Charvel Natural Mahogany San Dimas - Replace Custom 5 with JB?

[waylay00]

Hey guys,

Recently purchased one of my longtime dream guitars - a Charvel "Natural Series" San Dimas (part of the Music Zoo runs in the mid-'00s). So far, love the playability. Plays like a dream. However, when I switch from my main, an '02 Les Paul Standard with the stock BB Pros, I can't help feeling that the overall tonality of the Charvel is way too "scooped" (I know it won't sound like my LP, but I'm really missing some of that midrange "honk"). So I looked into it, and my preliminary conclusion is that the Custom 5 pickup that came with it might not be the best fit for an all mahogany guitar...I'm thinking of grabbing a JB to throw in it. What do you guys think?


Thanks

 

[Top-L]

Hey guys,

Recently purchased one of my longtime dream guitars - a Charvel "Natural Series" San Dimas (part of the Music Zoo runs in the mid-'00s). So far, love the playability. Plays like a dream. However, when I switch from my main, an '02 Les Paul Standard with the stock BB Pros, I can't help feeling that the overall tonality of the Charvel is way too "scooped" (I know it won't sound like my LP, but I'm really missing some of that midrange "honk"). So I looked into it, and my preliminary conclusion is that the Custom 5 pickup that came with it might not be the best fit for an all mahogany guitar...I'm thinking of grabbing a JB to throw in it. What do you guys think?


Thanks

I recently got a mahogony guitar with a Custom 5. Mids are missing. Put a ceramic magnet in it, then its a Custom.

The Custom is a great pickup, rock and it has that honk.

Do it. Ceramic magnet. No really, do it.

 

[Mincer]

I agree with trying the ceramic magnet, and while you are at it, get an A2 magnet, too. A JB has a specific sound that is wonderful for a certain type of music, like hard rock played with a boosted Marshall-type amp. The Custom is great for more modern distortion. If you want to use your guitar for other things, and need a great clean sound, try the 59/Custom Hybrid.