Potential replacement for SH-5

[Anficht]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

I've never tried a RCA3 in a SH-5 (Custom 5). But I use the RCA3 in my 59N and Antiquity N neck humbuckers. Great for clean chords and for soloing.

In the bridge humbuckers I use (59B or Antiquity B) I didn't like RCA3 or RCA4 either.

Just doesn't push my amp hard enough. A little too polite. Couldn't get the Clapton w/Cream and Eric Johnson violin tones I like.

But the Custom is a different pickup with more turns of copper so I don't know how RCA3 would sound in that.

I had a Strat that I tried the Custom (ceramic), Custom Custom (A2) and Custom 5 (A5) in.

All three are the same pickup with different magnets but I didn't swap magnets back then. I actually tried three different pickups.

I found the Custom 5 to be midrange scooped and overly edgey or sharp. Not the kind of tone I feel comfortable with.

The Custom Custom was just the opposite and pretty cool! Less bass, less treble and more mids with kind of compressed but chewy feel. Kind of like chewing on a squishy caramel. I liked it but not enough to keep it.

The Custom I liked best of all but it does have that "ceramic" sound. Not as organic or squishy as I like but I found it to be the most usable of the three.

I'm not really a fan of HOT humbuckers. 59's, Seth Lovers and Antiquitys are what I've settled on. But I do swap magnets. RCA3 or RCA2 in the neck and RCA2 in the bridge.

I'd rather set my amp up for clean tones and then use an overdrive pedal for those sweet violin-like tones I prefer.

Based on what you say, I'd definitely give the RCA3 Custom a try.
It takes some of the hotness away, but the hot wind counteracts the weaker magnet field of the A3 magnet, resulting in a big tone, with everything sounding blanced (to my ear) - but not in a A4 bland way.
It does not have the A2 squishy feel, it does not have the Ceramic presence, it does not have the A5 scooped mids, and not the A4 blandness either. It's sort of a mix of the best qualities of all versions (IMHO).
Plus it works with all sort of neck pickups. I think you will love it for Clapton tones. Not sure on the Eric Johnson Cream tone. But if you can get the EJ Cream tone with a C5, C2 or CCeramic, you will definitely get it with a C3.
SOmething always bothered me about the Custom Ceramic, same for the C2, same for the C5, same for the RCUOA5Custom. Not so whith the C3. I think it's the perfect Custom like this.

[Lewguitar]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Get an Alnico 3 RC magnet in there. Trust me, it makes the Custom godlike!
I tired, Custom, Custom 5, Custom 2, Custom 5 UO&RC (this one is second best), Custom 4 and finally Custom 3 - haven\t looked back since the Custom 3.

I've never tried a RCA3 in a SH-5 (Custom 5). But I use the RCA3 in my 59N and Antiquity N neck humbuckers. Great for clean chords and for soloing.

In the bridge humbuckers I use (59B or Antiquity B) I didn't like RCA3 or RCA4 either.

Just doesn't push my amp hard enough. A little too polite. Couldn't get the Clapton w/Cream and Eric Johnson violin tones I like.

But the Custom is a different pickup with more turns of copper so I don't know how RCA3 would sound in that.

I had a Strat that I tried the Custom (ceramic), Custom Custom (A2) and Custom 5 (A5) in.

All three are the same pickup with different magnets but I didn't swap magnets back then. I actually tried three different pickups.

I found the Custom 5 to be midrange scooped and overly edgey or sharp. Not the kind of tone I feel comfortable with.

The Custom Custom was just the opposite and pretty cool! Less bass, less treble and more mids with kind of compressed but chewy feel. Kind of like chewing on a squishy caramel. I liked it but not enough to keep it.

The Custom I liked best of all but it does have that "ceramic" sound. Not as organic or squishy as I like but I found it to be the most usable of the three.

I'm not really a fan of HOT humbuckers. 59's, Seth Lovers and Antiquitys are what I've settled on. But I do swap magnets. RCA3 or RCA2 in the neck and RCA2 in the bridge.

I'd rather set my amp up for clean tones and then use an overdrive pedal for those sweet violin-like tones I prefer.

[Anficht]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Get an Alnico 3 RC magnet in there. Trust me, it makes the Custom godlike!
I tired, Custom, Custom 5, Custom 2, Custom 5 UO&RC (this one is second best), Custom 4 and finally Custom 3 - haven\t looked back since the Custom 3.

[Teleplayer]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Custom 5 tone depends on the guitar to some extent, but I always used it in bright Fender style guitars. Once rolling the tone control down to 7/10ths, it cures the brightness and isn't obviously scooped sounding any more.

[Mincer]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

The Custom 5 works for me in a mid-heavy guitar. I don't think I'd like it in a 'normal', balanced guitar. The Custom Custom is easily my favorite.

[MusicFungi]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Personally a huge fan of the Custom 5. I have it a pair of the Koa topped LTD EC1000s with them in the bridges and they secured it as my favorite 6 string pup. That said, the 7 string version does leave one wanting.

[dystrust]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

A5 would suck the mids right out. I think it sounds better than the ceramic to me.

Absolutely agreed that it would suck the mids right out. Whether or not that's a good thing is a matter of personal opinion / taste. I've tried the C5 in a few guitars and found it scooped, boomy, and shrill in all of them. Definitely would not recommend for someone looking for 'sweeter' than a stock Custom. Out of the suggestions here I'd probably try UOA5 first; A2 may also be an option, but the bass may be too loose for a Les Paul. That being said I love the CC in my Strat.

[BRHGM]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Sounds like you want a Pearly Gates. I personally love the Custom/Jazz combo. It’s the right mix of chunk and warmth and works in warm and bright guitars. No it isn’t your vintage Burstbucker sound. If you wanted a step up from those, the PG set was it.

[hamerfan]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

ROFL

Ceramic has no soul

I was like you when i started swapping mags in 2005. Thru a trade i got a DD which was rotting in my drawer for the next 10 years until i got a guitar which did not sound right with Alnicos. Too loose, a bit whimpy and lacked beef. Even my C8 and a Alt8 lacked. The Custom and the DD helped a lot to give cut and beef. The same with a cheap basswood bass of a friend, it came alive with ceramic Jazz pickups.
Its a bit like garlic, some say it stinks. If you know how to use, it tastes delicious.

[esandes]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Ceramic sounds like I stuck my (edited) in a beehive.

ROFL

Ceramic has no soul

[Clint 55]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Ceramic sounds like I stuck my (edited) in a beehive.

[LLL]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

There is no replacement for the SH-5. It is the perfect hi-output PAF pickup.

[Aceman]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

Mag swap with any of a number of A5 magnets.

[Clint 55]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

I agree. If you want some mids, but not all aggressive like ceramic or A8, try UOA5 or A6. They're similar, but A6 is oriented.

[Nagisa]

Re: Potential replacement for SH-5

UOA5 was pretty good in my experience.