The Custom is my favorite. I like them all except the Invader. The Custom has more clarity than the JB or Distortion and more low-end than the Full Shred, which is my second favorite Duncan of all time. I tend to prefer ceramic because of the clarity and the original Custom is a magnificent beast in this regard. The ultimate for crunchy rhythms and screaming leads that cut like a laser.
FYI, the Custom and the Full Shred are the same coil wind except the FS uses hex screws and a Alnico 5 magnet where the Custom uses ceramic and stud/flathead screw pole pieces. This would explain why you like both of these pickups. I love them both as well
I think you can close your eyes and pick any Seymour Duncan and be happy. Pickups are important, but not as much as your amp and cabinets, even less so if you are using simulators. That said Alternative 8 and Screamin Demon in the neck, your welcome.
They all excelled at different things. Hated the cleans thru the Full Shred, but with high gain they were the absolute best. The JB and Custom seemed to be the 2 most versatile imo.
Duncan Distortion sh6 seemed to be the most balanced and well-rounded compared to all of these. The sh4 and sh6 are essentially the same pickup with different magnets but it's amazing how different the tone is here. Personally out of these I would go with either the Duncan custom or Duncan distortion... I use a Duncan Distortion in my Jackson Dinky and it is freaking awesome... I'm also liking the sound of the full Shred as well though.
Call me crazy but I like the Sh5 the best here. I've had the Invader and Sh6 in guitars over the years as well. I feel the Sh5 is basically a JB with a ceramic magnet and is a good middle ground between the JB and Distortion.
Actually the sh4 and sh6 are in fact the exact same pickups with the exception of the magnets... the Duncan custom is basically a underwound JB with a ceramic magnet... All of these pickups are basically based off of the JB in some way or another. The Duncan Invader is just a sh6 with huge pole pieces.
Put a Custom in my Melody Maker singlecut in 2003, haven't looked back since. The PAF On Steroids works for just about any style, good cleans, biggest palm mutes yet never sounds like a "Cartoon" of a metal sound, if that makes sense. PERFECT for a 1H guitar. My other main guitars are a Les Paul with a 498T & an SG with a Fluence Modern, because the only thing cooler than a 500T is one that turns into an improved EMG81 at the flick of a switch. Had JB-M, JB, DD Distortion, an Invader - which is the 'Cartoon Metal Pickup' mentioned earlier. EMG 81 & 85, 500T, nothing quite ticks off all the boxes like the humble SH5.
I have the JB, Distortion, and Invader installed in different guitars and was curious how they'd sound in the same guitar. My three guitars are quite different from each other, so are not a fair comparison between the three. The JB is in a 2020 Squier Contemporary Telecaster HH (with a 59), the Distortion is in a 2003 Washburn Pro X12 (with a 59), the invader is in a 1986 Aria II Pro "The Cat" (with a RWRP Quarter Pound middle and non-RWRP Q.P. neck that is wired in guitar as a humbucker). I'm putting 3 humbuckers into my 1987 Kramer Voyager, tentatively thinking of JB or Distortion Bridge in bridge, Fast Shred Bridge in middle, Custom Custom Bridge in neck.
Long avid SD user. I've been using the Duncan custom coils for years. My favorite setup is a Duncan Custom with Alnico 8 bar magnet. If you like a bit more output, the JB or Distortion is great with an Alnico 8 Magnet as well. To me, Alnico 8 magnets give a rich round tone of an Alnico with low-end tightness of a Ceramic.
I thought the SH-10 was bland in this, I recently pickup up an SH-6 open up my Tony Iommi Signature’s sound and I think I made the right choice it’s is such a dark sounding guitar. I used to have a Dean ‘79 ML that had one and it really made that guitar clear, bright and perfect when you wanted to make dynamic song parts by just rolling off the volume.
Excellent! I love it!! Great Comparison. Can you please do a shootout between the Seymour Duncan JB and the EMG 81? I have two Schecter guitars on the bridge with the JB and One with the EMG 81. I have the JB to have better high end the EMG 81? When I play the high e and the other thinner strings, it sounds "Trebly" The Strings sounds more bright and clear on the JB. Of course thanks to you I found out the EMG 81 is ceramic. The low end (bass) on the EMG is good, but I feel again, the JB has a more bass, clear then the EMG 81. Thank you for posting this.
