Problems with cutting through the mix.

[papersoul]

Hey all!

I have the C-5 in the bridge of my LP, but we just got a short notice gig and I'm worried. I say this because if I had a dime for each person who said the C-5 doesn't cut in a band mix.....I'd be rich. My BB Pro loaded LP went over pretty well and to me the C-5 sounds like a beefed up BB Pro.

Not to sound stupid, but why can't I just raise the mids on the amp? I'll stay confident since Gearjoneser has the C-5 in almost all of his guitars and Robert_S is also a heavy C-5 user. These are two respected members.......so' I'll keep a cool head till the gig and judge it at that time.

Thanks!

 

[flank]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

yeah man, definately bring the mids up on the amp man.........and sometimes you might have to find our the hard way.......if raisin the mids on the amp
doesnt work....id go CC......i dont think it sounds perfect when im playin alone, but its shines through with the band, guess thats just that it goes......

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Get yourself a BBE and no matter what pickups you use you will really cut through.

Snowdog

 

[Gamera]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Wanna cut through the mix? That's what single coils do best!

 

[papersoul]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Wanna cut through the mix? That's what single coils do best!

Maybe that's why our lead singer always laughs at me when he pulls out his Strat...but you can't hear his leads......and still doesn't sound as thik over all.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Yeah just honk that amp.....cut off some bottom too, and just apply treble until it cuts without being to brittle.

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Hey all!

Not to sound stupid, but why can't I just raise the mids on the amp? Thanks!

You don't sound stupid. That's exactly what I used to do with the C5. The level of mids will depend on the type of mix you're playing through. An overdrive can add mids as well or you can have a Boss Ge-7 to boost the mids at your convenience.


Marin

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

I use mids myself to cut through the mix. Mids really make the difference. Of course, your settings can do a lot too. I'm usually reasonably high on the treble, little more than medium on the mids and little less than medium on the bass (to keep the bass from drowning out the other frequencies).

I guess you just have to trust your ears with your amp. Adjust accordingly.

 

[shred-dog]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

do all of that and get a JB

 

[benji657]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Mah JB does it naturally for me. lol

 

[WARRENLEELYNCH]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

I keep tellin ya try a ceramic custom
dump that ole C 5 and step up to the pup that has CUT,DRIVE,HARMONICS,THUMP,PUNCH galore! :smokin:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Hard to believe the problem is the C5! To many people get great tone out of that pickup.

I get the feeling you might want to move the pickup closer to the strings to get a little more sizzle out of it, lower the bass on your amp and boost the mids and treble.

Most guys who have a hard time cutting through the mix tend to set thier amps for to warm a tone, IMO, and just don't dig in with enough attitude. If you want to be heard sometimes you've just gotta "get down with your bad self!"

Can't be shy or hesitant if you're going to rock n roll! Lew

 

[JALIN]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

JB is the mix cutter. No problems at all and ruling in the 80s and pouring over into this new day and age goes to show why it`s such a popular pup.

 

[WARRENLEELYNCH]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

JB is the mix cutter. No problems at all and ruling in the 80s and pouring over into this new day and age goes to show why it`s such a popular pup.

yes the JB is great for "CUT" but so is the Custom, what i love about the custom ceramic is that it is a lot like a JB and C 5 at the same time,so really it is the one to use if you like those other two pups.
my dilema was the JB had the cut and harmonics but had a upper mid peak that was not so pleasent and the C5 had the paf(59) type eq shape but i found it rather boring and plain, so what to do???
well the solution is in my main guitar, the TB-5 custom :14:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

yes the JB is great for "CUT" but so is the Custom, what i love about the custom ceramic is that it is a lot like a JB and C 5 at the same time,so really it is the one to use if you like those other two pups.
my dilema was the JB had the cut and harmonics but had a upper mid peak that was not so pleasent and the C5 had the paf(59) type eq shape but i found it rather boring and plain, so what to do???
well the solution is in my main guitar, the TB-5 custom :14:

I think you are right about the JB...but it's that upper mid peak that is both annoying and at the same time what allows it to cut through. To me, the C5 is like a JB but without that peak...kind of a JB lite! I played the JB for years and finally just got tired of that peak...and switched to a 59B! I also like the Custom Custom alot...in the right guitar. Lew

 

[papersoul]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Thanks all! I talked to a few good people about pickup height and said to raise that sucker up till my ears like what they hear.......no measuring. Well, I found I like the pole pieces flush and not radiused and I have the pup up real high! I actually measured to see where it sits and it is a little over 1/32"...maybe a tad lower. Sounds thick and juicy at home. I am finding I can pull back the highs......keep the mids at about 1:00 abd believe it or not I can turn the bass and gain up because the C-5 stays retty tight! Nice pickup and I am just waiting for that first gig with her before I settle. I still want to try the Custom as I've had the JB in other guitars and never did much for me. The C-5 sounds more full to my ears.

Lew, I'll keep an eye on the highs for cut and the bass for mud when we jam. I do tend to set up my tone at home and go for optimum warmth. Sometimes I'll have a tone that sounds to trebly at home, then sounds perfect in the band mix. I definitely have more highs than with my Rio BBQ which sounded super bassy due to the huge bass and low highs.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Thanks again Lew, I'll know more tonight at rehearsal. My big issue is that I have no place to tweak at high volume so I am never positive how thing will sound when cranked and then it changes once the band kicks in. What I normally do is take mental notes as we jam, rehearse, and gig. This way, I can make the changes at home and listen again at our next rehearsal. The hardest part is finding the right mix of highs, mids, and lows to compliment the band and be heard.

I am finding with the C-5 at about 3/64" height, I have the amp's gain at about 2:00, bass at about 2:00, mids at 1:00, treble at 2:30, and presence at 1:30.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Thanks again Lew, I'll know more tonight at rehearsal. My big issue is that I have no place to tweak at high volume so I am never positive how thing will sound when cranked and then it changes once the band kicks in. What I normally do is take mental notes as we jam, rehearse, and gig. This way, I can make the changes at home and listen again at our next rehearsal. The hardest part is finding the right mix of highs, mids, and lows to compliment the band and be heard.

Cool! One more thing: polepieces flat is OK ( I like them almost flat but arched a little under the D and G string tho ) but you'll find that moving the whole pickup closer will give you more treble, upper harmonics and bite. On my bridge humbuckers I have the pickup adjusted as close to string as I can get it. Maybe 1/16" away from the underside of the strings when the strings are held down at the the highest fret. Just do it by ear...like you said. Lew

 

[papersoul]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

Cool! One more thing: polepieces flat is OK ( I like them almost flat but arched a little under the D and G string tho ) but you'll find that moving the whole pickup closer will give you more treble, upper harmonics and bite. On my bridge humbuckers I have the pickup adjusted as close to string as I can get it. Maybe 1/16" away from the underside of the strings when the strings are held down at the the highest fret. Just do it by ear...like you said. Lew

Lew, I find moving the whole pickup closer gives a fatter tone....not the polepieces.....the entire pickup. I do find more treble with the poles higher though. I talked to this guy and he mentioned to not radius and I like the thicker tone I get.

You mention 1/16". I am a few turns closer. I know I am using my ears but does that seem to high?

 

[WARRENLEELYNCH]

Re: Problems with cutting through the mix.

rich you gotta try the custom seriously! i think you have described it a tousand times :laugh2: it will be the answer to your prayers :fing2: