The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

[BrentSP]

I'm trading my Alnico Pro II for a C5 and I just went to www.guitarelectronics.com and saw their personal tone chart of Seymour Duncans line of pickups. The massive amount of bass scares me. I'm thinking its going to be overwhelming and muddy. I rather have a lo-medium bass and let the amp add more if I choose. I don't want to have to set my bass to 0 on the amp. The guitar its going into is a 99' LP Custom.....mohogany body and neck, maple top and ebony fretboard. Almost a year ago I was demoing a Bogner Uberschall with a Tokia (spelling?) LP copy with a C5 and it sounded good and I don't remember having an issue with the bass. I need some comfort...... someone hold me and tell me its going to be alright and that I'll love the C5

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

I just went to that site and the difference between the humbecker C5 and the trembucker was a surprise. The humbuckers eq was: bass 8 mid 4 treble 8 The trembucker C5 was: bass 7 mid 6 treble 9. The trembucker was hotter with a 7/9 rating while the humbucker was 4/9 rating. The trembuckers other specs were14.1 ohms and 6.0 kz. While the humbucker was:14.4 ohms and 5.5kz. I thought the only difference was supposed to be string spacing??? Now I am left with another question? Which one is better in a mohagony bodied flame maple top maple neck rosewood fingerboard Schecter C-1+ ??????????

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

I almost forgot the trembucker C5 is said to have a ceramic magnet and the standard C5 humbucker is said to have a alnicoV?????? Whats the real deal, is this just a typo or is there really a difference in the trembucker C5 and the humbucker C5 other than string spacing????????????

 

[flank]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

i dont think there is a difference between the trembucker and the standard

the C5s bass ( i play in a les paul) is not TOO much like say, an Invader, which can sometimes offer too much bass

the C5's is more defined punchy opposed to being so FAT and muddy... idk, i didnt have a problem with the bass, i was just desribe it as strong, but not overwhelming, it was kick A S S

 

[BrentSP]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

I almost forgot the trembucker C5 is said to have a ceramic magnet and the standard C5 humbucker is said to have a alnicoV?????? Whats the real deal, is this just a typo or is there really a difference in the trembucker C5 and the humbucker C5 other than string spacing????????????

That is obviously a typo because it states the exact same description and spec for the Duncan Custom Trembucker. :burnout:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

I'll hold your hand all the way from strats to McCarties to LP Stds and Customs....
The Custom 5 became my favorite humbucker after using most of the other Duncan humbuckers, and even Fralin and Holmes. It sounds tight and percussive in the lows, neutral in the mids, which lets the guitar's wood and your amp dictate the mids, and the highs are sweet and airy, similar to vintage. Forget all the comment's about "scooped." It just doesn't have a strong midrange voice masking your natural mids. If your amp has crappy mids, you'll think the C-5 is scooped. If you know tone, and all the rest of the aspects of your signal path are top notch, you'll love the C-5. I've used most Duncan bridge humbuckers and almost all of them have been sold to accomodate nickel covered Custom 5's, or black tremspaced, which is in one of my H-S-S strats, as well as a G&L Invader. Each guitar still has it's own sound, but I can tell my tone sounds best to me when the guitar has this pickup.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

Do you find that the covers change the sound?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

Here's my Custom 5 "Wall of tonal delight" If you think the C-5 may be too scooped sounding, stick your head between these two badboys. :13:

 

[BrentSP]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

Ah yes.....fellow Bogner owner I've been meaning to PM you back.....sorry :smack: I imagine the Bogners have plenty of mids anyways. If the bass is tight and percussive and the highs open and clear then I will fall in love with this pickup. But if its boomy and sloppy on the low end then ......... :yell: Thanks for holding my hand........I feel a little better now

I'll hold your hand all the way from strats to McCarties to LP Stds and Customs....
The Custom 5 became my favorite humbucker after using most of the other Duncan humbuckers, and even Fralin and Holmes. It sounds tight and percussive in the lows, neutral in the mids, which lets the guitar's wood and your amp dictate the mids, and the highs are sweet and airy, similar to vintage. Forget all the comment's about "scooped." It just doesn't have a strong midrange voice masking your natural mids. If your amp has crappy mids, you'll think the C-5 is scooped. If you know tone, and all the rest of the aspects of your signal path are top notch, you'll love the C-5. I've used most Duncan bridge humbuckers and almost all of them have been sold to accomodate nickel covered Custom 5's, or black tremspaced, which is in one of my H-S-S strats, as well as a G&L Invader. Each guitar still has it's own sound, but I can tell my tone sounds best to me when the guitar has this pickup.

 

[BrentSP]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

Here's my Custom 5 "Wall of tonal delight" If you think the C-5 may be too scooped sounding, stick your head between these two badboys. :13:

Ah I have to show my amps now.......

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

F'in NICE, man! Another amp joneser! I've been buying and selling several Bogners this past year. I have a picture that reminds me of yours, where I have a wall of Bogners. I've sold several, but I gotta get this picture on here. I've got like 3 Ecstasy heads on 2 Bogner 4-12's and 1 large 2-12. It's a beautiful thing. I love your collection! You GOTTA give us a A/B/C review of that 101B, REC, and Powerball!
That is some HIGH GAIN SICKNESS! LOL

 

[stevie ray]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

F'in NICE, man! Another amp joneser! I've been buying and selling several Bogners this past year. I have a picture that reminds me of yours, where I have a wall of Bogners. I've sold several, but I gotta get this picture on here. I've got like 3 Ecstasy heads on 2 Bogner 4-12's and 1 large 2-12. It's a beautiful thing. I love your collection! You GOTTA give us a A/B/C review of that 101B, REC, and Powerball!
That is some HIGH GAIN SICKNESS! LOL

How much does a Bogner run for? Say in the US... Cheapest-Most expensive i mean...

