Custom, custom 5 , distortion for replacement of a JB ?

[Aceman]

I have to agree with a couple of points...

#1 It is BEST to do the work to pick the right pup out of the gate

#2 This place IS obsessed with magnets. I'll say it: There are a number of us out here who are almost magtarded. It is as if every magnet MUST be swapped. Simply not true. It's like the boo-teek pedal geeks. If it isn'ty new, custom, modded and expensive, it must not work.

That said, if your warranty is more important than the tone....well, there ya go.

I agree that EVERYONE should do THIS:
#1 Pay attention to the tone of the guitar and the amp. Learn the guitars inherent sound and how to play the amp.

#2 Learn to REALLY adjust a pup. Then, live with it for a while until you are sure of what it can do - or not do.

#3 Then, try to get the RIGHT pup first. Discuss, listen, consider....

#4 If that didn't happen, then getcha some mags!

(3 and 4 may be changed as appropriate)

At the end of the day though, this place is about doing what is necessary for the tone.

[wolf5150]

I could delete my membership and lord knows I'm seriously tempted but there has to be a voice of reason against the cork sniffers and I love to see them try to justify their behaviour with cheap insults.
Case in point, dvanburen... let's see some Youtube clips of your awesome playing skills or are you all mouth like most ?
Aceman does have some intelligent points there.
I bet the OP is really glad he posted his question now...LOL.

[ExplorersRock]

thank you all for your answers.

I don't want to customize myself my pickup.
Those who have tried both. What are the differences between Custom and Custom 5?

I think perhaps I do make a pickup in the seymour customshop...

Do you think that by putting an alnico 5 magnet in a custom would make Some Kind Of a jeff beck custom? Power of the custom, with it's punch, but with better solo capabilities?
best of both world's ?

From my understanding, putting an Alnico 5 mag in a Custom will make it a Custom 5. I am more familiar with the C5 than the Custom, but my experience is that the C5 sounds like a hot '59 and a Custom is a tighter more defined sound. It's pick your poison here. I like both and find both are good for different purposes. For me, C5 = All types of Rock, Custom = Hard Rock & Metal

A quick thought to wolf5150 who said:

I could delete my membership and lord knows I'm seriously tempted but there has to be a voice of reason against the cork sniffers and I love to see them try to justify their behaviour with cheap insults.
Case in point, dvanburen... let's see some Youtube clips of your awesome playing skills or are you all mouth like most ?

And these weren't cheap insults? Seems like the pot calling the kettle black here! Furthermore what about your opening on your first post?

This stupid forum is OBSESSED with magnets.
Yea mate do as they say, buy a pickup and totally screw your warranty by performing a totally foolish magnet swap.
Alternatively, do the INTELLIGENT thing and make the right choice in the 1st place based on what you already know you want from a pickup.

Chock full of those "cheap insults" that you're decrying, now isn't it? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, wolf. You chucked the first rock and now you don't like what came flying back at you in return. You did it to yourself. Maybe the solution is to not start a post by insulting everyone here.

I agree that there is a ton of mag-swapping here, maybe even too much. But I'm not gonna discourage it. It's their pickup and they can do what they want with it. But at the end of the day, I agree with Aceman. Try to work out everything else with the pickup first. Still not working out? Get a different pickup. Still can't get the tone you want? Mag-swap or hybrid it. You don't have to go in that order, but it might save some trouble. I thought I couldn't find a great all-purpose bridge HB for the longest time. Then I played a Burstbucker 3 which I thought from descriptions I wouldn't like. I love that tone, and it was easier than modding and cheaper than the custom shop.

[marcello252]

I could delete my membership and lord knows I'm seriously tempted but there has to be a voice of reason against the cork sniffers and I love to see them try to justify their behaviour with cheap insults.

You said it's a "stupid forum" with "cork sniffers" and you're talking about "cheap insults"?

[wolf5150]

I'm not sending cheap insults, I'm actually insulting those who can't play but lecture everyone on the necessessity of magnet swapping instead of make informed decisions in the 1st place.
If you can play your ass off and can prove it, I'll absolutely listen to everything you say.
If you can't, as I suspect is the case with most, why should I pay any attention to you at all ?
Every walk of life is flooded with " armchair experts " who know everything but can do nothing.
This forum is certainly not unique but it is becomming worse and worse for this topic.
As soon as someone asks a question,the reply is " swap magnets " and its getting ridiculous.
There's a You Tube clip of Yngwie in his studio talking about his fave guitars, I was watching it last night.
His tone is terrible when he plays some phrases and becomes magical when he plays others.... same pickups, different technique... says it all.

