EMG-DC/CS Upgrade on Spector - HELP *RESOLVED*

eedre · #1 05-04-2007, 02:58 PM

Hey everyone,

I'm positive someone has posted on this before, but I wasn't finding the information I need by searching.

I'm replacing the passive EMG-Hz's with the 40DC and 40CS combo in my Spector ReBop 5 DLX w/ TonePump Pre.

Can anyone redirect me to a tutorial/website? Or have any suggestions?

Both pups came with an identical pair of pots (do I use all four?)(How do I remove the knobs on the existing pots?) and an output jack I can't seem to fit the instrument with. I'm confused

, I thought this would be easy! But a lot of this is not intuitive at all... seeing as the EMG instructions are bare bones as all hell...

luknfur · #2 05-04-2007, 06:51 PM

FWIW:

seems the CS has a push/pull pot for switching but maybe not. Reading the info on the pups, checking out the EMG schematics, and knowing where the previous pups wired into the pre should be all you'd need if in deed you've got a workable transplant - which is should be if the pups just came with a 25K audio pot AND you can swap the existing volumes in the pre.

See both Dimento's Trouble Shooting Guide and the Bass mod guide link within it in FAQ.

Bush thought Iraq would be a cakewalk.

eedre · #3 05-04-2007, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the advice... I actually got it working without any tutorials, just the common sense I gained from my Electrical Engineering classes. See kids? School really pays for itself!

And the difference between the active vs. the EMG-Hz's? WOW! I was fine with the Hz's but I've always wanted an active bass. I upgraded the supply to 18V by stacking a second 9V in series with the other one so those pups aren't lackin any power!

Hz's really don't do the Tonepump Preamp justice which is why I think many people don't like it.

The tone now has a more rounded out mid range and a lot more power, before it was like I didn't even have mids... just boomy bass and piercing treble.

I encourage this upgrade completely and anyone who plans on doing this to PM me with questions!

eedre · #4 05-04-2007, 07:23 PM

Now I need a pair of knobs, any sites?

MohawkHarry · #5 05-05-2007, 02:33 AM

I just did the same mod to my Rebop 4 project bass. Only I didn't use the tonepump, I put a EMG BTS system in instead. I also have a NS that has the EMG BQC system and if your a slapper the BQC is the way to go.
I have the CS in the bridge and the DC in the neck and went ahead and did the 18v install since I had all the parts. I am not so sure i'm happy with the CS in the bridge and might swap em around. To the other poster the TW has the split coil not the regular CS.
Let me know where you place your pickups and how it turns out for you.

lowmid1 · #6 05-05-2007, 06:02 AM

Which position do you have the CS in? Neck or bridge?

eedre · #7 05-05-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmid1

Which position do you have the CS in? Neck or bridge?

I put the CS in the bridge which is the most popular way to go, I really like the sound, since I find myself in groups (church) where brightness really isn't appropriate.. the sound is just bright enough.

lowmid1 · #8 05-05-2007, 04:25 PM

Why not replace both the neck and bridge with CS pickups?

eedre · #9 05-05-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmid1

Why not replace both the neck and bridge with CS pickups?

Indeed! Why not replace both with the DCs? Well, I did some research before I bought the second P/U. It seems having the CS (which is warmer) in the brighter bridge position and the DC (which is brighter) in the warmer neck position is a good compromise between warm and bright. I love bright guitars, but a lot of the things I play do not call for cutting bass. So I went for this configuration, which has turned out to be very nice.

lowmid1 · #10 05-05-2007, 08:45 PM

I see. The end result would be to tame a little harshness out of the sound? Do the the 2 different pickups work well together?

eedre · #11 05-05-2007, 08:55 PM

I love the sound, much better than the EMG-Hz's. The HZ's are unbelievably bright without much mid.

The tone knob brightens up the sound of the new P/Us with a more rounded sound, while the treble knob still delivers as much sharp brightness as you want... the filter is not so great on the treble band of the Tonepump, as A LOT of white noise is let through - which is audible when the treble pot is turned up significantly.

edit: AND I haven't even heard the sound through my cabinet yet! These results are based on the sound coming out of my 50-watt Crate BX50!