C5: first impression

J

johnny5

New member
well, after reading alot of affirmative posts and some negative i finally got a C5 and put it in the bridge slot of my Hamer USA double cut. i have only done one band rehearsal but so far, i don't like it. i had a 59b in there and dug it but always wanted just a tad more bass and uhmf. but the 59b has a great open quality.

anyway, i found the C5 to be kind stale. it sorta lacks that thick quality. there was some bottom, and alot of top but not alot of mids. not so much "scooped", but that vocal freqency was just not there. i will try it again, but after that i will probably go back to the 59b.
 
Re: C5: first impression

I don't like the C5 for that reason. Too much bass, too much treble, too much output, not enough mids. It works well if you use it in a setup that's very midrangey, but it's not one of my favorite pickups.

Ryan
 
Re: C5: first impression

Yeah, I know what you mean... the C5 wasn't working for me either... I guess I'm one of the 5% that just don't like it...
 
Re: C5: first impression

I used the C5 for a year or so...went back to the 59B too. I liked the C5 best cranked...when I played loud with my amps on volume 6 or more. Then it kicked serious butt! But at lower, cleaner volumes the C5 seemed to need more mids. When I play a humbucker guitar, I'm looking mostly for the classic Eric Clapton/Cream and Jeff Beck/Truth and BB King/Live At the Regal tones...the 59B did that better than the C5 in my guitars, through my amps and with my playing style. Lew
 
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Re: C5: first impression

I almost never use the C5 by itself, but more as an "addendum" to the 59n.
But I also keep a trusty dual-59 axe close by. :)

(I wonder if I should stop posting pup opinions . . . 'til I get an amp?) :laugh2:
 
Re: C5: first impression

I don't like my C5 nickel either. It doesn't sound that mid scooped to me but there is a loss of dynamics and too much compression when compared to a low output pickup. The only time I like it is with the switch in the middle position with a 59n. That's actually the only way I like either of these. I don't like them on their own but they sound good combined and played with a clean settting.
 
Re: C5: first impression

I use them, and like them a lot, but it's true that they sound best on midheavy amps like Marshalls and Tweeds. I normally only like them in mahogany bodies, as well.
Since that combination has a lot of midrange density, the C-5 stays more articulate, whereas the CC and JB get a little to murky in the mids. I find the CC/Seth is also a great combination, for someone who wants to go a step warmer. The Seth neck has so much sustain, it's almost hard to believe.
 
Re: C5: first impression

Gearjoneser said:
I find the CC/Seth is also a great combination, for someone who wants to go a step warmer. The Seth neck has so much sustain, it's almost hard to believe.
Click to expand...


Aah.. Seths again!
 
Re: C5: first impression

Would a mesa rectifier be considered a mid heavy amp?


Gearjoneser said:
I use them, and like them a lot, but it's true that they sound best on midheavy amps like Marshalls and Tweeds. I normally only like them in mahogany bodies, as well.
Since that combination has a lot of midrange density, the C-5 stays more articulate, whereas the CC and JB get a little to murky in the mids. I find the CC/Seth is also a great combination, for someone who wants to go a step warmer. The Seth neck has so much sustain, it's almost hard to believe.
Click to expand...
 
Re: C5: first impression

People who like the C5 seem to like it for its versatility and its blend of vintage tone with increased output. I've tried it on two separate occasions in my LP Standard and didn't get on with it. I got the other side of the coin and it seemed like a compromise pickup - to me it lacks both the gentle articulation of a vintage pickup and the good-time rudeness of a hotter pup like the Custom. I settled on the Seths in that guitar - they sound the way my ears think a Les Paul should.
 
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Re: C5: first impression

Simon_F said:
I settled on the Seths in that guitar - they sound the way my ears think a Les Paul should.
Click to expand...

I'm the same Simon, the Seth's in my LP is THE sound I've been wanting for so long.

I've recently ordered a Gordon Smith Graduate 60 (LP) and the bridge pup is a C5, but going by alot of peoples posts on this thread, it looks like I may have made a bad choice. I'll have to test the pup out and see how I like it. If I don't, I have a Screamin' Demon in my Epi LP that I could always change out instead :)
 
Re: C5: first impression

I also didn't like the C5 in a Paul with or without Marshalls, but it worked very well in an Aria legend (PRSsy type alder body) detuned to B - a big surprise as I hated it for everything else. With the low tuning, it hits the sweet spot and remains articulate and erm, "chimeyesque" wikth a bit of growl if that makes sense.
I preferred the Demon in the LP but finally ended up with the excellent Harmonic Design HB sized Z90s (just before the phat cats went serial - sucks huh!).
 
Re: C5: first impression

Johnny5 -

For a low-cost alternative to switching pickups, you might try swapping an alnico-2 or alnico-3 magnet into that Custom 5. The first produces a "Custom Custom", while the second is somewhere between the two.

I think there's info in the vault on how to swap magnets - it's easy as long as you take your time.

Chip
 
Re: C5: first impression

i love my C5 in my flying v

under heavy distorion, this pickup has attitude and really rocks hard
i orginally had a CC and found that too be mid heavy and lacking alot in bass but the highs were real nice - i just found, in modern situations, it had a bit to be desired

clean, i can get some nice led zep-ish tones happening and it seems to sing really nicely

all in all, i would recommend the c5 to the more modern players who also want a touch of the old school. the CC seems quite vintagey to me and can do the 80s EVH vibe pretty damn well

as robert said, indeed, each tho his own

my 2 cents ;)

Ishan
 
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