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i hear alot that the C-5 is mid scooped. but can that problem be fixed just by boosting the mids on your amp? im just wondering because im liking what i hear about the Custom 5 but i dont want to get it and find that its too stale.thanks.

Hay' CastironI don't see too drastic of a mid-scoop in that design, I think its just a general statment being the A-2 magnets are sweeter and more midrangie then Alnico 5 and then, Ceramic turns everything louder in most areas.

The Dime Bag I have here has some extra scooped mids. the DC's windings are lower I
think.

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i have a C-5 its a special pup for some requirement of the natural sound of the guitar. I would not use it in warm sounding guitars. I think it exels in bright, hard and bassless guitars like all maple, ash (sen) and even thin mahogany guitars (SG). If you need more mids in this guitars i would go for a custom custom.

The C-5 is one of the most toneful pickups Duncan makes IMO. It's got a tight percussive low end, which tightens up your heavy tones nicely. It also doesn't sound murky or nasally on clean channels. It's like a natural 59 tone beefed up, and A5 is always best for a tight and focused metal tone. Ceramic is good too, but has a blunter sound, with less sweetness than A5.

As for your question about mids, they're neutral, so the amps mids dictate the tonal character. C-5's love EL-34 amps! If you have nice mids on your amp rig, the C-5 will give you the nice lows and highs. It doesn't sound scooped to me.

To continue what Gear said......I remember being able to turn up the mids on the amp to get some very thick lead tones.....plus I used a 300k volume pot with the C-5.

GJ...how do you find the treble response/brightness of the C-5 compared to a 59 (bridge)? Same? more? less? The only thing I don't care for on a 59B is that if the guitar is not quot;darkquot; naturally (tone-wise) they can be a little shrill..C-5 similar?


Originally Posted by GearjoneserAs for your question about mids, they're neutral, so the amps mids dictate the tonal character.

Yes. That's the beauty. I've never had problem getting quot;midsquot; from my C5. Amp and speakers are significant.

I'm using a C-5, 59, and Seth as bridge pickups in my main player guitars, and the C-5 and 59 are pretty similar. The C-5 might be a tad less bright. The mids are fairly similar, but the C-5 has a big tight bass that's superior to the 59. The Seth has richer mids and has nice clear highs, but they're more plucky and Zeppelin toned, whereas the highs in the 59 and C-5 are more focused and clear. Ideally, it's nice to have all your favorite Duncan bridge pickups in a few guitars.

I had a C-5 in a Gordon Smith LP clone and totally hated it, the sound didn't work for me at all It may work for you though, so don't let my negative comments persuade you in any way against the pickup