EMG BTS Circuit Opinions?

Stormin70 · #1 09-14-2006, 05:36 AM

Hey all,

I have a pair of EMG's my bass which I really like. I was thinking of replacing the standard tone pot with the two pot EMG BTS Control, which gives +/- 12dB of Bass and +/- 12dB of Treble.

Does anybody have any experience with the BTS? Is it worth the $75 price?

An help would be greatly appreciated.

Stormin!

Boldaz-Lepton · #2 09-14-2006, 05:52 AM

I have one in my Spector NS2000/5. I think it's a pretty good circuit. It has a very clean sound and although my bass has EMGs HZs, which many people don't like, I find that I can get a lot of different sounds. The BTS circuit has two dip switches in the control cavity that let you control the frequency of the treble boost/cut. You get 4 frequencies to choose from, but right now I don't remember exactly what they are (I'm sure some fellow TBers will chime in with more exact specs). The frequency I have set is very zingy and combined with the natural brightness of the maple Spector, keeps the sound from becoming dull when the strings age a bit so, in my case, I change string less often. I have recorded plenty of times with that bass at good studios and nobody has ever had a bad thing to say about it. There's no percievable noise unless there's an extreme treble boost and even so it's not that noticeable. To sum up, if you're into EMGs you'll like the BTS. I say go for it!

danomite64 · #3 09-14-2006, 06:42 AM

I have a BTS in my fretless, and like it a lot.

RevGroove · #4 09-14-2006, 04:34 PM

BT circuit is good...BQ circuit (mid control) even better! BUT, only 10db Boost/Cut on the bass control with the BQ, vs. 12 with the BT...

MichaelVee · #5 09-14-2006, 05:52 PM

I have the BTC system, which is the same as the BTS, other than the bass and treble pots are stacked (concentric).

It sounds clear and sparkly with a pair of active EMG HBCS pickups in my Spirit HZ-2 fretted bass, which is on the lower left in my avatar trio.

I've also bought a couple of the BTC controls and added them to other basses with otherwise passive controls, and they improve the sound of every bass I've tried them in without changing their basic tonal character.

Lonnybass · #6 09-14-2006, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

I have the BTC system, which is the same as the BTS, other than the bass and treble pots are stacked (concentric).

It sounds clear and sparkly with a pair of active EMG HBCS pickups in my Spirit HZ-2 fretted bass, which is on the lower left in my avatar trio.

I've also bought a couple of the BTC controls and added them to other basses with otherwise passive controls, and they improve the sound of every bass I've tried them in without changing their basic tonal character.

+1

stingray69 · #7 09-14-2006, 07:54 PM

I have a couple of Schecter basses - They both came stock with the BT circuit. I replaced the BTC with a BQC to gain a sweepable mid option in one of the basses. I believe most or all of EMG's bass EQ circuits have a high frequency contour option. I really dig the 2 dip switches that change the high frequency contour of the bass - the changes may seem to be subtle if you're not playing through a full-range system. But in the studio or through a cab with a nice tweeter & crossover system, the frequency changes are more pronounced and really sound great. Very quiet, but I like to shield everything regardless. The lows are very punchy & powerful, but never seem to get sloppy/muddy - even when laying it on thick. Highs are sparkly and very clean - can be adjusted to taste. Just a really great sounding circuit. The only downside to the dip switches are that they are on the inside of the control cavity.

Still, I've fallen in love with the EMG stuff and I will be using them a lot more in the future.
The dip switch settings are:

Switch-1 Switch-2 Knee Freq
on on 2.5 kHz
off on 3.5 kHz
on off 5.0 kHz (default)
off off 8.0 kHz

BillyB_from_LZ · #8 09-15-2006, 12:05 AM

I have EMG J type pups, a BTS and and EXB in my Hoyt 5 string. Run 'em at 18 volts.

I like the electronics just fine and although I don't really slap, the EXB is pretty cool as it's essentially an onboard contour control.

If you wanted to limit the EQ to just two holes, a BTC and EXB would be a great setup.

12bass · #9 09-15-2006, 01:46 AM

I've got a BTS in my Hamer Chaparral 12-string. The bass came with EMG pickups as well, but I swapped them for much better sounding Lane Poor wide apertures....

IMO the BTS is a pretty flexible EQ circuit. Having the four knee frequencies for the treble is handy. On my 12-string the 7 kHz setting adds chiming overtones. If you add bass it seems fairly deep without being muddy.

If you already like the "EMG sound", IMO the BTS will give you more of the same, but with a lot more control. However, because I have a passive switch on my bass, I should mention that I've noticed that the BTS changes the tone even when set flat. I hear a bit of treble boost even with the control at center detent. Passive sounds more organic and unaffected to my ears.

BruceWane · #10 09-15-2006, 10:36 AM

The BTS/BTC control work really well. The adjustable high frequency center is very useful. But really my favorite EMG circuit is the BTS/BTC system because it includes EMG's buffered blend circuit. If you've never played a bass with a buffered blend, you don't know what you're missing.