Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

[dr.barlo]

Howdy Fellas,

I am intending to turn a strat of mine into a versatile fat strat which I would be using for a wide range of music.

Anyways, I love CC (tb) in strats, but the thing is now that I am really accustomed to a Brobucker, the CC tb that I tried in that guitar was not upto my expectations. All was cool, but the problem was that the low mids were too smooth (as opposed to being more textured as from a brobucker), and the bass was kinda spongy in a bad sense. Was kinda loose.

I do not want another brobucker. I just want to add tighter bass and more textured lowmids to that CC of mine. Magnet mods don't help, because even a3 changes the highs quite a lot (search my nick in the tips and clips to get hold of a comparison between CC with an a2 and CC with an a3).

What I have not tried is to shorten the E (low) A D screws, or use allen heads maybe. That might be doing what I want.

Another option is to get that CC rewound in the custom shop.

I have this crazy idea: A screw coil with #42 wire wound to 5.00K, and a slug coil with #43 wire wound to 8.00K or something. Of course the magnet would be a2. By design this pickup would be a little less bright than the CC (because of the #42 wire on the screw bobin), but I think MJ could work some wonders by mismatching the coils.

Or get some variation of a2 brobucker. I did not like the a2 brobucker that much, it was kinda too dark for me, but additional mismatched bobins could do the trick.

Any feedback?

Best,

B :beerchug:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Doc, have you tried a Duncan Custom? That's the one I use. I still have a CC in one of my Strats but I like the Duncan Custom better. It has the mids of the CC but tighter deeper bass and more highs. Lew

 

[theodie]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

You said,

What I have not tried is to shorten the E (low) A D screws, or use allen heads maybe. That might be doing what I want.

Or, I have always ment to try a Full Shred with a A2 magnet. I dont know for sure but, I would not doubt if a FS is the same or close to Custom coils. If you try one row of them and it is not quite enough, get a FS and try it with a A2 magnet.

Those 2 should be your best bet.

Barlo, you ever tried a PATB-3? They are FAT and warmer, but, tight with great clarity. That might get you in that neighborhood???

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Doc, I'm going with Theodie on this one. I do think you'd really like the PATB-3. I love it in my HM Strat.

 

[Meggo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

I just put a Fullshred in my strat (alder body) and I love it. Really nice pickup - fun to play. Alive. I tried a CC in my strat before and it was to smooth. I also like the bass better from FS. It's mounted angled, like the original bridge single coil. Like all C models FS it is great to split (I think FS has same coils as C. FS = C5 with two rows hexscrews).
I have a PATB-3 in a RG (ash body, floyd) and a like this pickup a lot. Not tried it in my strat.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Anyways, I love CC (tb) in strats, but the thing is now that I am really accustomed to a Brobucker, the CC tb that I tried in that guitar was not upto my expectations. All was cool, but the problem was that the low mids were too smooth (as opposed to being more textured as from a brobucker), and the bass was kinda spongy in a bad sense. Was kinda loose.

DR BARLO.. that was the same problem i found with my CC.
not enough Tighness n the bass.. besides of that,perfect duncan pickup.
from the ones i have played

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Maybe hex poles?

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

yah,someone told me abotu that

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Doc, have you tried a Duncan Custom? That's the one I use. I still have a CC in one of my Strats but I like the Duncan Custom better. It has the mids of the CC but tighter deeper bass and more highs. Lew

Thanks for the suggestion Lew.

I have used customs in the past. While I like their response (especially in the bass and low mids) their strong uppermids and highs, I find, don't fit my style. To be honest, I prefer the invader when it comes to pushing things.

For this guitar, I think I'd rather keep things in the medium output range. And you know CC is perfect for that. I love its overall character. It is just that I am looking for some fine tuning you know.

Best,

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

You said,

What I have not tried is to shorten the E (low) A D screws, or use allen heads maybe. That might be doing what I want.

Or, I have always ment to try a Full Shred with a A2 magnet. I dont know for sure but, I would not doubt if a FS is the same or close to Custom coils. If you try one row of them and it is not quite enough, get a FS and try it with a A2 magnet.

Those 2 should be your best bet.

Barlo, you ever tried a PATB-3? They are FAT and warmer, but, tight with great clarity. That might get you in that neighborhood???

Thanks guys for these suggestions. I think they might do what I want, thus would like to inquire further.

I have to say that I have tried a FS like 6 or 7 years ago. Don't remember much. I came on a used japanese fat squier I bought. I did not swap it or anything. :smack: So I cannot rely on my memory for an evaluation.

All I remember is that it was a little uppermid heavy, and tight. And the tone chart seems to confirm this, 4 4 8. I think I should rather stay away from it.

Let me ask you guys the following:

PAT3B looks like a pickup that I could want. 10K wound with #42 I think, with an a5. The resonant peak is like that on 59b's and that's super cool. So it would be a beefed up 59, and if they were to have screws and slugs, I think they would be sounding very Brobucker (which I love).

But due to the paralel axis pole pieces, PAFT3B would sound tighter, brighter and more uppermid heavy. No? While I would love that on the bass side (and also on the lowermids), I would hate it for the highs and uppermids. I am done with the uppermid spike that is so evident on BBQs and JBs (PG is another story, and is the only exception ). That would be something that I really do not want.

Anyways, (BTW I know the next question is not an easy one) how would the a2 PAT3B sound like. I think that might be want I want. No? Its not CC (#43 vs #42) but it has them paralel axis pole pieces, which would help.