Hey Angel, thanks, I will do the JB vs. 81 comparison. But I can tell you right now that the 81 really has less bass then the JB, and is way more compressed. The 81 was one of the first designs of EMG, I think the stepped up their game with later ones. Thanks for watching!
Literally the detail sections are so much the same. Like I wasn't paying attention and I thought it was all the same pickup. I went back and listened super closely and there is barely a difference. I think this taught me I just need an upgrade but the miniscule differences in EQ and slight distortion boost can be worked out on the amp or pedals.
Really like the cleans of the Custom & the distorted sound of the distortion, the cleans of the SH5 with the gain sound of the SH6 would be the best combo if it could be possible.
I do not know whether ye already have it on yer list, but please consider adding the Duncan Custom Custom and the Custom 5 (formerly known as the Custom Custom Custom). I'm debating between them and my current standard go-to bridge humbucker, the JB.
Nice vid. However, I personally can't here much difference. I always use a cranked 'real' Plexi amp to show pickups' true character. I used 'ON' 8mg nicotine pouches to assist with quitting, good luck. Try low output pickups.
Many thanks for the comparison. SH-4 and SH-8 are for hobbyists (cause they gives the richest sound), others are for profies, who know when and what to use.
I have a poplar body, distortion chording in stock bridge is muddy, but leads are perfect, which would have better clarity for hard rock distortion chording, the sh4 or the sh8 ( invader) ?
The Invader definitely! It deserves it's name and is the perfect old school metal/hardcore/punk pickup. A LOT of mids, good amount of Bass and not very harsh highs. Also, it looks cool ;-)
Hi James, I did something similar! Check out my channel, there is a "Upgrading my ESP LTD EC-1000, Part 1 - the Neck Pickup" video there. Thanks for watching!
*Timestamps for Samples (S):*
*S1 + S2 - Clean - Hartley*
[Left = HB = Humbucker; Right = CS= CoilSplit]
1:16 SH-4 2:04
1:26 SH-5 2:13
1:35 SH-6 2:23
1:44 SH-8 2:31
1:54 SH-10 2:41
*S3 + S4 - Clean - Monkey*
[same as above]
2:51 SH-4 3:27
2:58 SH-5 3:34
3:05 SH-6 3:41
3:12 SH-8 3:48
3:19 SH-10 3:55
*S5 S6 - Crunch - Deathclock*
[same as above]
4:03 SH-4 4:38
4:10 SH-5 4:44
4:17 SH-6 4:51
4:23 SH-8 4:58
4:30 SH-10 5:05
*S7 + S8 - Song "Everstrong"*
[Left = Intro; Right: Main part]
5:13 SH-4 5:38
6:04 SH-5 6:29
6:55 SH-6 7:20
7:47 SH-8 8:12
8:38 SH-10 9:04
*S9 - Song "Everstrong" - Detail*
starting at 9:30
*S10 + S11 - Song "My Own"*
[Left = Chords; Right: Picking]
9:59 SH-4 10:14
10:41 SH-5 10:56
11:14 SH-6 11:38
12:05 SH-8 12:21
12:48 SH10 13:02
*S12 - Song "My Own" - Detail*
starting at 13:32
Let me know when you find errors in this timeline! And as always - thanks for watching!! - Mike
11:14 -> 11:24
Thank you! Great comparison!
The Custom is my favorite. I like them all except the Invader. The Custom has more clarity than the JB or Distortion and more low-end than the Full Shred, which is my second favorite Duncan of all time. I tend to prefer ceramic because of the clarity and the original Custom is a magnificent beast in this regard. The ultimate for crunchy rhythms and screaming leads that cut like a laser.
FYI, the Custom and the Full Shred are the same coil wind except the FS uses hex screws and a Alnico 5 magnet where the Custom uses ceramic and stud/flathead screw pole pieces. This would explain why you like both of these pickups. I love them both as well
Same, the custom is the perfect pickup for me after having used dimarzios for decades I finally got a Duncan and never went back. Simply perfect.
@@altpath what was the issue with Dimarzios?
I think you can close your eyes and pick any Seymour Duncan and be happy. Pickups are important, but not as much as your amp and cabinets, even less so if you are using simulators. That said Alternative 8 and Screamin Demon in the neck, your welcome.
