59/09's vs McCarty's, how similar are they?

[pwrmac7600]

in reading through the pickup specs list posted on the forum, i was looking at the 59/09's and the mccarty pickups. Doesn't say specifically which alnico magnet is in the mccarty's, but spec wise the 59/09's are only a touch higher output than the mccarty's, Any insight as to how similar or dissimilar these pickups are?

 

[SinSir]

5909>McC

5909 in bridge and 5708 in the neck equals perfection. I look at the McC pickups as the grandad to the 5x/xx series.

 

[pwrmac7600]

5909>McC

5909 in bridge and 5708 in the neck equals perfection. I look at the McC pickups as the grandad to the 5x/xx series.

I really like the sound of the McCarty's, just wish they were a touch hotter, but same tonally, would be amazing!

 

[gush]

I really like the sound of the McCarty's, just wish they were a touch hotter, but same tonally, would be amazing!

They are NOTHING alike.

Personally I really like 5909s but if you like McCarty bridge then dragon 2 might be more to your liking.

 

[VHTStark]

Ya, the 59/09's are a bit hotter than the OG McCarty pickups, but are voiced fairly different, even though they are both in the PAF camp.

McCarty's are fairly warm and dark. 59/09's are brighter and have more zing and attack. They are definitely not "McCarty+" pickups and neither are the 57/08's.

 

[pwrmac7600]

They are NOTHING alike.

Personally I really like 5909s but if you like McCarty bridge then dragon 2 might be more to your liking.

Interesting that you say that as i have a 05 standard 22 with Dragon 2 pickups and i really don't like them, lol go figure!

 

[gush]

Interesting that you say that as i have a 05 standard 22 with Dragon 2 pickups and i really don't like them, lol go figure!

Well......what the heck do I know???????

Lol

 

[DISTORT6]

Interesting that you say that as i have a 05 standard 22 with Dragon 2 pickups and i really don't like them, lol go figure!

Gotta agree. DII’s are meh-tastic at best for me.

 

[Johnny Rigs]

Interesting that you say that as i have a 05 standard 22 with Dragon 2 pickups and i really don't like them, lol go figure!

My 06 CE-22 Standard came with them. They quickly found their way to a box, where they remain.

 

[Senor Verde]

I must be the only person in the universe that didn't like 5909. Had them in a few Ted McCartys and DC22. Replaced them all with 5708 and preferred that setup.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

They are similar in that they are both humbuckers.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I must be the only person in the universe that didn't like 5909. Had them in a few Ted McCartys and DC22. Replaced them all with 5708 and preferred that setup.

Gotta love personal preference.

Both have their strong and weak points.

I like combining the 2 personally.

 

[Teddy4]

Interesting that you say that as i have a 05 standard 22 with Dragon 2 pickups and i really don't like them, lol go figure!

I swapped my D2s for 53/10s and it made it a whole new guitar for me.

 

[Bogner]

Gotta agree. DII’s are meh-tastic at best for me.

I Feel The Same About The 57-08's. They Do A Lot Good But Nothing Great For Me. I Find Them Very Safe And Average For The Things I Play. On The Less Much Heavy And The Clean Stuff I Can Tolerate Them Fine.

 

[Rider1260]

59/09s are brighter than McCarty pickups the McCarty's are closer to DGT Pickups

 

[gush]

I must be the only person in the universe that didn't like 5909. Had them in a few Ted McCartys and DC22. Replaced them all with 5708 and preferred that setup.

Ya like what like. I prefer them over 5708 but that's just me.

 

[gush]

I swapped my D2s for 53/10s and it made it a whole new guitar for me.

I'm a huge fan of 5310s too. Just put one in my vela.

 

[gush]

59/09s are brighter than McCarty pickups the McCarty's are closer to DGT Pickups

I keep thinkng i need to retry McCarty bridge PU. Leave LT neck but drop stock McCarty bridge in it.

My thinking is this. Most common complaint that I hear about McCarty PUs is they're too dark. Well I think most of the bridge PUs I've tried in my McCarty are too bright.

I don’t HATE LT bridge but it doesn't get me super excited like the LT neck does. What do I have to lose??
Absolutely nothing, got stock PUs in my parts drawer so I may try it.

I mean.....I'm going to have 6 months off of work so what the hell?????

 

[gush]

I guess I should mention that a covered 5909 would be nice to find. .
I have a dark nickel set of 5909s but that would look weird against plain nickel LT.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I Feel The Same About The 57-08's. They Do A Lot Good But Nothing Great For Me. I Find Them Very Safe And Average For The Things I Play. On The Less Much Heavy And The Clean Stuff I Can Tolerate Them Fine.

I feel like you gotta find the “good” 57/08s.

They’re wildly inconsistent IME.