Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

[jangoux]

Hello everyone,

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, currently with a SD Custom Custom + a 59n model. I like the sound of it, but when compared to my Gibson SG (with a Custom 5 on the bridge) it sounds very muddy and lacks something. The SG + Custom 5 has the bite I need and this combo sounds great. How about the Les Paul...what would give me the bite I need on the Les Paul ? A friend recommended me the Custom, but I also love the C5 due to the SG. What each one would give me and what they would not give?

I play mostly Drop-D modern rock, with high-gain distortion most of the time but i also need a useable clean now and them. My amplifier is a SOldano SLO100 handmade copy. I don't like too bright sounds (the reason that i never consider the JB model as an option). I need good and tight bass and low mids response to make it thick, but enough highs to give it some bite. Also, I use mostly mid-scooped sounds, so I don't want much high-mids response.

Thanks,
Ivan

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

Neither is better....but I prefer the Custom. You might prefer the Custom 5!

To me, the C5 lacks mids and sounds to bright. That's why I like the Custom and the Custom is very popular in a Les Paul...more popular, I suspect, than the C5.

I think the Custom sounds better at any volume...the C5 really rocks and sounds great when I'm playing loud, but at lower volumes it lacks mids, IMO.

Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

Drop-D modern rock with lots of gain.....the CC is the wrong pickup for that IMO. Although there is "some" low end to it, it's not a tight low end, but more "squishy" or teetering on the edge of being too loose.

Try out the Custom. It has a bigger and tighter low end with nice highs and mids, but less mids than the CC. The LP Custom is already pretty warm so don't worry about the highs being too much.

You can easily change the CC to a Custom just by swapping the magnet for a ceramic too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

Drop-D modern rock with lots of gain.....the CC is the wrong pickup for that IMO. Although there is "some" low end to it, it's not a tight low end, but more "squishy" or teetering on the edge of being too lose.

Try out the Custom. It has a bigger and tighter low end with nice highs and mids, but less mids than the CC. The LP Custom is already pretty warm so don't worry about the highs being too much.

You can easily change the CC to a Custom just by swapping the magnet for a ceramic too.

That's right. For those dropped D things an alnico 5 (C5) or ceramic magnet (Custom) pickup might be better. Tighter and deeper bass than from alnico 2 (CC).

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

I liked the C5 better than the Custom in my Epi LP custom. The highs of the Custom were a little too shrill for my tastes especially higher up the fretboard. Changing it into a C5 made the cleans better and lead tone more singing. For rythem the Custom is a little tighter and has slightly more bottom end but those leads and cleans did it for me. I played in a Post Hardcore band tuning a whole step lower in D but sometimes found the C5 to be tough to dial in the mix of 2 Guitars. I now replaced the C5 with a Brobucker which is a custom shop pickup.

I'd suggest you get a Ceramic and Alnico 5 Magnet from somewhere and swap out the magnets so you check the results for yourself with your rig. Swapping a magnet can really make a difference!

 

[jangoux]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP


Lew, thanks for replying. I've visited your store many times due to recomendation of some forum colleagues here in Brazil. Your pickup recomendations are very clarifying!

Drop-D modern rock with lots of gain.....the CC is the wrong pickup for that IMO. Although there is "some" low end to it, it's not a tight low end, but more "squishy" or teetering on the edge of being too loose.

Try out the Custom. It has a bigger and tighter low end with nice highs and mids, but less mids than the CC. The LP Custom is already pretty warm so don't worry about the highs being too much.

You can easily change the CC to a Custom just by swapping the magnet for a ceramic too.

Erik, thanks for replying! I learned that the CC is the wrong pickup the hard way :eek13: It's to loose to do any heavy stuff.

Regarding Lew's and Erik's recomendation, my only fear of going Ceramic is that i hated the ceramics that came with my Gibson SG. It sounded undynamic, one-dimensional, the cleans sucked...all the qualities that i dislike on a guitar pickup. I also had a Dimarzio Super Distortion, which i believe has a ceramic magnet, and also found those same "qualities" on them. If I disliked them, is it possible I will not like any ceramic pickups ?

Is it possible that the SG, and it has more mid-range on itself, works better with the C5 than the bassy Les Paul would work, thus making the sound too scooped ? As I said, i really like how the C5 sounds with the SG.

I'd suggest you get a Ceramic and Alnico 5 Magnet from somewhere and swap out the magnets so you check the results for yourself with your rig. Swapping a magnet can really make a difference!

I could do that, but living in Brazil makes it tough. I'd have to buy all those tools, and getting the magnet from the US will be a headache (as it is with anything...)

Ivan

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

Keep in mind the Ceramic magnet in a custom probably wont be as rude as you are used to. The Custom has a very musical tone.
The C5 is a favorite of mine and is great for chugging. And may work great for you. I had to change the c5 in my explorer to a Custom for alil more clarity in the lows. Plus alittle more crunch didnt upset me.
If you play in a heavy style most of the time, start with the Custom. You can easily mod it.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

To me, the C5 lacks mids and sounds to bright. That's why I like the Custom and the Custom is very popular in a Les Paul...more popular, I suspect, than the C5.

Is this tru in comparison to other buckers in les paul or too other guitars .. for example is it as bright and thin as a strat with a vintage bucker or does it still have that smooth mahogany sound. Will it lack mids with an amp like an AC30.

 

[jangoux]

Re: Custom vs. Custom 5 on a Epiphone LP

Sorry for the bump...but..anyonelse?