Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

[Lee Bob]

I've had the C-5/'59 set in my Epi LP for about 5 months and have realized it's just not exactly what I'm looking for. Each pickup has it's good qualities but lacks others that I want. I find the C-5 to have some harsh, spikey highs. The '59 is a little bassy for me. So basically I would like you all to recommend me some pups that will hopefully fill my needs. I play hard rock/metal but still require some good cleans.
In the bridge I'm looking for a thick pickup for high gain rhythm playing. Something that will stay tight and articulate. I rarely use the bridge position for cleans or solo's so that's not a major problem here.
In the neck I would like to find a pickup that can achieve beautiful glassy cleans and smooth, buttery solos. I love Slash's lead tone, can the APII achieve the clean sound I'm looking for?

I have seriously considered getting a set of EMG's because almost all of my favourite artists use them, but I always worry that I will find them too sterile. The PRS Tremonti pups are also something I have looked at because he gets beautiful cleans and some heavy rhythm tones.

Please Help Guys!!!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

Maybe someone will swap you a JB/Jazz for your set. It sounds like the direction you're looking to go in. That's probably why it's Seymour's favorite....because the JB is richer sounding than vintage PAF's and the neck isn't as bassy as a 59.

 

[Lee Bob]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

bump

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

Maybe someone will swap you a JB/Jazz for your set. It sounds like the direction you're looking to go in. That's probably why it's Seymour's favorite....because the JB is richer sounding than vintage PAF's and the neck isn't as bassy as a 59.

I agree.

Lee Bob, what you're saying about the 59N and C5 is what I heard myself when I had that set in one of guitars for about a year.

I switched to the Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge. Great set: less bass and more mids.

The Alnico 2 Pro or Pearly Gates would also be a great neck pickup to counteract the excess bass the 59N has in some guitars and in some applications.

If you already like Slash's tone then the A2Pro is a no brainer...that's Slash's pickup.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

CC/Seth is a great combo. It's a step in a warmer direction from where you are now.
I have that combo in my honeyflame LP Prem Plus.

 

[big_black]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

DD in the bridge?

 

[Imp]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

check the pickup height? it sounds like the qualities you're describing are exaggerated by a dodgy height adjustment..

 

[MattPete]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

Seth neck and Custom bridge

 

[tone4days]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

i like the CC/Seth idea alot .. i like the JB / jazz idea too ... PGb / A2Pn was my first inclination .... or tweaking the 59 down a touch in the bass side and the C5 down a touch on the treble side ... that's what i had to do to get my C5b / 59n set dialed in to my idea of tonal perfection

good luck
t4d

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

Duncan Custom is a really tight and thick pickup in the bridge. If you want something glassy in the neck, I'd go for either a Jazz or an Alnico II Pro.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Should I Ditch my C-5/'59 Set?

Maybe someone will swap you a JB/Jazz for your set. It sounds like the direction you're looking to go in. That's probably why it's Seymour's favorite....because the JB is richer sounding than vintage PAF's and the neck isn't as bassy as a 59.

I agree

JB/Jazz

or

BBQ/AII Pro neck