Custom C5 - from the custom shop

[SF audio]

So after all kinds of swapping, magnets, etc, I've come back to the original C5 as its the sound I want for the Charvel natural series guitar. It was the original pickup in the guitar so I think they got it right...
But....I can't get over the output being so hot. The bass is also a bit much. So I contact the Seymour Custom shop and asked them about a lower output C5. They said they can get it down to 12K from its 14.4K without drastically affecting the tone - (but it will drop the mids a bit and increase the treble ) From 14.4 to 12K is a drop, but will I really be happy with a relatively small drop in output.

Has anyone done a custom made pickup based off a current model and liked the results?...we are talking $200+ for a custom pickup and like anything custom made its a bit of a gamble.

 

[beaubrummels]

Some guys have ordered custom stuff based on existing models. Orpheo has done a number of his own ideas. When you tweak the recipe, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, just like buying any new/different pickup to try.

Wouldn't a Distortion neck with an A5 get you in the ballpark of what you want? Or just a Full Shred and put some filisters in it? Or maybe Full Shred as-is?

 

[Clint 55]

That's the best way to get what you want, to give them broad spex. I got a 12k Phat Cat bridge and it sounded like exactly that.

 

[chadd]

Run an EQ in front of your amp with a slight output reduction. Way cheaper, adjustable and usable for other things if you decide it doesn't sound the way you want.

 

[Mincer]

You might check out the 59/Custom Hybrid instead. It is certainly less powerful than the C5.

 

[SF audio]

Thanks for the responses. So from 14.4 to 12k it would be a noticeable drop in output? I've got some pickups around 10k and that is easily noticeable.

Custom hybrid would be too middy...this roasted mahogany body is so dense that any mids push through the amp in an overbearing way...well, IMO.

 

[Clint 55]

If you already have some 10k pickups and you're looking for a small drop in output then 12k is probably a good mark.

 

[Mincer]

Well, the Hybrid is half a 59, half of a C5. There aren't many mids at all.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Thanks for the responses. So from 14.4 to 12k it would be a noticeable drop in output? I've got some pickups around 10k and that is easily noticeable.

Custom hybrid would be too middy...this roasted mahogany body is so dense that any mids push through the amp in an overbearing way...well, IMO.

Mincer beat me to it.

Where did you get the idea that the C/59 was middy? Just logic would tell you that there aren't many mids in it, But I've got several C/59 hybrids in different guitars and from actual experience I can tell you that they are not middy. They sound very scooped, very PAFish (but with a kick in the butt).

 

[Masta' C]

Custom hybrid would be too middy...this roasted mahogany body is so dense that any mids push through the amp in an overbearing way...well, IMO.

It's not a "middy" pickup. I'd certainly try it before dropping Custom Shop money!

And what swaps have you tried since your last thread about this?

 

[Mikelamury]

I had the custom shop make me a hot p-rail in trembucker spacing (production model hot p-rail is only standard spacing)
and I requested that they make it with more treble and 'cut' and less muddiness(hot p-rail is kinda muddy pickup by Nature) than the standard hot p-rail and it came out outstandingly. It sounded even better than I was thinking in my head and MJ was able to take what I told her I wanted and turn it into something awesome. she said that was the first request that she had to modify a hot p-rail but she made it work.

So long story short they can definitely modify a current production pickup into something totally awesome but still retaining the base sound that pickup is known for. I personally thought it was worth every penny because I couldn't find another pickup to do exactly what that hot p-rail does for me (awesome ska pickup).

 

[SF audio]

Custom hybrid tone chart shows the mids pretty high, just as much as treble. So that must be misleading. I've also read somewhere that mismatched coils add mids....but yeah, I guess it's worth a shot before going custom shop

 

[Masta' C]

Custom hybrid tone chart shows the mids pretty high, just as much as treble. So that must be misleading. I've also read somewhere that mismatched coils add mids....but yeah, I guess it's worth a shot before going custom shop

Don't ever go by the SD tone charts

 

[Mincer]

Yes, ignore most of the tone charts, as they aren't accurate. I swear some were just copy/paste placeholders that never got replaced or fixed. Always use your ears.

 

[SF audio]

So in comparison to the C5, the custom hybrid is what? Lower output for sure,..

It seems to have a certain thing in the midrange that's different.
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[beaubrummels]

IME a 59/Custom is not all that different from a C5, maybe a touch more even across the middle and a bit lower output. A C5 to me is more like a loud Jazz bridge.

 

[Clint 55]

So in comparison to the C5, the custom hybrid is what? Lower output for sure,..

It seems to have a certain thing in the midrange that's different.
​​​

If the C5 has mids of 1, maybe the hybrid has mids of 3. Not a whole lot, and not crunchy, but somethin goin on.

 

[Mincer]

If the C5 has mids of 1, maybe the hybrid has mids of 3. Not a whole lot, and not crunchy, but somethin goin on.

I would agree with this. It is also more touch sensitive than the Custom, due to being slightly less output (15%?)

 

[Chistopher]

So you want a custom Custom Custom Custom?

 

[Cdwillis]

Custom 5 with less bass and less output. Have you tried a 59?