EMG Hz to EMG-40TW?

awakefie · #1 08-02-2008, 02:48 PM

I have a 5 string Schecter Diamond Elite. According to Schecter it has EMG Hz (soapbar style) passive pickups with an active EQ.

I want to vary the tone and the EMG-40TW actives look like they'll fit the bill. Has anyone here worked with this combo? Are they any good? I find the idee of swtiching pickup styles with the pull or push of a control intriguing but would like to get some opinions...

gforce9 · #2 08-02-2008, 04:00 PM

I had the HZ's and a Tone Pump pre in a Spector cheapie 5. I replaced them with the 40TW's in both positions. Big improvement and I dont miss the 2 band eq.

awakefie · #3 08-02-2008, 04:26 PM

Thanks g.

They look to be the same size etc... I don't think I'll miss the 2 band EQ that much either. With my amp I don't seem to have a problem cutting through.

twangchief · #4 08-02-2008, 05:08 PM

EMG's are great pickups, passive or active. I put a passive EMG with an Aguilar preamp in my bass and it's great. Of course, the active EMG's are great with the standard tone but remember that EMG has some great tone circuits.

I think the TW's are great in the bridge position...at least that's the configuration I've seen on some basses...DC and TW in the bridge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakefie

I have a 5 string Schecter Diamond Elite. According to Schecter it has EMG Hz (soapbar style) passive pickups with an active EQ.

I want to vary the tone and the EMG-40TW actives look like they'll fit the bill. Has anyone here worked with this combo? Are they any good? I find the idee of swtiching pickup styles with the pull or push of a control intriguing but would like to get some opinions...

awakefie · #5 08-02-2008, 06:48 PM

Thanks Twang.

Can I run a passive at neck and an active at bridge?

kyral210 · #6 08-02-2008, 09:30 PM

I have a Schecter C5 bass which came with EMG-40HZ's and a 2 band EQ system. It sucked! I replaced them with (after some searching and different configurations) 40P5 at the neck and 40J at the bridge. I threw the EQ away, I just hated it. Now I love the tone and versatility I get. PJ is definitely the best combo available.

paganjack · #7 08-02-2008, 09:54 PM

but if you don't want to keep your 40HZs id buy one off you. PM me if you want to unload.

mrokern · #8 08-02-2008, 10:19 PM

For those of you who replaced the HZs with actives, did they plug right in or did you have to solder? If you soldered, can you give a walkthrough? Replacing the HZs in my Schecter is my next project.

Thanks,

-Mark

ihateusernames · #9 08-03-2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrokern

For those of you who replaced the HZs with actives, did they plug right in or did you have to solder? If you soldered, can you give a walkthrough? Replacing the HZs in my Schecter is my next project.

Thanks,

-Mark

HZ have different clips compared to the active EMG's, which are, AFAIK, all the same and interchangeable (clip wise). Yes, you will need to solder some connections, schematic (albeit not an easy one to follow) are included with the new pickups, or available for download on the EMG website.

kyral210 · #10 08-03-2008, 05:40 AM

Yeah, you need to know a bit about soldering. It is very easy, but not for a beginner. As I said before, I just threw my EQ system away, it just doesn't work for me.

mrokern · #11 08-03-2008, 08:56 AM

Soldering is not a problem for me...I've got extensive experience. I'm just looking for tips to skip the reportedly dodgy schematics.

Thanks,

-Mark

idler · #12 08-03-2008, 09:48 AM

I have a 40TW in my Warmoth - some opinion here:EMG preamp question

Summary: I really like it.

It's not hard to put in if you know which end of a soldering iron gets hot. There are many many connections on the volume pot though. Beware, as they quite often include the wrong instruction sheet in the box! I found the right one on their website - I still have it around so I could try to get it scanned if you need it.