software

I was looking around a little more and found the custom 5, I think it'll be a little more versitile for what I need, but I was wondering if its just for the bridge position like the custom.

If not I would like to know what pairs up well if the Custom 5 if its in the bridge position.

I know I ask a lot of questions, but I'm on a limited budget and I have to be sure I'm going to be happy with what I get.

The Custom 5 is designed to work best in the bridge position. No one here will say that you can only use it there. Try it out in the neck. You might dig it.

If that doesn't work out well for you, try a 59. Similar, but with less power.

Pearly Gates/C5 combo works great in mahogany. Its a good basic tone that will cover q lot of styles.

59, PG, or Jazz are all good choices. If you use the neck for rhythm mostly, it's best to go for brighter ones like Jazz or PG. If you like thick singing lead tones, the 59, Seth, or APII are the best choices.

thanks gearjoneser, thats what I needed to know. I think I'm going to go with the 59 C5 combo. Thanks a bunch

I wouldn't use a C5 in the neck because it might be a bit muddy (especially in mahogany) because it has a lot of bass and low mids but it might be ok. Maybe go with a '59 or seth (for deeper tones) or a jazz or PG for brighter ones


Originally Posted by sweetchildrenthanks gearjoneser, thats what I needed to know. I think I'm going to go with the 59 C5 combo. Thanks a bunch

That sounds like a great combo for an SG (assuming you are putting them in an Epi SG like you pictured).

ANother vote for C-5/´59....BTW, in my experience there are MUCH better places to shop than musictown, w/ cheaper prices and/or better service... just my experience w/ them, though

I sold one set of SH-6B and SH-14, and the new user is satisfied with the SH-14 as neck pickup!
I suggested him to put the screw coil towards the bridge and to raise the screws a bit higher.
I also tried this combo, and the SH-14 has had a singing, thick lead tone. Just a bit too bassy, but useful.

I have 2 LP's and 1 McCarty with the C-5/59 combo, and they're my best sounding guitars for heavy rock. Seth sets and 59's are also big favorites. Seths for brighter guitars, and 59's for darker guitars. The C-5 sounds a LOT like a 59, only it has deeper, tighter bass, and a bit more output.


Originally Posted by NateThe Custom 5 is designed to work best in the bridge position. No one here will say that you can only use it there.

I'll say it. It's a free country so do whatever you like -- and it's not as if the guitar or amp will explode.

But it will sound like doo. You don't want a high output (14k/Alnico 5) pickup in the neck position unless you love the sound of pure mud and ruining the balance with the bridge pickup which will sound anemic by comparison, even if it's another Custom 5. You'd probably have to lower it to a whole inch away from the strings to get the balance right.

High output pickups are DESIGNED specifically for the bridge position because the neck position naturally has plenty of output due to the wider vibration of the strings (and resulting higher natural bass content) at that point. Hence, they do not sound good in the neck position.


Originally Posted by Zhangliqun
High output pickups are DESIGNED specifically for the bridge position because the neck position naturally has plenty of output due to the wider vibration of the strings (and resulting higher natural bass content) at that point. Hence, they do not sound good in the neck position.

I was very surprised as the guitar player who bought the SH-6 and SH-14 from me, saied that he wants to use it as a set. I reccomended him both humbuckers for the bridge position.
I tested it, and if you set the SH-14 low at the neck position, there is no balance problem with the SH-6. Turn the screw side towards the bridge and the pickup is a bit brighter.
While some swear on the SH-4 as a neck pickup, the SH-14 might be worth a try @ Zerberus
it's just a bit too bassy.

I almost regret that i gave away the SH-14 and that i didn't have this idea to try it at the neck position.

But it is not so, that i have no use - that's the story behind the pickup:
I still have a TB-5 and wanted to turn it into a TB-11.
But where to get a cheap A-II magnet?
So i found a SH-11 zebra! on ebay and got it for only! 25!!!€!
The seller did a mistake and described this pickup as Custom Cistom SH-12!!
So i grabbed this pickup.
I took out the A-II mag, put in an A-V mag and sold it as SH-14 for...
50€!!

So, instead of buying an A-II mag, i got an A-II mag quot;for freequot; AND even earned money.
So, now i can turn my Custom in 3 different pickups...

It's all personal taste, of course. But I think 14.4K is just to hot for a neck pickup. My Hamer Monoco came with a 14.4K Duncan Custom as the neck pickup and 14.4K Custom Custom as the bridge pickup. At low volumes the 14.4K neck pickup was clear enough, but cranked at higher volumes it was muddy. I replaced it with a Seth Lover neck model and like that ALOT better! If this SG was my guitar I'd pair a Jazz N, Alnico II Pro N, Pearly Gates N or 59N with that Custom 5 in the bridge. If you're a rocker who plays with a semi-distorted tone most of the time, you'll probably like the deeper bass and rockier tone of the Jazz N or 59N best. Lew

Another nice thing about the C-5 is its versatility. It may read 14k ...but it feels more like a vintage output pickups but it has the extra kick and muscle. There are very few if any style you could not cover with the C5/59 loaded guitar - add split options and look out.