60 pickups shoutout ! Dude you are crazy 😂😂 thank’s for your devotion !!! I respect the hell out of it
They all excelled at different things. Hated the cleans thru the Full Shred, but with high gain they were the absolute best. The JB and Custom seemed to be the 2 most versatile imo.
Best comparison video I've seen. Perfect.
SH-6 sounded the most balanced to me.
This is a good video but this one is godlike /watch?v=0FE2PDH61h0
Thx 4 making this project mike....owe u alot
Duncan Distortion sh6 seemed to be the most balanced and well-rounded compared to all of these. The sh4 and sh6 are essentially the same pickup with different magnets but it's amazing how different the tone is here. Personally out of these I would go with either the Duncan custom or Duncan distortion... I use a Duncan Distortion in my Jackson Dinky and it is freaking awesome... I'm also liking the sound of the full Shred as well though.
SH-6 for me. It's like the sonic quality of a SH-4 but with a little more resonance and sustain but not too much. Perfect great video.
Call me crazy but I like the Sh5 the best here. I've had the Invader and Sh6 in guitars over the years as well. I feel the Sh5 is basically a JB with a ceramic magnet and is a good middle ground between the JB and Distortion.
Actually the sh4 and sh6 are in fact the exact same pickups with the exception of the magnets... the Duncan custom is basically a underwound JB with a ceramic magnet... All of these pickups are basically based off of the JB in some way or another. The Duncan Invader is just a sh6 with huge pole pieces.
These comparisons are so fun 👍
This is an AWESOME video, very well done, loved Everstrong by FooFee Fighters
Haha :-) :-)
6:30 Custom distortion
6:39 palm mutes
8:12 Invader distortion
8:21 palm mutes
I just ordered a Custom. It's going in a Mahogany ltd, drop c tuning 👍
I already own the JB, Distortion & Invader so it was great to hear this side by side the Custom as I'm interested in it.
Put a Custom in my Melody Maker singlecut in 2003, haven't looked back since.
The PAF On Steroids works for just about any style, good cleans, biggest palm mutes yet never sounds like a "Cartoon" of a metal sound, if that makes sense.
PERFECT for a 1H guitar.
My other main guitars are a Les Paul with a 498T & an SG with a Fluence Modern, because the only thing cooler than a 500T is one that turns into an improved EMG81 at the flick of a switch.
Had JB-M, JB, DD Distortion, an Invader - which is the 'Cartoon Metal Pickup' mentioned earlier. EMG 81 & 85, 500T, nothing quite ticks off all the boxes like the humble SH5.
Thanks a lot. Good comparison. I would love to hear the Nazgul if you can make it.
Definitely say that JB , custom and full shred are my favorites . Great comparison
I have the JB, Distortion, and Invader installed in different guitars and was curious how they'd sound in the same guitar. My three guitars are quite different from each other, so are not a fair comparison between the three. The JB is in a 2020 Squier Contemporary Telecaster HH (with a 59), the Distortion is in a 2003 Washburn Pro X12 (with a 59), the invader is in a 1986 Aria II Pro "The Cat" (with a RWRP Quarter Pound middle and non-RWRP Q.P. neck that is wired in guitar as a humbucker). I'm putting 3 humbuckers into my 1987 Kramer Voyager, tentatively thinking of JB or Distortion Bridge in bridge, Fast Shred Bridge in middle, Custom Custom Bridge in neck.
Just the video I needed, thanks dude
Awesome work, I appreciate this!
Invader seems to be the chunkiest all round.
Long avid SD user. I've been using the Duncan custom coils for years. My favorite setup is a Duncan Custom with Alnico 8 bar magnet. If you like a bit more output, the JB or Distortion is great with an Alnico 8 Magnet as well. To me, Alnico 8 magnets give a rich round tone of an Alnico with low-end tightness of a Ceramic.
Is the pickup you’re referring to the one being sold on SD’s site as the Alternative 8?
I really appreciate your effort! Great!
Great work, thank you for this!
Excellent comparison! Something overall seems to gravitate me more towards the SH-4
Great work. Thanks!😃
I thought the SH-10 was bland in this, I recently pickup up an SH-6 open up my Tony Iommi Signature’s sound and I think I made the right choice it’s is such a dark sounding guitar. I used to have a Dean ‘79 ML that had one and it really made that guitar clear, bright and perfect when you wanted to make dynamic song parts by just rolling off the volume.
