Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

So is the Angus big and full?? I am curious about that one for sure.

I did notice a huge difference when I replaced all my JBs with Rio BBQs. The tone got bigger, fuller, thicker, richer, with more body for sure. I also agree with Mac that less highs in the bridge can be a good thing.

My buddy just started using the Rio BBQ and he also appreciates that the Rio lacks highs......as this really compliments most modern amps which to me sound too bright! The BBQ has plenty of mids and tons of low end. Some say the BBQ has lots of high mids like the JB, but less (smoother) highs and more bass.

One pickup I have to try in my LP is the C-5 and Custom. The C-5 is going in this week.

My thing is that I try to fill up a lot of sound since I am the primary guitarist in our band. So far, the BBQ has been it.

Couldn't agree with you more! I still love the JB but the BBQ is a much thicker sounding pup. I've tried a C5 in an Agile LP copy and didn't care for it...too scopped with not much character IMO. I have the BBQ in my 01' LP Std. and I just ordered one for my Axis. I'll be sure to report back here once it's installed.

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Have you thought about the Fillmore?? I hear amazing things about it.

getting back to the Air Zone. Would you say it is as warm as the JB? Good for clean, rhythm, and lead? Big tone? I hear negative things about Dimarzio and I'd like to get past that. Would it work in a lively sounding LP?

Don't believe all the negative crap about DiMarzio. They are a great company that makes some GREAT pickups. They also make some pups that I don't like, as Duncan does.

The Air Zone is a GREAT pickup. Both it and the Breed bridge have a TAD less treble than the JB and both have more bass. The Breed has a bit more mids than the Air Zone - about the same as the JB. The JB's mids are a bit higher (in register) than the Breed, but not much.

The Air Zone is the clearest of the three. It sounds a bit less "cranked" than either the JB or Breed. But that is not to say that it is not powerful. It is VERY powerful while not being a distortion pickup. An all around great pickup. Power and clarity. And lots of warmth.

If someone were trying to warm up a cold bridge position, that could be the answer in a nutshell. And Duncan doesn't really make an equivalent. The closest I have tried is the JB.

Still interested in hearing comments on that CC and Rio BBQ though........

Also still concerned about al the comparasins between the BBQ and the C5. Seems to me that they are opposites (one is scooped to death, one has thick mids). Whey are people comparing them?

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

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.

Hey Rich,

As I have told you before, and now that you seem to be quite hesistant to let your A5 BB go, I would say try the C5 in your LP. If it does the trick fine. You already have Robert_S's great tricks to get the best (mids) out of a C5. And in your guitar, it might work. It is all about matching the wood with a pickup that simple basically.

I have some of the boutique pickups that get discussed in the LPF, 2 sets of Timbuckers (they RULE) one set of Rolph's 59's and one set (the other is on the way, from John at BlackRose) of a5/a3 modded ants. While I was trying them in my 95LP standard, a great guitar, but it is very heavy and not balanced (that is I cannot play it sitting, it just does not stay balanced damn!!!) the winner was the timbuckers. Yet on another LP that I let go (a 01 R8 which did not sound as good as my 95LP standard ) the clear winner was the rolphs. So you see it is all about matching the wood with pickups. If you check my wood test over in the tips and clips I hope you would agree that the difference the wood makes (the pickups etc are all the same) is almost the same difference a2 vs a5 makes. Thus, it is not healthy to compare pickups in different guitars. The comparison has to be in the very same wood.

So check it out, and don't shy away from doing the soldering work yourself. What the heck, the worst case scenario is that you could alwasy get it fixed by a luthier!

Give the c5 in your LP sometime, let your own ears decide. Then if you wanna fatten your considerably, then change the a5 to an a2. If it not that much, A3. I am gonna be checking the a4's soon, and they are supposed to be basically a C5 but a little more similar to the c3.

Take care,

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

And another thing. Yes CC is 80's, that's why I like it! It is different, not some version of a great a5 PAF pickup. Because then what's wrong sticking with A5 PAF clones in the bridge, a5 modded hot ant bridges are really the ****!

BTW I really did not mean any offense, just sharing what I thought after reading that.

B

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

And another thing. Yes CC is 80's, that's why I like it! It is different, not some version of a great a5 PAF pickup. Because then what's wrong sticking with A5 PAF clones in the bridge, a5 modded hot ant bridges are really the ****!

BTW I really did not mean any offense, just sharing what I thought after reading that.

B

I would think that the CC is 80s' only if you used the same sort of signal processing like in the 80's (Marshall JCM 800 -ish type distortion & crunch).

What else could make it sound 80's -ish?

