Re: Decision between 59' and Custom 5
I've used Custom 5's and 59s in an alder/rosewood strat. The 59 may balance closer to vintage singles, but the C-5 has a nice tight bass, which is good on a strat. The guitar sounds best when the tone is rolled back to 7 or 8, just to tame it a little.
Right now, I'm experimenting with a different pickup in that guitar.....the most overlooked bridge pickup, until Jolly turned me onto it.....the Jazz Bridge.
Funny that nobody's ever thought of putting a Jazz into a strat. I'm not even sure if they make a Trem version, but the poles on my standard one line up good enough.
It's a little harder under the fingers than a JB or C-5. A very hard attack, but it's got great clarity and tone. I find myself keeping the tone rolled back on this one too.
I think you should either trade a forum member straight across for your Custom, or do what was suggested.....swapping the magnet for an Alnico 5, making it a C-5.