Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

The Allan Holdsworth bridge model p'up was a double-row, JB spec'ed, Custom Shop p'up.

That's what I think you have there... its predecessor.

If I was you, I'd change that ceramic mag and put an A2 mag in it, to match that PGn and I think you'll have a terrific-sounding set.

HTH,

LtK,
Man, you know your stuff. The Holdsworth is such an obscure pickup it seems. The JBJ pics I posted is not my pickup though. When I saw the JBJ pics, I got pissed because I don't know if SD was making a bunch of one of's, mis-labeling, or I totally am missing some things in my searches. That was the only pic I could find on a SD with the double screws when I searched before. What does the Holdsworth sound like? I'm looking forward to trying this out but it's going to be some time for my git to git to-get-her.

 

[Artie]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but I don't understand why you're still trying to figure out what this is. SD already told you in their reply email. It isn't a Seymour Duncan anything. Its a pickup that someone sent to them to be rewound to a 15k spec. Thats why it has a "Seymourized" sticker on it rather than a model number designation. At least, thats how I read that.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Heya,
When i sent the first email I couldn't send any pics through the website messaging, and only informed them of the 2 stickers on the bottom and the double screw rows.
Well here is the response that I gave back to them along with the pictures I originally posted here as well:

Hi,
Thanks for your quick reply! I gathered that it was a rewind but what is confusing is the "DC7B" sticker as well. Could it be just a mis-stickering(don't really know what to say here) or some kind of prototype? It was bought as a "Custom/Sh-5" because of this. However this doesn't have the single machined slugs for one of the rows like all the other Customs I have seen online. I am trying a new build and really wanted an old Sh-5. Here are some pics of it if that helps.
thanks much

Haven't received a reply to the last email yet.
So unless SD is in the habit of labelling other company's(companies')? pickup that he rewinds as his own, I still think this is a Duncan production somehow. See LtKojak's response of it possibly being an early Holdsworth model and that may explain the screws. This could be a simple as being the wrong sticker on the wrong model(a Holdsworth maybe). But the sticker itself doesn't make any sense. DC = Duncan Custom 7? B = Bridge? likely
So there is still a lot of variables in this and I'm just trying to get a concise idea. If you think it's another non-Duncan pickup, I'm all eyes. BTW Duncan labels "Seymourized" on their own SD pickups that have been rewound as well. Doesn't necessarily mean it has to be a non SD...Or it could be a total fake too, that's why I'd like to know more definitively.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Also notice how the Seymourized sticker is partly over the DC7b sticker. Indicates that it was added after; perhaps even seconds apart...jk. But the rest of the wiring, machining, covers are pretty much Duncan product, compared to what I've seen on other early stuff. Who knows. I just hope it's what I'm looking for. Still gotta write those songs though...

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Are we sure that sticker says DC7B and not DC/B? There is a mark above the B that looks similar to the poorly-defined top stroke of the 7.

Dunno what that would mean but the 7 doesn't look quite right to me.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

The Allan Holdsworth bridge model p'up was a double-row, JB spec'ed, Custom Shop p'up.

That's what I think you have there... its predecessor.

If I was you, I'd change that ceramic mag and put an A2 mag in it, to match that PGn and I think you'll have a terrific-sounding set.

HTH,

I just heard some clips of the 59/Custom Hybrid and really dug that. Being that I's have to sell one of the pickups to get it, what magnet swap would get me closer to that? Would it be the A2 like you suggested? I keep reading about a UOA5 but that seems to be used if one wants to boost the mids, which I think this already has plenty of (that's why I got it). I want a little higher end coming throug/clarity. Of course I'll hear this one out first, but from clips of the regular Custom, it seems to lack the treble a bit for the sound I want. But I didn't like the regular 59 by itself, so I went this route. Any suggestion would be apprecited, even if it mean another model. Oh, what would an A8 or A4/A5 do to this? I'm just starting to read about magnet swaps.
thanx

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Are we sure that sticker says DC7B and not DC/B? There is a mark above the B that looks similar to the poorly-defined top stroke of the 7.

Dunno what that would mean but the 7 doesn't look quite right to me.

Huh, the 7 is what's really throwing me off about the sticker. It's definitely looking like it might be a separate mark. It's definitely thinner then the rest of the font/letter thickness. Didn't notice that before, just glazed over because I thought it was just worn away. You might be onto something here. Buuuuut, I've never seen a slash (/) mark on these old stickers otherwise. Usually just straight letters (model/winder)...Maybe they preprinted/typed the DC / part on these stickers and later added either the N or B?
Good eye dude/dudette/custom...
I just hope it sounds good for all the searching I've done for it. But I'm learning a lot. Still gotta write those songs though...
thanx

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

If that was rewound, wouldn't the number on the Seymourized sticker indicate that there should be some record of it?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

The Allan Holdsworth bridge model p'up was a double-row, JB spec'ed, Custom Shop p'up.

