Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

[Forbes]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I'm a big fan of the PG neck pickup, and i think you nailed it in your description Lew, nice one.

 

[MattPete]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I'm running a Custom bridge and an A2pro neck in my mahogany strat, but after playing Theodie's Explorer, I've been tossing around the idea of swapping the A2pro out for my spare PGn.

I did have that set in my Warmoth VIP for a while. I really liked it -- both pickups seemed to match well, and the in between position sounded great. Alas, I wanted a different sound for that guitar, so the custom was changed into a Custom 3 and the PGn was swapped for an A3pro (now an A2pro + Brobucker).

Must...get...more...guitars...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I'm running a Custom bridge and an A2pro neck in my mahogany strat, but after playing Theodie's Explorer, I've been tossing around the idea of swapping the A2pro out for my spare PGn.

I did have that set in my Warmoth VIP for a while. I really liked it -- both pickups seemed to match well, and the in between position sounded great. Alas, I wanted a different sound for that guitar, so the custom was changed into a Custom 3 and the PGn was swapped for an A3pro (now an A2pro + Brobucker).

Must...get...more...guitars...

Matt: Please do the switch and report back to us with a detailed review of the difference in tone between the PGn and AIIPro neck in the same guitar. I'd really to know the results! Thanks! Lew

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Thanks for the great review, Lew! It definitely raises my interest for such a set. I've been looking at them for a while already, and this seems to confirm my expectations. I could have some really nice use for those nice pickups, it's just a shame that I have no guitars to put them in. Well, in time...

 

[MattPete]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Matt: Please do the switch and report back to us with a detailed review of the difference in tone between the PGn and AIIPro neck in the same guitar. I'd really to know the results! Thanks! Lew

I might have some time to do it later this week, but in the meantime, here's what I remember:

PGn: compared to A2pro, the mids were lower in the spectrum, almost kinda a muffled sound. However, the pickup didn't sound muffled, as there was some extra sizzle on top, compared to the A2pro.

A2pro: the mids were higher and there is more treble, but less high-highs (sizzle/presence). It has that cool hollow/liquid sound that the PG just doesn't have.

Overall, I like the A2pro much better. BUT, the PGn and Custom worked really well together. As someone pointed out, the amp setting for one also works well for the other. Combined, they had a nice twangy sound.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Lew: I know this isn't on topic but we talked about my neck pickup dilema on page 1. (sorry for the hijack)

Last night I put the Jazz neck in with the Brobucker. MUCH better match. I've always been a fan of the Jazz neck and have used it for years with several different bridge pickups with no problems. It proved once again to be old faithful. Now all I need is a nickel cover for it.

The PGn isn't totally out of the question. Maybe in a month or two. Gotta give it some time.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I have a Custom in the bridge of a single pickup, floyded strat. When I turn the volume knob down to about 5, I get this killer, smokey blues tone. It looks kind of odd that I'm playing this 80s rock guitar for that type of music, but it sounds so awesome. I was wondering if a Custom in an LP would give me the same results? I know an alder bodied strat and an LP are completely different animals, but......

-Mark

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I have a Custom in the bridge of a single pickup, floyded strat. When I turn the volume knob down to about 5, I get this killer, smokey blues tone. It looks kind of odd that I'm playing this 80s rock guitar for that type of music, but it sounds so awesome. I was wondering if a Custom in an LP would give me the same results? I know an alder bodied strat and an LP are completely different animals, but......

-Mark

I have the Custom in a single pickup Strat with a vintage style vibrato. It's become my favorite single humbucker Strat...very versatile! I installed a on/on/on switch in that guitar so I can use the Custom in series, single coil or parallel. I don't much care for the parallel tones but on this single pickup guitar it's nice to be able to switch to any one of three differant tones. Lew

 

[Fiesta Red]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I have a Custom in the bridge of a single pickup, floyded strat. When I turn the volume knob down to about 5, I get this killer, smokey blues tone. It looks kind of odd that I'm playing this 80s rock guitar for that type of music, but it sounds so awesome. I was wondering if a Custom in an LP would give me the same results? I know an alder bodied strat and an LP are completely different animals, but......

-Mark

But playing the blues with THIS guitar???? This is a pic of it.

-Mark

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

It's cool! Clapton's been playing those Strats with graphics lately too...you're in good company! Lew

But playing the blues with THIS guitar???? This is a pic of it.

-Mark

 

[papersoul]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Lew, the first thing I notice is the CC (I know this isn't the Custom but I just started getting back into Duncans) sustains and is very smooth in my PRS SE mahogany. I think it sustains and may be smoother than the Dragon in my CE-22 but I am afraid to change the Dragons in that guitar!

My LP Standard is a mystery. I am wondering how a C-5 or a JB would sound in this LP. I also wonder the same about the McCarty. Another top notch pickup is the Rio Grande BBQ. I prefer more mids so maybe a BBQ for my McCarty and JB for my LP Standard. I hear it really isn't that hot even though it reads hot.

I am starting to get into modern Duncans and I like the hotter Duncans now because they seem thicker with better sustain plus my band plays heavy modern rock and that is my style anyway so the PAFs may go away.

 

[theodie]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Lew, you didnt ditch the JB for the Custom did you???:chairfall :chairfall :chairfall

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Lew, you didnt ditch the JB for the Custom did you???:chairfall :chairfall :chairfall

No. I'm was going to do the JB and Stack Plus combo in a differant Strat.

But I dunno...this PGn and Custom combo sounds pretty spectacular to me.

I've had a single humbucker Strat with the Custom for a while but this is the first time I've tried it with a PG neck humbucker.

