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Anyone have this combo? I have a Les Paulette. Actually, it's a Greg Bennett Samick that's his version of a Les Laul. He calls it the Avion. The pickups aren't the Duncan Designs either. They're really bad. That's okay, I decided to put in a set of zebra Duncans. I been thinking really hard about the Custom/59n combo. I have owned both these pickups before but not concurrently. Usually, I am an Alnico 2 guy; but in a Les Paul-type guitar, I tend to like Alnico5 better. And I love the Custom period...

If you have this combo, what guitar do you have it in and how do you like it?

I used it a long time in my Ec-1000.... very very nice combo indeed... If you like the custom, the '59 balances very well with it... I seem to find the '59 boomy at times in a solid-body but that's something that you can adjust... (altho it is just perfect in my semi-hollow) I seemed to be able to ajust that by lowering the 2 screw pole-pieces on bass side of the pick-up just a tad ...they just work super-nice together... You should like it a lot....

I'm not currently using that combo, but I have done previously (in a Les Paul Standard).

'59n - I find it a little too bass heavy ('boomy') in a Les Paul, particularly when backing off the volume to play a cleaner neck rhythm part. I prefer the Alnico II Pro, the Antiquity and the Seth Lover as neck pickups. They all have a softer bass and more mids, and that works for me.

Custom - It ROCKS in a Les Paul. I love the aggressive attack and the way it just cuts through the mix, the extra harmonics and big fat tone. Plenty of highs too if you need them - plenty of everything! If I were only playing hard rock it would be my bridge pickup of choice. My only gripe with it is the hardness in the mids that I can't seem to dial out when I want to back it off and play a little cleaner. Gearjoneser used the word 'blunt', which I thought was spot on. It's an awesome pup for hard rock, but it's not quite the 'everyman' I want it to be.

If you are set on rockin' out with a Custom, my personal recommendation would be to pair it with an Alnico II Pro. I dare say a PG or Jazz neck would be good too, but I haven't tried those.

Good reviews do far... Thanks gentlemen. I think I will try that combo first. I have also been given a recommendation for the CC/PGn combo. It's a tad pricier but might be a whole lot better....

Also, what about a C5 in the bridge position instead of a Custom?

you may want to check out a custom/jazz combo. really versatile. you will love the middle position espcially when tapped. didn't care much for the c5's scooped mids. for similar voicing, i will go for a 59b.

I had a 59b in a Les Paul once. It was okay but not enough umph for me. I like to keep my pickups down really low; I mean down even with the mounting rings. That's why I feel I can go with higher output pickups and get away with it. That's also why I feel I can't use pickups with Alnico 2 magnets...I don't want scooped mids and I always forget about the C5 have them. I like a big, full-sounding pickup. I like the JB too but I think I want something a little chuckier and not quite as barky...

the custom sounds like a fine choice butch!


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderAlso, what about a C5 in the bridge position instead of a Custom?

I didn't get along with the C5 in my LP. To my ears it lacked the full-on punch of the Custom and also lacked the sweetness and responsiveness of a PAF-style lower output alnico pup. Fans of the C5 see it from the opposite perspective - that the C5 nicely bridges the gap between quot;vintagequot; and quot;modernquot;. It's one of those half-full / half-empty scenarios.


Originally Posted by Simon_FI didn't get along with the C5 in my LP. To my ears it lacked the full-on punch of the Custom and also lacked the sweetness and responsiveness of a PAF-style lower output alnico pup. Fans of the C5 see it from the opposite perspective - that the C5 nicely bridges the gap between quot;vintagequot; and quot;modernquot;. It's one of those half-full / half-empty scenarios.

Yes, I agree. I believe I'm opting not to get the the C5 because of the scooped mids...

This is by far the combo I have the most experience with in the Duncan line...I've had it in sev Gibsons...it never fails to give me great sounds, and is pretty versatile....the only thing the Custom won't do well is cleans or verge of clean fender amp type sounds...it's def a ROCK pup...from

If Duncan made a Custom that was a little warmer but kept the EQ....no doubt I'd have that in the bridge of all my Gibsons.....

and 59 is THE neck pup...with a little fiddling you can get rid of the boomy bass in my experience...the Custom balances quite well with it...

@59's are a little bass heavy in the necks of les pauls,i'd definately go with the alnico II pro for that position.For the bridge you should consider a custom custom,it's got decent cleans and can get down and dirty with the best of them.Plus it's got an alnico II mag so it'll go well with the alnico II pro i suggested in the neck.

Hey by the way,i've been looking very hard at those greg bennett samick's,how's yours treating you?How does it play?And how does the neck measure up to normal les paul standard (thinner/fatter)?

Thanks a lot for anything you can tell me,man!

I never like the 59 in the neck of any of my guitars. It seemed too boomy, bright, and weak at the same time. I much preffer alnico II based pickups in the neck slot.

In my Hamer Special, I have a Custom in the bridge paired with an Alnico II Pro at the neck. The APH has good chime, plenty of mids, and not too many lows, which keeps it clear sounding when clean or distorted.

