SH14 Custom 5 questions

butnut

New member
Hey gigs. Did a gig last night, broke a string on my LP so I used the Tele. I put a SH14C5 in the bridge. First time used at gig volume and I was suprised that it did not have a clear 'cut'... almost too fuzzy. Like too 'dark' soggy balls:cool2: hehe. Any suggestions to get more clarity yet still have punch and fresh balls. The Tele has a mahogany body/neck, like an SG, the neck pup is fine for clean stuff...I'll swap pups if I can get a good recommendation. Thanks
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Well the C5 cuts in a very Hi/Low kind of way, so perhaps more mids are required for that guitar? Maybe swap the A5 out for a ceramic and make yourself a Custom. If you find that too bright, Try A2 to make it a Custom Custom.
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Thanks bro. I read your post on PG vs Seth, ya think a PG would work for me?
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Maybe the Tele has 250K pots which are muddying things up?

Yeah, A C5 should cut thru, especially with 500K's. That's pretty bright for me anyways. Your mahogany body is warming the tone, maybe a lot, so you don't want to go to A2's, A4's, or A8's, and take off more top end. Verify the pots, and if they're 500K's, I think the ceramic suggestion is a good idea. That should cut thru any mix.
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Before I buy anything,

I just really play with the EQ of the amp and Tone controls of the Guitar. Maybe your Eq in the Amp is tuned to the Les Paul tone, and did less EQ Fine Tweaking for Telecaster with the C5, bec most guitars/pickups have different EQ settings that are optimal to for you or your crowds ears,
Also different rooms have different optimal Volume and EQ settings, thats why a clear sound in a certain room/stage might sound a bit muffled or muddy in a certain/stage

For me, If you already have an EQ pedal, is it really nice in shaping your tone, or in combination with the Amp EQ and guitar tone controls.

If that does not work, try pole pieces and pickup height adjustment,


If it still does not suite you, try magnet swaps,


ok,
 
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Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

The Tele came with 2 DImarzio HBs, 500 k pots. My amp/pedals settings are perfect...for the LP. I use the Tele for drop D or a quick swap if I break a string. I don't wanna change any settings, so I need a pup thats gonna work it's magic with the same pre-sets. I'll play with it a bit more, if it's still not working for me, I'll trade/sell it. Is the Pearly ceramic?
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

The pearly humbucker is an alnico 2 but with top end sizzle,

not as smooth sounding as some alnico 2 magnet pickups,


the pearly plus humbucker is alnico V,
 
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Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

ahhh, thanks bro. The Duncan Custom is a ceramic, I may try that one....
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Try to swap the C5 magnet with ceramic magnet, making it a Custom,



a magnet swap is lot cheaper than a pickup change,



or just trade it for something else,
 
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Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

This is a typical experience for many with the hard-hitting A5 pickups - '59, C5, JB.

They sounds great at low volumes, because they are scooped, and due to loudness effects that sounds better to your ear. Some reason why you press the "loudness" button on the stereo at low volumes.

But what happens at higher volumes is a different matter.

In addition, many people play more dynamic, harder and less precise when they are with a band, compared to at home or at Guitar Center. The above pickups react strongly to nuances in playing and get very snorty even at moderate-high hitting.

%%

The result of both effects combined is that a great shiny sound in the practice home basement room might translate into a real mess at band practice.
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Good points, but my LP has 59s and they sound killer. Gonna try a few things out before I do a swap....thanks again for all the tips guys.
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

If you like a 59 in the neck of a LP you are a candidate for a C5 in the bridge.
 
Re: SH14 Custom 5 questions

Well, after several height adjustments, I got it to sound better, got the poles past the bobbin, very much like how Seymour set up the JB for the Tele-Gib. I notice, if I hit the strings hard, which I tend to do, it really has a sharp cut, I kinda dig that. I did the same to the neck pup and got it to clean up a bit too...I'll try it at practice and see if I need to get a ceramic....is there a neck ceramic SD makes? uOpt, the 59 set in my LP is the best tone I've ever heard, not gonna touch that, if I can get my Tele close, I'll be a happy camper....thanks
 
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