EMG DC/CS w/ BQS?

Surprise Panda! · #1 05-24-2008, 10:09 AM

Hi,

I was wondering if this was a good combo. It would be for a Spector. YES, I have tried the Tone pump with the HZ's before, but not in the Spector that's giving me GAS. Are there other pickups that would be better. I am very interested in Delano, but it doesn't look like they'll fit in the EMG HZ size. How are Seymour Duncan's? Also, is it also a love/hate thing with the BQS?

Thanks,

-Roy

Ach · #2 05-24-2008, 11:05 AM

if you want, i can post my (sold) bass soundclips:
ibby sr505 (mahogany + wenge) which sports:
neck: 40dc
bridge: 40cs
pre: emg 2 band + emg var mid

pre was obtained as a two separate units but i believe this is the same to the bqc, internally.

clips will be asap

Ach · #3 05-24-2008, 11:55 AM

Ok here they are:

Ibanez sr505 (mahogany + wenge/bubinga)
Elixir strings, EQ is flat, no compression. only normalization

bridge EMG 40CS
Very barky! never used it alone. Sounds too much Claypoolish to me

http://rapidshare.com/files/11731441...lixir.mp3.html

neck EMG 40DC
http://rapidshare.com/files/11731478...lixir.mp3.html

both
http://rapidshare.com/files/11731488...lixir.mp3.html

more about pickups:
I have tried to exchange their positions, difference are very subtle, DC can be compared to CS as a vol pot exchange 500kOhms to 250 kOhms. DC are a bit brighter (harsher) and hotter in compare to CS. This difference can be compensated by lowering a DC pickup down. Actually i prefer a CS - DCs are way too harsh.

About EMG preamp:
I've tried a 18v and a 9v harness, never had been able to hear any distortion with 9v.

Never need to boost lows (neither cut, though)
Highs are also rarely tuned (pickups are very sizzly and harsh), so only cut here.
Later i obtained a Var Mid by EMG.
Only used to cut the lowest mids. Very scooped sound. Not Kornish (Ibby K5 has more lows but much less bark, i had compared side-to-side).

So conclusion: very barky config, no way to obtain unagressive sound

ps: sorry for bad english, not a native speaker
pps: Attention: Very hi output! You can even touch a cable tip with your toung and strung

Gonna feel some bite.

Arthur U. Poon · #4 05-24-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suprise Panda!

Hi,

I was wondering if this was a good combo. It would be for a Spector. YES, I have tried the Tone pump with the HZ's before, but not in the Spector that's giving me GAS. Are there other pickups that would be better. I am very interested in Delano, but it doesn't look like they'll fit in the EMG HZ size. How are Seymour Duncan's? Also, is it also a love/hate thing with the BQS?

Thanks,

-Roy

Hi Roy,
I've never tried Delano pickups but I've heard a lot of positive things about them. My Modulus Q4 has EMG 40CS pickups with the EMG BQS eq system. IMO they match up very well. I think they'll work very well with your Spector.

Surprise Panda! · #5 05-24-2008, 12:54 PM

It says it's more traditional. With the BQS, can I still get a Claypool-ish sound?

Ach · #6 05-24-2008, 01:23 PM

Shure you can. Samples are created with EMG pre (again not exact BQC, but should color the sound in similar manner, if it colours it at all).
I found EMGs pre-amps to be very transparent sounding (a have had running same pickups without a pre too: subtle to no difference in flat position)

ihateusernames · #7 05-24-2008, 08:54 PM

would love to hear these clips but don't trust the host site

Surprise Panda! · #8 05-24-2008, 09:44 PM

Right now I'm thinking EMG 35J/35P. I'm also interested in SGD pickups

ihateusernames · #9 12-13-2008, 11:41 PM

Bumping this old thread - In my Schecter Stiletto Custom 4 I initially placed a DC at the bridge, CS at the neck and left the BT two band preamp on board. Big improvement over the passive stock HZ pickups. Switched the pickup position and didn't like it as much, but still better than HZ (for my uses) The inherent quack of the bass was gone.

Just tonight I installed the BQC preamp. WOW!!! Much more pleasing high end, fuller and cleaner low end, and with the mid control this is a surprisingly versatile bass. I can't imagine what this setup would do in a Spector as the punch and booty available now can approach the tones of my EMG equipped NS-2A. The cutting growl reminiscent of Spector is there with the balance shifted moreso to the bridge pickup and the mid frequency set to higher settings with a mild bass boost and full treble.

It can dial up a ballsy P-bass tone very easily with the CS in the neck solo'd. Fingerstyle and pick are both much easier to dial in compared to the HZ pickups and the BQC makes it that much easier - I always struggled to quickly switch tones on the HZ/BTS setup - it was tough to dial in.

To answer the OP's question, based on my recent experience, the CS/DC/BQC combo is a winner.