As far as the Custom goes, it's a great bridge pickup for rock and metal, but its not all that great for sounds that are just on the verge of breaking up. If your amp has enough headroom though, the cleans are pretty good. They have a lot of snap and chime, and the middle position is great. I have not had a need to install coil taps with this combo.

The C5 seemed kind of flat sounding to my ears. It had good lows and friendly highs, but it seemed to lack punch compared to the Custom and was a bit thin sounding compared to the Custom Custom. It's definately better than a lot of stock pickups, but it's one of the few Duncan pickups that didn't blow me away; not even in the quot;honeymoonquot; phase.

It's goood, but not great.

Personally, I would go with a CC/PGn combo or a Custom/APH combo.


Originally Posted by DevolutionHey by the way,i've been looking very hard at those greg bennett samick's,how's yours treating you?How does it play?And how does the neck measure up to normal les paul standard (thinner/fatter)?

Thanks a lot for anything you can tell me,man!

Well, I got mine, which is a Greg Bennett Avion AV-3. Here's a pic...
It ain't the best thin g in the world and I don't even think it's real mahogany. I think it's nato with a maple veneer. It does play and feel nice sinec I set it up though. I believe that, with a nice set of pickups, a new switch and pots, it'll be a nice player. I just wanted a Les Paul type guitar without having a Les Paul. Plus, I only had $400 to spend...

As far as the Greg Bennett Samicks go, you need to be at the quot;3quot; level to get a nice guitar. Anyhting under that and you're taking your chances...
Originally Posted by Benjy_26I never like the 59 in the neck of any of my guitars. It seemed too boomy, bright, and weak at the same time. I much preffer alnico II based pickups in the neck slot.

In my Hamer Special, I have a Custom in the bridge paired with an Alnico II Pro at the neck. The APH has good chime, plenty of mids, and not too many lows, which keeps it clear sounding when clean or distorted.

As far as the Custom goes, it's a great bridge pickup for rock and metal, but its not all that great for sounds that are just on the verge of breaking up. If your amp has enough headroom though, the cleans are pretty good. They have a lot of snap and chime, and the middle position is great. I have not had a need to install coil taps with this combo.

The C5 seemed kind of flat sounding to my ears. It had good lows and friendly highs, but it seemed to lack punch compared to the Custom and was a bit thin sounding compared to the Custom Custom. It's definately better than a lot of stock pickups, but it's one of the few Duncan pickups that didn't blow me away; not even in the quot;honeymoonquot; phase.

It's goood, but not great.

Personally, I would go with a CC/PGn combo or a Custom/APH combo.

Well, that puts me in an interesting quandry. As I said before, I was told that the CC/PGn would be great. I'm looking for a good classic solidbody Les Paul tone that will get me anywhere frolm Larry Carlton and Robben Ford and be able to go to a good crunchy hard rock tone too.

Yeah that's the one i was looking at too.It really isn't mahogony?What's nato?Any comments on the neck in com parison to a les paul or strat or something mainstream?

Thanks a lot for your help man,i appreciate it.


Originally Posted by DevolutionYeah that's the one i was looking at too.It really isn't mahogony?What's nato?Any comments on the neck in com parison to a les paul or strat or something mainstream?

Thanks a lot for your help man,i appreciate it.

From what I have read, which isn't much... The AV4 and 5 is mahogany. I got that from their site; however, their site isn't very informative...

The neck is a slim taper. It feels good and full but not chunkie...


Originally Posted by daniyou may want to check out a custom/jazz combo. really versatile. you will love the middle position espcially when tapped. didn't care much for the c5's scooped mids. for similar voicing, i will go for a 59b. 1

I can't speak for the Custom. I don't think it would suit me. But the Jazz in the neck of my Les Paul -- ooooo --- it's magic.


Originally Posted by gripweedthe Jazz in the neck of my Les Paul -- ooooo --- it's magic.

Why is that?

What some people find to be quot;boomyquot; I find to be full bass. I replaced an APH with the '59 and to me it sounds less muddy. I've not used it in a band situation, but I like the full, broad tones from the '59. In my case it has more clarity than the APH also.

The Custom is a full on rocker, I'm going to try swapping an A5 and A2 mag in it becasue it's almost too crisp (never thought I'd say that). It's great for hard rock but too much for like blues and classic rock.

BTW - being a tele player I think you could appreciate tht Jimmy Page wiring. I'd defintately consider it, or at least two splits.


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderGood reviews do far... Thanks gentlemen. I think I will try that combo first. I have also been given a recommendation for the CC/PGn combo. It's a tad pricier but might be a whole lot better....

Also, what about a C5 in the bridge position instead of a Custom?

If you think the 59 bridge lacked umph, the C5 is the next best thing. If a pickup sounds good clean then you can get almost any sound out of it.


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderFrom what I have read, which isn't much... The AV4 and 5 is mahogany. I got that from their site; however, their site isn't very informative...

The neck is a slim taper. It feels good and full but not chunkie...

Yamaha uses nato on a ton of their guitars. Its not as pretty as mahogany, but if your guitar is made of a good piece of nato, it will sound very good.

I have two Yamaha AES series axes both made of nato and they both resonate well. They're a bit dark, but they sound good.