Custom 5

Xandeeno

New member
I never really understand where this pickup stands, is it simply a Duncan custom but with an alnico v magnet rather than a ceramic? If so I must admit the idea of alnico v appeals slightly more than ceramic for some reason. Also Would a custom 5 do rock (heavy and classic) grunge, metal, thrash as well as cleans?
 
Re: Custom 5

Yep, that's all that it is. And yes, I think that it would do all of those just fine.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Custom 5

It depends on whether you'll be happy with the aggressively scooped-out mids, though you can try other magnets to address this if you see it as a deficiency.

Mincer (Dave), our administrator, put a C5 in a mid-heavy poplar body and it evened right out.
 
Re: Custom 5

Compared to the regular Custom it can definitely sound scooped. I generally prefer the regular Custom, but the 5 probably cleans up a little better. It'll definitely do hard rock and metal (especially classic metal) just fine. If you have any experience with the 59 model, I would say the Custom 5 is basically like a 59 on steroids. Basically the same EQ, but more power.
 
Re: Custom 5

I love the sound of the C5 in a seriously mid-heavy poplar-bodied Music Man. It still has mids, but it tames them a lot. So the C5 is great at compensating for mid-heavy guitars.
 
Re: Custom 5

Thanks for all the replies! The guitar is a 1997 Washburn bt-8, it will have a jazz in the neck. The body is mahogany with a flame maple cap. The neck is made of maple and it has a rosewood fretboard. I may have it worked on so that it can coil split however that is not as important. I am stuck between a jb, custom or custom 5.
 
Re: Custom 5

Well, a Custom and Custom 5 are just a magnet swap away. If you like PAF-type EQ (scoopy mids), the Custom or 5 has that. The JB has this upper mid thing going for it. It just works for certain kinds of hard rock or Marshall-type distortion.
 
Re: Custom 5

Ah great, thanks, I think I'll go custom and jazz. Seeing as for some reason the custom 5 is quite hard to get hold of. So long as it'll cover all the tones! :)
 
Last edited:
Re: Custom 5

I have a Les Paul with splittable C5/Jazz, and it does everything exceptionally well.
Your instinct of going with A5 is for good reason.

If you play hard rock/classic metal, the C5/Jazz will sound great for cleans, and equally heavy with high gain. The C5 has a great sounding bottom end, natural sounding neutral mids, and clear treble like a 59b.
 
Re: Custom 5

I'd love to hear clips that where the mids of the C5 sound neutral. I shudder to think what a C2 would then sound like.

But to riff on "natural sounding neutral mids" for a second: the phrase is utterly meaningless in any objective sense. When it comes to electric guitar amplification, there is nothing neutral about midrange. When it comes to the perception of midrange, it is entirely dependent on listening level.
 
Last edited:
Re: Custom 5

Ah great, thanks, I think I'll go custom and jazz. Seeing as for some reason the custom 5 is quite hard to get hold of. So long as it'll cover all the tones! :)
No worries! A Custom can be made into a Custom 5 cheaply and easily.
 
Re: Custom 5

I'm a big fan of the C5 but mine is a non polished unoriented magnet. I did not take the time to A/B it with a regular A5 but I don't really need to, it's fine. Compared to the stock ceramic it has more roundness/warmness to it and is less stiff. Cleans aren't it's forte but way better than the ceramic IMO.
It can be a bit of a hit or miss depending on the rest of your gear, especially your guitar. You need to spend the time to get to know it and set it up right or you might find yourself drowned out by the rest of the band. V30 speakers compliment it beautifully.
It sounds amazing in my PRS SE custom 22 currently, sounds huge but I remember it was good in my Gibson SG and Epi Les Paul custom too. All mahogany, the PRS has a maple cap. If done right its tight, percussive, chunky and has that mean PAF snarl to it. I paired it with a Jazz A2 in the neck, which works fine.
 
Re: Custom 5

I'd love to hear clips that where the mids of the C5 sound neutral. I shudder to think what a C2 would then sound like.

you mean a custom custom? its warm and glorious for solos in a strat
 
Re: Custom 5

Well, I have a guitar that sounds incredibly mid-heavy with any other pickup other than a C5.
 
Re: Custom 5

Yep, and I shudder to think what a Custom Custom would sound like in that guitar, especially with the same amp settings.
 
Re: Custom 5

^^
How about running it through a Rockman?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top