What pup is like a Duncan Custom, but better?

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glassjaw7

glassjaw7

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Yeah, I know another subjective pup thread. I really like the Duncan Custom but it's not perfect. What's similar that I should try?

I like the general voicing and the ceramic mag. Is there something that's almost identical but with just a touch more juicy mids and bit less top end bite? PRS Tremonti Treble or HFS? Suhr?
 
My ALL TIME favorite pickup is the PRS Tremonti...I've been through A LOT of pickups trying to replace this one...but it always outshines them. Works PERFECTLY with a rectifier too :rock:
 
JakeAC5253":30xzikfk said:
Duncan '59
DiMarzio PAF PRO
Tried the '59, liked it but not as a replacement for this particular guitar. Going for a ceramic mag, tight response, good mid and high balance. Smooth, organic and not "wiry" sounding like an alnico 5. Pretty much looking for the perfect hard rock, punchy sound that can get heavy enough for some modern metal, but organic enough to play nice cleans and classic rock. :lol: :LOL:
 
ibanez4life SZ!":1hwf3x7a said:
My ALL TIME favorite pickup is the PRS Tremonti...I've been through A LOT of pickups trying to replace this one...but it always outshines them. Works PERFECTLY with a rectifier too :rock:
I think it's about time I try one. I don't know why I've never gone with PRS pups. Always stuck with Duncan, Dimarzio and EMG but have never been totally happy.
 
glassjaw7":sk9aiu8h said:
JakeAC5253":sk9aiu8h said:
Duncan '59
DiMarzio PAF PRO
Tried the '59, liked it but not as a replacement for this particular guitar. Going for a ceramic mag, tight response, good mid and high balance. Smooth, organic and not "wiry" sounding like an alnico 5. Pretty much looking for the perfect hard rock, punchy sound that can get heavy enough for some modern metal, but organic enough to play nice cleans and classic rock. :lol: :LOL:

Sounds like you are on a distinguished path :lol: :LOL:

Ever try the Duncan Distortion?
 
JakeAC5253":domwxe1b said:
glassjaw7":domwxe1b said:
JakeAC5253":domwxe1b said:
Duncan '59
DiMarzio PAF PRO
Tried the '59, liked it but not as a replacement for this particular guitar. Going for a ceramic mag, tight response, good mid and high balance. Smooth, organic and not "wiry" sounding like an alnico 5. Pretty much looking for the perfect hard rock, punchy sound that can get heavy enough for some modern metal, but organic enough to play nice cleans and classic rock. :lol: :LOL:

Sounds like you are on a distinguished path :lol: :LOL:

Ever try the Duncan Distortion?
Yup, was cool but a little too ceramic sounding. Not juicy enough and a little sterile. Too searing. I like the Custom because of the small ceramic mag. It still sounds open and can get a sort of woody rock tone but it's tight too.
God, aren't I a picky bastid? :D
 
I've considered a ceramic BK Nailbomb, but if I can get the sound I'm after without dropping that much dough I'd be happy. If there was a Motor City pup that could nail this tone I might try it. A little less expensive than the BKPs I think.
 
glassjaw7":2h7pyspx said:
I've considered a ceramic BK Nailbomb, but if I can get the sound I'm after without dropping that much dough I'd be happy. If there was a Motor City pup that could nail this tone I might try it. A little less expensive than the BKPs I think.

Never tried the Motor City, but the Bareknuckles are ALL incredible pickups!
 
Bare Knuckle Painkiller
Go to the site and read
what she's all about.
Ceramic Magnet
 
ibanez4life SZ!":f7dkvsr1 said:
My ALL TIME favorite pickup is the PRS Tremonti...I've been through A LOT of pickups trying to replace this one...but it always outshines them. Works PERFECTLY with a rectifier too :rock:

I haven't owned one in years, but those things CRUSH.
 
ibanez4life SZ!":3550vy52 said:
My ALL TIME favorite pickup is the PRS Tremonti...I've been through A LOT of pickups trying to replace this one...but it always outshines them. Works PERFECTLY with a rectifier too :rock:

I agree. I've been through a ton of pickups including the Painkiller and my favorite pickup for metal stuff is by far the Tremonti Treble or SC 250 Treble which are basically the same thing. Tight, juicy and they scream. :lol: :LOL:
 
Hate to hijack the thread, but whats the Tremonti treble like compared to the 500T? Isn't that whats its based off?
 
The balance between Alnico juicy-ness and ceramic midrange punch and balls is hard to find.

Might try throwing an alnico8 in there. I've heard that they kinda combine the properties of alnico and ceramic.
 
glassjaw7":175dfed2 said:
I've considered a ceramic BK Nailbomb, but if I can get the sound I'm after without dropping that much dough I'd be happy. If there was a Motor City pup that could nail this tone I might try it. A little less expensive than the BKPs I think.
The ceramic nailbomb may or may not be what you're looking for depending on your guitar. I had one for a while, but it just didn't give me what I wanted in that particular axe. It rides that line of being tight, but still somewhat organic in feel (for a ceramic). The highs are there without being too "searing". The mids are smooth, but kind of hollow & scooped though. I had these in a korina v, which naturally is a mid focused guitar, and my tone was all lows, low mids, & highs. In the end my tone was kind of boomy & I felt like it was missing the fundamental of the guitar's range. If your guitar leans towards the mid mids & high mids these may work for you, but if not I'd say you probably won't have a good balance of mids & highs like you say you want.
 
HELSTRUME":d3ff553h said:
Hate to hijack the thread, but whats the Tremonti treble like compared to the 500T? Isn't that whats its based off?
the 500T is a ceramic so it has that warm crunchiness that ceramics are know for. The tremonti is alot more open and wider sounding.
 
droptrd":1uyo59o5 said:
HELSTRUME":1uyo59o5 said:
Hate to hijack the thread, but whats the Tremonti treble like compared to the 500T? Isn't that whats its based off?
the 500T is a ceramic so it has that warm crunchiness that ceramics are know for. The tremonti is alot more open and wider sounding.
Tremonti also has a large custom ceramic, right?
 
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