[GuitarDoc]

If you can play your ass off and can prove it, I'll absolutely listen to everything you say.
If you can't, as I suspect is the case with most, why should I pay any attention to you at all ?

With such idiotic statements such as this, how can you expect anyone to listen to you and take anything you say seriously.

So let me get this straight....If you're a great shredder then you must be intelligent. If you can't "play your ass off" then you are stupid and don't know what you're talking about. Brilliant!!

Using that logic one must deduce that you can't play "Three Blind Mice". (I've listened to your playing on youtube and I don't see anything that would fit into your reasoning. Proves my point).

I have to say that I really hope you follow through with your impassioned desire to delete your membership in this "stupid forum".

Hurry,......times a wasting.

[ExplorersRock]

I'm not sending cheap insults, I'm actually insulting those who can't play but lecture everyone on the necessessity of magnet swapping instead of make informed decisions in the 1st place.
If you can play your ass off and can prove it, I'll absolutely listen to everything you say.
If you can't, as I suspect is the case with most, why should I pay any attention to you at all ?
Every walk of life is flooded with " armchair experts " who know everything but can do nothing.
This forum is certainly not unique but it is becomming worse and worse for this topic.
As soon as someone asks a question,the reply is " swap magnets " and its getting ridiculous.
There's a You Tube clip of Yngwie in his studio talking about his fave guitars, I was watching it last night.
His tone is terrible when he plays some phrases and becomes magical when he plays others.... same pickups, different technique... says it all.

You know, last time I checked, this wasn't the, "Show Your Skills" forum, it was the Seymour Duncan forum. This is a forum for people to exchange ideas and experiences and enjoy a fun hobby with others who do as well. I don't recall there being an audition in which I had to send in a clip of myself playing before I was allowed a membership!

I don't understand what your problem is, but you are really making this personal with a lot of people. I have had plenty of times where someone has suggested a stock pickup here, and plenty of mag-swap suggestions. Since when does someone have to be Joe Satriani to have an opinion on tone??? Besides, I've been advised by many great guitarists locally to buy a JB. I FRIGGIN' HATE THE JB AND WILL NEVER LISTEN TO SOMEONE REGARDLESS OF EXPERIENCE OR SKILL LEVEL ABOUT BUYING ONE!!! They are just offering their opinion based on their experiences and I don't have to agree with it. I also don't call them an idiot if I disagree with them!

I agree that there are a lot of armchair experts out there that love to tell you what to do, but so what? I just roll my eyes if I see a post that seems silly and move on. I'm not hell-bent on getting in there and telling everyone what a moron that guys was. If they're in the know, they don't need to be told. They will see it for what it is. I found it pretty arrogant of you to call yourself "the voice of reason" that is saving us all from the "cork-sniffers." If you decide to delete your membership, the forum will not collapse without you.

One final thought here. Being a guitar-Olympian is not a per-requisite for knowing good tone. That logic is just plain bad. My friend who's a drummer can't play at all but he knows good tone. If he chimes in on what he thinks of my guitar tone, should I ignore him because he can't shred? Gimme a break! Anyone can chime in on what they think, and personally, if I disagree or think their opinion is hogwash, I just won't listen to them and move on.

[wolf5150]

I never related ability to intelligence.
I said, if you can play, I'd be far more inclined to listen to your opinion than someone who can't.
If you wanted driving lessons, would you look for a professional driver or someone who can't drive but is a great mechanic ?
The mechanic might know the best shock absorber in the world, but not if it will make your car nicer to drive.
There are too many mechanics on here and not enough drivers, that's all I'm saying.

To the OP, I'm sorry I ruined your thread mate, I hope you can find your answer.

[dvanburen]

I never related ability to intelligence.

Yes you did

I said, if you can play, I'd be far more inclined to listen to your opinion than someone who can't.

You are contradicting yourself again

If you wanted driving lessons, would you look for a professional driver or someone who can't drive but is a great mechanic ?

terrible analogy

There are too many mechanics on here and not enough drivers, that's all I'm saying.

Again, terrible analogy. And you don't know what you are talking about. There are so many good players on this board from all over the world. And I'm willing to bet my lunch money that a good majority know more about playing and guitars in general that you or I combined. You have made zero sense in your rants and have given everyone in this thread to totally disregard everything you have to say from here on out..

To the OP, I'm sorry I ruined your thread mate, I hope you can find your answer.

At least you apologized


And you have danced around the point I made earlier and refuse to acknowledge it...

What about the Duncan Custom series pickup that is the exact same pickup with a different magnet in each? Was that a stupid idea? Were the professionals at Duncan stupid for swapping magnets to create completely different sounds?

What about the 59/custom hybrid that was created by Seymour Duncan because of THIS BOARD!! That is a very popular pickup and is in full production now because someone decided to make a hybrid. No to mention the Custom shop stuff like the brobucker and the crazy 8 which were created by this board!

