Talk to me about the Duncan Custom/Custom 5/Custom Custom

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scottosan

scottosan

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I got a Kramer Focus in a few weeks ago that had a vintage Duncan Custom. My first impression was that it was a little bright, but it grew on me. I hear people talk about this pickup alot, but I seem to come across contradictory descriptions. So, since many people here have similar playing styles and gear experiences, I'm looking form input and experiences.

My perception is that the pickup has a good feel with a slightly saturated feel, but with a clear top end. Maybe some would this consider this bright. Over all, it seems very balanced and good string to string clarity. I think it would be a good choice for earlier VH.

I then decided that I would wind my own take on it and try different magnets out. I liked A2, but fel that in some case, the low end could get a little unruly, I liked the sweet top end, but felt I would avoid this is darker guitars. The A5, left me not knowing what to think. It didn't have the bounce under the fingers like the A2 or Ceramic and think it would be better suited for mid focused guitars. For me, probably my least favorite.
 
you know what I like about the custom 5. I even have a custom tone nerd custom 5....however I have always been a fan of a2's....call me crazy but I really sometimes think the lower output mags sound super expressive.
 
Funny you posted this thread as I've been meaning to ask you about Custom Custom replacement. I'm not really qualified otherwise. I do like it however. I Will PM you, and then maybe join back or at least follow this thread. I remember your Kramer thread - what woods and bridge are used in those again? Alder and then Maple neck?
 
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Funny you posted this thread as I've been meaning to ask you about Custom Custom replacement. I'm not really qualified otherwise. I do like it however. I Will PM you, and then maybe join back or at least follow this thread. I remember your Kramer thread - what woods and bridge are used in those again?
My Kramer is an Alder body and neck has a rosewood board
 
Custom from what I remember is pretty even with a solid bottom end.
Custom Custom kinda rolled off top and softer bottom end. Mushy feeling.
Custom 5 is scooped, more solid bottom like the Custom.
 
I have a Custom in the bridge of my Warrior and I like it. I have a Custom Custom in the bridge of my Washburn MG104 and I like it. The Custom Custom is my fav Duncan pickup, but that's about all I can tell you.
 
I've had all three. OG custom is my favorite all around for rock and metal. Ceramic mag, medium output. Plays great with low and high gain amps, A little on the bright side. Custom 5 reminds me a lot of a gibson 498t, a little scooped in the mids and a little tamer than the custom, but still a great pickup, especially if you play hard Rock through a mid heavy amp. Custom Custom, pretty much the closest to the EVH pickup. Lower output but still hot enough. Saggy low-end with balanced mids and highs. Great pickup, but the CC reacts a lot more to the wood of the guitar than the others. Sounded great in a modern Charvel, but a little thin in a cheap kramer.
 
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Oh man! That feedback is heavenly! I'm jealous of your gear.
 
That's awesome! I don't know why but for some reason I tend to favor ceramic pickups vs alnico pickups. Can you try and make the pickup a little hotter like around 14.5K?
 
I think the Custom Custom is supposed to be pretty close to the EVH Frankenstein pickup. Close specs -- supposed to be a variation that he turned down or didn't like. I don't think its as open or bouncy on the bottom end.
 
Having tumbled down the Custom rabbit hole, I have concluded that the Duncan Custom wind may be one of the most ‘guitar dependent’ pickups I have ever tried. Meaning some pickups just sound good to great in any guitar you drop them in. Other pickups sound amazing in some guitars - not so amazing in others. The custom wind sounds SO different depending on the magnet, that the various iterations (ceramic, A2, A5) can make or break different body woods, scale lengths, bolt-on vs set neck. I was crazeee about the Custom wind with a Rough Cast A5 Magnet for a long time. But then I discovered the Custom/59 Hybrid and have been seriously A/B’ing the Hybrid against my standby RC A5 Custom in my main guitars. Problem is, both pickups sound really, really good - different, but good - in all my main guitars.

I have yet to try a magnet swap in the Custom/59 Hybrid. Option Anxiety is a real thing.
 
The custom 5 is my favorite Duncan pickup, by far.

My guitars tend to be heavily mid focused though, I just gravitate to guitars like that.
 
Not a fan of the Custom family myself.

People claim the Custom 5 is scooped. I find the regular Custom just as scooped, except in slightly different frequencies.

I almost like the Custom myself. It's bright, gritty, and raspy, and I like that. But the Custom 5 I find a bit too boomy, and it's not dark, but not raspy like a Custom or airy like a PAF either.
 
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Started out with the Duncan Custom w/the Ceramic, then tried the A2, A5, and A8 in my LP. Came back to the A2. It just seemed to work better in THAT guitar. YMMV, depending on the guitars' inherent brightness.
 
Custom from what I remember is pretty even with a solid bottom end.
Custom Custom kinda rolled off top and softer bottom end. Mushy feeling.
Custom 5 is scooped, more solid bottom like the Custom.
Spot on. The Custom CAN be bright in a bright guitar though, for sure. I love the Custom in a Les Paul. In fact, I've had one for 6 months to put in my Gold Top, but the Burstbucker 2 has grown on me, even though I know the Custom would probably kill it.
 
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