That's what I think you have there... its predecessor.

that's also what I was thinking. my AH-1 has about that same DCR.

who have you been trying to email at SD? some are better at replying to things than others. or perhaps call and ask for someone like Scott Miller.

LtK,
Man, you know your stuff.

don't feed the animals

What does the Holdsworth sound like?

a little hard to describe. I have one with an A5 and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it after about 6 weeks. some suggest it may be like a 'softer' JB and I can see that, but I'd be careful with the idea of 'softer' is it still has plenty of bark and bite. I'll probably be moving it to a guitar with another wood in the next few weeks and will have a better idea then.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

don't feed the animals

????

What's your beef, man?

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

The Seymourised Sticker definitely indicates it is a rewind. The DC7B sticker need not necessarily be a Duncan Sticker. The no.1363 may indicate the rewind order no. and could throw a light a lot on the specifications which only the Duncan custom shop could ans.

Here is what I would do, I would go ahead and put it the bridge, you never know you could have a jem in there, maybe something better sounding for you than the Custom it self. Seymour would not rewind something crap. Hope that helps.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

that's also what I was thinking. my AH-1 has about that same DCR.

who have you been trying to email at SD? some are better at replying to things than others. or perhaps call and ask for someone like Scott Miller.

I just used the "Contact" page in this site. I got the reply from someone named Keith. No reply to my follow up so far...
Is there a way to find a direct email to someone who handles these kind of things specifically? All in all, it's nice of them to even respond to them, and as it doesn't really help with their sales, or anything, I don't hold it against them for not doing more. Just that a lot of others seem to have gotten better and clearer answers in similar situations. I might write them again with the link to this page as a reference.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

????

What's your beef, man?

As I've been searching around on forums for information related to my build, LtKojak seems to pop up a with some real good information. Not only just related to this pickup too....And takes the time to genuinely help folks out with his experience and knowhow. I'm sure a lot of people have benefited from this.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

The Seymourised Sticker definitely indicates it is a rewind. The DC7B sticker need not necessarily be a Duncan Sticker. The no.1363 may indicate the rewind order no. and could throw a light a lot on the specifications which only the Duncan custom shop could ans.

Here is what I would do, I would go ahead and put it the bridge, you never know you could have a jem in there, maybe something better sounding for you than the Custom it self. Seymour would not rewind something crap. Hope that helps.

Hi
I'm pretty sure it's a Duncan. If you look at other 1980's models they have pretty much the same kind of build. The braided wire, the square hole on the outside, along with 2 circular holes in between the first 2 slugs on either side, and the sticker is like the all the other stickers from this company/era, but they vary in ink color sometimes. Good point about the possible rewind number. If I could find a way to contact them directly, I'll surely be asking about that. thankx!

 

[Artie]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

BTW Duncan labels "Seymourized" on their own SD pickups that have been rewound as well. Doesn't necessarily mean it has to be a non SD...

Ah. Didn't know that. I hope someone from Duncan chimes in on this.

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Are we sure that sticker says DC7B and not DC/B? There is a mark above the B that looks similar to the poorly-defined top stroke of the 7.

Dunno what that would mean but the 7 doesn't look quite right to me.

Ah. Didn't know that. I hope someone from Duncan chimes in on this.

Ok, this seems to be something similar to mine. Same era build (square hole, braid, etc.) and the / mark on the sticker as well...So I'm thinking this is a Duncan Custom but some early prototype/experimental or custom spec order.



The reading seems pretty low on this...Wonder how it would sound.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

I just used the "Contact" page in this site. I got the reply from someone named Keith. No reply to my follow up so far...
Is there a way to find a direct email to someone who handles these kind of things specifically? All in all, it's nice of them to even respond to them, and as it doesn't really help with their sales, or anything, I don't hold it against them for not doing more. Just that a lot of others seem to have gotten better and clearer answers in similar situations. I might write them again with the link to this page as a reference.

That would be this guy that responded.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Is there a way to find a direct email to someone who handles these kind of things specifically? All in all, it's nice of them to even respond to them, and as it doesn't really help with their sales, or anything, I don't hold it against them for not doing more. Just that a lot of others seem to have gotten better and clearer answers in similar situations. I might write them again with the link to this page as a reference.

Shoot me a PM and I'll drop you an addy or two.


Sent from my armored battle station using Tapatalk

 

[bumrush]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

That would be this guy that responded.

Huh, I think he did the youtube reviews of several pickups. The methodology on those were very helpful.

 

[dominus]

Re: Weird Vintage Custom SH 5 any help???

Huh, I think he did the youtube reviews of several pickups. The methodology on those were very helpful.

That he did, including probably the best pickup video I've ever seen: