Differences between the Ceramic Custom and C8?

[dreadguard268]

I've got the ceramic custom in my jackson dominion (neck through mahogany, chambered mahogany, ebony board). And I like it.

BUT, I can't ever leave well enough alone, and I can't help but think that it sound better.

I see all over the forum how the C8 does wonders in mahogany, and I'm just curious, what exactly would I notice switching from the ceramic to an A8?

If it can be answered that simply...lol.

[CTN]

The C8 has thicker, fuller lows and low mids than the ceramic custom, punchier midrange, and smoother highs. It's probably just as tight, if not tighter.

Also the C8 is slightly higher output. and a bit more chewy/organic. I'm not sure how it has that organic chewiness of an alnico mag and is still tight as hell, but somehow, it does!

[dvanburen]

I agree with this ^ except i think that the ceramic has a much bigger bottom end. It sounds huge to me. The C8 is tighter on the low end and overall really. warmer and smoother high end and very present midrange. Not as much output as the ceramic

[misterwhizzy]

The Custom is awesome, and the Custom 8 is more awesome.

Seriously, though, I agree 100% with ConvoysToNothingess said. I think he hit the nail on the head with the possible exception of output. I think that it could be more or less depending on the height of the pickup. At the same height, I don't think it's enough of a difference to make a big deal about. In either case, there's plenty of bottom end. I usually play that pickup with the bass on about 3.5 out of 9, and it still retains plenty of thump.

[dvanburen]

what kind of music do you play?

[dreadguard268]

With this particular guitar, I go back and forth between playing in a pop punk cover band, and playing metal on my own time.

It's going through a mesa single rec (as that's usually the next question lol)

[dvanburen]

custom for metal. Custom8 for everything else.

custom has an aggressive sound to it. very cutting, biting highs and big bottom end that chugs. perfect for metal

C8 is smoother up top with nice singing midrange and not as aggressive. I think it's the perfect pickup for everything except metal. It will play metal fine, but as a metal player I would pick something else. Like the custom, or even a distortion.

[uOpt]

A8 is louder on hard play than A2 and A5 and ceramic which are all about the same level.

The ceramic compresses more, whereas Alnico just gets louder as you play harder.

I like A2 and A5 for what I call "musical overtones" and ceramic for it's compression which I think makes making the guitar "sing" a little easier. A8 is just loud and rough IMHO.

In addition to this taste issue I also think that A8 JBs and C8s overpower whatever neck pickup you have, with the possible exception of some les pauls that are too boomy in the neck pickup anyway.

[Jeff5]

I've tried both and I like the Ceramic better. The A8 is very cool though. It rounds out your sound if that makes sense. Highs are a bit rounder, as are lows and it sounds more full and bigger. What it loses in comparison to the ceramic is a sharpness or bite to the highs and the pure tightness and aggression of the lows. (In my experience the A8 is not tighter than the ceramic. It's not A2 loose, but not ceramic tight) The tradeoff is that the A8 is sweeter and almost reminscent of the JB in some of it's lead tones and has a bit more give on the low end with palm mutes. Some want this, some don't. I prefer the overall aggression, tightness and the bite of the ceramic.

[CTN]

I dunno, I really dig the C8 for metal too. Those low mids sound fantastic for a nice chunky rhythm tone.

Recently I played it live in a fairly large club with a 6505 and it sounded godly. awesome grinding low mids.

But I guess the type of guitar you have it in makes a big difference too. Mine is in a really bright strat build...string through body hardtail, maple neck/fretboard, light/bright alder body.

All that brightness works brilliantly with the C8 voicing. I don't find it too bloated or thick for metal at all. Also I love how when you turn the volume down on the C8, it cleans up nicely, becomes real polite and yielding, then when you max the volume, the damn thing ROARS. never fails to put a smile on my face.

[Jeff5]

The C8 can definitely do metal and do it well, it's just really personal preference more than anything. I may actually give it a whirl again because the Custom I had it in had a loose ground wire. I liked it a ton, just found myself missing some of the tightness and aggressiveness of the stock Custom. Actually, the pick up I've been loving lately is the Custom with a big ceramic. It's like everyting I love about the Custom just....more.

[metalmachine]

The C8 can definitely do metal and do it well, it's just really personal preference more than anything. I may actually give it a whirl again because the Custom I had it in had a loose ground wire. I liked it a ton, just found myself missing some of the tightness and aggressiveness of the stock Custom. Actually, the pick up I've been loving lately is the Custom with a big ceramic. It's like everyting I love about the Custom just....more.

yes sir. it bigger but also has a sweeter highend

[dvanburen]

this is turning into a very good thread. Lots of really good descriptions. I can tell that everyone has solid experience with both magnets. Everyone's descriptions and experiences seem to fit my own.

Ive been going back and forth with the C8 and the custom ceramic in my les paul for days now. Today ive made up my mind that it's the C8. Not saying tomorrow it might change, but after today it's the C8. The custom with the ceramic is more compressed, as was stated by uOpt. which makes it easier and more appealing to shred and grind on the guitar. It's very fun to play if you play hard rock or metal. It's got that searing bite that just seems to rip through the air with big chugging bottom end and cutting high end.

I had the ceramic in the guitar for several days then I went back to the studio and tried the A8..again. Played it through my 5150 stack and was just very satisfied. I keep going back to the custom8. It has a very tight sound overall sound without the brittle high end. It doesnt cut like the ceramic but man, it cuts enough. I can dial as much gain with my amp as humanly possible and the C8 hold up very well. Still very defined and WARM sounding!!. The problem I have sometimes(not all the time) is that the custom ceramic is just rude. Just aggressive, invasive and rude sounding. I like that sometimes, but i feel like with a very high gain amp the C8 can do rude very nice but still hold up enough to give me some dynamic, even under high gain. The custom does not have dynamic like the C8. It is a one trick pony to me.

I'll tell you man. That custom8 is one special pup. It can do pretty much anything if you have the right amp. Hell, even if you don't have the right amp. And the cleans are very nice. I am really liking the 59nA4/custom8 in my lest paul. There are some guys that love that combo and I really see why. They play off each other beautifully. The clean sound in the middle position is just jaw dropping.

[dreadguard268]

Well the point of this thread was to help me make up my mind. I think I'm going to go for it and try the c8. It's not like I cant switch it back again if I prefer the ceramic. Thanks guys.

[rumblebox]

I agree with this ^ except i think that the ceramic has a much bigger bottom end. It sounds huge to me. The C8 is tighter on the low end and overall really. warmer and smoother high end and very present midrange. Not as much output as the ceramic

Bingo

[symptom]

For me, the C8 is too loud and rough too. Funny thing is I don't get it how people claims to be very versatile to many styles. To me, it's way too agressive and do heavier styles very well, but it's too much for most styles that I play.

[LtKojak]

For me, the C8 is too loud and rough too. Funny thing is I don't get it how people claims to be very versatile to many styles. To me, it's way too agressive and do heavier styles very well, but it's too much for most styles that I play.

I've play a lot of Jazzy cleans with an A4'59n/Custom8 in my all-maple 335 copy and it sounds very good.

It's not the hammer, it's the way you use it...

[symptom]

I've play a lot of Jazzy cleans with an A4'59n/Custom8 in my all-maple 335 copy and it sounds very good.

It's not the hammer, it's the way you use it...

Maybe it is my playing, but I can't imagine getting tones like early clapton, ac/dc and hendrix with the C8, specially ac/dc. At least I never could get these...