Recommendations for my Monarkh

[yannrock]

Hey guys,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I currently own a Gibson SG equipped with a Norton in the bridge and I really like this pickup. I replaced the JB in my Jackson Monarkh with a Custom 5 but I'm looking for something similar to the Norton (LP style guitar. Mahogany with maple cap, 24.75 scale, maple neck with an ebony fret board). Specs wise they are similar, but tone wise they are very far apart. Bass seems looser on the Custom 5 and the mids are a little too scooped. The mids on the JB were a little overwhelming and I thought the C5 was the ticket for what I was looking for, but the search continues.

I'm currently looking for something with similar mid characteristics of the Norton, but with slightly tighter bass and a bit more output. I was thinking of the Dominion, Titan of converting my Custom 5 to a SH-5 or even a C8, but am also open to suggestions. This guitar will be tuned half a step down and will be used primarily for heavier stuff (think Tool, Metallica, Godsmack, etc...).

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW this forum is full of very useful information and I'm happy to have finally joined in on the fun

 

[nexion218]

Hey welcome! Lower tuning, tight bass, big output sounds like the Nazgul to me, but trust me you'll have many more great suggestions from the real gurus!

 

[yannrock]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely check it out.

 

[Gtrjunior]

I’d suggest trying the magnet swap to an SH-5 first. Should give you back the mids you want.
I tune down a 1/2 step as well and I can nail Godsmack tone all day long. I have an SH-5 in my LP going through a Splawn Quickrod.

 

[jeremy]

i think a ceramic mag in the c5 you have (making it a custom sh5) might do the trick

 

[yannrock]

Thanks guys!

Ordered a ceramic magnet.
I’ll swap it out next string change.

Been playing Gibson and Dimarzio pickups forever. Thought I’d try some Duncans for a change. So far the JB did not work for me in my current guitars and the custom 5 is better, but not what I’m after. Hoping a magnet swap gives me what I need.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Thanks guys!

Ordered a ceramic magnet.
I’ll swap it out next string change.

Been playing Gibson and Dimarzio pickups forever. Thought I’d try some Duncans for a change. So far the JB did not work for me in my current guitars and the custom 5 is better, but not what I’m after. Hoping a magnet swap gives me what I need.

I love the Custom but feel the same as you with the JB. It sings like no other but I just don’t 100% jive with it. I’m also going to throw a ceramic mag in my JB and see what happens.
Also love Dimarzio’s....Duncan and DiMarzio are top notch. I haven’t played a Gibson that I love yet, although my experience with them is pretty limited.

 

[yannrock]

I love the Custom but feel the same as you with the JB. It sings like no other but I just don’t 100% jive with it. I’m also going to throw a ceramic mag in my JB and see what happens.
Also love Dimarzio’s....Duncan and DiMarzio are top notch. I haven’t played a Gibson that I love yet, although my experience with them is pretty limited.

The JB would be good for leads (Awesome harmonics like the Norton), but this is my heavy riffing guitar, so I need something chunkier.

I have experience with a few Gibson pickups. My favorite were the 61T and 61R (Burstbuckers I believe). They were great for low gain rock and I quite enjoy the cleans on the 61R (so much so that it went back in after replacing it with a 36th PAF). 498T was also OK, but I much prefer the Norton I replaced it with. 500T was a fizzy mess for me.

 

[yannrock]

For whoever is interested, Dimarzio replied to my email where I asked the same question as above and they suggested the transition bridge pickup. I’ll try swapping the magnet on the custom 5 before ordering the transition. I have a feeling it may do the trick.

Thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions.