EMG Electronics

[Mike151]

I recently replaced my stock pickups in a fender PJ with the Active EMG PJ Set seen here.
http://www.emginc.com/products/category/24/2
I have another fender PJ that I am going to do the same with but want to take it to another level by adding something such as active tone and/or preamp? I'm not sure what I'm talking about when I say preamp so help me out there a bit if you would.
Please link me to EMG products on their website if your making a suggestion. That would be most helpful!
Thanks!
Mike

[mmbongo]

You need this bad boy right here:
http://www.emginc.com/products/index/141/146/4

[BillyB_from_LZ]

A preamp really means that the pickups run through a buffering and/or gain changing circuit which may include active bass and treble (and sometimes midrange) controls. EMG active pickups have built in preamps, which is why the pickups themselves require battery power.

As for expanding your options, you could go a several ways...

If you are working with three knobs, you can't use a BQC system since it requires 4 knobs.

A quick note about EMG's product naming scheme: the EMG "systems" include a volume and a balance control, while the EMG "controls" do not, otherwise, the tone shaping circuitry is the same for a given type.

You could get a BQC control (http://www.emginc.com/products/index/105/146/4) that has a concentric Bass/Treble stack (the BTC essentially) and a concentric midrange stack (the VMC) and then use a stacked 25K ohm pot for Volume/Volume. I bought one (complete with knobs) on eBay for a reasonable price. Something like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/EMG-CONCENTRIC-G...item3cb3ed815a

Or, if you didn't want midrange control and wanted a balance control or two separate volume controls you could go with the BTC (stands for Bass, Treble, concentric) system: http://www.emginc.com/products/index/137/146/4

Or, you could do the stacked Volume/Volume pot, a BTC control (http://www.emginc.com/products/index/140/146/4) and a Bass Expander (EXB) for on-board contour control (http://www.emginc.com/products/index/136/146/4)

[Mike151]

Originally Posted by BillyB_from_LZ

A preamp really means that the pickups run through a buffering and/or gain changing circuit which may include active bass and treble (and sometimes midrange) controls. EMG active pickups have built in preamps, which is why the pickups themselves require battery power.

As for expanding your options, you could go a several ways...

If you are working with three knobs, you can't use a BQC system since it requires 4 knobs.

A quick note about EMG's product naming scheme: the EMG "systems" include a volume and a balance control, while the EMG "controls" do not, otherwise, the tone shaping circuitry is the same for a given type.

You could get a BQC control (http://www.emginc.com/products/index/105/146/4) that has a concentric Bass/Treble stack (the BTC essentially) and a concentric midrange stack (the VMC) and then use a stacked 25K ohm pot for Volume/Volume. I bought one (complete with knobs) on eBay for a reasonable price. Something like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/EMG-CONCENTRIC-G...item3cb3ed815a

Or, if you didn't want midrange control and wanted a balance control or two separate volume controls you could go with the BTC (stands for Bass, Treble, concentric) system: http://www.emginc.com/products/index/137/146/4

Or, you could do the stacked Volume/Volume pot, a BTC control (http://www.emginc.com/products/index/140/146/4) and a Bass Expander (EXB) for on-board contour control (http://www.emginc.com/products/index/136/146/4)

Wow, that is very informative. Thank you.
I'm working with 4 Knob holes that are drilled through the body of the bass with no pickguard. I would like a mid control as well as bass and treble boost. I have no preference as to what is stacked or not.
Sounds like I'm going to have a second 9v battery, is that correct? Some routing may be required if that is the case.
What would you suggest for that configuration?