Anyone use the Duncan Custom SH5 (ceramic)??

[Johnny Q]

Curious if anyone has used this in thier PRS, particularly in a CU22. I have heard nothing but great things about this bridge pickup, especially when its matched with the Pearly Gates neck. Apparently the folks at the SD forum suggest this combo for hard rock/metal.

Just curious, I have never been a fan of ceramic mags, but then it dawned on me - didnt the CU22's originally come with Dragon I's which if I am not mistaken was a ceramic mag?

JQ

[Dan Desy]

BaMmer Doug Lewis put one in his Custom 24, along with a '59 neck pickup.
Sounds great for gain, but not really for clean. Maybe a little hot. I prefer the Custom 5, personally.

[Johnny Q]

Thats what I have heard, great for crunchy rock or metal, not so great cleans, but thats classic ceramic mag performance IMO. I am replacing the JB which I liked initially, but after living with it, rehearsing and gigging with it - I find it gets muddy on the lower strings and the upper mid spike is annoying. I want something fuller bodied and more even across the tonal spectrum.

I did have the C5 in a Les Paul, it sounded great, I just wish it had a hair more in the mids.

JQ

[Dan Desy]

A C5 in a LP and Custom would give very different results. Worth a shot. I love the one in my SCT.

[Big Mike]

That's one of my favorite bridge pickups. Sounds good in everything IMO.

Currently I have one residing in my superstrat.

[paintguy]

The Duncan Custom is one of my favorites bridge pup as well. I tend to play rock and it just works fo me. And believe me, I have tried a ton of pups. I really, really like it.

The Seymour description of a "PAF on steroids" is perfect.

[Johnny Q]

The Duncan Custom is one of my favorites bridge pup as well. I tend to play rock and it just works fo me. And believe me, I have tried a ton of pups. I really, really like it.

The Seymour description of a "PAF on steroids" is perfect.
Good stuff guys, thanks for the responses.

I have seen/heard the "paf on steroids" description before, but I always wondered how a ceramic mag p'up achieves that? I would think that description would be better suited for the C5 which is supposed to be a hopped up "59."

JQ

[paintguy]

Good stuff guys, thanks for the responses.

I have seen/heard the "paf on steroids" description before, but I always wondered how a ceramic mag p'up achieves that? I would think that description would be better suited for the C5 which is supposed to be a hopped up "59."

JQDon't know how a ceramic pup achieves it, but I think it's a fair description.
I usually pair it with a 59' model. Sometimes I have to use a 250k pot with the 59' neck though.(depends on the guitar)

[Johnny Q]

Don't know how a ceramic pup achieves it, but I think it's a fair description.
I usually pair it with a 59' model. Sometimes I have to use a 250k pot with the 59' neck though.(depends on the guitar)
59 is a good match, so is the Jazz. I went with the Pearly Gates neck!:)

[VHTStark]

I just put my duncan custom back in my mccrosie today. The "el diablo" i had in there was just too metallic sounding and clear, but not really great in that guitar.

The custom is a great all-round p-up in my opinion. The custom and custom-5 are neck and neck for my fave duncans!

[lowendgenerator]

I have a Custom in my GT 22. It cleans up better than I thought it would. Roll a bit of volume and tone off and it's quite tame. It's very alive and responsive, it blends well with the Dragon I Treble that is in the neck. I'll not be changing it anytime soon. Maybe trade the 5 way for McSwitching, but thats it.

[Johnny Q]

Ok - Custom and Pearly Gates neck installed yesterday in my PRS custom 22. While I was at it, I replaced the stock volume and tone pot(non push/pull) which both measured in the low 400K range with an RS Superpot in the volume and a CTS audio taper in the tone - both measured slightly over 500K. I also replaced the stock ceramic disk tone cap with a Mallory 150. And the result??

Anyone on the fence about the SH5 Custom or what hard rock/metal p'up for your Prs, run, dont walk to your local guitar shop and buy this thing. I was really worried about the fact that this is a ceramic p'up, but if someone told me it was an A5 I would believe them, it just sounds so full and even across the EQ spectrum - great crunch, and much to my surprise it sounds real good clean. Its way better for palm mutes than the JB that was previously in that guitar, and leads sing real nice.

And the PG neck is real nice too, again much better than the Jazz I had in there previously which was too mid scooped and spritzy for my taste. The PG is a great match for the custom and sounds great both clean and distorted - leads high up on the neck just sing nice and smooth.

I'm a happy camper.

JQ

[lowendgenerator]

Excellent post JQ. You put it into words in a way that I am too lazy to attempt. I need to try a PG in my neck spot now.

[Johnny Q]

Excellent post JQ. You put it into words in a way that I am too lazy to attempt. I need to try a PG in my neck spot now.Yes you do!!!!!:D

For anyone interested, the Jb/Jazz combo is for sale here on the forum

http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/showthread.php?p=456126#post456126

Not a bad p'up combo at all, just ulimately not for me.