C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

[Naps]

OK, I guess that my C-5 is just a little noisy - probably being close to my computer, ect.
Any way , It's really bright and has a lot of treble, I was think of going with a A2 magnet and making it a Custom Custom. I'm wanting it to have a darker, more meaty/thick (compressed?) sound. Lows are covered by my Mesa :saeek: and the CC seems to have a lot of mids so I'm thinking that should thicken up my sound. Am I on the right track. I'm just not fond of the C-5, I usually use the JB Jr in the middle for most of the bridge stuff, but being a middle pup, It's bass isn't tight.

On the C-5 side, I have to say it sounded good in my Marshall as it has a darker sound, IMO.

How hard is it to replace the magnets and where is a good place to get one?
I'm decent with a soldering iron so I think I'll be able to hack the soldering.




:help:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

magnet swaping is easy as pie! the CC is one of my favorite bridge buckers...very thick but not muddy, good treble but not too bright, and a solid bass but not too boomy...the only complaint people have about the CC is that it is very compressed, and some people don't like that...try it, you might like...

 

[Naps]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

magnet swaping is easy as pie! the CC is one of my favorite bridge buckers...very thick but not muddy, good treble but not too bright, and a solid bass but not too boomy...the only complaint people have about the CC is that it is very compressed, and some people don't like that...try it, you might like...

That actually sounds great! I'm thinking I'll like a more compressed sound because it's a start, bolt on neck and the compression and thickness will make it sound fatter.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

Christian is right on the money. I think you'd like the CC too. It'll do exactly what you seem to be desiring.

So where can this guy buy a2 magnets?

I have several links to pickups parts suppliers on my home computor but none on my computor here at work.

 

[Stratcat]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

IMHO, The CC works best in the bridge position of a Strat into an all tube amp with that has a good bottom and high end. The CC is one of my all time favorite pups.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

IMHO, The CC works best in the bridge position of a Strat into an all tube amp with that has a good bottom and high end. The CC is one of my all time favorite pups.

Sounds great in my strat type guitar with a tube marshall. The highs are good enough to cut and the mids are thick. The pup is warm but has plenty of bite

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

If you bought the pickup new, don't forget about the exchange policy. Also, all the problems you had while wiring it up lead me to believe you should have someone look at it, because C-5's aren't shrill sounding pickups. I do think that the CC is the best direction to go if you want less highs.

 

[theodie]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

I would try the C5 with 250K pots before you magnet swap. I have used a C5 with 250K's and it works well and sounds good.

 

[Breogan]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

OK, I guess that my C-5 is just a little noisy - probably being close to my computer, ect.
Any way , It's really bright and has a lot of treble, I was think of going with a A2 magnet and making it a Custom Custom. I'm wanting it to have a darker, more meaty/thick (compressed?) sound. Lows are covered by my Mesa :saeek: and the CC seems to have a lot of mids so I'm thinking that should thicken up my sound. Am I on the right track. I'm just not fond of the C-5, I usually use the JB Jr in the middle for most of the bridge stuff, but being a middle pup, It's bass isn't tight.

On the C-5 side, I have to say it sounded good in my Marshall as it has a darker sound, IMO.

How hard is it to replace the magnets and where is a good place to get one?
I'm decent with a soldering iron so I think I'll be able to hack the soldering.

I guess this is obvious but:

1) Remove the tape around the pickup (this is very ovbious!!! he he :smack: )

2) You don't need to remove the screws from the baseplate, just a couple of turns are necesary to loose the magnet.

3) Push the magnet from one of the short sides of the baseplate. Be sure to check the polarity so the new magnet has the same magnetic polarity direction.

4) Replace the magnet and fasten the screws.

Very easy!!

 

[Stratcat]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

I would try the C5 with 250K pots before you magnet swap. I have used a C5 with 250K's and it works well and sounds good.

Ditto

 

[Naps]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

If you bought the pickup new, don't forget about the exchange policy. Also, all the problems you had while wiring it up lead me to believe you should have someone look at it, because C-5's aren't shrill sounding pickups. I do think that the CC is the best direction to go if you want less highs.

I bought it almost a year ago, I think, and I've always attributed the pups hiss and stuff to something other than the pup itself. I thought it could be my amp, cord, being near my computer, ect. so I never gave it much thought. also, I play it mostly in my apartment so I don't crank it up, but it's still noticable at apartment level but I'll live with it for now. I guess I'll look at it some more when I take the cover off.


As far as the CC goes, I'm pretty sure that's what I'm looking for as far as the discriptions. So, does anyone know where I can get a A2 and how much they cost?


.

 

[Naps]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

I would try the C5 with 250K pots before you magnet swap. I have used a C5 with 250K's and it works well and sounds good.

I'm afraid that would make the other 2 pups darker also, and I've got them pretty much where I want thm in terms of 'brightness'

Thanks though.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

Here ya go: http://www.ampge.com/components.htm

I'm surprised Steve hasn't chimed in. He must be away from his computor.

Lew

 

[Naps]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

Here ya go: http://www.ampge.com/components.htm

I'm surprised Steve hasn't chimed in. He must be away from his computor.

Lew

I'm guessing the bar magnet, right? are they correct sizes?


Thanks Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

I'm guessing the bar magnet, right? are they correct sizes?


Thanks Lew

Should be.

 

[Naps]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

I guess this is obvious but:

3) Push the magnet from one of the short sides of the baseplate. Be sure to check the polarity so the new magnet has the same magnetic polarity direction.

How do I check the polarity?

 

[MattPete]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

How do I check the polarity?

Either use a cheap compass (I bought one at Target for < $5), or hold the side of the magnet near the side of the other humbucker. If the magnets are in the same magnetic direction, they will repel. If the polarity is wrong, they'll attract, and you'll need to flip the magent over.

BTW: the poles are at the widest end, so don't flip the magnet the long way.

 

[frankencat]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

... BTW: the poles are at the widest end, so don't flip the magnet the long way.

Care to explain :question:

 

[MattPete]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

Care to explain :question:

A bar magnet is shaped like a ruler, so I'll use a ruller as an analogy. The poles (north and south) are where the tick marks would be on the sides of the ruler. So, one side is north and the other south. If the polarity is wrong, you roll the ruler so that the tick marks are now pointing down.

Another way to think of it is the two edges of the magnet line up under separate bobbins of the pickup. The pole pieces of one bobbin are north and the other are south.

The reason I bring this up is that when I first heard of flipping magnets, i thought that the poles were on the long ends.

 

[Naps]

Re: C-5 too many highs, CC better alternative?

The reason I bring this up is that when I first heard of flipping magnets, i thought that the poles were on the long ends.

that's what I was thinking, also. :smack: :cool3: