JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

[boulder4112]

Ok I've narrowed my pup choice to three possiblities. This is a Hamer USA studio guitar, same construction style as an LP (all mahogany with maple cap and rose fretboard). Basically I'm looking for comparison's between these two pups. The other thing I was wondering is, since this guitar already has duncan 59's in the neck and the bridge standard, how much and in what ways does the custom 5 differ from the standard 59, which it is modeled after if I am not mistaken. Does this pup have the tonal and output characteristics to give me great over-the-top gain or would I be better off with the custom 5 or JB?

I play almost all rythm/chord style, not into solos or wailing high notes if this helps.

 

[FretFire]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

I don't believe the C5 and 59b have very much in common tone-wise...

 

[gianniboy]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

hey man, in a mahogany body i would go with a c5 and a2p, ask around about that combo, i heard it is killer.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

Thats the combo I use in my 94 Goldtop. I like it but the neck and the bridge are 2 completeley different animals. I think they both sound great though.

 

[FretFire]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

I use a C5 in the bridge and Jazz in the neck of my Schecter C1+, which is pretty similar to an LP in woods/construction (although not in scale length).

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

If rhythm is all you play the '59 bridge should be enough in a mahogany body. You'll want a pup that has a full open sound for rhythm work. A Demon, Custom and C5 would work as well with just more output and flavor than the 59. The Custom Custom is very open sounding too.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

A C5 or Custom would be perfect for what you described.
A lot of people swear by low output pickups for lot's of clarity under high-gain, I prefer something a little hotter in the bridge. The C5 is the perfect match for a '59n IMHO.

 

[italic zero]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

The C5 is much more neutral sounding than the JB, although they are both high output. For me, it seemed like the JB had too much character, and the Custom 5 sounded more naturally like the guitar. Some say the JB is harsh, but those are the same characteristics which give it the incredible ability to cut through the mix. The C5 has more bottom end, and is more percussive in the lows. Some complain that it is "scooped" or doesn't cut, but I really can't get a scooped tone without scooping the EQ. Since I use mids at 1-2 o'clock, there's no way any pickup is giving me a scooped tone. If you play in a band with 2 guitars, I might say the JB would be better, but I think that it really excels for leads, which you don't do a lot of.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

C-5/59 should be offered as a set IMO. Basically, a 59B with tighter bass and a bit more balls. If you want a bridge pickup without a hint of icey treble, get a CC.
Those two are my favorite bridge pickups for LP style guitars. The C-5 is clearer and tighter, while the CC is warmer and has a slightly richer tone.....kinda like a JB with the lowmids emphasized more than the highmids like a JB.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

To my recollection, everyone who has been referred to a C5 in the bridge of an LP or LP-style guitar has loved it. So I would give it a shot. Remember, you can always return in within 21 days!

 

[boulder4112]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

Thanks a lot guys C5 sounds like where its at... any idea where I can get one? musicians friend has every other model but the C5, I assume because it's not really considered a production model or something.... they also don't include the C-5 in the spec sheet with all the other pickups on the website.

so anyway, where can I get one?

 

[italic zero]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SEMSH14

I've had good experiences with this website.

 

[castiron]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

Thanks a lot guys C5 sounds like where its at... any idea where I can get one? musicians friend has every other model but the C5, I assume because it's not really considered a production model or something.... they also don't include the C-5 in the spec sheet with all the other pickups on the website.

so anyway, where can I get one?

music123.com has it i think

 

[crompf]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

I have tried the C5/59 combo in my LP studio and don't like it. Too aggressive and trebly on the bad side. Now I have put a Custom instead of the C5 and like it much better (more compressed and not trebly). Now I feel that the 59 neck gives me too much power and bass and think to swap for a jazz.
Anyway I guess that the C5 could be useful in a dark guitar.

 

[PearlyHellhound]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

I can't choose and I can't afford to buy a set of JBs and a set of C5s to see which will play through a Mesa Boogie Stiletto the best. Fustration has occured and I am said.

 

[PearlyHellhound]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

Son of a....SAD. Not said. oh boy.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

Ok I've narrowed my pup choice to three possiblities. This is a Hamer USA studio guitar, same construction style as an LP (all mahogany with maple cap and rose fretboard). Basically I'm looking for comparison's between these two pups. The other thing I was wondering is, since this guitar already has duncan 59's in the neck and the bridge standard, how much and in what ways does the custom 5 differ from the standard 59, which it is modeled after if I am not mistaken. Does this pup have the tonal and output characteristics to give me great over-the-top gain or would I be better off with the custom 5 or JB?

I play almost all rythm/chord style, not into solos or wailing high notes if this helps.

hang on...
is there a problem with the 59b?
if so, what don't you like about it?
what's it not doing, that you want it to do?
59b to a C5 of a JB's a pretty big jump IMO; don't go in blind.
at any rate, i don't think you'll want a JB.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

You could always just put a ceramic mag in that 59 bridge, This will give it that extra kick that you want.

 

[AlexR]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

Search the threads on JB pickups. Almost all of them don't recommend using them in mahogany guitars like LP's (which is essentially the style you have). The mahogany emphasises upper mids as well as the JB pickup, so it becomes horrible for most people. The pickups that do better for Mahogany are the scooped tone pups, as they balance the tones better. The lower the output the more your tone will 'breathe' too. I had A2P in a mid 90's LP and that had good growl and sustain too. If the guitar is dark toned then a PG may well work.

 

[blueman335]

Re: JB vs. Custom 5 LP style guitar

I have tried the C5/59 combo in my LP studio and don't like it. Too aggressive and trebly on the bad side. Now I have put a Custom instead of the C5 and like it much better (more compressed and not trebly). Now I feel that the 59 neck gives me too much power and bass and think to swap for a jazz.
Anyway I guess that the C5 could be useful in a dark guitar.

C5's are a little bright and scooped, which is why they work well in LP's. If you get a C5 and decide you want more warmth, a warmer magnet like an A8, A4, or unoriented A5 will fill in the mids and take off the worst of the treble. And they'll give a much more natural and dynamic tone than a ceramic magnet. Mag swaps take minutes and cost several dollars each. We can teach you how to do it.

JB's in mahogany are often a disaster, but they also become much better with a wamer magnet. I'm very pleased with my JB2.