The Custom 8 is one of the more popular pickups here and sounds amazing! Guess what genius, It is not even in production and was created by guys who experimented with swapping magnets. Not only do you not give props to people who put in hard work but you insult them. Then you have the nerve to explain how you reap the benefits of their hard work so YOU can make an educated decision the 1st time.. You are a real peach man. Explain to us your logic please... Actually, don't. Nobody really cares anymore.

[jhale667]

There are too many mechanics on here and not enough drivers, that's all I'm saying.

And that's your uninformed opinion you're (again) stating as if it were fact....how would you know that, not having heard the majority of people posting here?

[marcello252]

If you wanted driving lessons, would you look for a professional driver or someone who can't drive but is a great mechanic?

If you want to buy a city car you ask directly to Fernando Alonso via twitter?

[zenmindbeginner]

So... if you like the JB more or less but find that the bass isn't quite full enough to counteract the strong and present high mids...

Then you want a Tone Zone but if you are familiar with them and want something different, then you want an AT-1.

I am a driver first, mechanic second.

[wolf5150]

A driving instructor is a professional driver mate, so is a taxi driver.
I've repeatedly challenged the " mechanics " to demonstrate their driving ability but so far very few have the balls... my own meagre abilities are easily critiqued and I don't rate myself at all.
I have however played the identical rig for years, in fact this sat will be my 1500th gig on this rig.
When something is changed or isn't right, I can tell immediately.
Last sat for example I had no top end in soundcheck and I couldn't work out why, it was as if my tone control was rolled off.
Bypassed my board and all was ok so it had to be there.. turned out to be a spec of dirt between a lead and jack on my chorus pedal.
Now if someone has an issue in a gig, I can offer my advice based on my real world experience.
Zen just gave the perfect answer and I'd respect his opinion before many others.

[wolf5150]

By the way Zen... Awesome Panama there !!
The description says its a Hamer with a JB through a POD ??
So much for all the Van Halen threads.. proves my point perfectly, Ability matters most.

[zenmindbeginner]

By the way Zen... Awesome Panama there !!
The description says its a Hamer with a JB through a POD ??
So much for all the Van Halen threads.. proves my point perfectly, Ability matters most.

That is very kind of you to say, good sir.

Just a Alder body/maple neck/Pau Ferro board/Schaller Floyd HSS Super strat. I've got a 35th Anniversary JB in it now.

Straight into a POD X3 Live and USB into a PC. I have a seldom used Tone Press and Decimator G String in the FX loop, but they were turned off for the "Beat It" and "Panama" cuts.

I had the advantage of recording those tracks post the Guitar Hero rips and was able to follow the isolated tracks and pick out the what I couldn't with the whole mix... I soooo wish the little 13 year old Zen could have had these technological luxuries and all of the endless youtube lessons.

Again, thanx a lot for the respect, it's quite humbling.

sorry for the hijack.

[RayBarbeeMusic]

I don't find a C5 to sound much like a "louder" '59b at all, it doesnt have the piercing highs, has more mids, and much stronger bass.

As noted above, an AT-1 is another option I like in guitars where a JB doesn't work, but where you want that basic character.

[GuitarDoc]

A driving instructor is a professional driver mate, so is a taxi driver.
I've repeatedly challenged the " mechanics " to demonstrate their driving ability but so far very few have the balls....

Even using your rediculous analogy, the mechanic know way more about the intricate workings of the car than the driver does.

If you want a more accurate analogy (since this thread is more about how things work than how well you play)....

If you want to know how a car works, do you ask a taxi driver or a mechanic.

[Fly_with_v]

Micha,

I would suggest a Custom Custom. I too am an alnico lover and more specifically the A2. I have several Mahogany/Maple guitars that seem a little bright and the custom gave me the nice mid range crunch like a JB with more bass. Although the A2 does not produce the tightest bass it is great for classic rock through heavey metal. I am surprised no one has reccomended it.

I am not sure what bluesy metal is, but this might fit. If you need tighter bass then probably an A8.

[Micha]

Hoh!!!!!!
Stop it!!!
That's enough!
I'm fed up with it!
stop polluting this thread

Wolf 5150, if you lacated these stupid thread, so do not come.


back on. There is a French (I) which seeks the good pickup and still hesitates between the custom and Custom5....

Jeff5, RayBarbee, explorersrock, Dvanburen helped me. But I wish I had a detailedopinion from jeff beck Vs Vs Custom Custom 5.
Which comes closest to jeff beck? and why.

thanks everyone.

[Aceman]

Almost forgot!!!

Custom, definitely Custom.