EMG electronics

fruitlabor · #1 03-25-2013, 04:56 PM

I just installed EMG J5 and BQC active preamp in a Fender MIM jazz deluxe and it just doesn't seem to be where I believe EMGs should be. Is it necessary to run 18volt to get the best sound or do the newer EMGs sound different than the older 1987 stuff?

low2groove · #2 03-25-2013, 05:02 PM

Hopefully you installed both pickups and also make sure to disconnect the ground wire from the bridge. It's a potential shock hazzard if you leave it hooked up.
They should sound about the same unless that is one of the models they have overhauled. 9V is all you need for EMG gear.

fruitlabor · #3 03-25-2013, 05:14 PM

The ground wire is in the cavity but not hooked up. Should the treble be heard. I thought these were completely quite?

DanGouge · #4 03-25-2013, 05:21 PM

Why would an EMG circuit necessitate the removal of the ground wire?

low2groove · #5 03-25-2013, 05:31 PM

and big letters on any EMG wiring diagram it insists the removal of the ground wire is needed.
there is some type of shock hazard from the strings grounded to the bridge then to the pots.
I know EMG's are dead quiet . the specific reason why the wire should be removed is because the EMG's are internally grounded.

low2groove · #6 03-25-2013, 05:33 PM

also middle detent is passive.
you're going to hear hiss with just about any system if you have the treble cranked up all the way.

bassfreakah · #7 03-25-2013, 05:53 PM

if the bass cavity is not shielded you will get noise i know i do on my corvette. and i can here hiss when treble is cranked. they are great pickups, they come standard in the best basses.

fruitlabor · #8 03-25-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low2groove

also middle detent is passive.
you're going to hear hiss with just about any system if you have the treble cranked up all the way.

So are you saying disconnect the ground wire from the bridge completely?

line6man · #9 03-25-2013, 06:03 PM

There is no such thing as a shock hazard from the ground potential, unless the ground potential is not at ground potential. And that is an issue of using equipment on opposite phase power, not bass wiring.

As far as supply voltage, some people can hear the difference and some don't care. Most people run their EMGs at 9V, in any case.

jbrooks · #10 03-25-2013, 06:06 PM

I have EMGs in a couple of bass guitars. 18 volts gives you more "headroom" according to their literature. I've ran systems with both 9 v and 18 v and I prefer the 18v

bassfreakah · #11 03-25-2013, 06:11 PM

hell i barely got one battery in there.

5StringThunder · #12 03-25-2013, 06:15 PM

Some EMGs prefer 18v but run fine on 9v.

low2groove · #13 03-25-2013, 06:21 PM

I was playing one time as a teenager on a cement floor. while my fingers were on the strings my mouth touched the microphone. I got knocked backwards a bit the shock was that powerful. At 52 i tend to follow instructions more than I did when I was a kid, lol
So as far as I and EMG are concerened the shock hazzard pretty much goes away, at least from touching the strings, if you don't connect the bridge ground

I start out with EMG's in all my custom builds and
here is what it says right in the EMG install instructions.

When installing EMG Active Pickups, DO NOT connect the bridge
ground wire. This wire is usually soldered to a volume or tone
control casing and goes to the bridge. This wire grounds the
strings and uses them and your body as a shield against hum and
buzz. It also creates a shock hazard.
EMG Pickups are shielded internally and DO NOT require string
grounding. This greatly reduces the possibility of reverse
polarity shock from microphones and other equipment.

awamori · #14 03-25-2013, 06:22 PM

EMG states that if you use both their pickups and preamps together you'll need to run them at 18V.

Rano Bass · #15 03-25-2013, 06:27 PM

EMG's do not require shielding or grounding the bridge, but you can leave the bridge wire grounded and it will be just as any other bass on the market; you can get shocked under "special" circumstances just like with any other bass/guitar.

low2groove · #16 03-25-2013, 06:30 PM

no offense but actually, #1 under the installation notes states
"only one 9 volt battery is required to power the pickups and any accessories"

it's either 3db or 6db of headroom you gain with each battery. I can't remember.

fruitlabor · #17 03-25-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awamori

EMG states that if you use both their pickups and preamps together you'll need to run them at 18V.

So since I am using both, I guess I better make room for another battery...

low2groove · #18 03-25-2013, 07:04 PM

I've installed over 200 EMG systems over the years and one 9 volt battery has always sufficed to run the entire system. In some cases the client wanted 18 volt so I put it in. It was never actually needed though.
EMG's can run on much less power without distortion due to their design. Look it up.

fruitlabor · #19 03-25-2013, 07:14 PM

Thanks for the info. They do recommend 18volts for emgs pickups and pre together. I do it and see.

line6man · #20 03-25-2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awamori

EMG states that if you use both their pickups and preamps together you'll need to run them at 18V.

That's just silly. Why would they say that? The difference between 9V and 18V with two EMG products is the same as with one EMG product. They probably recommend 18V for the best headroom, but it's not required just because you are using active pickups and a preamp.