C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

[3'scompany]

I know this may sound weird but I'm wondering if a C-5 is hot enough to keep up with my other guitars for a heavy, drop C metal tone. I've got a JB in my McCarty Standard and am putting a Custom in my Custom 22. I want something ballsy for my singlecut but don't want to double up on the same pickups in different guitars. While I realize they won't sound the same because all my guitars are different in body shape, I just want some extra diversity. I do not want a Duncan Distortion especially. If I could find another pickup I would be happier. Any suggestions from people who have actually tried the C-5 in this particular situation let me know.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I use the C5 in a Gibson LP and it sounds bad ass. I use a dual rectifier, Voodoo modded. I think it is a great articulate, ballsy, low thumpin beast. Not as hot as the distortion or custom but more thump.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

dude, if you're worried about output, get one of those livewire heavy metal pickups

those things like stomp on emg's

 

[3'scompany]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

Already have emg's in my singlecut and want to get away from active pickups. The don't really let that guitar shine like it should. I'm not after over the top output, hence staying away from duncan distortion, just enough balls to distort thick and be heavy.

I want the pickup to pinch harmonic well too, will the C-5 do that?

 

[Artie]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

Its not exactly "metal", but I have a clip in the Tips and Clips section that a little bit rockin'. (Not good, but . . . )

Anyway, its my C5 in my Tele-ish axe. This thread.

I think it would work great for metal, (as would the Distortion.) Great pups.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I was getting really badass metal tones with my C-5 last night. The bottom end is big and punchy, yet tight. I think it's a great pickup for all but the most insane heavy stuff.

 

[papersoul]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

The C-5 will do fine but in the end I couldn't get leads to cut like the others so I switched away from the C-5. However, with the right amp....metal should be no problem with just about any pickup. I have to say that EMGs tend to be very transparent so you will get the real tone of your SC with EMGs....maybe you don't like the natural tone of that guitar. I know a few luthiers who will only use EMGs in their guitars because they do not want passive coloring the natural tone.

 

[RiffGuy]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I use the C-5 for metal stuff. I either play through my Mesa/Boogie rack through a Marshall 4x4 or my Marshall AVT50 practice amp and it sounds good through both. You have to work a little extra hard with fast riffs, but it still holds up pretty good. Solo's with lot's of distortion aren't the greatest with this pickup. I think for leads, the C-5 is more suited for hard rock/blues, but for rhythm it has a nice warm, thick sound. Just don't expect cutting high-mids.

 

[papersoul]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

BBQ!

You could also try that Dragon II you had in the CU22 - great pickups - clear and full sounding!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I'd suggest getting the C-5, then move all your pickups around in your 3 guitars, till you've got the perfect pickup for the guitar. The reason the C-5 is a good choice for metal is that the lows are tight and crushing, but the other frequencies sound natural, letting the guitar's wood, and amp's EQ to do the work.

 

[EVHindenberg]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I tried the C5 for metal and it was IMHO lacking.I swapped the magnet for a ceramic and it is tits now.

 

[nuntius]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I personally think custom>custom 5 for metal.

I have the C-5 in a mahogany strat, and the custom in a basswood strat, and the custom sounds heavier and cuts way better.

Don't use the C-5 if you're gonna be doing a lot of solos with high gain, when your rhythm guitars are heavy and high gain also; you won't cut. The pup doesn't make you inaudible, but it really does struggle to cut through in that environment.

 

[EVHindenberg]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

I personally think custom>custom 5 for metal.

I have the C-5 in a mahogany strat, and the custom in a basswood strat, and the custom sounds heavier and cuts way better.

Don't use the C-5 if you're gonna be doing a lot of solos with high gain, when your rhythm guitars are heavy and high gain also; you won't cut. The pup doesn't make you inaudible, but it really does struggle to cut through in that environment.

That's exactly the problem I had with the C5.Problem solved with the ceramic magnet.

 

[Maximusgordon 2.0]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

The C-5 will KILL for metal with the right guitar and amp. Its got a great low end and punch, about the pinched harmonics, if you are good at doing them then yah it will sound great, but if you arent the most precise, it wont cover your ass like an emg-81 or distortion, which have pinched harmonics pop out even if you suck...

 

[Maximusgordon 2.0]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

The C-5 will do fine but in the end I couldn't get leads to cut like the others so I switched away from the C-5. However, with the right amp....metal should be no problem with just about any pickup. I have to say that EMGs tend to be very transparent so you will get the real tone of your SC with EMGs....maybe you don't like the natural tone of that guitar. I know a few luthiers who will only use EMGs in their guitars because they do not want passive coloring the natural tone.

Hmmm..... Im not sure about that, EMG's have a much wider response then most passive pups, but i wouldnt call it "natural" 81's for example can made even the fatest, darkest guitar scream. They have a clear and wide tone, but natural it is not IMO.

 

[ishmun]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

Ive got a metal clip of my C5 in my Gibson V if u wanted to have a listn.

I think the C5 is pretty bad ass. cleans are a bit like led zep tones (imo)

heres the link, tell me wat u think:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/writePage.cfm?myType=music&bandid=209951&bandnamesave=ishan

 

[BigBazz]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

ever considered a full shred, i think it will do metal better without being a metal pickup, along with the jb its my favourite pickup, and thats why i use those pickups in my guitars. though im not saying a C-5 would be bad, not in the slightest, theres no need for super high output pickups in even the heaviest of genres imo. someone said emg are transparent, im no expert on active pickups or emg but i was always given the impression that emg active pickups sound really simular regardless of the guitar.

 

[deluxemeat]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

i agree, the fullshred is an extremely underrated (more like never rated) metal pu that cuts but is VERY toneful.
alot of ppl hear the fullshred and say "thats what i expected/wanted the screamin demon to sound like".

 

[Nightburst]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

The C5 is perfect for metal!The C5 has a FAT, warm and crushing tone that is still tight and chunky. The roar it produces is flat out addicting!
It kinda bright too but I solve that by rolling my tone knob away a little.
The C5 is the perfect middle ground between vintage and modern IMHO.

I'll post some high gain C5 clips tuned in D soon, keep an eye out for them in the Tips and clips room.

The C5 does harmonics quite well but not as good as the JB. Pinches are no problem though.

 

[papersoul]

Re: C-5 for Metal??? Am I crazy?

Why did you ditch the Dragon IIs??

I think the C-5 will work with the right amp/ I mean you would have to have the ability to have a good ryhthm channel or patch set and then have the ability to switch to a channel or patch that is heavy on the mids for leads - then you should be fine. Fo the most part, I found it kind of thin in the mids, and leads got a little lost or I should day fills when I was using my rhythm tones! I tried the Custom, but it was too hard and not as rich and juicy like the JB. I settled on the BBQ.