Ever try a Duncan Custom?

Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 8254 Location: Ontario, Canada

Was thinking about getting one and trying some different magnets in it.

I'm tempted to try a UOA5 and Alnico 8 in it.

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

Do it. They sound awesome.

J Yuenger on "Astrocreep: 2000" is a perfect example of it's tone.

Good mag combos:

-Regular ceramic
-Large ceramic
-A8
-UOA5

(I don't care for the A2 or A5)

On a side note, my fav pickup so far is a Distortion/Custom hybrid
I bought from someone on the Duncan forums.
It's sick Twisted Evil

Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 8254 Location: Ontario, Canada

Frogman wrote:

Do it. They sound awesome.

J Yuenger on "Astrocreep: 2000" is a perfect example of it's tone.

Good mag combos:

-Regular ceramic
-Large ceramic
-A8
-UOA5

(I don't care for the A2 or A5)

On a side note, my fav pickup so far is a Distortion/Custom hybrid
I bought from someone on the Duncan forums.
It's sick Twisted Evil

I like the JB as well but find that it grinds hard in the upper mids. I was considering doing the same thing with one of those. Maybe a UOA5.

I have to order them today and I'm so indecisive about it.

Thanks for your suggestion. Cool

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1368 Location: Lutz, Fl.

I'm all about the JB with an Alnico 8 magnet. It's not anywhere close to the same pickup. I honestly don't like the JB, that's why I started swapping magnets. I'm not sure if you remember, but in the Tech Disscussion page, I did a "how to" swap magnets guide, complete with pictures. If you haven't seen it, make sure to take a peek at it.

I know you were thinking about the Custom first, and there's nothing wrong with that. Even without mag swapping they are great. But I've also heard great things about them with an Alnico 8.

And now that I'm thinking about it, I like the polished magnets from All Star Magnets http://allstarmagnetics.com/ . If you buy magnets from a dealer on Ebay, ask if they get their stock from All Star.

I'm not sure if I gave this advice to you Sherwood, or to another forum member. So if I am repeating myself, I apologize. I just wanted to make sure I gave you some good advice. Have fun with whatever you decide to do.

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

I have a JB8 in my Les Paul Custom.

I modded it even further by replacing the 5th and 6th string screws with
hex screws for tighter bass/attack (it's in D/Drop C)

I also had a JB+ (aka: DD Lite -- JB with a normal size ceramic) in a USA Jackson Super Dinky.

It was awesome too. Tighter than the A8, slightly more compresses, more treble, flatter lower and upper mids (no spike).

The JB8 has MASSIVE mids all over the spectrum.

The JBUOA5 will be similar to a JB2, but with a little more treble.
Very spongey, dynamic, and no mid spike.

IMO, the JB sounds better with every mag other than the stock A5 Laughing

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

Just came across this:

Quote:

A couple months ago my buddy Alex got a Pearly Gates/Custom Hybrid and got some extra mags from MJ. He just posted these examples showing the same riff, same settings but having changed the mag from Alnico V, Alnico 8 and Ceramic.

ALNICO V:
https://soundcloud.com/shehatesmytie/les-paul-pearly-gates-custom-3?in=shehatesmytie/sets/seymour-duncan-mag-swap

ALNICO 8:
https://soundcloud.com/shehatesmytie/les-paul-pearly-gates-custom-5?in=shehatesmytie/sets/seymour-duncan-mag-swap

CERAMIC:
https://soundcloud.com/shehatesmytie/les-paul-pearly-gates-custom-2?in=shehatesmytie/sets/seymour-duncan-mag-swap

Personally, I think the Ceramic sounds great with that particular hybrid, really tight - what do you guys think?

And this:

https://soundcloud.com/oblique63/sets/bridge-pickup-shootout

TONS of mag comparisons!

Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 9601 Location: Portsmouth, VA

Out of all the advice in this thread, I think you nailed it:

Duncan Custom w/stock ceramic.

It's a fantastic pup. I like the CC with all the mids and somewhat flubby bottom, hate the C8 as it's just too much and too fizzy on the highs, don't care too much for the C5 as it's a bit scooped, but the best all around out of everything posted so far, IMHO, is the plain ol' Custom. They got it right the first time.

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

formula73 wrote:

Out of all the advice in this thread, I think you nailed it:

Duncan Custom w/stock ceramic.

It's a fantastic pup. I like the CC with all the mids and somewhat flubby bottom, hate the C8 as it's just too much and too fizzy on the highs, don't care too much for the C5 as it's a bit scooped, but the best all around out of everything posted so far, IMHO, is the plain ol' Custom. They got it right the first time.

I think it depends on the type of music played.

For me, I prefer the regular ceramic most. (still like the A8 & UOA5)

But I have also heard the double ceramic version is fricken awesome.

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 12247 Location: PEORIA ILLINOIS

terrible pickup. but almost anything with the duncan logo on it sux.

Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 2431 Location: Midwest, Sweden

BLOODROOT wrote:

terrible pickup. but almost anything with the duncan logo on it sux.

truth of the day Exclamation

when you use EMGs, you don't need anything else Twisted Evil

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

BLOODROOT wrote:

terrible pickup. but almost anything with the duncan logo on it sux.

So full of FAIL.

Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 2431 Location: Midwest, Sweden

Frogman wrote:

BLOODROOT wrote:

terrible pickup. but almost anything with the duncan logo on it sux.

So full of FAIL.

The pickup, not the comment Cool