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Mac-P,

Well BBq is not like c5, so in that regard they do have a point. It resembles JB more than it does a C5, my humble opinion. It is like a JB, and it is not more open (opener :lol: ) as well, something to be expected due to the resistance values. But I guess there are other things/differences involved. So indeed if you love your JB so much (ok ok don't touch it, don't change the magnet ) and hate the c5 in the SG, BBQ would not be a bad choice.

But beware, BBQ has TONS of uppermids (relatively more than JB) which become annoying. I mean I loved this pickup for a long time, tried everything I can do wash away the uppermids. Just could not. It is dark, lots of uppermids, maybe relatively JB level lower-mids and bass. If you wanna get angus' early 90's tone all the time, fine it delivers. But if you wanna have a smoother tone, better suited for cleans, well in that case BBQ has to go. It is muddy and harsh at the same time with the same settings C5 sounds crisp clear (which is also annoying but anyway! )

About the definition of BIG. I honestly think your definition does indeed coincide with mine. Thus, I would not say BBQ is bigger than CC. CC has a lot of lowermids, really great singing tone. And that tonechart thing I think is misleading, it does not relatively have THAT much mids. If its mids were to be like that of a5 buckers, it would be an unbearable pickup. But it is not. They are soft as opposed to be focused. They are spongy (especially the bass). But they don't sound excessively blur, or too midheavy. Has a great smooth clean tone, can do highs very well, and its uppermids are not annoying at all. And since you hated your C5, I guess CC is the way to go. At least this would be what I would do if I were in your shoes.

BTW did you check my BBQ/Texas and CC/PGn threads in the tips clips section. You can hear them out.

Good Luck,

B

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

I really think I will end up one of these p'ups in my LP standard....Fillmore, BBQ, Air Zone, or CC. I have also heard the Air Zone is modern sounding which is interesting. I may have to just order the Fillmore and sell if I hate it.

Mac, quite a few people have recomended the Air Zone to me. All I am saying is that as much as I like the JB......I like the BBQ that much more.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Maybe we all just hear things differently because I find the BBQ to sound much thicker than the JB. Wouldn't the JB be thicker with lower mids? Plus, I don't seem to find the BBQ harsh at all and I love it's clean tone because the cleans are so fat and thick.....no ice pick topnes to be found. These are the big reasons I stuck it out with the BBQ.

Doc, I understand what you say concerning finding the right pickup for the guitar. Would you suggest I just start trying p'ups? I can't afford to just go out and buy ten pickups, LOL! Maybe order one or two from ebay and send back the one I dislike, and then buy another off ebay......basically continue till I nail it?! I don't know if I'd be able to swap magnets, nor want to do that.
I may just take a chance and order the Fillmore and if it fails to work....I begin my journey through trial and error on ebay. LOL!


One thing that has always intrigued me is how Gearjoneser is known for saying how the C-5 seems to work in most mahogany/maple topped guitars.....kind of like a sure thing.

 

[Fatty]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Wow.. this thread is an interesting, infomative read. I'm going to have to try out the CC after reading the descriptions on here.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

I guess, I find myself wanting to find the pickup that will give me the biggest sound ot tone in the mix. You know, really fill in all the cracks and just have a huge tone at rehearsal and gigs. Thus far, the Rio BBQ has done it.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Rich, don't compare pickups in different guitars. Seriously, the conclusions may be reversed when you do the comparison in the same wood.

And I did not say BBQ was harsh, it is on the harsh side ok, but what I said was: on the very same settings that makes a C5 crisp clean, BBQ sounds muddy and harsh. Of course, then I was changing the settings! See?

B

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Sorry Doc if I miss quoted. :doh:

Why did you find the BBQ so dark....what type of music do you play? Sometimes I feel modern amps are too bright and the BBQ is needed.

Thanks for the advice. The weird thing is, my dean Evo Premium is a very dark, dense, and rich sounding guitar, and with the BBQ, sounded huge at rehearsal and gigs.....but pretty muddy and had a hard time standing out as many fellow guitarists in the audience mentioned.

Enter the LP Standard at about 8 lbs is very lively and focused sounding...not as dark as the Dean but it actually sounds deeper. I noticed a deep tone with the Burstbucker Pros but scooped and a little thin...very vintage and not high gain modern hard rock. This LP plays so darn nice and feels great.

I got this from another forum (LPF) but it fits my guitars well..."Acustically, the Dean has a lot of low end and mids with a smooth, mellow treble, while the LP has a very sparkely treble and prescence, nice mids and subdued bass. The LP seems slightly louder, though that might just be that the treble is percieved by the ear as louder?" From these descriptions, any advice on p'ups? Rio for the LP? What about the Dean? Maybe even an Air Zone for the LP.

I installed the C-5 and noticed thing beefed up in all areas but the overall EQ is about similar to the BB Pro.....but the C-5 has better mids and is a little more clear. Also, hotter.