 

[BrentSP]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

How much does a Bogner run for? Say in the US... Cheapest-Most expensive i mean...

Brand new the prices are a little rediculous and Bogner just this past March had a price increase :blackeye:

Bogner Ecstasy Head (EL-34's or 6L6's) List $3550. Class A/AB Switch List $250 Indivdual Line-Out control for each channel $100 Metal Grill $165 ''Medusa 7 function Switching Cable $125 Classic option ''for a wide open sound with less compression'' $650

Bogner Metropolis 15 Watt head List$1850 ,15 Watt 1X12'' Combo List $2050 ,30 Watt Head List $1950 ,30 Watt 1X12'' Combo List $2200 ,30 Watt 2X12'' Combo List $2400 ,Tube driven reverb List $350 ,Reverb TONE & DRIVE Controls List $150

Bogner Shiva Head (w/ EL-34's or 6L6's) List $2100 1X12'' Combo List $2350 2X10'' Combo List $2350 2X12'' Combo List $2550 Individual Tube Reverb for each channel List $350

Bogner Uberschall Head List $2850 Metal Grill $165

 

[bognerboy]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

i just sent my 101b to bogner to have the classic mod done. can't wait to get it back.

 

[flank]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

those rigs are sick guys.... but i wont fret, i got me trust ole twin....he does his job well

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

Brent -

This is just a thought, but I switched my H/S/S Strat with a Custom 5 in the bridge to a control layout with master volume, master tone (treble cut), master bass cut. The wiring is like the G&L Legacy - I really like having the bass strong on the amp, keeping it rolled down a bit most of the time on the guitar but being able to bump it up on the fly when I want some extra umph.

Based on your gear alone, I'm certain that you've got much more experience than I do, so this is just food for thought.

Chip

 

[papersoul]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

I had the C-5 in a Les Paul Standard and thought it was nice. It was a little thicker and smoother than the Burstbucker Pros to my ears but others think I'm crazy..LOL! Seriously, I think the BB Pros are more vintage and great pickups also, but the C-5 added that extra output I wanted to go from classic rock, to blues, to modern metal if I so desired. I hear people say they are thin on the high strings but I didn't find that to be the case......wel maybe a tad......but I needed more tweak time for sure.

I am going to replace the magnet with a ceramic because I have to try the Custom or the guys on the forum will kill me! LOL! After that it may be back top the C-5 or the Rio Grande BBQ.

Lots of guys go on to the high end stuff like the Fillmores, Holmes, Fralins.....etc..etc. I am sure this is killer stuff but I just see how many guys get amazing tones from Duncans, Dimarzio, Gibson, Rios, etc so I feel like I don't need to spend that much on pickups.

Anyway, it's good to see guys like you and gearjoneser using Duncans knowing you guys are serious tone hounds. It is obvious from the amps.

gearjoneser,
You have me wanting nickle covers as all of my buckers are either zebra or open black coil. I have found the open coils open up the sound a bit. Then again, I know guys using covers with HUGE tone. Go figure.

 

[BrentSP]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

I had the C-5 in a Les Paul Standard and thought it was nice. It was a little thicker and smoother than the Burstbucker Pros to my ears but others think I'm crazy..LOL! Seriously, I think the BB Pros are more vintage and great pickups also, but the C-5 added that extra output I wanted to go from classic rock, to blues, to modern metal if I so desired. I hear people say they are thin on the high strings but I didn't find that to be the case......wel maybe a tad......but I needed more tweak time for sure.

I am going to replace the magnet with a ceramic because I have to try the Custom or the guys on the forum will kill me! LOL! After that it may be back top the C-5 or the Rio Grande BBQ.

Lots of guys go on to the high end stuff like the Fillmores, Holmes, Fralins.....etc..etc. I am sure this is killer stuff but I just see how many guys get amazing tones from Duncans, Dimarzio, Gibson, Rios, etc so I feel like I don't need to spend that much on pickups.

Anyway, it's good to see guys like you and gearjoneser using Duncans knowing you guys are serious tone hounds. It is obvious from the amps.

gearjoneser,
You have me wanting nickle covers as all of my buckers are either zebra or open black coil. I have found the open coils open up the sound a bit. Then again, I know guys using covers with HUGE tone. Go figure.

Well I have tried the "boutique" pickups. I try not let my decisions be based on brands or status....I let my ears make the decision. In my opinion the Duncan line are the best pickups for my style.

So I don't misslead anyone, the second pic with the amps stacked above I do not own anymore. I sold everything a few months ago and kept the Uberschall and Shiva which is in the first pic. It would have been oh so nice to be able to keep all of those amps but kinda silly to keep them all unless I had a working studio. Plus I needed to fund my guitar GAS

 

[RG 2570]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

someone here was kind enough to let me give him a phone call to hear the C 5 in action after i also was very concerned about the midrange dip, and it did not sound all that drastically scooped at all,it sounded very full and balanced nice! i may opt for it over the regular custom now!

 

[papersoul]

Re: The Custom 5's EQ scares me.

someone here was kind enough to let me give him a phone call to hear the C 5 in action after i also was very concerned about the midrange dip, and it did not sound all that drastically scooped at all,it sounded very full and balanced nice! i may opt for it over the regular custom now!

The Duncan site and description says the C-5 is more full than the Custom and that was one thing that kept me from trying the Custom for so long.

Let us know if you get it and try it in your LP. I'd love to hear your thoughts since so mnay find it lacking in mids or thin on the high strings. I have to admit I gigged twice with a C-5 loaded LP and never felt like I was lost in the mix. Every guitarist in the audience heard me fine!