C5 rocks!

[TwofacePimp]

Long story short, I had a JB/Jazz combo in an LP standard (my main guitar) for years, and the JB never seemed quite right. I put that combo in thinking that it was "industry standard" and I couldn't go wrong, but the feel of the JB was always kind of harsh, like punching a brick wall if that makes any sense. I just switched it out with a C5 last night and went to rehearsal, and it was a definite improvement!

It feels a little mid-scooped, but not nearly enough to not cut through the mix. The JB cuts more, but not in a good way IMO. The C5 also bonds with my Wampler Plextortion pedal very well, and the coil tap sounds pretty good (it doesn't with the JB). In all, I'm a very happy customer, and wish I did the swap years ago!

I have a PGn on the way too, and can't wait to install it. These new pickups are breathing some new life in my main axe!

[JeffB]

PGn matches up really nice with the C5, IME. Had that combo in one of my Gibson Vs. Great middle position tones- perhaps the best I have ever experienced.

[Gearjoneser]

Don't listen to anyone who hates the Custom 5. It's a perfectly good rock pickup in most guitars.

The C5/PGn is probably the best off the shelf set for mahogany/maple guitars.

If you want more mids out of it, lower the screws a tiny bit, then raise the whole pickup pretty close to the strings.

[CTN]

I didn't get along with the C5 mostly because of the scooped mids. It sounded absolutely heavenly on cleans, but the lack of punchy midrange was a total buzzkill when I went to distortion.

Different guitars will sound different though, even with the same pickup...

[Guston7]

I actually bought a C5 with the intention of making another hybrid. It still sits, unmolested, in the bridge of my Gambale, where I mounted it to "try it".

[blueman335]

It feels a little mid-scooped, but not nearly enough to not cut through the mix.

The way to fix the C5 mid-scoop is an A8, in other words a Custom 8. I put a C5 in an LP, and while it was pretty good, an A8 added what was missing. Now it's great.

I like PGN's, they have a huge sound from all the mids, but to my ears they can be a little too rounded on top, especially in an LP. I fixed that with an A3, which gave it some bite, and made it sound more raw and aggressive.

[darthphineas]

I didn't get along with the C5 mostly because of the scooped mids. It sounded absolutely heavenly on cleans, but the lack of punchy midrange was a total buzzkill when I went to distortion.

Different guitars will sound different though, even with the same pickup...

+1

nothing wrong with it. it just wasn't my flavor.

[blueman335]

+1

nothing wrong with it. it just wasn't my flavor.

Did you guys try an A8 in it?

[bigred]

The cc8 found a permanent home in one of my lp's.

[misterwhizzy]

The cc8 found a permanent home in one of my lp's.

Likewise.