EMG crisis

Aharon · #1 11-17-2009, 03:29 PM

I got a pair of EMG 35 DCs for my bass (no preamp yet) and they have a nice bright, aggressive hi fi sound that I like BUT they are way too sensetive to percussive noise and generally dont handle an aggressive play style too well (ironic?) I've tried EQ'ing it out but this just doesnt improve things.

I'm testing it on a Bass POD XT which I tweaked to make my old Stingray more tolerant to a heavy hand and it sounded great. Unfortunately the EMGs dont want to be tamed like this

I was thinking of replacing them with a 35P4 at the neck and a 35PJ at the bridge, in the hope of keeping the inherent hi-fi EMG sound but getting rid of the cartoon-like upper mid range.

Ideally I would like to stick with active EMGs but I've also been hearing good things about Bartolini's, in particular their smoother attack.

I'm looking for something hot and aggressive that can take a beating without upsetting the treble/upper mids.

All your suggestions please

malicous · #2 11-17-2009, 03:39 PM

I hear that the Basslines Phase 1 active pickups are half way between the EMG DC line and the more smooth sounding Bartolini sound. Might be worth considering.

I have EMG active pickups on my main bass, and they have helped me moderate my attack (since I hate that "cartoon-like" upper mid sound which I get if a play too hard). With a lighter touch, nothing sounds quite like they do IMO.

walterw · #3 11-17-2009, 07:54 PM

the EMG CSs tame that attack, sounding more even.

Aharon · #4 11-18-2009, 11:39 AM

I had looked at the CS and given it some thought. Would it shave off that over-the-top percussive frequency range or will the rest of the sound suffer also?

Any more thoughts are welcome, all combinations of passive /active and preamps and so forth considered.

SurrenderMonkey · #5 11-19-2009, 02:25 AM

you tried lowering the pickups?

pdubya · #6 11-19-2009, 03:01 AM

hmm......mebbe try putting a btc tone circuit in : my emgs love it in my spector.also back off the master volume a tad ( with your cab dialled of course! )

www.myspace.com/dubthemagicdragon

ehque · #7 11-19-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurrenderMonkey

you tried lowering the pickups?

I thought the same thing.

NS2A · #8 11-19-2009, 05:53 AM

As already said:

lower the pickups
play lighter

you may also want to check into a compressor or limiter. I use a limiter at times and it tames it some.

Aharon · #9 11-19-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdubya

hmm......mebbe try putting a btc tone circuit in : my emgs love it in my spector.also back off the master volume a tad ( with your cab dialled of course! )

www.myspace.com/dubthemagicdragon

That's interesting. Do you find that with the EQ set flat that it changes the tone at all? I heard these were quite transparent preamps when set to flat, but other people have said they brought their EMGs to life.

I lowered the pickup a little and put in some more compression and although this helped a little with the attack, I couldnt help feel that this was doing nasty things to the output signal. EMGS have pretty weak magnets and they reccommend you get the close to the strings. The harsh attack I'm getting is NOT a result of the strings hitting the pickups, which I would guess was the rationale behind your suggestions?

When running straight into the front of an amp most basses wont respond well to a heavy hand, however as mentioned I'm running it through my bass pOD which after extensive tweaking had worked wonders for my old stingray. The harsh attack on the EMGs seems embeded in the internal preamp of the pickup.

Is what I'm experiencing a general trend (to varying degrees) from active pickups? Shame theres no way to try out pickups in your basses before you buy them.

JackANSI · #10 11-19-2009, 02:05 PM

You try 18 volts yet?

SGD Lutherie · #11 11-19-2009, 02:11 PM

Lowering the pickups wont get rid of that upper midrange in the DCs. That's what they sound like. You can't even EQ it away!

The CS humbuckers will be warmer, or use the 35P and 35J. That was my favorite EMG set for a long time.

Aharon · #12 11-19-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

You try 18 volts yet?

Yes its on 18V

Quote:

Lowering the pickups wont get rid of that upper midrange in the DCs. That's what they sound like. You can't even EQ it away!

The CS humbuckers will be warmer, or use the 35P and 35J. That was my favorite EMG set for a long time.

I'm defo doing away with these DCs but the options for replacing them seem to have grown out of the EMG boundary. I've always liked the sound of two coils, or even sometimes two pickups in series and as far as I know you cannot do this with EMGs. As a result, they always sound very 'clean'.

I'm starting to think passive MM buckers wired in series for that low mid grind and to shave off any percussive high end. Ive looked at the Seymour duncan ones. Alnico or Ceramic? Or go with the EMG P/J? So many questions lol!! I like EMGs but im not sure if they've got that mid-rangey punk sound.

Keep the input coming, all welcome.