Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

[Eric Dahlberg]

After reading numerous recommendations on this forum, I decided to go with a Custom 5 bridge in my Les Paul. Unfortunately, I failed to consider that the recommendation was probably for maple top Pauls, whereas mine is all mahogany, so, mated with the Custom 5, the sound is too warm with not enough cut. Conversely, I tried a friend's maple top Paul with a JB in the bridge & absolutely love the cut & harmonics off this pickup but wish it had more warmth & low end.

Does anyone have a recommendation that will give my mahogany LP the best of both worlds? I'm currently looking at the Custom, Pearly Gates, JB, & Distortion but am open to any other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I´d switch to a JB and try from there. If the JB in a "Normal" Paul seems a tad too bright and is missing a bit of "Thump", it should be just perfect in an All mahogany one.

THe Custom would also be a good choice, but it´s IMO the more aggressive of the 2, the EQ is shifted a bit farter left, putting it pretty much between the JB and the C-5

 

[Stevo]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

It sounds like you might want an a2 magnet.
I really like the Seth Lover for Classic rock and the CC for heavier rock, with clarity. Both have a lot of personality and the mids jump out of them.

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I recommend the Pearly Gates for the Tone you are looking for.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I´d switch to a JB and try from there. If the JB in a "Normal" Paul seems a tad too bright and is missing a bit of "Thump", it should be just perfect in an All mahogany one.

That's what I was thinking, too, although I'm still hesitant about it because the sound examples don't sound so hot. I do like the thought of a more aggressive pickup. Where would the PG sit in comparison to the JB & Custom?

Stevo, wouldn't an a2 magnet be even warmer? I love Slash's tone & can nearly nail it with that maple Paul but, again, am afraid the a2 wouldn't be a good match for this mahogany guitar.

Thanks for your help, guys.

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Change the bridge volume pot to a 500k and raise the pole pieces of the C5 so that the bottom of the screw heads are just above the bobbin on strings 1 through 4. Adjust overall height to taste. I use several C5s in different guitars and I had to adjust them all differently. I had a couple of JBs that I could not get to sound right no matter what I did. However, I have found that the Custom works the best in my mahogany Flying V. It may be the solution you are looking for if adjusting the C5 does not work for you. Gibsons come stock with 300K volume pots and 500k tone pots. IMHO, any Duncan Custom series pickup you use responds the best with 500k pots.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

That's what I was thinking, too, although I'm still hesitant about it because the sound examples don't sound so hot. I do like the thought of a more aggressive pickup. Where would the PG sit in comparison to the JB & Custom?

Stevo, wouldn't an a2 magnet be even warmer? I love Slash's tone & can nearly nail it with that maple Paul but, again, am afraid the a2 wouldn't be a good match for this mahogany guitar.

Thanks for your help, guys.

The Pearly is WAY lower output than either. You get a nice "texas sizzle" on the top end compared to other PAF-style pickups, but more of a "Vintage" output.

The Jb and Cuatom are definitely both more aggressive and "modern" sounding to my ears, but it kind of depends on what kind of tone you´re looking for.

 

[mrid]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Have you tried an EQ with the C-5?

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I had the same experience with the C5 in my gibson MII with is very low mid orientated ; muddy lows , high too smooth , not enough mids and after several pickup changes i reinstalled the C5 with 6 allen screws instead of the regular ones , and it cured it all !!! Try it , it is not a big mod if you have the spare screws .

 

[johnny5]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I had the same experience with the C5 in my gibson MII with is very low mid orientated ; muddy lows , high too smooth , not enough mids and after several pickup changes i reinstalled the C5 with 6 allen screws instead of the regular ones , and it cured it all !!! Try it , it is not a big mod if you have the spare screws .

how would the screws change anything? different metal maybe? what size are those screws?

i put one in my all Korina double cut and didn't like it. i did not try to mess with the pole peices. does that really make a difference?

i felt the C5 was kinda lacking in the mids (all mids) and i seem to prefer the 59b. want to try a PG as well, but feel a PG might be to bright.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

if you prefer the 59b over the c5 it might be the more open top end and lower output, the more vintage characteristics.
i dont think the pg is any brighter than the 59, its a different tone for sure, more mid push

 

[Dills]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Why dont u try swapping out the A5 magnet in the C5 for an A2 or ceramic, That way you dont have to spend to much money. A2 will give you more mids with a rounder feel with subdued bass and softer highs =CC. And ceramic will give it more attack and aggressivness and pretty balanced tonal spectrum with highs that will cut through very nicely = Custom.

I just tried a JB in lespaul mahogany type ax and its sounded awesome.

 

[italic zero]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Change the magnet to a ceramic, the screws to allens. Or just one of those.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Changing magnets & screw types won't be so easy because this pickup has the gold cover. Besides, it's still within the 21-day return period for me.

A twist to this story is that my friend's Les Paul turns out to be all mahogany, as well (sorry for botching this important detail), so I guess a JB wouldn't be the right choice after all. It's really close, though, is there a pickup that sounds the same but with a fuller bottom?

*edit* - Just saw the other thread asking the same question. Looks like I'm getting a Custom, thanks for all your help!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I'd follow the suggestions of messing with the height, adjusting some polepieces, and changing some pots to 500K. I know what you're talking about, since I have a gold
C-5 in an all mahogany 57 Black Beauty Custom. The C-5 definitely doesn't sound as edgy as it does in a maple capped LP. Mahogany has a lot of mids, so the tight bottom and vintage highs of the C-5 works well, but only after you tweak a few things, and maybe dial in more highs and mids on your amp.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Before you do anything else to that guitar, change the volume pots out to 500k analog taper pots. I have installed the C-5 into a couple different guitars with 250k and 300k pots and it does lack top end and clarity with lower spec pots.

Most humbuckers sound best with 500k pots and nothing will sound "right" until you get those pots changed out.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

Did you end up ordering any 500k pots that fit Gibsons? If not I was gonna get some dimarzios at a local music store. Are the Gibsons made by cts?

 

[Tele4Me]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

I have an SH14 (?) 1/2 ceramic, 1/2 alnico and is has very good cut, w/o too much ceramic edge, and not overly warm, either. It's a great "in between" pickup.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Don't like the Custom 5 in my LP, any suggestions?

The Gibson pots are not CTS made but CTS does make long shaft pots.

You can order long shaft CTS pots from allparts through Guitar Center.

I don't believe the Dmz pots are CTS either.

I haven't been in the position to order any pots, I'm waiting for a job to start.