Last night, I installed new pickups in my Schecter Stiletto Elite-4L - an EMG-35P4 on the neck side, and an EMG-35DC on the bridge side. I gave them a quick test run after I finished, and they already sound much closer to the tone I was looking for than the pair of EMG-35HZ pickups that were in there before!

As for my other bass (a Stiletto Custom-4L) I'm leaving the HZ pickups in because they sound great with flatwounds for a more vintage tone.

I've noticed on TB that a lot of people who install a pair of active EMG soapbars usually opt for an EMG DC pickup on the neck side, and an EMG CS pickup on the bridge side.

Anyone out there using a P + DC combination like me? Why did you opt for this combo? Have you tried reversing the pickups (DC at the neck, P on the bridge), and how does the tone compare?

Basically, I'm just trying to start some general discussion about what seems to be a combination not commonly seen around here.

I've noticed on TB that a lot of people who install a pair of active EMG soapbars usually opt for an EMG CS pickup on the neck side, and an EMG DC pickup on the bridge side.


Actually, I think the forum's consensus is that the DC is too bright for the bridge position, so it usually goes in the neck or 'sweet spot', while the CS is better suited for the bridge. How are you liking your DC soloed in the bridge slot?

Actually, I think the forum's consensus is that the DC is too bright for the bridge position, so it usually goes in the neck or 'sweet spot', while the CS is better suited for the bridge. How are you liking your DC soloed in the bridge slot?

Oh, oops - yeah, that's what I meant! DC on the neck, and CS on the bridge. I'll edit that.

I don't have a solid opinion yet, but it adds some nice bright growl to the P4. But then again, I never use my bridge pickup full-on; I just blend to taste with the neck pickup (in my case, the P4).

I'll be playing around with it more when I get home. I might swap them around too, and compare the difference.

I might swap them around too, and compare the difference.

Let me know when you do, I'm interested.

Now that you've had a little more time with the EMG's, do you have any solid opinions? I've been contemplating swapping out the HZ's in one of my ESP's for a P4 and either a CS or DC. I know for sure that I want a P4 in the neck spot, but I'm a little torn on the bridge position. I like a really edgy tone so I'm leaning toward the DC, but I also hear that they are really harsh in that spot. The CS is supposedly the same as the HZ-35 (only active) but I'm not sure if that is true, either. I do like the HZ's, though I would like a little more "thrust". Thanks in advance.

bass-shy, I'll be recording some clips hopefully tonight or tomorrow night, so I'll get back to you on that.

I really do like the DC where it is, and I'm surprised by the fact that it can hold its own; bridge pickups often can't be dialed in alone because they lack low-end strength, but this DC seems pretty powerful by itself! I'm not that fond of both pickups up at full-blast, though.

I thought about switching them, but I forgot to do that when I installed my new strings last night. I will be recording them as-is, though. I still need to record some effects pedal clips, too...