Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

ibanezrocks

HardtailPisser
To settle a debate I would like to know what Seymour had in mind when he designed the Custom Custom if anyone happens to know.

Thanks in advance for all responses.
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

He didnt quite design it..

It was a bit of a forum brothers thing where they put a Alnico 2 magnet in a SH-5.

Thus the customcustom or CC was born.

Also there is a Custom - 5. Which is basically another forum bro idea. This time a Custom with a alnico 5magnet.
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

I don't think the CC was a forum idea. It's been around for a long time. The C5 is definitely a forum creation though.
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

Not sure why the CC was conceived, but regarding the C5, here's what Evan had to say a few weeks ago:

"Re: Who "invented" the Custom 5?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually, the pickup was first conceived by Seymour. I was with him at the time. He was helping voice a Godin LG, and for the bridge pickup he recommended a "Custom Custom with an alnico 5." We sold it for a few years to Godin as the "SH-11+ Custom Custom Plus." In fact, that's the bridge humbucker still used on Godin guitars.

Totally independent of that, some members of this forum started making them and calling them "Custom Custom Custom," or "C3." It became the most popular mod of an SD pickup I'd ever seen. After some time, someone from the Forum said, "Hey Evan, I know you're reading this: ever think you might have a product here?"

So we took up the suggestion of the forum and released it as a product.

We actually had a vote in the forum on what to call it. "Custom 5" narrowly beat out "C3" and "Custom Custom Custom." We also had forum members write the description of the pickup.

I hope that answers the question."
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

Long before the Custom 5 and Godin guitars EVH stated in Guitar World magazine that he loved the Duncan Custom, but he would change the magnet with an old PAF one for a warmer tone... I think that was the birth of the Custom Custom.
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

BachToRock said:
Long before the Custom 5 and Godin guitars EVH stated in Guitar World magazine that he loved the Duncan Custom, but he would change the magnet with an old PAF one for a warmer tone... I think that was the birth of the Custom Custom.

Possibly.. but could have also theoretically been the true birth of the C-5... on the old PAF´s they pretty much used whatever magnet was lyiong around ;)
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

I had read/heard that the CC was the pickup Seymour wanted to make the EVH signature but EVH said no, or was that the CS '78 Model?
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

I believe you are correct ErikH... EVH was using the Alnico Custom and that was what Seymour wanted to market using his name...
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

Here's a little blurb from vintagekramer.com on the page about EVH's 5150 Kramer.

"Additionally, the pickup is custom made my Edward himself, and rumor has it that Seymour Duncan was going to market a pickup just like his as the EVH signature pickup. This later became the Custom Custom."

But I'm still thinkin' the '78 Model is involved somewhere.

EDIT: This thread tells the story of the '78 Model, post #13:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=36972&highlight="'78+Model"
 
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Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

Evan we need your help!

Here's my theory. Someone wanted a custom (overwound PAF on steriods), with an AII vibe. Voila CC!

;)
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

I always thought it was for EVH, but the pickup may have been something EVH adopted.

Like Jeff said, the admins may be able to shed some light.
 
Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

What bach and others said about eddie mentioning the custom and using an old paf mag is what I always heard. If you call duncan and ask for a pickup that give the eddie sound they say custom custom first then suggest the '78. At least that is what I got when I called
 
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Re: Why Did Seymour Design The Custom Custom?

Guys... it's pretty simple...

The CUSTOM was an existing pickup that Seymour already made... it was one of his original designs in the first catalog with The 59, The Jazz, The Mag, The Distortion, The Seymourizer II and The JB

He did not design it for any particular artist...

EVH just replaced the Ceramic magnet with an Alnico from a PAF... whether it was A2 or A5 is unknown... it was rumored that Seymour started the idea of marketing the pickup as what EVH uses, but he was apparently premature in his actions and pissed Eddie off which soured relations... this mod became well known and Duncan decided to market the pickup as the Custom Custom...

So the story goes...
 
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