COnfiguring EMG P-J pickups!

kyral210 · #1 01-19-2009, 04:01 AM

Ok, I have a 40P5 in the neck and a 40J in the bridge, classic PJ, nothing wrong with that.

The P pickup has a higher output than the J, but 'classicially' the bridge should be hotter than the neck. Should I lower the P pickup to reduce the output? If so how (as in how do I know how far to reduce it), turn the volume of the P down, or just leave it?

I really want to make this configuration the best possible so all advice is welcome!

JKambing · #2 01-19-2009, 04:03 AM

I'm not that knowledgable in pickup height adjustments, but you may also raise the bridge pickup I think. I think it's best you wait for others after me to chime in.

kyral210 · #3 01-19-2009, 06:37 AM

EMG say raise the pickups as high as you can without the strings rattling on them. With this, the bridge and neck are already as high as possible...

twobit · #4 01-19-2009, 07:19 AM

I think with my emg pj configuration the p sounds hotter than the j bridge also.

slareman · #5 01-19-2009, 07:24 AM

Yep, same thing for me too.

frankie5string · #6 01-19-2009, 08:12 AM

Are these the same pair as the actual P-J package?

kyral210 · #7 01-19-2009, 08:56 AM

No, its the 40P5 and 40J pickups. They are in extended (soapbar) housing. However, I believe that casing asside, the pickups are the same in wiring as the standard PJ pickups. I think we can treat the 40P5 the same as the P5 model.

frankie5string · #8 01-19-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyral210

No, its the 40P5 and 40J pickups. They are in extended (soapbar) housing. However, I believe that casing asside, the pickups are the same in wiring as the standard PJ pickups. I think we can treat the 40P5 the same as the P5 model.

Oh duh, I should have noticed that... oops!

Ok, so have you checked to see if there's significant tilt on the pickup. If it's tilting up to the strings it should be ok, but if the bottom is tilting away you'll get a volume drop.. I believe the actual sensor area of the J pickup is in the bottom of the soapbar...

kyral210 · #9 01-19-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

I believe the actual sensor area of the J pickup is in the bottom of the soapbar...

Nope, that J pickup is pretty much central in the pickup. How do I know? Take a 40J, hold it at an angle to the light and you can just about see an impression of a long, thin, J pickup shapes oval. I guess whatever glue process they use to stick the pickup into the hosuing before potting warps or impacts on the plastic housing. Dont know how, but it does.

frankie5string · #10 01-19-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyral210

Nope, that J pickup is pretty much central in the pickup. How do I know? Take a 40J, hold it at an angle to the light and you can just about see an impression of a long, thin, J pickup shapes oval. I guess whatever glue process they use to stick the pickup into the hosuing before potting warps or impacts on the plastic housing. Dont know how, but it does.

Hmm... I wouldn't go by the scoring on the surface of the pickup housing... That's not accurate... My EMG DCs also have a slight impression in the centre - but they're DualCoil pickups....

Only way to know for sure is to use one of those magnetic-filing packets to test, or grab some loose steel wool and let the pickup attract the filings...

Back when I was actually seeking out EMG extended pickups I did these sorts of tests to see what the internals actually looked like from a "pickup" perspective...

kyral210 · #11 01-19-2009, 11:26 AM

You know, that is a bloody good idea! I would love to use crude oil instead, as that gives you liquid spikes! Obviosuly, I cant get hold of any, but hey, iron fillings will have to do!

Anyway, all this is besides the point. Should I lower my neck pickup to reduce its output and get a more natural tone as classically the neck has a lower output than the bridge, but I have the oposite (a neck with a higher output than the bridge).

frankie5string · #12 01-19-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyral210

You know, that is a bloody good idea! I would love to use crude oil instead, as that gives you liquid spikes! Obviosuly, I cant get hold of any, but hey, iron fillings will have to do!

Anyway, all this is besides the point. Should I lower my neck pickup to reduce its output and get a more natural tone as classically the neck has a lower output than the bridge, but I have the oposite (a neck with a higher output than the bridge).

My experience with EMG has always been akin to what they prescribe - get all pickups on the bass as close as possible to the strings. Did you clamp down at the last fret and use that new angle as a stopping point for the pickups?

They should be as close to the strings as possible. But you should, at this point, try lowering the P-type soapbar to balance them out.

Have you ruled out the blend pot as being a potential problem?

frankie5string · #13 01-19-2009, 11:35 AM

One other thing... have you swapped their positions to see if they exhibit the same volume difference when moved around?

kyral210 · #14 01-19-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Did you clamp down at the last fret and use that new angle as a stopping point for the pickups?

Yep, Done the last fret thing. Yep, I have tried changing them around, the P in the neck is best. I don't have a blend pot. I used to have one, but never liked it. Instead I have the standard V-V-T.

frankie5string · #15 01-19-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyral210

Yep, Done the last fret thing. Yep, I have tried changing them around, the P in the neck is best. I don't have a blend pot. I used to have one, but never liked it. Instead I have the standard V-V-T.

Then I would suggest contacting EMG at this point. You've pretty well exhausted every option and they shouldn't be so finicky to begin with...
I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to just send you out a replacement J-style soap.

bass-shy · #16 01-19-2009, 06:44 PM

Before contacting EMG, you should try lowering your neck pickup. If it doesn't give you the results you want, you can always raise it back up. It seems foolish to not at least try before seeking replacements, especially when lowering a pickup is so easy and totally reversible. Good luck.

g13nn · #17 01-21-2009, 03:06 PM

I believe its normal for the extended versions or even the P/J set to have the pickup closer to neck louder than the bridge pickup. Its more on the string vibration, more on the neck side compared to the bridge. The extended versions don't really specify which is for bridge and which one for the middle/neck.

Most players get by by just lowering the volume on the neck/middle and have the bridge at full. You can then tune the sound you want to be more on the round or trebley tone.

Some preamps like j-retro or u-retro, you can adjust the gain per pickup... this way you can balance the volumes of each pickup.

Since you have a v/v/t, I would just lower the volume on the neck/middle pickup and find my tone from there.

If ever you contact EMG, please post their reply here as they may have a good workaround where everyone can benefit.

rock on \m/