The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

Mez Cal

Mez Cal

New member
Hello good folk, could those of you with first hand experience modding your Duncan Custom with an alnico 8 magnet (or ordering a C8 from the custom shop) and installing it into a Gibson SG, all mahogony (thin body) with a rosewood fretboard or a Les Paul type singlecut, thick mahogany body with at least a 1/4 inch maple top, maple neck with rosewood fretboard played into a Peavey 5150, valveking vk100h or a similiar 6l6 high gain 100w amplifier to play Metal, chugging palm muted riffs, big chords with multiple voicings, single note runs and lead guitar soloing----how does the Custom 8 differ from the standard Custom? How are they similiar? Output? Low end? Midrange? Pick attack? I am primarily interested in the high gain aspect but your knowledge and opinions on low/mid gain and clean tones are equally welcome.

I've recently installed a Custom in my SG and it is awesome and inspiring thru my 5150 and ValveKing vk100h. It excells at my type of Metal.
I've heard that the Custom8 puts all of the Custom series to shame....thats a bold claim...thoughts?
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

I don't know why Custom 8's aren't in production, it's better than the other 3 that are. The A8 gives it full mids (unlike the C5) and a firm low end (unlike the CC), and without the harsh high end and stiffness of the ceramic Custom. Custom 8's have a nice clean tone, same with low gain. They're great in SG's.

A8's also improve a 498T in the same ways.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

I love the C5 for rhythm work, just like it for lead work. The C8 is cool, but I found that for fast staccato runs, it does not track as well as a ceramic or A5 magnet. If I were you, I'd start with the C5, then go from there. You can always magnet swap to a C8, and even swap back if you don't like it.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

Might want to take a look at UOA5 too.....

In my custom the a8 was clangly and had some weird harmonics at the high end, but a8 in my hyperion is great. I think it's worth a shot considering it's easy to swap magnets - the a8 custom has obviously worked for others.

I wouldn't spend the extra money on a custom shop pickup, but it's your dough.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

It is a particular magnet called an Unoriented Alnico V. There is some info about this magnet here.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

I absolutely love it in my custom. I've heard people say it's like a cross between alnico 2 and alnico 5 but in my experience it's like the a5 in perceived output (not less) and has a geat eq and harmonic complexity. My uoa5 custom is the best bridge I've had out of maybe 15-20 over the years.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

I guess I'm in the minority on this. I had a Custom in a Les Paul copy, all mahogany. I swapped an A8 in after reading all the rave reviews. It just never felt right, certain undesirable frequencies were accentuated and it just didn't respond great. I went back to the ceramic. Full disclosure though, I haven't found a guitar that this Custom works well in, so maybe it's just not the right pickup for me altogether.

But fwiw, I did prefer the ceramic.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

tried it a few years ago, its like using a custom and and eq pedal. its a different eq, a little more output to the left of the spectrum I believe
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

blueman335 said:
I don't know why Custom 8's aren't in production, it's better than the other 3 that are. The A8 gives it full mids (unlike the C5) and a firm low end (unlike the CC), and without the harsh high end and stiffness of the ceramic Custom. Custom 8's have a nice clean tone, same with low gain. They're great in SG's.

A8's also improve a 498T in the same ways.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input...im really digging my duncan custom but your experiences with the c8 have me ready to purchase an a8 mag, could you steer me in the right direction...the exact mag that i should use...also, is there a difference in output? Is it more or less "grindy"(distortion)...jeez, i dont know the perfect word or way to describe gain, grain, grind, distortion? -Created by the pick up...help?
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

posite63 said:
I guess I'm in the minority on this. I had a Custom in a Les Paul copy, all mahogany. I swapped an A8 in after reading all the rave reviews. It just never felt right, certain undesirable frequencies were accentuated and it just didn't respond great. I went back to the ceramic. Full disclosure though, I haven't found a guitar that this Custom works well in, so maybe it's just not the right pickup for me altogether.

But fwiw, I did prefer the ceramic.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

Nagisa said:
I absolutely love it in my custom. I've heard people say it's like a cross between alnico 2 and alnico 5 but in my experience it's like the a5 in perceived output (not less) and has a geat eq and harmonic complexity. My uoa5 custom is the best bridge I've had out of maybe 15-20 over the years.
Click to expand...

Is it still scooped mids like the c5?
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

Mincer said:
It is a particular magnet called an Unoriented Alnico V. There is some info about this magnet here.
Click to expand...

Follow the link- a well written article with a vast overview of magnet types, wire types, and the basic anatomy of humbuckers. Its worth a visit and a re-read.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

Mez Cal said:
Thanks for your input...im really digging my duncan custom but your experiences with the c8 have me ready to purchase an a8 mag, could you steer me in the right direction...the exact mag that i should use...
Click to expand...

You can find out for less than $10. The last one on this page is what you want. People can describe it all they want, but to find out for that low of a price is worth the investment. And in case you haven't done one yet, a mag swap is less than a twenty minute operation from the time you even start loosening the strings, and it's easily reversible. There's such little risk that I think it's at least worth trying, and you'll probably learn something in the process.

I just put a Custom back in my Les Paul yesterday after going through an Alnico 2 Screamin' Demon and a Crazy 8, both of which are beyond great pickups. I just got the itch to try the Custom again since I keep coming back here and reading it's the way a Les Paul is supposed to sound. The people who write that aren't far from right. I have an A2 and an A8 waiting out in case I start hearing the grating highs again, but I think I got it dialed in pretty well this afternoon, and unlike the Super Distortion, I don't hate the ceramic in this pickup. For what it's worth, pickup height makes a big difference in its ability to clean up.
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

I swapped the ceramic for the Alnico 8 last night, and I can say that for the type of stuff I like to play, let's say GNR to RIP-era Megadeth, the Custom 8 is superior to the Custom. It just lets it breathe a bit more and removes the clinical tightness that I don't really like in my tone. It cuts off the high end edge a tiny bit too, and it's just overall a slightly better pickup. There's the answer to your original question.

This still begs the question... Why is this not part of the SD lineup?
 
Re: The sh-5 Custom and the Custom 8

Myself, I've never understood why some feel the need to change the SH-5.

It is one of my all-time faves and so good that after I bought a new one and tried it, I grabbed a vintage one off of ebay years ago.

I play through a Marshall which I modded to '68 plexi specs, a '66 Fender Deluxe, Rockman, ADA MP-1, BIAS, etc.

Never had any problems with the top end of the pickup; it's perfect.

And it gets chimey with the guitar volume knob down; no harshness whatsoever.

With a distorted amp it gets a lovely thick crunch, great sustain, and tightness in the low end.

Like someone said, tracks very well for speedy runs.

To me, it is in the same ballpark tone-wise as the DiM Super Distortion... but more open.

They call it a "PAF on steroids", and that is probably the best descriptor for this pickup I've ever come across.
 
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