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VIEW FULL LIVE VERSION : Do active pickups need a bass preamp?


metallicafan18
01-03-2009, 03:42 PM
I got some new Active EMG's for my Schecter Custom-5. There is already an active preamp in the bass, but it was used with the passive HZ's the bass came with.

The new pickups I bought each come with a volume and a tone pot. Could I just complete gut the bass of everything and use the volume and tone pots for each pickup? That would be a total of 4 pots. 2 volume, and 2 tone. I have 4 holes in my bass for pots.

Or would I wire it some how to the EQ already in the bass. It has a blend, volume, bass, and treble pot in it now. What should I do, and how do I do it?:confused:

Band Dad
01-03-2009, 03:51 PM
I have a Modulus BaSSStar that has active EMGs wired to the pots (and a 9 volt battery) without a preamp. Mine is a pretty old setup, and I don't think it's original to the bass, but it works well wired to two volume pots and a tone pot.

metallicafan18
01-03-2009, 03:52 PM
ok. I'm going to wait for more replies before I gut this bass though.

Also, how to I wire the two pickups to 1 9V battery?:confused:

Craig_S
01-03-2009, 04:13 PM
No, active pickups do not require a preamp. They are called active because the pickups contain preamps.

Pick your model: http://www.emgpickups.com/text/wiring.html

The Jazz Bass set: http://www.emgpickups.com/downloads/wiringdiagrams/J_models1.pdf