Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
- Thread starter LazNovak
- Start date
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
All of my guitars with Duncans have Custom Shop pickups.
I just told Mj what I liked and she made recommendations and then wound them without changing much.
The Custom Shop versions of the same pickups available as stock seem to be a little more textured, have a little more personality and are usually a little stronger output.
I'm using Duncan CS Antiquity Surfers, CS Jerry Donahue Tele bridge and CS A2 Hot For Tele Tapped and have also used the '78 humbucker.
All well worth the extra cost, IMO.
All of my guitars with Duncans have Custom Shop pickups.
I just told Mj what I liked and she made recommendations and then wound them without changing much.
The Custom Shop versions of the same pickups available as stock seem to be a little more textured, have a little more personality and are usually a little stronger output.
I'm using Duncan CS Antiquity Surfers, CS Jerry Donahue Tele bridge and CS A2 Hot For Tele Tapped and have also used the '78 humbucker.
All well worth the extra cost, IMO.
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
I have a few, I think. Some were just regular models with different magnets (a 59). Some were regular models with double screws, and reverse polarity (a 59/Custom Hybrid). I can usually find what I need from stock winds, though.
I have a few, I think. Some were just regular models with different magnets (a 59). Some were regular models with double screws, and reverse polarity (a 59/Custom Hybrid). I can usually find what I need from stock winds, though.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
MJ has done a great job over the years of assessing players' needs and tweaking things to get the result they're after. I know she has always done right by me when I wanted something that wasn't available elsewhere.
However, it is to the point now that, between all the standard Custom Shop offerings, the many production models available and the popularity/ease/affordability of magnet swaps in pickups like humbuckers, I haven't needed to request a personalized pickup in a very long time.
I own several "regular" Custom Shop models at this point and have played several more...love 'em all!
What exactly are you looking for?
MJ has done a great job over the years of assessing players' needs and tweaking things to get the result they're after. I know she has always done right by me when I wanted something that wasn't available elsewhere.
However, it is to the point now that, between all the standard Custom Shop offerings, the many production models available and the popularity/ease/affordability of magnet swaps in pickups like humbuckers, I haven't needed to request a personalized pickup in a very long time.
I own several "regular" Custom Shop models at this point and have played several more...love 'em all!
What exactly are you looking for?
LazNovak
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
Thanks guys.
Well, right now my favorite guitar/pup is the Alt 8 in my Les Paul. I'd like something like that for my other guitars but a little bit more punch to the guts. I know for a fact that each of my guitars will sound different with various pickups in them. The Jackson with the EMG H3 set was junk, in the Charvel: beauty but could use more heat.
The first thing I'm going to try is to put the hex poles I took out of the Full Shred and put them in the Alt 8 just to see what happens. I just don't have a key that fits the hex pole's size. I swapped the poles in the FS at the studio where my friend has a million allen sets. I'll just have to do it when I go next, which hopefully is this afternoon.
Thanks guys.
Well, right now my favorite guitar/pup is the Alt 8 in my Les Paul. I'd like something like that for my other guitars but a little bit more punch to the guts. I know for a fact that each of my guitars will sound different with various pickups in them. The Jackson with the EMG H3 set was junk, in the Charvel: beauty but could use more heat.
The first thing I'm going to try is to put the hex poles I took out of the Full Shred and put them in the Alt 8 just to see what happens. I just don't have a key that fits the hex pole's size. I swapped the poles in the FS at the studio where my friend has a million allen sets. I'll just have to do it when I go next, which hopefully is this afternoon.
dystrust
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
I used to own a '78 and it was awesome. If the current forum pickup doesn't work out, I'm seriously considering calling the Custom Shop myself.
I'd really like a neck humbucker to pair with a '59/Custom Hybrid in a Les Paul with Jimmy Page wiring. I'd like a decently strong slug coil for a good split sound, but still a semi-vintage humbucker vibe. I'd also prefer A5 or similar as I generally find A2 neck pickups muddy.
I used to own a '78 and it was awesome. If the current forum pickup doesn't work out, I'm seriously considering calling the Custom Shop myself.
I'd really like a neck humbucker to pair with a '59/Custom Hybrid in a Les Paul with Jimmy Page wiring. I'd like a decently strong slug coil for a good split sound, but still a semi-vintage humbucker vibe. I'd also prefer A5 or similar as I generally find A2 neck pickups muddy.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
Some years ago I ordered 3 Jr-sized Custom Shop pickups: CustomJr, JazzJr, and DistortionJr. MJ called and asked me what I wanted from these. I had no clue about DCR and K and all that, so I did my best to explain I wanted all the tonal characteristics of the Custom, the Jazz, and the Distortion in single-coil-sized humbucker format. She nailed them.
Some years ago I ordered 3 Jr-sized Custom Shop pickups: CustomJr, JazzJr, and DistortionJr. MJ called and asked me what I wanted from these. I had no clue about DCR and K and all that, so I did my best to explain I wanted all the tonal characteristics of the Custom, the Jazz, and the Distortion in single-coil-sized humbucker format. She nailed them.
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
I dont currently have any, but in the past Ive had an Alt 8 and Crazy 8. I dont recall if the alt 8 was a custom forum run, but I know the crazy 8 was. Sadly , I sold the guitars they were in and the pups went with them.
Ive played a few CS ones and loved em and one day, when I get alittle more sure of my needs, Ill have a true custom made..
I dont currently have any, but in the past Ive had an Alt 8 and Crazy 8. I dont recall if the alt 8 was a custom forum run, but I know the crazy 8 was. Sadly , I sold the guitars they were in and the pups went with them.