Something about that combination (great tone???:smack: :laugh2: ) makes it so I can't put that guitar down. It's what I've wanted to hear for a long time.

I really think it's the best sounding pair of humbuckers I've heard in a long long time...probably since I sold my Hamer Monoco with the Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge. I loved that combo too, but I think I like this combo even better.

I had the PGn and 59B in this same Strat, BTW. I liked it alot but I like it with the Custom even better...especially the rythum tones when the coils are split.

My tastes are changing I guess...getting more adventurous in my old age maybe! :laugh2:

 

[papersoul]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Lew, the first thing I notice is the CC (I know this isn't the Custom but I just started getting back into Duncans) sustains and is very smooth in my PRS SE mahogany. I think it sustains and may be smoother than the Dragon in my CE-22 but I am afraid to change the Dragons in that guitar!

My LP Standard is a mystery. I am wondering how a C-5 or a JB would sound in this LP. I also wonder the same about the McCarty. Another top notch pickup is the Rio Grande BBQ. I prefer more mids so maybe a BBQ for my McCarty and JB for my LP Standard. I hear it really isn't that hot even though it reads hot.

I am starting to get into modern Duncans and I like the hotter Duncans now because they seem thicker with better sustain plus my band plays heavy modern rock and that is my style anyway so the PAFs may go away.

Does anyone know how the PG bridge works in the neck?

 

[gripweed]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Lew: I know this isn't on topic but we talked about my neck pickup dilema on page 1. (sorry for the hijack)

Last night I put the Jazz neck in with the Brobucker. MUCH better match. I've always been a fan of the Jazz neck and have used it for years with several different bridge pickups with no problems. It proved once again to be old faithful. Now all I need is a nickel cover for it.

The PGn isn't totally out of the question. Maybe in a month or two. Gotta give it some time.

Glad to hear that the Jazz and Brobucker go well together as that is what will be in my LP as soon as it comes back from the shop.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

The PG bridge is basically the same output or DC Resistance (not the same thing...I know!) as a vintage '58 paf. Duncan underwinds the neck version but in the late 50's all pafs were in the 8.2K range...neck or bridge pickups were both the same pickup. In other words, it should work fine. Although I'd prefer a neck humbucker in the 7.5K range or so...like the neck PGn. Lew

Lew, the first thing I notice is the CC (I know this isn't the Custom but I just started getting back into Duncans) sustains and is very smooth in my PRS SE mahogany. I think it sustains and may be smoother than the Dragon in my CE-22 but I am afraid to change the Dragons in that guitar!

My LP Standard is a mystery. I am wondering how a C-5 or a JB would sound in this LP. I also wonder the same about the McCarty. Another top notch pickup is the Rio Grande BBQ. I prefer more mids so maybe a BBQ for my McCarty and JB for my LP Standard. I hear it really isn't that hot even though it reads hot.

I am starting to get into modern Duncans and I like the hotter Duncans now because they seem thicker with better sustain plus my band plays heavy modern rock and that is my style anyway so the PAFs may go away.

Does anyone know how the PG bridge works in the neck?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

Glad to hear that the Jazz and Brobucker go well together as that is what will be in my LP as soon as it comes back from the shop.

After playing them together more and just playing the guitar more, I really like the combo. Going from one to the other through the switch changes isn't so drastic like with the PAF. I think I'm going to keep these two together for a while.

 

[theodie]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

No. I'm was going to do the JB and Stack Plus combo in a differant Strat.

But I dunno...this PGn and Custom combo sounds pretty spectacular to me.

I've had a single humbucker Strat with the Custom for a while but this is the first time I've tried it with a PG neck humbucker.

Something about that combination (great tone???:smack: :laugh2: ) makes it so I can't put that guitar down. It's what I've wanted to hear for a long time.

I really think it's the best sounding pair of humbuckers I've heard in a long long time...probably since I sold my Hamer Monoco with the Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge. I loved that combo too, but I think I like this combo even better.

I had the PGn and 59B in this same Strat, BTW. I liked it alot but I like it with the Custom even better...especially the rythum tones when the coils are split.

My tastes are changing I guess...getting more adventurous in my old age maybe! :laugh2:

A solid combo! One of the big reasons the JB isnt that great in my eyes I guess? I love the custom!

 

[papersoul]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I have used the Custom in the past and the C-5. I am currently using the CC in a guitar but my one problem with the Custom series is they don't clean up well like a lot of pickups and it could be that they are wound too hot. By contrast a 12k pickup, while plenty hot will tend to clean up well to almost a pure clean tone at about 4-5 on the volume such as the Rio BBQ.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Update and review: PGn and Custom in Strat

I just keep liking this set more and more...I'm especially knocked out by the high quality of the single coil tones when the PGn or Custom are split.

If you're looking for clean tones, just split the Custom...sounds awesome.

This morning I was working out the intro to Little Wing off of the Axis Bold As Love CD. I've always wanted to figure that one out and really get it note for note.

Spent a couple of hours on it this morning getting all the little r & b slurs and everything down.

Hendrix was so ahead of his time...30 years later I'm still trying to get some of that stuff down and taking a couple of hours to figure out less than a minute of music!

Anyways, once I got it I went back and forth between my Strat with the PGn and Custom split and my Strat with Antiquity Surfers.

I'll tell you: the split tones on the Strat with the PGn and Custom are really, really great! They don't sound exactly like my Strat with the Antiquitys but the tone is totally cool none the less.

Not just usable but totally musical.

Highly recommended: killer humbucking tone and killer single coil tone all from one guitar.