The tone chart has the following data on the PAT3b: Bridge : 9.8 k Bridge : 6 KHz Alnico V Bar 6 / 3 / 6. With an a2 magnet I think I have a chance.

BTW a Screaming Demon with an a2 magnet could still do what I want, but from what I remember (I had done that magnet swap) it was still quite a clear pickup. Has a resonant peak of 7KHz, as opposed to 6 (what I want).

Another thing is that the PAT3B is like 95 dollars. I could spend an extra of 60 or 70 to get a custom shop pickup. So cannot decide for now. ???

Thanks for the help.

Later,

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Maybe hex poles?

As I've written in my initial post, this is something I really wanna try. It's too bad that I do not have any right now.

Do you know where could I buy some?

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Anyways, I love CC (tb) in strats, but the thing is now that I am really accustomed to a Brobucker, the CC tb that I tried in that guitar was not upto my expectations. All was cool, but the problem was that the low mids were too smooth (as opposed to being more textured as from a brobucker), and the bass was kinda spongy in a bad sense. Was kinda loose.

DR BARLO.. that was the same problem i found with my CC.
not enough Tighness n the bass.. besides of that,perfect duncan pickup.
from the ones i have played

Hey man what's up.

I remember you digging them.

B

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

As I've written in my initial post, this is something I really wanna try. It's too bad that I do not have any right now.

Do you know where could I buy some?

B

You can buy them here bro.

http://www.guitarjonesusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_53&products_id=533

If you give me until tomorrow, I think I may have some here already that I'll ship over to you for the cost of shipping. I'll have to look around this afternoon and see what I can come up w/.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Ok. Scratch my last post. They were right here on my desk from where i was swapping poles earlier. PM me your shipping destination and I'll drop them in the mail Thurs.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

>>BTW a Screaming Demon with an a2 magnet could still do what I want, but from what I remember (I had done that magnet swap) it was still quite a clear pickup. Has a resonant peak of 7KHz, as opposed to 6 (what I want).<<

Not true the magnet (in fact the gauss figure) also influences the resonant freqency! Compare the CC with the C5 and the Custom - same coils different resonance peak in height and frequency!
BTW the height of the peak is very audible, but noone adresses this affect.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

9finger, thanks man. I'll be shooting a pm very shortly.

I appreciate it.

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

>>BTW a Screaming Demon with an a2 magnet could still do what I want, but from what I remember (I had done that magnet swap) it was still quite a clear pickup. Has a resonant peak of 7KHz, as opposed to 6 (what I want).<<

Not true the magnet (in fact the gauss figure) also influences the resonant freqency! Compare the CC with the C5 and the Custom - same coils different resonance peak in height and frequency!
BTW the height of the peak is very audible, but noone adresses this affect.

I did not mean to say that the resonant peak does not get effected by the magnet. On the contrary:

Duncan's Q&A #199

199. What effect does the type of magnet have on resonant peak?
I find the stronger the magnet the brighter the tone of the pickup. As the strength of the magnetic field increases the volume of the pickup increases. It also makes for a harsher sounding and tighter responding pickup. When I put a ceramic magnet into an existing humbucker that used a Alnico magnet I notice the pickup sounds much harsher. Also using the different polepieces and magnetic fields will change the sound of the pickup. It’s important to see the direction or pattern of the magnetic field through the coil. The weaker a magnet lowers the resonant peak and a stronger magnet will increase the resonant peak audible to the ear.

Thus, as you say, indeed CC has a resonant peak of 5.2 KHz, C5 5.4KHz and Custom 6KHz. So the biggest jump is from a5 to the ceramics.

Therefore, even though the a2 SD will have a lower resonant peak than 7.00Khz, it will not be something like 6.0. Rather somewhere 6.7 or 6.8 (provided that a linear analogy is possible).

I heard that difference, as I have stated in my post. A2 SD is cool and all but still quite clear. And I don't like the response I get from the non-wound strings on my strat (regular trem) bridge. That is to say, the intrinsic clarity of the demon does not change too much with the magnet swap.

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

BTW I agree with your opinion that the resonant peak figures are often ignored. From first hand experience I can say that they provide excellent information.

B

 

[Aceman]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Doc, have you tried a Duncan Custom? That's the one I use. I still have a CC in one of my Strats but I like the Duncan Custom better. It has the mids of the CC but tighter deeper bass and more highs. Lew

The Custom has the mids of the CC???? I would usually defer to your great knowledge, wisdom, and experience in all things tone, Lew, but I just don't see/hear/feel that in any way.....

The CC is mids-incarnate. It gets no more mid than that! Pure unadulterated big right down the middle of mid mids! Lacking booty, yes. But Custom mids = CC mids? No way!

Convince me otherwise....

 

[theodie]

Re: Tighter Custom Custom: Give me ideas

Barlo, the PATB-3 is not your usual A5 pickup. The PATB poles do not make it brighter and it does not have a high/mid hump like a JB. Seriously, If I am understanding you correctly, I dont think you will have to do anything to this pickup. No magent, swap no nothing. PATB's defy the rules of standard pickup logic. This thing sounds nowhere near a 59, even though the specs on paper are similar. Even though this thing is A5, it is FAT sounding yet, tight. I seriously dont think you will need to magnet swap it. The first time I played one it knocked my socks off. It had qualitys I have never heard in a pickup before (combined anyway). It was very fat yet tight, had geat clarity but, it is on the warmer side, etc, etc. Barlo, I assure you this is something special and you really should check one out.

Yes, they are a bit expensive new but, they are more than worth it! Also, they can be had on Ebay for very reasonable prices most of the time. I urge you to try one out, I think you will be happy with it.