Can EMG X and TW (non X) mix?

[warx]

Hi,

Either I'm confused with naming of X and Extended (where X is the newer stuff) or they chose less-than-obvious names!

Anyways I am looking for something like a 35DCX (neck) and 35TW combo - I can't see the TWs in the X series on the EMG site - but then again I can't even see the DCX there either (just the CSX and others!).

Can you mix them? I really like to leave EQ to my amp or desk - so I would prefer to just have simple passive tone and volume/mix (and coil switch for TW) controls on the bass - i.e. no active preamp/EQ. Is this possible?

Also even though I am just a few miles away from EMG I was considering ordering a set of Status pickups from the UK and they were just few miles away from where I grew up! Ironic...). Prices are comparable. Would need their preamp for sure though it seems. Anyone ever tried these in non Status bass?

Thanks,
Mike.

[SGD Lutherie]

The active tone control on the X series is because the output impedance is lower than the regular pickups. The passive tone control wont work. It barely works on the regular EMGs.

If you are already using the passive tone controls, then go ahead and use the active. It's pretty much the same thing, especially if you don't use it.

Also think of this, on board tone controls of EQ are different from your amp. If you are using a bright tone on one song, and then maybe want something deeper, you don't do that at the amp, right? You do that at the bass. The amp's EQ is for global tone shaping to get your overall tone in the room you are in.

Now what I don't know is how well the two models of pickups will mix because of the output impedance. But the passive tone control wont work on the X series.

They don't seem to make a DCX anyway, just CSX. DCs weren't made to use at the neck position anyway. They are Music Man voiced pickups intended for the "sweet spot." EMG told me they weren't made for the bridge position either, but then people started doing that anyway.

[warx]

Good points. I just played with my passive tone on my 20yo EMGs and it really does very little. I was thinking about the BTC but I just got my new amp - GK MB210 and its EQ is not as flexible as the 10 band on the Hartke 3500 I am replacing - so perhaps I should get the BQC after all giving me maximum EQing opportunities! I guess I don't need the system BQC since if I am mixing the TW and DC it won't be plug-n-play anyways and I can just use the two volumes that come with each pickup in front of the BQC. Now, 9V or 18V... hmm.

I see what you're saying about not using the DC at the neck - but it seems a popular choice with a CS back at the bridge. At least they are easy to swap out.

Found out the DCX and TWX are not ready for production yet so I will proceed with the non X versions rather than waiting.

Alright... onto next choice of compressors since the MB210 does not have one (the 3500 built-in was not too bad).

Thanks!
Mike.