Direct replacement options for EMG 40?

Kermin VH · #1 11-10-2010, 10:55 AM

I have a Schecter C-5 5 string, all stock, with EMG HZ pickups in it. I've decided I want to replace the pickups, but I'm not sure what all will fit. I know they use the EMG 40 casings, so I'm wondering how many different options I have for direct replacement.

I know EMG, Seymour Duncan, and Bartolini make direct fits, but are there any other manufacturers that any of you can think of that offer anything in that pickup size? Btw, they are 4" x 1.5" casings if that helps.

Thanks! -Joe

azzyrazzy · #2 11-10-2010, 11:36 AM

Nordstrand made me Fat Stacks in that size. Very nice upgrade for me

Kermin VH · #3 11-10-2010, 11:40 AM

What pups did you replace? What sort of tone(s) do the Nordstrands give? What do they do better than the pups you had?

Thanks! -Joe

tubby.twins · #4 11-10-2010, 11:54 AM

SGD, Delano and Villex also make pickups in the EMG40 size.

azzyrazzy · #5 11-10-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kermin VH

What pups did you replace? What sort of tone(s) do the Nordstrands give? What do they do better than the pups you had?

Thanks! -Joe

It was a very nicely constructed neckthrough bass. I had the emg 40dc in the bridge position. AWFUL placement of that pickup. It sounded harsh and lifeless, almost artificial, but punchy. No woody tone, no natural sound. I hear this pickup is made for the stingray sweetspot. Sure as hell wasn't made for bridge

In the neck I had the emg 40 J, not that bad, but it too had the emg-tone that you cannot get rid of, even, hifi, but sterile punch.

The Nordstrands were a leap of faith because I had not heard them before. They were perfect. It just sounded so natural to me, delicious tone. Even, modern, warm and more like the acoustic tone of the bass. I loved it. Had to later sell the bass but I still remember how happy I was with the Nords.

Kermin VH · #6 11-10-2010, 02:31 PM

Cool! Thanks for all the good info, guys! Now all I have to do is figure out which ones will provide the tone I'm looking for.

I'm kinda new here; would it be better etiquette to start a new thread asking which of the EMG40 replacements will get me the sound I'm looking for, or should I just post the tonal qualities I'm looking for in this thread?

tubby.twins · #7 11-10-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kermin VH

I'm kinda new here; would it be better etiquette to start a new thread asking which of the EMG40 replacements will get me the sound I'm looking for, or should I just post the tonal qualities I'm looking for in this thread?

We can probably use this thread.

What don't you like about the tone of the EMG HZ pickups? What sound would you like to get from this bass?

Kermin VH · #8 11-11-2010, 06:01 AM

It's not so much that I don't like the tone I get from the HZ's, I'm just i search or that ever elusive "more"

The only thing that I really dislike about them is they don't do slap well AT ALL. This hasn't been a huge problem, as I'm primarily a fingerstyle player, but whenever I DO try some slap stuff on any of my band's songs, it just gets buried.

As far as what I'd like tonally from the new pups: TIGHT, focused bass (I don't care if it's super deep, I just want it to be CLEAR. I never run my bass knob higher than noon), punchy, growly mids ( I run my mids at about 75% on the knob, and I've got a pretty radical boost in the upper mids with the onboard 9-band eq on the amp, also), and more "open", vibrant highs. The EMGs sound, as mentioned by a lot of people, kinda flat and sterile, especially the high end, IMO.

So if there's a particular set of pups that'll give me more of what I've already got, just 'roided out, AND give me a better slap tone, that'd be awesome!

-Joe

P.S. I've been looking at some different onboard preamps,as well; Duncan's got the STC-2 that has the slap switch. My only article of contention with it is it's a master volume/blend setup, and I've heard horror stories about the volume bump those things can cause when centered. And I'd really like a dedicated mid control while sticking with the four knob setup already on my bass (Duncan makes the STC-3 wih a mid knob, but I'd really rather not drill a hole if I don't have to). Any opinions? How well does the slap switch work?

Kermin VH · #9 11-11-2010, 06:08 AM

Also, my low B is tuned to A 95% of the time, so I would like something that tracks well that low. If it would help, check out my band's stuff to get an idea of the sound I'm using now: Any of the vids wih the checkerboard are recent. http://www.myspace.com/officialarc

Hope it's kosher to post links to my band on here!

Thanks guys! -Joe

prokfrog · #10 11-11-2010, 10:56 AM

If you are looking for "that slap tone", try a string change first. I found the HZ's slap really well compared to some of the other options mentioned. If you feel you must go with pickups, SGD Sidewinders might do the trick. They have great balance also..

Kermin VH · #11 11-12-2010, 11:41 AM

Prokfrog, I've tried several different brands of strings (D'Addario, Rotosound, Dean Markley, DR, maybe a few more I can't remember) over the years, and I've always come back to DR. I'm running the DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams right now, and the slap tone is improved with them, but it still doesn't "get my rocks off".

I usually run the DR Lo Riders, but my local GC was out when I bought my last set.

Anyway, I truly do appeciate all the info and suggestions! Keep it comin'! I'm loving the amount of different options you guys have suggested.

Funkmonger · #12 01-02-2011, 01:18 PM

Forgive the bump on the thread, but I was wondering if the OP had any success? I've got exactly the same bass, and I'm not too keen on the sound the EMG HZs give me (I've even replaced the pots as they were crunchy)... I play funk primarily, and am looking for something with a bit more kick, especially when slapping... I'm pretty useless when it comes to modding, every bass I've had has been straight out of the box for use, so any input would be marvellous!