Tell me about the Duncan Custom 5 SH-14

[Dannyz]

Yes, as I mentioned in my first post.
Suppose, in the range of passive pickups, a vintage style humbucker is 1, and a X2N is 10, then a JB would be a 7 or 7.5, and a Custom 5 more like a 6~6.5 in terms of output. and a Duncan Distortion a solid 8.5.
I recon the Dimarzio Norton is slightly hotter than the C5, and I would qualify both of them as medium/high-ish output.

Good comparison video; especially clean the JB is too hot and dark...only with gain, the gnarly character comes out:

Thanks!

A bit off but how the C5 compares to a Gibson 498t? both are alnico 5, wound around 13/14k with AWG 43 polysol wire.

 

[DanTravis62]

Thanks!

A bit off but how the C5 compares to a Gibson 498t? both are alnico 5, wound around 13/14k with AWG 43 polysol wire.

The C5 is slightly more scooped but also less "smeary" or "greasy" than the 498T - a little clearer, a little more defined

Whether that's better or worse is just a matter of preference. Those are all really important things to me, so I vastly prefer the SH-14 to the 498T

The best way to put this is the 498T is better for doom, sludge, and blues; the custom 5 is better for metal, punk, or hard rock.

 

[Shask]

What about the SH-5 vs the SH-14?

I have a couple of regular Customs, but have never tried the Custom V.

 

[eero]

What about the SH-5 vs the SH-14?

I have a couple of regular Customs, but have never tried the Custom V.

you can swap alnico 5 mag in your custom, it's easy

 

[DanTravis62]

What about the SH-5 vs the SH-14?

I have a couple of regular Customs, but have never tried the Custom V.

Very different animals

The SH-5 is more midrangey and classic rock, the sh-14 is more scooped and modern

 

[Scot]

What about the SH-5 vs the SH-14?

I have a couple of regular Customs, but have never tried the Custom V.

Although it may be true for all pickups , the customs appeal to me because as I understand it's literally a magnet swap between the three? Considering the musical taste of those chiming saying the 5 is the goods, I'll inevitably be trying one at some point. But first a SD Distortion, in time.

The C5 is slightly more scooped but also less "smeary" or "greasy" than the 498T - a little clearer, a little more defined

Whether that's better or worse is just a matter of preference. Those are all really important things to me, so I vastly prefer the SH-14 to the 498T

The best way to put this is the 498T is better for doom, sludge, and blues; the custom 5 is better for metal, punk, or hard rock.

I never would have described the 498T (or similar) to doom and sludge, but I think you're right. I can riff on sabbath & old priest all day long with very satisfying results. I love the nuances and imperfect grind w/bite, that's so very perfect in it's imperfection. It's a little naive for me to say because there's no band in the mix, but if I can dial in the high end and get a clear (and sweet) articulate tone playing the intro to Hangar 18, then I'm good to go. That intro can be a wall of treble.

 

[eero]

Although it may be true for all pickups , the customs appeal to me because as I understand it's literally a magnet swap between the three? Considering the musical taste of those chiming saying the 5 is the goods, I'll inevitably be trying one at some point.

exactly

 

[Shask]

you can swap alnico 5 mag in your custom, it's easy

I have considered it. I also considered doing the AL II version also, since that version of the Custom is said to be similar to the Wolfgang pickups.

 

[Speeddemon]

I have considered it. I also considered doing the AL II version also, since that version of the Custom is said to be similar to the Wolfgang pickups.

Only do that if you enjoy very squishy and midrangey. The SH-11 was my second least favorite, having tried the SH-1, -2, -4, -5, -6, -11, -12, -14 and -16.
I "enjoyed" the SH-2 Jazz even less.

 

[Shask]

Only do that if you enjoy very squishy and midrangey. The SH-11 was my second least favorite, having tried the SH-1, -2, -4, -5, -6, -11, -12, -14 and -16.
I "enjoyed" the SH-2 Jazz even less.

I thought about it just because I like the Wolfgang pickups. I have also thought about trying an Al V in a Wolfgang pickup.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

the custom 5 is the best pickup duncan makes, full stop

I would be comfortable using it in any hb guitar, and im probably the biggest pickup nazi on the entire forum

Not sure if I could go that far as I have only tried it my Horizon III, but is perfect in that guitar with the Jazz at the neck (factory combo), and have no doubt it would work very well in the LPC.

It has so much tite precision and clarity and never sounds sloppy, it's modern for sure. Being moderately scooped helps it clean up very well with the Jazz to the point it doesn't even need splitting, although there is always that option for hyper cleans.