is a C5 really like a 59?

[johnny5]

is the C5 really like a 59 with more output and a bit more bass. i have a 59 set in an all korina hamer studio and want a little more uhmf out of the bridge PU. i love the sound of this guitar (clear and articulate with good string separation) but don't really like the lacking bass response. so, the SD description sounds like just what i was looking for.

some folks say the the C5 has a mid scoop. i don't really like that idea. i play most classic rock type tones, from cleanish to dirty rude, NOT looking for a nu meatal machine.

any help would be great.

thanks,

 

[J.LaGrassa]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

The C5 description I would agree with "Sounds Like a 59 on Steroids" I dont think the C5 is that scooped either it just has more Bass and Highs on the plus side mids are about flat.

I've got the C5 in my McCarty and it sounds great!

 

[Stevo]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I think it sounds like a 59 with a little more bass and smoother highs. It does not sound scooped to me. I'd say it sounds balanced. It probably sounds "scooped" if you have a "scooped" amp or "scooped" speakers though

 

[ranalli]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

The C5 description I would agree with "Sounds Like a 59 on Steroids" I dont think the C5 is that scooped either it just has more Bass and Highs on the plus side mids are about flat.

I've got the C5 in my McCarty and it sounds great!

If there's more bass and treble than mids then it's pretty much scooped.


And it sure looks scooped from the specs much like the '59.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

Well it's only a $5 magnet swap away from being a Custom or CC. Both of those have plenty of mids. I think the Custom series, to be honest, can cover just about any ground you want them to.

I'd particularly recommend the Custom for classic rock. :fing2:

 

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I agree with J. La. A beefed up '59. Not over the top at all. May seem a little more compressed than the '59, but hardly noticeable. I too have one in my PRS and it rocks. Good luck & welcome to the forum!

Peace

Darrin

 

[cvansickle]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

In my experience, the C5 is a little louder than the 59, and the bass is tighter and punchier - like the difference between a closed back (C5) and open back (59) speaker cab.

I use a 59n with the C5 in my Les Paul Custom, and I think it's a match made in tone heaven!

 

[papersoul]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

Have any of you been able to get good modern hard rock tones from the C-5? I like my bridge pickup to be versatile and for me that would be clean to mid gain to high gain....vintage to modern. That is a lot to ask from a pickup I know. I did have the C-5 in my LP a while back and it seemed great but it did seem on the vintage side. The big difference I noticed from the Custom was that the Custom seemed more focused, harder, thikcer and denser midrange. I had to trun the mids up more on my amp with the C-5. But, it did let the natural tone come through.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I have never tried the custom, only the custom custom and a few others. The c5 is my favorite. I had it in a schecter and loved it. I just put it in a les paul classic and I wonder if it has too much oomph. I still love the pickup and can turm the bass down if needed.

 

[papersoul]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I have never tried the custom, only the custom custom and a few others. The c5 is my favorite. I had it in a schecter and loved it. I just put it in a les paul classic and I wonder if it has too much oomph. I still love the pickup and can turm the bass down if needed.

I never found it or any of my pickups to have too much oomph in a gig situation assuming I tweaked the amp for the venue. I have been on gigs using the C-5 where I had to crank the bass on the amp and other times I had to drastically lower the bass. Goes to show you how many variables there are in a playing situation or when it comes to tone.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I agree with Stevo about the smoother highs. I found the '59 to be considerably brighter than the C5.

 

[RG 2570]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I am going to start by buying a CC and then if that does not work out learn to swap magnets and put in a alnico 5 in that CC.
both have me very interested?
the regular custom i heard in a guitar at the music store and it sounded harsh?
so i am hoping that one of these other two will be a smmother version of the CUSTOM

 

[Mac-P]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

is the C5 really like a 59 with more output and a bit more bass. i have a 59 set in an all korina hamer studio and want a little more uhmf out of the bridge PU. i love the sound of this guitar (clear and articulate with good string separation) but don't really like the lacking bass response. so, the SD description sounds like just what i was looking for.

some folks say the the C5 has a mid scoop. i don't really like that idea. i play most classic rock type tones, from cleanish to dirty rude, NOT looking for a nu meatal machine.

any help would be great.

thanks,

Hey, count me in as one who says the C5 is scooped. Big time.

I found the C5 to be absolutely anemic sounding in the mids. And in the mix with a band, since the mid content is so not there, my guitar sound became this "frothy tinkle" that sparkled above the mix of the rest of the band. The low end was more than covered up by the bass player. And most of those highs where eaten up by the cymbals. The guitar just sounded.....small. That was with a '59n in the neck which souned HUGE by comparasin.

