Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?
dr.barlo said:
Mac-P, swapping the magnet is not that difficult. If you like your JB so much, and need a little more low-mids, less in your face bass, and less uppermids, I would suggest getting some a4's if you can find them, and a3's, and trying that JB of yours with those magnets.
A jump from JB to CC would be quite a change.
Hey Doc (it's so much fun to say that),
Yea, I remember that whole BBQ/C5 thing way back when.
As far as changing my JB, I love the sound of this JB and would never f*ck with it. It is a vintage pre-logo JB from the 80's. First pickup I ever bought. It sounds amazing. Just looking for an even bigger, rounder tone. And really just looking for a stock pickup that I don't have to alter. I need to pop it in there and play. Not into experimenting with different magnet types unless it becomes crucial.
What is so much different between a JB and CC? How would you describe it? Also, people are still mentioning the C5 and BBQ in the same breath. Are they similar? Because to my ears, the C5 (and I've heard many of them) is anything but big sounding. Maybe with no band, but in a band mix that lack of mids leaves treble and bass. And the bass is coverd up by the bass player, leaving a thin sort of Kirk Hammet tone. Bla. Not my thing.
So we are clear on my personal definition of "big": Lots of midrange. Nice healthy lower midrange, and a clear vocal like mid and upper midrange. Think a saxophone or a human voice. Lots of rich harmonic mid content. Clarity should come from the upper midrange and not the treble. A "BIG" sounding pickup sounds thick and prominant in the mix with a BAND. Single notes should be WIDE and vocal sounding. Take a solo after the tenor sax player. How is your tone?

THAT is what big is about to me.
So, is the BBQ "big" by that definition? The C5 definitely is NOT. Very small indeed. Not vocal at all.
papersoul said:
Mac, I really think warmer and thicker in the bridge is the Rio BBQ. I say try it....you might just find your pickup.
You say you hated the C-5....but that was in an SG? I think it balanced a million times better in a Les Paul because of the huge mids of most Pauls.
But, I like you....tend to lean toward a pickup with more mids. That is a big reason I want to try the Custom. Many people say the Custom is like the JB but with less highs, and more lower mids. Also I hear it is warmer than the JB and C-5. We'll see.
What didn't you like about the Custom?
Doc,
Any thoughts in my case? I do hear ya on the BBQ. The one thing I miss is the tight low end. Remember I am playing a very heavy style but I do need a nice thick clean in the bridge. My next test is the C-5 in my Les Paul. This is not a heavy LP....more like 8 lbs and very lively in tone. I am hoping it has enough mids to fill out the C-5.
You have me intrigued over the C-3.
And as far as a C5 being better in a Les Paul, well, that may be true, but the pickup STILL is scooping out those mids. I have heard plenty of Les Pauls where the bridge tone is squeeky and small.
And this is just taste mid you. Many people LOVE the C5. Not I. For what I like in a guitar sound, I can't imagine it sounding good to my ears in any guitar.
As far as the Custom, I had one in this same SG. The JB has MUCH more mid content and is much warmer (and bigger) than the custom. The custom has more highs and is much crunchier and "harder" sounding. Much brighter.
The ceramic magnet in the Custom is NOT going to sound as sweet as the JB. The JB is also "bigger" in my book. Single notes are wider with less treble than the Custom. I liked the Custom more than the C5 (much more), but the JB is the biggest tone of the 3 to these ears.
That's why I am currently interested in either the CC or BBQ. Looking for the w-i-d-e-s-t , thickest, warmest pickup with the most vocal sound on single notes. Think Saxophone. :burnout: