Bart pickups with EMG BQS system

Type-55 · #1 12-04-2006, 05:01 PM

Has anyone tried this combo?
Any reasons why it wouldn't work?

Thanks

luknfur · #2 12-05-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type-55

Has anyone tried this combo?
Any reasons why it wouldn't work?

Thanks

FWIW:

the EMG site specifically states their BQS systems are only for use with their pups so I'm guessing they know what they're talking about.

The same setup is available without their blend unit and it's called the BQS control and it works fine with Barts or any pups. Both have a fairly long PCB which can be an issue in fitting into an existing control cavity. I found no tonal difference of significance in performance between the Bart, EMG, and Aggie 3 band units.

Type-55 · #3 12-05-2006, 01:54 PM

Does EMG have 2 different BQS preamps?

Type-55 · #4 12-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Sorry. Didn't see the word control after BQS.

lug · #5 12-05-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type-55

Has anyone tried this combo?
Any reasons why it wouldn't work?

Thanks

To clarify:

BQS System - no

BQS Control - yes

luknfur · #6 12-06-2006, 02:20 PM

FWIW:

to me another downside with the BQS is it's a variable mid. Hard to find a tone and hard to get back to it. The OBP-3 is even worse as there are 3 controls for it instead of the pair on the EMG. But it's optional on the OBP-3, it's not optional on the BQS.

KeithPas · #7 12-07-2006, 02:15 AM

I don;t have any experience with Barts and the BQS but I did have DiMarzio Ultrajazz pickups in a bass with the EMG BQS preamp and it sounded good but had no headroom, even with an 18volt circuit. I took out the UJ's and dropped in EMG jazz pickups and it all came together. Even though EMG states that some of their stuff is compatible with other manufacturers pickups and preamps I think that the EMG stuff matches better with other EMG components.
BTW The BQS pre that I have in my Jazz has three stacked knobs (very rare);vol/vol, bass/treble/mid/mid sweep, very cool.

lug · #8 12-07-2006, 09:19 AM

I use a BTC Control with my bart MMC and it works great. Bottom line is if it ends in Control it's for passive Pups, if it ends in System it's for Active pups.

luknfur · #9 12-07-2006, 12:23 PM

FWIW:

not to step on feet but to keep it straight and open, this is the EMG garb verbatim:

BQC System
For EMG pickups only, the BQC System features a pre-wired balance control (blend) and master volume with both the bass and treble on a concentric pot as well as the mid-control. All the EQ controls and balance control feature center detents.

EMG-BQS Control
The BQS Control is essentially the same as the BQC Control but the bass and treble controls are separate. The mid-control is concentric (stacked). The BQS Control will also work with active or passive pickups. The pots are center detented, and 2 extra volume knobs are included.

Says the same about the relative BTC units.

I ran the BQS as an outboard with a myriad of pups including Barts and experienced no headroom issues. The pre's were gone before the UJ's arrived but I wouldn't expect any difference. Obviously, we all have different experiences. Seems EMG pre's can be wired for 27 volt for the Diehard fans out there - the site will say. Also 9v's vary considerably so it pays to look at the miliamp rating of what you buy.

KeithPas · #10 12-07-2006, 12:55 PM

I am only basing what I said in my previous post on the obvious volume difference I had with the UJ's and the EMG jazz pickups. With the UJ's I needed to turn my amp halfway with the EMGs I was literally on 2 and was louder. I'm not discounting the possibility of the UJ's not being properly connected to the preamp or some other sort of human error.

luknfur · #11 12-07-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithPas

I am only basing what I said in my previous post on the obvious volume difference I had with the UJ's and the EMG jazz pickups. With the UJ's I needed to turn my amp halfway with the EMGs I was literally on 2 and was louder. I'm not discounting the possibility of the UJ's not being properly connected to the preamp or some other sort of human error.

Understand. No attempt to discount your experience - or anyone elses. Just throwng out my related experience. The UJ didn't do much for me at any rate so it wouldn't have mattered. The Model J I liked. Lot's of guys like UJ's. You'll never know until you actually do a transplant but feedback helps to narrow choices.