Duncan SH-5 or SH-11 in the bridge of a Les Paul?

[rlord1974]

I'm thinking of doing a pickup swap in my '78 Les Paul Custom. I am going with Duncans for sure, and the style of music the Les Paul will be used for ranges from blues/heavy blues to classic/modern rock. The guitar will not be used for metal at all.

I was originally going to go with the tried-and-true SH-4 JB in the bridge and SH-2 Jazz in the neck (I already have this combo in another Les Paul, as well as a Custom Tele). However, I have also considered trying:

1.) SH-5 Duncan Custom in the bridge with a SH-1 '59 in the neck.
2.) SH-11 Custom Custom in the bridge with a SH-PG Pearly Gates in the neck

Is anybody using either of combo (1) or (2) above in a Les Paul, or otherwise using the SH-5 or SH-11 in the bridge position of a Les Paul? If so, thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mchn13]

I tried the sh5, when i was hunting, and it sounded thin after the jb i had in there. Ended up with the duncan evh i have in there now, but will be changing to a mcp detroiter as soon as i get another. The detroiter In my sg is the best pickup ive ever tried.
Sorry, never tried the custom custom.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I have have both but not in a Les Paul (I used DiMarzio's there because I wanted dual creams)

The Custom-Custom is a great pickup as is the Custom. I would think both would work in a LP but cannot confirm or deny that I have a Custom-custom in a Mahogany/Maple top strat but that sis abotu as close as I get with LP Custom.

 

[Anonymous]

try them all man.

i tried custom customs, and they weren't pleasing to my ear (about 12 years ago)..but im going to try one again and see if my ear has changed.

i guess what im trying to say, you just never know what will be pleasing to your certain style, your particular gear, and especially your ear until you try it... shit, you may like the sh11 in the neck and the gates in the bridge...

personally, in a LP, for just about ANY style of music the sh5 and sh1 are REALLY hard to beat...they'll push your amp hard enough, but you can really bring out your picking nuances too by riding the volume knobs.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Not one of your choices, but the Seth Lover in my LP bridge just rocks. Goes great with the Antiquity in the neck. Can rock with the best of em...

Good luck with whatever you end up using!

 

[rupe]

Seeing as all Les Pauls sound a bit different, there are no hard, fast rules as to which is going to sound better. In my experience though, the Custom is very thin and bright in a LP Custom...the Custom Custom being a much better match as it's a thicker sounding pickup with a lower/less trebly voicing that helps mitigate some the high end nastiness that comes with with an ebony fretboard.

 

[rlord1974]

the Custom Custom being a much better match as it's a thicker sounding pickup with a lower/less trebly voicing that helps mitigate some the high end nastiness that comes with with an ebony fretboard.

"High end nastiness"? How dare you, Bill!

Yeah, I see the Custom Custom (SH-11) has less treble in its voicing than tha Duncan Custom (SH-5).

Hmmm.....what to do.

 

[craftm1]

SH-5 Duncan Custom in the bridge with a SH-1 '59 in the neck is a winning combo!

 

[charveldan]

SH-5 Duncan Custom in the bridge with a SH-1 '59 in the neck is a winning combo!

Thats what these have.........

 

[charveldan]

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[charveldan]

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[charveldan]

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[charveldan]

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[rupe]

the Custom Custom being a much better match as it's a thicker sounding pickup with a lower/less trebly voicing that helps mitigate some the high end nastiness that comes with with an ebony fretboard.

"High end nastiness"? How dare you, Bill!

 

[MrDan666]

My vote goes to the SH-11 Custom Custom. Used that pickup in everything from Strats to LPs and other guitars that sit somewhere between those two, and always had great results.

Not a fan of the SH-5.. Found it to feel and sound very 'dry' in the midrange and a bit stiff. Totally the opposite of the Custom Custom.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

How bright is the wood naturally in your guitar? That will make the diff. I have a les paul type that is on the brighter side. I thought the SH-5 sounded stiff, trebly on the upper notes, and lacked the gain of the JB. I liked it, but i wasn't in love with it. Currently trying dimarzio 36th annis. Bit of treb pierce on high E but better than the SH-5. I have liked the dimarzio Air zone (their version of custom custom) in brighter guitars as it also helps tame that top end bite. That's just a few more to consider. Also a shout out for duncan alnico II's. Weak but man what a full bodied tone. I have a JB with an A2 magnet in it that i have been meaning to load in either strat or this LP copy. I bet that would kill. However as much as the mid hump can sometimes be limiting, I am starting to see myself as a JB guy!

 

[ConcreteVampire]

Not a real LP... An.... Epiphone!!

SH5 in the bridge of that forever...

Loved it, full, great roar. Balanced. Is not working in my SG for the record.

Have not tried it in my "real" Paul. I've had 500's, and 498, in that one, did not Like either. Too high gain trebly, and inarticulare & muddy, respectively.

I have an SH14 custom5, going in this week will report.

I have used an Alnico 2 in the neck the whole time. Love it! both guitars.

Similar usage. Blues / blues based hard rock.

The JB is in the Rich to handle the metalz.....

 

[charveldan]

Stock JMP 2203 & LP Custom with SH-5

Friedman JMP HBE w/a boost & LP Custom with SH-5

 

[SFW]

I love the Custom that I have in the bridge of my Les Paul Classic. Great sounding pickup. The only difference between the Custom and the Custom Custom is the magnet. The CC has an A2 mag. So buy a Custom and get your self an A2 mag to try with it.

 

[50MkII]

I know this does not help you to decide between the two, but have you considered the Custom Custom(B) and '59(N) combo? The '59 will give you more bite and harmonic content than the PG will. I have used and played the Custom, '59 (custom shop and non-custom shop versions), PG (B), and was one recommending placing a V in the Custom pup years ago just with lowered output. The other poster is right about the Custom being a bit thin sounding. That will probably surface a bit more in your LP Custom too. Even if you decide to try both out it will not be a costly proposition. Let us know what you think after you go through it.