It's funny how our ears get used to a tone..........if I play my LP for a half hour, my Dean sounds terrible on the same settings when I make a switch. The if I play the Dean for a while on these same settings for a while, the LP sounds smaller on the same settings.

I think I need to play with the height of the C-5 and the amp setting sto get a good idea what it can do in my LP before switching. I was quick to switch out the BB Pro, but the concensus from other was that they all enjoyed the results when swapping out the BB Pros. The one thing I didn't do is raise the pickups very high with the BB Pros because I was under the impression it would cause tuning and wolfe notes issues. I talked to some reliable contacts, musicians and store owners in the area who said they only find that to be an issue with single coils so they said crank the p'ups up as high as I want....basically use my ears. I wish I did that with the BB pros befor eswapping....oh well.

As a side note......why can Gibson chanrge $100 for one BB Pro p'up when Duncan charges less! Are they saying they are boutique? hand wound? higher quality? What gives? The name?

Anyway......my goal with the LP is to get as BIG and as WARM a tone as possible for modern hard rock.

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

As a side note......why can Gibson chanrge $100 for one BB Pro p'up when Duncan charges less! Are they saying they are boutique? hand wound? higher quality? What gives? The name?

While we're on the topic, how can Gibson charge as much as they do for some of the new Les Pauls (or even SG's)? Puleeeeeze!

It's called "we're Gibson and we can charge you for the name".

Having said that, they are STILL my favorite guitar company. I am one of MANY suckers!

:smash:

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Mac, why do you like SGs so much?? I'd love to actually get an SG Standard some day.

Personally, I lOVE the new LP Standard. Mine plays like a DREAM!!!! Unbelievable how easy and fast it plays for me!!

How does the SG Standard neck compare?

 

[keano12]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Hey guys I have the fillmore and actually put a clip of it up throuigh my Marshall here. IT is a great Allman classic rock/AC/DC tone. turn it down and it has amazing blues. I am looking for something more hi gain now though for another LP Custom. Thinking of either getting the CC or the EMG 85/60. If I went way of the CC what would be a good neck pup? Jazz?
Heres the Fillmore clips if interested.
Clips at: http://media-creations.net/fillmores.htm

 

[mjsever]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Rich, don't compare pickups in different guitars. Seriously, the conclusions may be reversed when you do the comparison in the same wood.

B

Amen to this- I posted this somewhere else before, but it's worth mentioning here. I have a JB/Jazz set in a very bright guitar, and even with 250k pots it's too much. I was in a music store and tried out a Schecter with the same pickups in it- the tone was very dark. I then picked up a Charvel with the same combo and it was perfect! Very 80's, but nice and clear and well-balanced. I didn't believe it before, but the guitar's wood has as much to do with the guitar's tone as the pickups.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

I agree 100% about not comparing pickups between different guitars. I have found that the guitar will have a HUGE impact on the tone! That said, I don't think the BBQ get's enough respect......as I really find it rich with harmonic complexity and very full sounding. It can be dark but I find it hot and bright in my LP with 500k volume pots! I dopn't see the clarity issue poeple talk about...

 

[keano12]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

Will a CC have as much output and EQ range as the EMG 85?

 

[kaknight]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

It's been soo long since I had an EMG 85 I can't really compare.

I guess as a resident CC user, I should give some comments. I have a CC in my new Heritage Les Paul and it's very nice. It gives tone like it says in the description. it's very warm and sweet and gives a tone like a vintage guitar with a lot more horsepower. I think of the tone I can get as a lot like the warm rich tones of the 70's. I have a guitar with a C5 that I also play, and there is a huge difference. I think that the biggest difference that I can notice is when I am playing with other people or an audio track. The C5 is great at home alone, but when I throw it into the mix it actually sounds kinda thin. I think that the bass just gets lost under a real bass player. My CC guitar really cuts through well. Instead of just the really high notes coming through the mix (what I get with my C5), I get the warmth of the mids. It's really noticable when I am soloing. There is definetely less bass in the CC than my C5. The C5 is huge in the bottom, and when I play chunka chunkas it sounds mean. But the CC sounds like a real vintage style LP guitar playing in a band back when I was a kid in the 70's. It's smooth in the bottom, and that gives it a great comfortable feeling to it. I would really recommend it for people who aren't looking for that huge bottom.

As to what to put it in the mix with, I love the AII pro that I have now in mine. Several people that I know love the CC with a Seth. The AII pro has a bit more bass, and in my mind is a bit sweeter bluesier tone. But I think that the Seth would also go great.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which is a warmer pickup: Duncan CC or Rio BBQ?

The BBQ will have more mids than the C-5 and sound more full, but don't forget about the JB which is one of the greatest work hourses of all time.