Excellent! I love it!! Great Comparison. Can you please do a shootout between the Seymour Duncan JB and the EMG 81? I have two Schecter guitars on the bridge with the JB and One with the EMG 81. I have the JB to have better high end the EMG 81? When I play the high e and the other thinner strings, it sounds "Trebly" The Strings sounds more bright and clear on the JB. Of course thanks to you I found out the EMG 81 is ceramic. The low end (bass) on the EMG is good, but I feel again, the JB has a more bass, clear then the EMG 81. Thank you for posting this.
Hey Angel, thanks, I will do the JB vs. 81 comparison. But I can tell you right now that the 81 really has less bass then the JB, and is way more compressed. The 81 was one of the first designs of EMG, I think the stepped up their game with later ones. Thanks for watching!
Literally the detail sections are so much the same. Like I wasn't paying attention and I thought it was all the same pickup. I went back and listened super closely and there is barely a difference. I think this taught me I just need an upgrade but the miniscule differences in EQ and slight distortion boost can be worked out on the amp or pedals.
Custom for me, full shred is next
Really like the cleans of the Custom & the distorted sound of the distortion, the cleans of the SH5 with the gain sound of the SH6 would be the best combo if it could be possible.
I'm still going for the Custom, and that song "Everstrong" reminds me of a typical ADTR song.
Everstrong reminds me of the song, Everlong
Invader all the way !
sounds amazing.
For metal distortion the Invader, everything else the full shred for me
The full shred has more clarity than the rest.
10:00 10:42 11:25 12:07 12:49 🤘💪😈
Song my own SH6 starts at 11:24 😉 awesome Riff and thanks to this comparison I take the Invader 🤘🏻
I have a guitar with the Duncan Custom I was really surprised how much u liked it. I have a love hate with the JB.
I like the "Made by Mike..." part at the ending.
I do not know whether ye already have it on yer list, but please consider adding the Duncan Custom Custom and the Custom 5 (formerly known as the Custom Custom Custom). I'm debating between them and my current standard go-to bridge humbucker, the JB.
Nice vid. However, I personally can't here much difference.
I always use a cranked 'real' Plexi amp to show pickups' true character.
I used 'ON' 8mg nicotine pouches to assist with quitting, good luck.
Try low output pickups.
SH-6 Bigtime,cut's through and heavy with out the nasal sound,do they still make these pickup's?
Thanks, subbed
Would love to hear the Screamin Demon too
Many thanks for the comparison. SH-4 and SH-8 are for hobbyists (cause they gives the richest sound), others are for profies, who know when and what to use.
I like to see PG-1 compare with Sh1 sh2 ...
Greeeat video!!!
I have a poplar body, distortion chording
in stock bridge is muddy, but leads are perfect, which
would have better clarity for hard rock distortion
chording, the sh4 or the sh8 ( invader) ?
The Invader definitely! It deserves it's name and is the perfect old school metal/hardcore/punk pickup. A LOT of mids, good amount of Bass and not very harsh highs. Also, it looks cool ;-)
@@MadebyMiike
Thanks..
I ordered a set of Saturday Night
Specials yesterday, hopefully ,
they'll be decent.
The Invaders do look good.
Sh5
10:42
11:24
What do think of Fishman Fluence Modern pickups?
I haven't tested those yet. I now have all the Seymours tested and all the Bare Knuckles. Next up will be the DiMarzios and then all the active PUs.
SH-10 wins my ears.
Sh4 win
No way, man! The Duncan Custom wins! 👍😁
Could you do a neck pickup version
Hi James, I did something similar! Check out my channel, there is a "Upgrading my ESP LTD EC-1000, Part 1 - the Neck Pickup" video there. Thanks for watching!
5, 10, 6 ,4, 8
You’re not displaying the difference between each round? Idk wth is going on? They just sound different every time.
Wait, what do you mean? Which differences?
i'll have what @vs4571 is having 😄
песня какой группы my own ??
Assuming you're asking what song it is, I guess it's his own song. Just something he made up.
Drums ?
Men invader sucks xD and winner to me is full shred.
Invader, Distortion, Custom, JB, Full Shred... in that order.