As a matter of fact, when I would switch from the neck to the C5 bridge for a solo (or anything else for that matter), I always got bummed at how weak and wimpy my tone was. And WAAAAAAAAY too bright. The C5 has mucho top end. Too much for my taste in a bridge bucker.

Same guitar ---- put my old JB in there. Night and day. All of a sudden my leads were muscular, singing, and fat. So I know it's not the guitar.

All the mids in the JB add to a more vocal, singing type tone, as apposed to the more hollow '59 C5 thing.

The '59 sounds cool in the neck as that sort of "single coil" type voicing sounds cool there, but not at the bridge for my taste.

Just my 4 cents.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I wasn't crazy about the C5. I just thought it had too much emphasis in the bass and not enough in the mids. I could understand it having difficulty cutting through a mix.

But with a Custom......:laugh2:

 

[papersoul]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I am on the fence and I never had the extreme experience that MAC had had with the C-5. I found it rather vintage and clear but assuming i had enough mids from the guitar and the amp, I was fine. I played two gigs with my C-5 loaded LP and cut pretty good but did notice a drop off with single note runs. I nice and underratted pickup is the Rio grande BBQ. I could use this in most guitars without fail. The Custom is another nice one - very clear, but I find the BBQ to be warmer for my tastes.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

Notice the difference in harmony reviews. When the C-5 was discovered by good guitar players as the Custom Custom Custom, it got great reviews. As soon as that pickup trickled it's way down to the beginners, the reviews got stupid, especially with that "scooped" description. The Custom 5 is in the top 3 of the best Duncan Bridge humbuckers IMO. It's possibly the only one that sounds great on clean, midgain, and highgain....equally. I think it would have been an overnight sensation (even moreso) if it had been called the 59 Custom Bridge or the Custom Custom Custom.
I also like the CC, JB and Antiquity, but the C-5 sounds more perfect with any guitar and amp I've used it in, which is 5 so far. 3 Pauls, 1 McCarty, and a H-S-S strat.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I am one of those who likes C5, but thinks that it could use slightly more lower mids and spongy bass. That's why I prefer CC (or C3) over a C5. fftopic: This has nothing to do with what you are asking, I know.

What I am gonna say is: you like your 59b no? Then why change the pickup right away? Did you try playing with the height of the bridge pickup (get it quite close to the strings), and/or slightly raising the screws under the wound strings, and/or using thicker wound strings, or lowering the bass side of the tailpiece,...?

B

 

[J.LaGrassa]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

Hey, count me in as one who says the C5 is scooped. Big time.

I found the C5 to be absolutely anemic sounding in the mids. And in the mix with a band, since the mid content is so not there, my guitar sound became this "frothy tinkle" that sparkled above the mix of the rest of the band. The low end was more than covered up by the bass player. And most of those highs where eaten up by the cymbals. The guitar just sounded.....small. That was with a '59n in the neck which souned HUGE by comparasin.

As a matter of fact, when I would switch from the neck to the C5 bridge for a solo (or anything else for that matter), I always got bummed at how weak and wimpy my tone was. And WAAAAAAAAY too bright. The C5 has mucho top end. Too much for my taste in a bridge bucker.

Same guitar ---- put my old JB in there. Night and day. All of a sudden my leads were muscular, singing, and fat. So I know it's not the guitar.

All the mids in the JB add to a more vocal, singing type tone, as apposed to the more hollow '59 C5 thing.

The '59 sounds cool in the neck as that sort of "single coil" type voicing sounds cool there, but not at the bridge for my taste.

Just my 4 cents.

Its funny how opinions can be so different! I tried to give the JB a shot in my McCarty I liked it at first but soon found that to be a thin sounding pup with Boxy mids compared to the C5. So much of the tone we hear is more than the pickup but it is good to see all the differing opinions.

 

[Mac-P]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

When the C-5 was discovered by good guitar players as the Custom Custom Custom, it got great reviews. As soon as that pickup trickled it's way down to the beginners, the reviews got stupid, especially with that "scooped" description. The Custom 5 is in the top 3 of the best Duncan Bridge humbuckers IMO. It's possibly the only one that sounds great on clean, midgain, and highgain....equally.

Hey bro,

I used the C5 (and Custom, CC, JB, etc) in a band gigging situation, extensively. To my ear, and for what I like in a guitar sound, I think the C5 sounds "scooped" (lack of mids, weak in the mids, strong in the bass and treble - whatever). I am hardly a "beginner". Nor do I think my opinion or description is "stupid". That's the way I hear it. Especially when switching from the neck pickup.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as well. Perhaps you should word things a bit less strongly.....

Out of curiosity, are your opinions based on playing in a band with bass, drums (keys?) or bedroom playing?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: is a C5 really like a 59?

I think all this pickup talk depends on what amps you use!
Mids are just not mids.