Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom

  • Thread starter Thread starter kiff
  • Start date Start date
kiff

kiff

New member
I've been thinking about going to passive pups (currently using emg 85's exclusively). I was considering super distortions, since playing my buddy's guitar through my rig a while back. I could've sworn that's what he said they were, but I just emailed him and he said they were SH-5 Customs. Anyone have opinions on these?
 
To me, they sound OK in heavy mahogany slabs. But I always end up finding them too bright and a bit scooped in the guitars I've tried them in. If you like the SH-5 but want something fatter in the mids and warmer on top.......I HIGHLY recommend the Dean "Lights Out" Schenker sig pup. I currently have it in 3 guitars. Much better than any Duncan, Dimarzio, MCP, or BKP I have tried in my LP.
 
The Duncan Custom is one of my favorite pickups from Seymour Duncan.
 
I think its a nice pickup. It can be bright yes, but maybe not in a bad way.
 
Killer pup. Got it in the bridge of my '82 standard.
 
It really depends on the guitar. I love this pickup in some, hate it in others.
 
I like the custom custom better. Right now my go to is the Rio Grande BBQ though.
 
I like it too.

The great thing about it is that if it is too dark, too bright, etc in a certain guitar........you can change it up easily with a magnet change, ala' Custom, Custom 5, Custom Custom
 
I read or heard one story that Seymour Duncan developed the SH-5 with EVH way back when for a sig pup but that the endorsment deal fell thru.
 
The Custom is a great pickup. Before I went to using Suhr pickups, the Custom was my goto pickup in most of my guitars.
 
Thanks guys, good info... my friend also noted that the super distortion's eq'ing is in the same ballpark as the emg (85); which I do like. What I liked about his guitar (and sh-5 apparently) was that it was more open/less compressed, touch sensitive and all that, but when palm muting and laying into it gave plenty of metal chunk and grabbed onto legato runs just as well as my emg's. I do remember it being a little brighter, but not in a bad way. That said, if I could get the same eq'ing as my emg's, with the same touch/feel as the sh-5 had, I'd probably prefer that route.
 
kiff":22ty1cdf said:
Thanks guys, good info... my friend also noted that the super distortion's eq'ing is in the same ballpark as the emg (85); which I do like. What I liked about his guitar (and sh-5 apparently) was that it was more open/less compressed, touch sensitive and all that, but when palm muting and laying into it gave plenty of metal chunk and grabbed onto legato runs just as well as my emg's. I do remember it being a little brighter, but not in a bad way. That said, if I could get the same eq'ing as my emg's, with the same touch/feel as the sh-5 had, I'd probably prefer that route.
Click to expand...



Might be worth trying Hetfields? Kind of in between EMG and passive.
 
A little bright and not as gainy as i thought in a few guitars. I wasn't that much of a fan of it but I liked it so it might get the job done. I'd try the Dean Light's out though, have heard great things about that pup!
 
i love them.

they're the type of pickup that you dont even have to play...they work for you.....and you dont have to overthink and overanalyze dialing in most amps with them. if you are, then you need a different pickup. simple as that!

im always surprised when i read about people hating them. they're really good for all styles, and split the sound good clean too.
 
Another Custom 5 fan here, the only Ducan I actually own at the moment. It happened to come stock with my Charvel custom shop but I never once considered swapping it out because it tracks really well with that specific (alder) guitar. It reminds me a lot of the Super Distortion, especially when recorded, they A/B closely when you listen back, just the SD just sounds a little more aggressive IMO.

This little jam I'm working on is with the Custom 5 and Super Distortion doing the doubled rhythm (basswood Nez w/D-Activator and Air Norton for the lead).

 
Crunchity":ie7907pf said:
Another Custom 5 fan here, the only Ducan I actually own at the moment. It happened to come stock with my Charvel custom shop but I never once considered swapping it out because it tracks really well with that specific (alder) guitar. It reminds me a lot of the Super Distortion, especially when recorded, they A/B closely when you listen back, just the SD just sounds a little more aggressive IMO.

This little jam I'm working on is with the Custom 5 and Super Distortion doing the doubled rhythm (basswood Nez w/D-Activator and Air Norton for the lead).

Click to expand...
:inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove:
 
droptrd":1xot6ohg said:
AmpliFIRE":1xot6ohg said:
The only ceramic pup that I like.
Click to expand...
+1
Click to expand...

+1+1

Well said. I've tried different pickups in my Rich since 83!

Always go back to the custom.

Disclaimer? It's a neck thru all mahogany...

It did live in my epi lp for a little bit and sounded great in that too ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top