59 vs Custom 5

[tubescreamer]

I am replacing the stock pickups on my PRS Hollowbody II with SDs. I am definately putting a 59 in the neck, but I am trying to decide between a 59 or a Custom 5 in the bridge. The C5 is described as a higher output 59. I like vintage sounds that allow the guitar's natural tone to come through, but the point of my pickup swap is to get some more kick from a higher output pickup. So I like the idea of a hotter version of the 59, but I dont want tit to sound like a totally different pickup. Does the C5 actually sound just like a 59 or is it totally different? How much hotter is the C5? What are the differences, drawbacks, etc.? I would really appreciate some help on this one.

 

[gtg10k]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

i think the c5 sounds hotter than the 59. if i were you i would put the c5 in the bridge since your putting a 59 in the neck. that combination would rule. you would probably have alot more versatility with the c5/59 combo than the 59/59. i dont know if that helps but its just my opinion of those pickups.

 

[Artie]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

Hey tube; I've got both combo's in two guitars that are virtually identical. As much as I like the 59/59, the C5 has a little "edge". Its the first pickup combo that was ever recommended to me in this forum, and its still one of the best.

 

[BachToRock]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

You can't go wrong with that combo... I actually prefer the Alnico 2 equivilent... the Custom Custom and a Pearly Gates, APII or Seth Lover Neck

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

You can't go wrong with that combo... I actually prefer the Alnico 2 equivilent... the Custom Custom and a Pearly Gates, APII or Seth Lover Neck

ditto...and ditto!!!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

You can't go wrong with that combo... I actually prefer the Alnico 2 equivilent... the Custom Custom and a Pearly Gates, APII or Seth Lover Neck

Ditto...ditto...and more ditto!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

Between the C5 and 59B I personally prefer the 59B. I love the tone of the C5 when I can really crank my amp up loud. Then, the C5 just takes off and soars. But at lower volumes something about the 59B feels better to me...as if the overall tone is more balanced and the mids are more responsive. I'm one of those players who used the C5 for about a year and always felt it needed more mids. Other players love it just like it is. The C5 is definately stronger and louder than the 59B....but it is similar to the 59B.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

I would choose the 59b. There is no need for the higher output of the C5 and it will take away some of the richness of the HB imo. If it we mine I would consider a set of Antiqs or Seths

 

[tubescreamer]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

Thanks for your help everyone. So people like both the c5 and the 59b, as I had expected. I surely wouldn't want to sacrifice any of the richness of the hollowbody by putting a really hot pickup in there. On the other hand, I would really like to "take off and soar" with the c5 as Lewguitar put it. Perhaps I would use my neck pickup for quiter more articulate stuff. The reason I'm looking at the c5 instead of the custom custom is because I fugured I would stay with an A5 magnet in order to stay consistent and because the pickups in my guitar now are pretty bright and I like the twang (im switching because they are too weak). Is this reasonable or is the custom custom that good? Does I higher output pickup mean more sustain? What exactly does it mean?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

A higher output pickup will push the preamp of your amp harder and push it into overdrive more easily and at a lower volume setting than a lower output pickup would. Sustain is a function of the guitar...not the pickup. But sustain is also more easily acheived with an overdriven tone. More mids can be a help too when going for overdrive and the Custom Custom has alot of mids. Lew

 

[Artie]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

Sustain is a function of the guitar...not the pickup.

You just got me to thinking about something that I hadn't considered before. And perhaps, I'm grasping at straws.

But in the case of a CC and a C5, the p'ups are identical except that one has a stronger magnet. The pull, or interaction, of the magnet could conceivably suppress vibration of the strings a bit, and cause it to effectively have less sustain than a lower output pickup.

Like I said . . . perhaps silly, but it did just occur to me.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

You just got me to thinking about something that I hadn't considered before. And perhaps, I'm grasping at straws.

But in the case of a CC and a C5, the p'ups are identical except that one has a stronger magnet. The pull, or interaction, of the magnet could conceivably suppress vibration of the strings a bit, and cause it to effectively have less sustain than a lower output pickup.

Like I said . . . perhaps silly, but it did just occur to me.

You're right. That's why Seymour calls alnico 2 the musical magnets. I think if there's an improvement in sustain to be noticed, it would probably be in the single coil Strat pickups where the magnet is the polepiece and close to the strings. Having Strat pickups to close to the E and A strings pulls them out of tune and definately affects the sustain in a negative way. I can't say that I've really noticed my guitar with the alnico 2 Texas Hots sustaining alot better than my guitar with the alnico 5 Surfers though! :smack: But in theory at least, it should.

 

[Artie]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

I can't say that I've really noticed my guitar with the alnico 2 Texas Hots sustaining alot better than my guitar with the alnico 5 Surfers though! :smack: But in theory at least, it should.

I think your "hands-on" trumps my "theory".

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Custom 5

I think your "hands-on" trumps my "theory".

:laugh2: I think you're probably right though Artie. Seems I've read other comments about alnico 2 helping with sustain because of less string pull.