lazyfinger
Member
Tried so far: Custom 8, Custom 5, Custom UOA5, and Custom. Where does Custom 3 fit in?
What's Custom 3 like?
- Thread starter lazyfinger
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Haven't tried one, but...it would have a smoother high-end than a C5, and more mids. Brighter than a CC, similar output. I've only used A3's in the neck slot so far, but they do have some applications in the bridge too. The midrange bump is especially appealing to fix a scooped bridge PU.
Haven't tried one, but...it would have a smoother high-end than a C5, and more mids. Brighter than a CC, similar output. I've only used A3's in the neck slot so far, but they do have some applications in the bridge too. The midrange bump is especially appealing to fix a scooped bridge PU.
dvadneau
New member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
That sounds a lot like an UOA5, from the descriptions I've read. How do the A3 and UOA5 differ? How is the bass response?
That sounds a lot like an UOA5, from the descriptions I've read. How do the A3 and UOA5 differ? How is the bass response?
lazyfinger
Member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Not too many A3s in the bridge slot, except the new Joe Bonamassa custom shop paf, and Gibson Randy Rhoads LP Custom.
+1 Good question.
Not too many A3s in the bridge slot, except the new Joe Bonamassa custom shop paf, and Gibson Randy Rhoads LP Custom.
+1 Good question.
C
CountFunkula
Guest
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
The A3 has less bass and is a little janglier/livlier. The bass response is a little tighter. It was actually one of my favorite customs.
The A3 has less bass and is a little janglier/livlier. The bass response is a little tighter. It was actually one of my favorite customs.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
UOA5's are warmer, the 2nd warmest magnet, behind A2's. A3's are on the bright side of the spectrum, but the high-end isn't sharp like an A5. What makes A3's unusual is that the treble is backed by a good dose of mids. And like the Count said, in some PU's A3's can add a 'jangly/chimey' quality.
I had an A5/A3 neck Phat Cat in an SG that definitely had a chimey sound, which would have been good for early Beatles, but that's not what I was after; I prefer A5/A5 and A5/A4 pairs in my neck P-90's.
UOA5's are warmer, the 2nd warmest magnet, behind A2's. A3's are on the bright side of the spectrum, but the high-end isn't sharp like an A5. What makes A3's unusual is that the treble is backed by a good dose of mids. And like the Count said, in some PU's A3's can add a 'jangly/chimey' quality.
I had an A5/A3 neck Phat Cat in an SG that definitely had a chimey sound, which would have been good for early Beatles, but that's not what I was after; I prefer A5/A5 and A5/A4 pairs in my neck P-90's.
Last edited:
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Yeah, that's got me thinking, I need to try it. Bridge A5's are usually too bright and thin for me, so I swap pots and/or magnets to fatten them up, but haven't tried A3's...yet. Interesting idea. If an A5 bridge PU is too harsh or shrill, and needs some mids to give it a bigger sound, A3's are worth a shot.
Yeah, that's got me thinking, I need to try it. Bridge A5's are usually too bright and thin for me, so I swap pots and/or magnets to fatten them up, but haven't tried A3's...yet. Interesting idea. If an A5 bridge PU is too harsh or shrill, and needs some mids to give it a bigger sound, A3's are worth a shot.
lazyfinger
Member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
I wanna try the A3 on the Custom. It seems in the bridge, it would be fulfilling similar role as UOA5 or A4 versions, but with a lot less output. I think A3 is also weak compared to A2.
Theoretically, it would be interesting to see what the combination would be like with a 14k wind but low magnetic pull. On one hand, you have the natural compression, on the other, the output would be similar to vintage pups.
I wanna try the A3 on the Custom. It seems in the bridge, it would be fulfilling similar role as UOA5 or A4 versions, but with a lot less output. I think A3 is also weak compared to A2.
Theoretically, it would be interesting to see what the combination would be like with a 14k wind but low magnetic pull. On one hand, you have the natural compression, on the other, the output would be similar to vintage pups.
atreidesheir
New member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Too many options. Too much thinking for me. You guys are making the A3 bridge, like perhaps a 59A3, sound very nice. I am running out of guitars for all these good ideas.
The 59 pickup is so funny. I love every alnico in it except stock a5. A2, A4 was nice, A8. now I am jonesing for A3.
Too many options. Too much thinking for me. You guys are making the A3 bridge, like perhaps a 59A3, sound very nice. I am running out of guitars for all these good ideas.
The 59 pickup is so funny. I love every alnico in it except stock a5. A2, A4 was nice, A8. now I am jonesing for A3.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Output on A2's and A3's is very similar, with A2's having slightly more, not a big difference, and nothing to base a decision on.
Output on A2's and A3's is very similar, with A2's having slightly more, not a big difference, and nothing to base a decision on.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
I buy guitars just to try out PU's and magnets. And they wonder why I don't spend the money to get American-made guitars! :14:
I am running out of guitars for all these good ideas.
I buy guitars just to try out PU's and magnets. And they wonder why I don't spend the money to get American-made guitars! :14:
lazyfinger
Member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Here's the old comparo I found between C2 and C3, as well as PGn2 an PGn3. Thanks Dr. B.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=35
Yeah, I like A2's level of output, even on the JB that I tried months ago. UOA5 sounds much higher in output.
Here's the old comparo I found between C2 and C3, as well as PGn2 an PGn3. Thanks Dr. B.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=35
Yeah, I like A2's level of output, even on the JB that I tried months ago. UOA5 sounds much higher in output.
V
Varg
Guest
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Come on Rick, I'm sure you don't need to go USA made. You can get Made in Mexico strats pretty cheap.
:dance:
Come on Rick, I'm sure you don't need to go USA made. You can get Made in Mexico strats pretty cheap.
:dance:
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
or the FSR (root beer or orange sparkle or one of the blacktops which are killer under $600 strats!
or the FSR (root beer or orange sparkle or one of the blacktops which are killer under $600 strats!
lazyfinger
Member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Last time I checked, the old HWY1/American Specials can also be had for $700, and those are USA made.
Last time I checked, the old HWY1/American Specials can also be had for $700, and those are USA made.
JohnnyGuitarCA
Active member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
Man, those A3's sound nice. I need to try one out.
Man, those A3's sound nice. I need to try one out.
RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Re: What's Custom 3 like?
I just put a custom 3 in one of my LPs.
Obviously not has hot as a custom 5, a little less bite in the highs but not much, not quite as much high highs or low lows as a C5.
I'd describe it as a "vintage sounding" C5.
The big thing for me though is it didn't have that "under a blanket" tone that A2 does (never liked the CC) and pick attack is still very articulate, unlike the CC, and similar to the C5 but with a slightly more balanced and vintage sound. Does not produce artificial harmonics like a C5 or say a Norton, but again better than the CC.
The output by the way is still significantly more than a PAF. It's less than the C5, but it's not a wimp either.
I just put a custom 3 in one of my LPs.
Obviously not has hot as a custom 5, a little less bite in the highs but not much, not quite as much high highs or low lows as a C5.
I'd describe it as a "vintage sounding" C5.
The big thing for me though is it didn't have that "under a blanket" tone that A2 does (never liked the CC) and pick attack is still very articulate, unlike the CC, and similar to the C5 but with a slightly more balanced and vintage sound. Does not produce artificial harmonics like a C5 or say a Norton, but again better than the CC.
The output by the way is still significantly more than a PAF. It's less than the C5, but it's not a wimp either.
Last edited:
Similar threads
