TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

[treyhaislip]

What are your thoughts on this pickup? Love? Hate?

I'm thinking about pairing it with Fender Fat 50s in the Neck and Mid--good/bad idea?

 

[austin]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I've ended up preferring the Custom to the C5 in the few situations where I've tried both in the same guitar. Can't exactly put my finger on why though.
-
Austin

 

[Progbusters]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

It sounds like a Custom but with less mids, more bass, and less output. This will be good depending on your rig. I got a middy guitar with a middy high gain amps and it works.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

It sounds like a Custom but with less mids, more bass, and less output. This will be good depending on your rig. I got a middy guitar with a middy high gain amps and it works.

That is good to hear. Currently the Fat 50 bridge sounds too thin and high pitched. Thanks for the info!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I've used Custom 5's in a lot of guitars, and they have nice bottom end, natural mids, and clear highs.
I prefer them in Gibson/PRS type guitars with mahogany, but they can sound just fine in super strats.

I've tried a lot of types of Custom 5's too, like overwound to 15.3K, and every magnet. Unoriented roughcast A5's give the C5 a step in the vintage direction, which I like. I also really like C/59 Hybrids in super strats.
They all fall into the same family with different output. 59 > C/59 > C5 > Custom.

Another humbucker that plays nice with vintage single coils is the Jazz Bridge Model, which is overlooked by most.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I've used Custom 5's in a lot of guitars, and they have nice bottom end, natural mids, and clear highs.
I prefer them in Gibson/PRS type guitars with mahogany, but they can sound just fine in super strats.

I've tried a lot of types of Custom 5's too, like overwound to 15.3K, and every magnet. Unoriented roughcast A5's give the C5 a step in the vintage direction, which I like. I also really like C/59 Hybrids in super strats.
They all fall into the same family with different output. 59 > C/59 > C5 > Custom.

Another humbucker that plays nice with vintage single coils is the Jazz Bridge Model, which is overlooked by most.

Good info! Thanks!

I actually have a spare UOA5 that might be a better pairing with the Fat 50s--I would be going more for milder with great cleans for this Strat.

I never thought about the Jazz Bridge-I've used the Jazz neck but didn't care for it; however, I think that was more of the guitar's fault. If the TB-14 doesn't work out I will have to give that Jazz Bridge a look! Thanks!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I think the most common pairing for a Fat 50's is the 59B and PGB. A WLH bridge might be good too.
I'd probably stay more vintage than a Custom 5 for your guitar. The C5 may have a bit more output than you want, especially if you play clean a lot.

Over the years, I've pulled a few C5's in favor of lower output bridge pickups. I still like the C5 for heavy rock though.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I think the most common pairing for a Fat 50's is the 59B and PGB. A WLH bridge might be good too.
I'd probably stay more vintage than a Custom 5 for your guitar. The C5 may have a bit more output than you want, especially if you play clean a lot.

Over the years, I've pulled a few C5's in favor of lower output bridge pickups. I still like the C5 for heavy rock though.

My initial thought was a Pearly Gates Bridge but I've always chosen A5s over A2s so far and that made me think of the Custom 5. But I know the magnet itself does not determine whether I will like it or not. I found a TB-14 in white on eBay for a good price so I'm gonna go ahead and give it a try. I don't mind the higher output--I don't know that any pickup will be the clean tones of that Fat 50s neck pickup though...so I will want a bridge pickup that can take the dirt lol Trying to get something beefier than the Fat 50s bridge pickup I currently have.

Thanks for the advice and info!

 

[blueman335]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I like C5's, but they're a little brighter and thinner than I'd prefer. Good PU though. Wanting more warmth and fullness, I converted all my Custom types to UOA5 and A8.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I like C5's, but they're a little brighter and thinner than I'd prefer. Good PU though. Wanting more warmth and fullness, I converted all my Custom types to UOA5 and A8.

Have you tried the Fender Fat 50 Bridge pickup? Its sounding thin/brittle and very bright. I have a spare UOA5–if I'm reading you correctly, you are saying the UOA5 makes it more full and warmer? Thanks!

 

[blueman335]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

Have you tried the Fender Fat 50 Bridge pickup? Its sounding thin/brittle and very bright. I have a spare UOA5–if I'm reading you correctly, you are saying the UOA5 makes it more full and warmer? Thanks!

I don't have any Fender guitars (just basses!), so I don't know what a Fat 50 sounds like. I have UOA5's in an assortment of HB's. They're like an A2 but with a little more high end bite (A2's are pretty rounded on top). Yes, compared to an A5, UOA5's are warmer and fuller, and have the added bonus of that vintage A2 type of texture. Very useful magnet.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I don't have any Fender guitars (just basses!), so I don't know what a Fat 50 sounds like. I have UOA5's in an assortment of HB's. They're like an A2 but with a little more high end bite (A2's are pretty rounded on top). Yes, compared to an A5, UOA5's are warmer and fuller, and have the added bonus of that vintage A2 type of texture. Very useful magnet.

Ah, you are definitely missing out my friend jk I love the Fat 50's in the Neck and Mid–very warm, rich bell-like tone. The bridge is just thin, brittle, and bright. Looks like I will put my spare UOA5 to some good use. Thanks!

 

[blueman335]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

Ah, you are definitely missing out my friend jk I love the Fat 50's in the Neck and Mid–very warm

Oh. not into warm neck PU's.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

Oh. not into warm neck PU's.

Then you wouldn't like my favorite neck Humbucker, the DiMarzio Liquifire, then. :stooges:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

If you can get a Custom 5 for a good price, go ahead. If you're planning to buy a new humbucker for a strat, I'd recommend the C/59 Hybrid. It's the perfect cross between the Custom 5 and 59 for obvious reasons.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

If you can get a Custom 5 for a good price, go ahead. If you're planning to buy a new humbucker for a strat, I'd recommend the C/59 Hybrid. It's the perfect cross between the Custom 5 and 59 for obvious reasons.

I found a TB-14 on eBay in white (seriously OCD about color matching for pickups) for $60 free shipping so I went with that–I'll probably end up swapping the mag out for a UOA5. The C/59 Hybrid sounds like it would be a good fit too though! Thank you very much for the help!

 

[MalpacaMusic]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

What are your thoughts on this pickup? Love? Hate?

I'm thinking about pairing it with Fender Fat 50s in the Neck and Mid--good/bad idea?

I like the sound clips and might get one. My question to you all is do you think a sentient would go well with it in the neck? If so, I'll probably drop a TB 14 (the trembucker version) and a sentient in my prs se floyd custom 24. Do you think those pickups would sound good it? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

Have you tried the Fender Fat 50 Bridge pickup? Its sounding thin/brittle and very bright. I have a spare UOA5–if I'm reading you correctly, you are saying the UOA5 makes it more full and warmer? Thanks!

I have a strat that came with fat 50s and I have a custom uoa5 in an lp.

I really think you just want a bridge humbucker. Personally I would look into the custom hybrid or screamin demon with that setup.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I've used the C5 in a hog w/maple cap Hamer, and the Hybrid currently in a Les Paul. Great results with both!

I have to speculate on this, but I think I would tilt toward a Hybrid for a Strat. I'm actually considering such a move myself.

 

[contiContiCONTI]

Re: TB-14 Custom 5 Questions

I found a TB-14 on eBay in white (seriously OCD about color matching for pickups) for $60 free shipping so I went with that–I'll probably end up swapping the mag out for a UOA5. The C/59 Hybrid sounds like it would be a good fit too though! Thank you very much for the help!

I'm reaaally late here but how did this humbucker sound with the fat 50s? I happen to be making the exact same decision.