Tell me about the Duncan Custom

[SonVolt]

I keep hearing that it's a sleeper, but I've never had the opportunity to try one. Would it be closer to a JB or a Distortion... or neither? Maybe a Wolfgang? Something else entirely? I'm looking for the something that combines the best aspects of these 3 pickups. I like the mid-forwardness of the JB, the bottom-end tracking of the Distortion and the overall feeling of a Wolfgang. Would this be the Custom?

 

[shar-vell Dan]

Best pup SD makes in the right guitar IMO.
"Pronounced midrange attack" w/a big but tight bottom.

 

[SFW]

It has a P90 type of midrange growl with a solid bottom end thump. Great pickup.

 

[ZEEGLER]

The Custom was my go-to pickup for many years. Similar to a Super Distortion, but a bit more modern and scooped. Great pickup for just about anything.

 

[VHTStark]

@shar-vell Dan pretty well nailed it!
Big, tight, chunky bottom end attack, aggressive mids, but in a broad sense, as they don't have an upper mid hype. I would also agree with him on the "in the right guitar" comment.....they really are A++++ in the right guitar.

Nothing like a JB or Distortion IMO.

 

[anomaly]

It's a good pickup in the right guitar. In some it might be a tad bright. It's got some strong presence frequencies. It's more scooped than a Distortion or JB.

 

[Code001]

Would it be closer to a JB or a Distortion... or neither? Maybe a Wolfgang? Something else entirely? I'm looking for the something that combines the best aspects of these 3 pickups. I like the mid-forwardness of the JB, the bottom-end tracking of the Distortion and the overall feeling of a Wolfgang. Would this be the Custom?

It is more scooped than a JB with a bottom end that's not as tight as the Distortion. I think it might be going in the opposite direction of what you want. I actually think you might like a Black Winter. It has a bit more of a higher mid voicing than the Distortion but still tight.

 

[SonVolt]

It is more scooped than a JB with a bottom end that's not as tight as the Distortion. I think it might be going in the opposite direction of what you want. I actually think you might like a Black Winter. It has a bit more of a higher mid voicing than the Distortion but still tight.

Hmmm, I consider the Distortion scooped, at least compared to the JB. I've got a Full Shred that is extremely scooped and bright, so if the Custom is in that direction I may need to look elsewhere. I was also considering a Super Distortion.

 

[VHTStark]

Hmmm, I consider the Distortion scooped, at least compared to the JB. I've got a Full Shred that is extremely scooped and bright, so if the Custom is in that direction I may need to look elsewhere. I was also considering a Super Distortion.

FullShred is essentially a Duncan Custom, with an A5 magnet and two rows of short Allen head screws. Both the Full Shred and Custom 5 have been called scooped before. The Custom (ceramic magnet) is not as scooped as either of those, although like I said, it definitely doesn't have hyped mids.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Funny how we all hear things..which custom? The sh-11? Because despite other people saying it can be bright i find the opposite. Felt dark with lots of bass to my ears.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

If I could only have 1 bridge humbucker, I'd be very happy with the Duncan Custom, but I'd still prefer DiMarzio Fred.

If you don't like it, Duncan has a 21 day exchange policy. I recommend trying that pickup.

 

[JackBootedThug]

There’s one brand new in the classifieds for $65…. Napalm death is selling it. I’m thinking about grabbing it myself.

 

[SoooRad]

The Custom family is my favourite group of pickups. I would rather have any of those than pretty much anything else.

 

[Chubtone]

Funny how we all hear things..which custom? The sh-11? Because despite other people saying it can be bright i find the opposite. Felt dark with lots of bass to my ears.

There is only one Duncan Custom. It's a pickup they have been making since the late 70's. It's the SH-5/TB-5.

There is also a Custom Custom SH-11/TB-11 a pickup they started making in the 80's, and a Custom 5 SH-14/TB-14 that has been in production I'd guess 15-20 years. If someone says Duncan Custom it's the SH-5 variety... and they kick ass. Super articulate and percussive.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

There’s one brand new in the classifieds for $65…. Napalm death is selling it. I’m thinking about grabbing it myself.

Do it, bro.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

There is only one Duncan Custom. It's a pickup they have been making since the late 70's. It's the SH-5/TB-5.

There is also a Custom Custom SH-11/TB-11 a pickup they started making in the 80's, and a Custom 5 SH-14/TB-14 that has been in production I'd guess 15-20 years. If someone says Duncan Custom it's the SH-5 variety... and they kick ass. Super articulate and percussive.

Ok Got it, forgot about it being called custom CUSTOM but I was right about the SH-11. Yes the "custom" SH-5 is a banger. I have one in my Edwards Schenker V and I love it.