What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

ColeJustesen

ColeJustesen

New member
I am going to be purchasing a Seymour Duncan Custom with an alnico 8 for my Yamaha SG1000. I was thinking either a '59 or a Jazz to pair with it. I play mostly rock based music and use the bridge mostly for rhythm stuff and the neck for cleans and distorted leads.

I have used a Jazz before and liked what it offered. I haven't owned a '59 before, but have played guitars in shops that had one installed. They both sound great, but I am not sure which would suit the Custom with an alnico 8. Any insight for me?

Thanks all!

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

'59 with an alnico 4 magnet.

the stock '59 will sound too thin on the top, boomy on the bottom and completely lifeless in the mids next to the Custom 8
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

I have read about the '59 with an alnico IV on here and it seems a lot love it. Thanks for the suggestion! Has anyone on here tried the '59 with an alnico III? I have an alnico III in a neck humbucker in my Yamaha Les Paul copy that sounds tasty!

Thanks!

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

idsnowdog said:
A Dimarzio Breed Neck would be a good match.
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I thought about a Crunch Lab initially, but I found that they sound similar. From all of the videos I watched they seemed similar at least. I guess the Breed neck would match the Crunch Lab too.

It might sound a bit small minded, but wouldn't the Breed and the Custom look too different from each other? I have certain OCD issues and don't know if I could their mismatched appearance of their bobbins.

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

My SG1000 has similar woods, but obviously a different shape, do you think the A4 '59 would be suited still blueman?

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

The A4 '59n/A8 Custom set is THE most versatile p'up set known to mankind... or at least for me it is! ;)

I've had that set in my #1 guitar for over four years, doing an average of two hundred performances a year.

HTH,
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

LtKojak said:
The A4 '59n/A8 Custom set is THE most versatile p'up set known to mankind... or at least for me it is! ;)

I've had that set in my #1 guitar for over four years, doing an average of two hundred performances a year.

HTH,
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That is the kind of endorsement I like to read! Thanks for the input.

LatsMcGee said:
Screamin Demon....
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I always forget about that pickup. Could you tell me more about it? All I know is that it sounds hotter than it really is...

Thanks everyone so far!

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

59 A4 in the neck is a nice pickup and I have run it a couple times with a Custom 8.
However IMO an A-2 is more compatible to the A-8 tone wise as both mags have a very similar singing quality in the mids in the right pickups.
Best neck pickups I have used with an Custom 8 in the bridge have been the PGN or Alnico II pro.
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

Ascension said:
59 A4 in the neck is a nice pickup and I have run it a couple times with a Custom 8.
However IMO an A-2 is more compatible to the A-8 tone wise as both mags have a very similar singing quality in the mids in the right pickups.
Best neck pickups I have used with an Custom 8 in the bridge have been the PGN or Alnico II pro.
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Thanks! I appreciate your input. I like A2 in certain regards, but find it a bit too squishy at times. Have you tried A3 with the A8???

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

Without a doubt the Demon is the best you can do in the neck paired with the Custom 8 in the bridge. The A4 59 is ok, but doesn't compare to the Demon (the A4 59 sounds mousey and like it's missing something. It's hard to put your finger on it until you take out the 59 and try the Demon, then your eyes open wide and you say..."yeah, that's it").
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

Thanks for the input! It sounds like the '59 with a couple of magnets is the way to go!

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

ExplorersRock said:
I paired mine with a '59 with an A2.
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The A2 59 soundsso much better to me than the stock 59 with A5...warmer, softer, more complex and complete tone. But you lose some power/output with the A2, and some of the "bite". When paired with the C8 a little more oomph could come in handy though.

That's why I like the Demon in the neck soooo much...Still retains some bite and clarity (as compared to the A2 59), has more mids than a A5 59, a tighter more balanced bass than either, and a bit more output than either, which IMO is necessary when choosing a neck pup to go with a C8 which has such a full sound and so much output.

PS, ExploresRock, I love your sig about happiness.,
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

ColeJustesen said:
Thanks for the input! It sounds like the '59 with a couple of magnets is the way to go!

Cole
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I really think you owe it to yourself to at least try the Demon...a very underrated, under-appreciated, and poorly named, but exceptional performing/sounding pup.
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

GuitarDoc said:
I really think you owe it to yourself to at least try the Demon...a very underrated, under-appreciated, and poorly named, but exceptional performing/sounding pup.
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Thanks for the input! I have heard it in the bridge in videos, but nothing in the neck. I am not a fan of too powerful of pickups in the neck position. I like lower output, but I will definitely keep the Screamin' Demon in mind. If I don't like it, I could probably throw it in the bridge of something else...

Cole
 
Re: What goes with an Alnico 8 Custom?

It doesn't really perform like a high output pup. One of the best NECK pups made.
 
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