Ive played a few CS ones and loved em and one day, when I get alittle more sure of my needs, Ill have a true custom made..
bloughlin16
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
I own the Alpha/Omega set from the Custom Shop, and plan to get the 7-string set for my KM-7 when they're released. Obviously, I didn't design them, but they're pretty much exactly what I would've gone for if I had designed a set personally. They have absolutely incredible depth, clarity, and articulation, and are far more versatile than you might think. Best pickups I have ever played, by far.
I own the Alpha/Omega set from the Custom Shop, and plan to get the 7-string set for my KM-7 when they're released. Obviously, I didn't design them, but they're pretty much exactly what I would've gone for if I had designed a set personally. They have absolutely incredible depth, clarity, and articulation, and are far more versatile than you might think. Best pickups I have ever played, by far.
LazNovak
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
What more can you tell me about them? Guitar specs? Amp?
bloughlin16
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
I don't have a high-quality amp at home, but I've tested it through a PRS Archon, EVH 5150III, Peavey 6505, and a few other real amps. At home, I primarily use amp sims like AmpliTube 3, TSEX50, and LePoulin. The pickups are ceramic magnet, both neck and bridge. The Omega is overall similar to a Duncan Nazgul, but with more of an emphasis on the low mids and bass frequencies. It's fat-sounding, but has enough compression that there's a nice balance of notes and a lot of brightness to cut through. It's aggressive, but well-balanced and much more versatile than your average high output passive bridge pickup (I'd say it's juuuuuust breaking into "high output" territory). The Alpha reminds me a lot of a Duncan Jazz, but with a tighter low end. It also doesn't have that "blooming," fat pick attack that most neck pickups do. It reminds me of the attack of a bridge pickup: not ice-picky, but more crisp and precise, which means its sound is also much more influenced by the picking style that you're using than any other neck pickup I've used. I've got them in my Schecter Blackjack SLS C-1 with coil taps, but I want to switch to a 5-position switching setup, with positions 2 and 4 being split outer and split inner coils run in series.
I don't have a high-quality amp at home, but I've tested it through a PRS Archon, EVH 5150III, Peavey 6505, and a few other real amps. At home, I primarily use amp sims like AmpliTube 3, TSEX50, and LePoulin. The pickups are ceramic magnet, both neck and bridge. The Omega is overall similar to a Duncan Nazgul, but with more of an emphasis on the low mids and bass frequencies. It's fat-sounding, but has enough compression that there's a nice balance of notes and a lot of brightness to cut through. It's aggressive, but well-balanced and much more versatile than your average high output passive bridge pickup (I'd say it's juuuuuust breaking into "high output" territory). The Alpha reminds me a lot of a Duncan Jazz, but with a tighter low end. It also doesn't have that "blooming," fat pick attack that most neck pickups do. It reminds me of the attack of a bridge pickup: not ice-picky, but more crisp and precise, which means its sound is also much more influenced by the picking style that you're using than any other neck pickup I've used. I've got them in my Schecter Blackjack SLS C-1 with coil taps, but I want to switch to a 5-position switching setup, with positions 2 and 4 being split outer and split inner coils run in series.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
All but one of my SWD Custom Shop pickups has been purchased pre-owned. Hence, I had zero input in their specifications.
All but one of my SWD Custom Shop pickups has been purchased pre-owned. Hence, I had zero input in their specifications.
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
Exactly.Make sure you also think about other things, too, like color, long/short legs, logo/no logo, cover, etc. They will help guide you toward what you want sound-wise, though.
Exactly.Make sure you also think about other things, too, like color, long/short legs, logo/no logo, cover, etc. They will help guide you toward what you want sound-wise, though.
LazNovak
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
None that I ordered myself. But I have a 7 string black winter set with black/white zebra pole pieces. I also have a full 78 set in zebra which I will never part with. I'd love a set in green though.
I got quoted once for a pair of neck/middle hot rails pickups with the wire coming out the bottom. I got quoted £329 for the two pickups but decided not to proceed. Just too much money.
None that I ordered myself. But I have a 7 string black winter set with black/white zebra pole pieces. I also have a full 78 set in zebra which I will never part with. I'd love a set in green though.
I got quoted once for a pair of neck/middle hot rails pickups with the wire coming out the bottom. I got quoted £329 for the two pickups but decided not to proceed. Just too much money.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
A set of Phat Staples, which I bought used. I wanted gold ones, but the ones that came up for sale are nickel. They're rarely on the used market, and I had been looking for a couple years, so I jumped on them despite the nickel hardware. I have them in my Explorer now, but the rest of the hardware is gold, so I will eventually be sending them into Duncan to be converted to gold hardware.
A set of Phat Staples, which I bought used. I wanted gold ones, but the ones that came up for sale are nickel. They're rarely on the used market, and I had been looking for a couple years, so I jumped on them despite the nickel hardware. I have them in my Explorer now, but the rest of the hardware is gold, so I will eventually be sending them into Duncan to be converted to gold hardware.
Leon Of Late
New member
Re: Who Here has Duncan Custom Shop Pickups?
I have a custom overwound AP2 bridge pickup, several shop floor customs from a few years ago and I just ordered a Greenie Set. Should be here any day. MJ is great no matter how you look at it. The fact that they find time to first make custom spec pickups for the average Joe is remarkable enough, but they also take our phone calls too? Unheard of today.... almost.
I have a custom overwound AP2 bridge pickup, several shop floor customs from a few years ago and I just ordered a Greenie Set. Should be here any day. MJ is great no matter how you look at it. The fact that they find time to first make custom spec pickups for the average Joe is remarkable enough, but they also take our phone calls too? Unheard of today.... almost.
