99]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

I’m surprised no one is suggesting an Alnico 8 magnet swap. I know the general consensus seems to be that ceramic works better than A8 in a Custom in your typical Les Paul, but this may not be your typical Les Paul.

 

[357mag]

Re: The Custom sounds brittle

I’m surprised no one is suggesting an Alnico 8 magnet swap. I know the general consensus seems to be that ceramic works better than A8 in a Custom in your typical Les Paul, but this may not be your typical Les Paul.

I will find out today because the pickup arrives today. On a different forum most everyone talked about the '59B said they thought it was a fine choice. They liked it. I've never done a magnet swap and I would not know where to begin on that issue.

Where do I buy an Alnico II or Alnico V magnet for it?

Is there a thread on this forum somewhere that discusses this procedure?