Seymour Duncan Custom?

[romanianreaper]

I am going to get a humbucker for that Charvel I just got (ordered a new pickguard) and was wondering about the Seymour Duncan Custom pickup because people rant and rave about how awesome it is. Is there just the one version, Alnico V and called the SH-6 I believe?

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

If I'm not mistaken, The Custom is a Ceramic magnet and it's the SH-5.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

If I'm not mistaken, The Custom is a Ceramic magnet and it's the SH-5.

Yes and there is also the Custom 5 which is the SH-14
The SH-5 utilizes a ceramic magnet, while the SH-14 uses an Alnico 5 magnet.
I've always liked the SH-5. In fact it's one of my favorite SD pickups.
If you are looking for a more tight and aggressive style, get the SH-5. The SH-14 is a bit warmer.

 

[romanianreaper]

Yes and there is also the Custom 5 which is the SH-14
The SH-5 utilizes a ceramic magnet, while the SH-14 uses an Alnico 5 magnet.
I've always liked the SH-5. In fact it's one of my favorite SD pickups.
If you are looking for a more tight and aggressive style, get the SH-5. The SH-14 is a bit warmer.

It will be going into a 1989 Charvel with a basswood body so imagine it will be a good fit. Is it very different from a JB?

 

[Shask]

The original Custom, the SH-5, is awesome. It is basically a lot of bass, less lower mids, and a lot up upper mids and treble. Chunk and scrape. Medium output.

There are other variants, like the Alinco V version, and the Alnico II version, which is suppose to be close to the EVH pickup. The Alnico V version is supposed to be very scooped.

 

[Shask]

It will be going into a 1989 Charvel with a basswood body so imagine it will be a good fit. Is it very different from a JB?

Imagine something like a JB or Distortion, but a little less output, so it is more dynamic and clearer, and all the mid spike is gone and slightly scooped instead.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

SH-5 Custom: The OG. Ceramic magnet. 6 screws and 6 slugs for polepieces.
SH-11 Custom Custom: Same wind and polepieces as SH-5, but with Alnico 2 magnet. 6 screws and 6 slugs for polepieces.
SH-14 Custom 5: Same wind and polepieces as SH-5, but with Alnico 5 magnet. 6 screws and 6 slugs for polepieces.
AND
SH-10b Full Shred Bridge: Same wind as SH-5, with Alnico 5 magnet. 12 Hex screws for polepieces.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

It will be going into a 1989 Charvel with a basswood body so imagine it will be a good fit. Is it very different from a JB?

They're both great, but yes, they're different. I prefer the SH-5 in basswood. Basswood is generally mid-forward, highs and lows are a bit rolled off with that wood. The SH-5 will give some sparkle in the highs and some more balls in the lows, but it won't get shrill or flubby.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

The original Custom, the SH-5, is awesome. It is basically a lot of bass, less lower mids, and a lot up upper mids and treble. Chunk and scrape. Medium output.

There are other variants, like the Alinco V version, and the Alnico II version, which is suppose to be close to the EVH pickup. The Alnico V version is supposed to be very scooped.

Yep. I would add that in my experience, the low end of the SH-5 is full but never flubby.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Yep. I would add that in my experience, the low end of the SH-5 is full but never flubby.

agreed

 

[jeff5]

I've tried most Custom variants and even made my own combining coils. You know which one I like best? The stock Custom. SD got it right with that pick up. Tight low end, balanced mids and just enough highs.

It will be going into a 1989 Charvel with a basswood body so imagine it will be a good fit. Is it very different from a JB?

Very different pick ups. The JB is looser on the low end (you won't get those percussive palm mutes without help) more high mids and has a great, sparkling lead tone that is hard to replicate. I always loved the Custom for rythym and the JB for leads which is why I gravitate towards pick ups like the Motor City Afwayu that seem to combine the best of both worlds. I wouldn't hesitate to use a stock Custom or JB though if I had to. Both are great, just different.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Custom is my fav Duncan, in fact it's my fav non boutique pup by a mile. If I were to buy a guitar and it came with a Custom, I might leave it for a while and not change it out immediately. It is the closest production pickup that reminds me of a MCP Afwayu. Not super close but in the ballpark. Just really well balanced and great especially with Alder body guitars, or other bright woods like Maple.
Highly recommend.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

I've tried most Custom variants and even made my own combining coils. You know which one I like best? The stock Custom. SD got it right with that pick up. Tight low end, balanced mids and just enough highs.

Yep, and the highs in the SH-5 are beautiful. Clear but not shrill.

 

[shar-vell Dan]

It will be going into a 1989 Charvel with a basswood body so imagine it will be a good fit. Is it very different from a JB?

Ive used the SH-5 30+ yrs. My favorite rock pup. Loves basswood, mahogany & most alder guitars.
Beats the hell outta a JB IMO.

 

[angelspade]

Imagine something like a JB or Distortion, but a little less output, so it is more dynamic and clearer, and all the mid spike is gone and slightly scooped instead.

I agree with this description

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

I definitely favor the Custom 5 slightly over the Custom. A little more warmth in a good way, without losing edge.

 

[SonVolt]

SH-5 Custom: The OG. Ceramic magnet. 6 screws and 6 slugs for polepieces.
SH-11 Custom Custom: Same wind and polepieces as SH-5, but with Alnico 2 magnet. 6 screws and 6 slugs for polepieces.
SH-14 Custom 5: Same wind and polepieces as SH-5, but with Alnico 5 magnet. 6 screws and 6 slugs for polepieces.
AND
SH-10b Full Shred Bridge: Same wind as SH-5, with Alnico 5 magnet. 12 Hex screws for polepieces.

Wait, how close is the Full Shred to the Custom? I can't stand the Full Shred. It has zero body/bass and sounds thin IMO. I just ordered a Custom. I was hoping the Custom would give a good higher-gain EVH brown sound, like a Super Distortion does... but without being as compressed as a Duncan Distortion.

 

[napalmdeath]

If I'm not mistaken, The Custom is a Ceramic magnet and it's the SH-5.

Yep.

 

[napalmdeath]

Wait, how close is the Full Shred to the Custom? I can't stand the Full Shred. It has zero body/bass and sounds thin IMO. I just ordered a Custom. I was hoping the Custom would give a good higher-gain EVH brown sound, like a Super Distortion does... but without being as compressed as a Duncan Distortion.

Bigger, tighter low end and more musical.

 

[napalmdeath]

Ive used the SH-5 30+ yrs. My favorite rock pup. Loves basswood, mahogany & most alder guitars.
Beats the hell outta a JB IMO.

My favorite in mahogany as well. I've been using them for over 10 years. Definitely better than a JB.