Good replacement for C5?

G

Gforce9

New member
I have a Studio Hamer (double cut) which I really like. It is quite a bit lighter than an LP, so I imagine that getting close to an LP tone may be a little tough....it doesn't have the same rich bottom end.
I have an UOA5 '59 in the neck and a C5 in the bridge. The neck is something I like pretty well, but I've always struggled with the bridge....I've tried several. It came with a JB and I didn't care for it. I tried a '59, but with my gear (Dr. Z Carmen Ghia and a few mild OD's) and lighter guitar, didn't seem to have enough "oomph" or the clear midrange of the 59/Custom. The CUOA5 rocked overdriven, but the mid mids were too much clean. The 59/C was great overdriven, but was a tad overbearing in the mids clean. The C5 is pretty close clean, but seems to thin out and compress (shrink) a little more than I like. I would like a beefy bridge that can do clean and od well. I was thinking PG or APII, but have never heard them live. What do you suggest.
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

The Screamin Demon comes to mind when I read your descriptions.
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

An A8 magent in your C5; several dollars and you have the beef you want, and it's great clean. One of the most popular PU's here, for good reason. :cool2:
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

blueman335 said:
An A8 magent in your C5; several dollars and you have the beef you want, and it's great clean. One of the most popular PU's here, for good reason. :cool2:
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How would an A8 59 work in your estimation. I think the A8Custom might be too much....
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

Gforce9 said:
How would an A8 59 work in your estimation. I think the A8Custom might be too much....
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A8 '59's are popular here. Yes, C8's are pretty high output, and is more than some players want. A8 mags have a lot of good tonal qualities, and are used in a variety of low (PAF), medium, and high output bridge PU's.
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

The Hamer is a double cutaway and that makes the neck a bit more flexible than the neck of a Les Paul. The result is less bass and lower mids. So the Hamer sounds brighter. The C5 was to bright in my Hamer too. After trying a Custom Custom, I settled on a Duncan Custom.

And then sold the guitar! :)
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

Thanks for the replies fellas. I want to stay in PAF territory; would an A8 in a '59 still retain some PAF qualities and have decent bass response?

How do you think a PG would do given, as Lew indicated, the Hamer is brighter and has less inherent bass?
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

The PG bridge is a tad bright, so I'm not sure that's the best direction.

Maybe sell your C5 and spring for the Custom Shop Brobucker. It's a 10K PAF with nice lows and mids....and open sounding top end.

Try a Custom 8 or roughcast A5 C5 first though....a lot cheaper.
 
Re: Good replacement for C5?

Id try an A8 mag first. If you dont care for it, you are only out a couple of bucks before trying a pickup swap. I Love custom 8s. they have more warmth than a custom, Less mids than a CC and less top/bottom than a C5.(more body)

I have an a8 in a 59 too and its ok.. one of my fav combos is my Washburn with a 59/4, C/8 combo.
 
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