From EMG-HZ's to __________?

splitcoilsenior · #1 07-09-2010, 10:08 PM

Alright I just found out I don't get to keep my dream bass (don't wana talk about it). Because I don't really want to go out and buy another bass again, I'd like to upgrade my pickups from the stock EMG-HZ's in my Schecter Stiletto Elite, and possibly the pre-amp, which is the stock EMG 2-band.

Requirements for sound.
-not sterile sounds (not EMG-HZ like)
-deep punchy lows
-strong mids
-highs that aren't harsh sounding.

Must fit in the EMG pocket.

Thornton Davis · #2 07-10-2010, 06:05 AM

I replaced the EMG-HZ's in my Schecter Elite-5 with a new pair of EMG 40P5 (active) pickups. I wasn't satisfied with the stock EMG - BTS preamp that was in the bass so I replaced it with a Aguilar OBP-2 TK (2 band EQ) preamp. Both of these two upgrades made a huge improvement to the tone and output of the bass.

I have a Schecter Studio-5 as well and i'm going to pull the HZ's out of it and replace them with a new pair of EMG - 40CS active pickups and at the same time replace the EMG preamp with a Aguilar OBP-3 (3 band EQ) preamp.

Here's a couple of photos of my Elite-5 after the modifications were made.

The EMG 40P5 pickups

The body cavity with the Aguilar OBP-2 TK preamp

TD

interstatejoe · #3 07-10-2010, 12:46 PM

Nordstrand makes their DC4 dual coils in EMG35/40/45 sizes.

www.nordstrandpickups.com:

Quote:

dual coils
humbucking 4/5/6 string bass pickups
This is a modern design dual coil humbucking pickup. Pickups like these are usually found on very high end basses. They use Alnico V magnets and the traditional bi-pole layout with two poles per string. It's almost like two Jazz Bass® stlye pickups in one cover.

These pickups are available in two different versions. One set is designed to be wired in parallel, and the other in series. The reason we do this is that a pickup that is made to sound good wired parallel will usually be too hot and dark sounding if wires in series. So, we put less wire on a series dual coil than a parallel dual coil. In general, a pickup wired in series will have a fuller and fatter midrange with a subdued high end than a pickup wired in parallel, which will typically have more highs and a deeper low end with a cleaner midrange. Series pickups also have more output than parallel pickups. Parallel pickups are generally a better choice for a split-able installation, as there will not be the gain loss associated with series pickups.

splitcoilsenior · #4 07-10-2010, 12:48 PM

How are Bartolini?

Bass-Adrenaline · #5 07-10-2010, 04:08 PM

Check out SGD Lutherie, great guy to deal with and has great pickups in the size you need.

rojo412 · #6 07-10-2010, 04:30 PM

I hate Bartolinis.

Try the SGD, Nordys, or even Duncans (I think).

A440Hz · #7 07-10-2010, 04:41 PM

Be aware the Nordstrand default spacing is 19mm at the bridge, IIRC. I am thinking about either getting some SGDs for my Spector to replace some HZs, or getting the Nordy's in a custom spacing. Big difference in price, tho ($190 for SGD, $315 for Nordy, I believe).

braddigan · #8 07-11-2010, 07:26 AM

I'm in the same situation and I'm thinking of swapping out my HZs for 2 35TWs. With that setup I'll have plenty of tonal options, switching from humbucker mode to single-coil J mode. I think that may require swapping out the preamp as well...which isn't an issue, I just don't know what I would need to (or should) replace it with.

chump stain · #9 07-11-2010, 09:53 AM

I have Bartolini quad coils in my five string. I like them. But I have two, three way switches for the coil taps. The neck pup can go from P, humbucking, to reverse P. The bridge goes from series, parallel, and full humbucking. They sound good. Pretty transparent. I think the tone of the bass comes through.

I had active EMGs in my Peavey six string, and they sounded real good. I think you'll like active EMGs.

jonnymac101881 · #10 07-11-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braddigan

I'm in the same situation and I'm thinking of swapping out my HZs for 2 35TWs. With that setup I'll have plenty of tonal options, switching from humbucker mode to single-coil J mode. I think that may require swapping out the preamp as well...which isn't an issue, I just don't know what I would need to (or should) replace it with.

I have the tw's in my spector euro 5lx. The humbucker (cs) tone is great but the single coil mode has a very noticeable volume dropoff. Its definitely not something that would be usable for changes on the fly. Personally I'd go with either dc's or cs's or some combination thereof. You'd save yourself about $30 by doing so as well. Thats just my .02.

splitcoilsenior · #11 07-11-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnymac101881

I have the tw's in my spector euro 5lx. The humbucker (cs) tone is great but the single coil mode has a very noticeable volume dropoff. Its definitely not something that would be usable for changes on the fly. Personally I'd go with either dc's or cs's or some combination thereof. You'd save yourself about $30 by doing so as well. Thats just my .02.

I've had a P35 (neck) and 35TW (bridge) recommended to me. How would that work out? P sound, P/Hum sound, P/J sound, J sound, Hum sound.

chump stain · #12 07-11-2010, 11:13 AM

I had something like that in my Peavey. P neck, and J bridge, in a humbucker shell. They were a great improvement over the stock pickups.

jonnymac101881 · #13 07-11-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitcoilsenior

I've had a P35 (neck) and 35TW (bridge) recommended to me. How would that work out? P sound, P/Hum sound, P/J sound, J sound, Hum sound.

I think that would work fine. One thing to consider with the active EMG's (especially the 35P) if you decide you want to switch to a different pickup they have quick disconnect connectors. You won't be able to take advantage of that with the 35TW because the connections on the back are different due to the multiple coils. If you were to get a 35P and a 35J you could actually experiment with placing the pickups in in different locations. Another popular combination is a 35DC and a 35CS.

If you want to stick with the preamp you have you could get some SGD pickups. They actually have the same connector as the EMG-HZ's do on the back. It would be a simple swap and you may end up liking the EMG preamp. I've heard good things about them.

splitcoilsenior · #14 07-11-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnymac101881

I think that would work fine. One thing to consider with the active EMG's (especially the 35P) if you decide you want to switch to a different pickup they have quick disconnect connectors. You won't be able to take advantage of that with the 35TW because the connections on the back are different due to the multiple coils. If you were to get a 35P and a 35J you could actually experiment with placing the pickups in in different locations. Another popular combination is a 35DC and a 35CS.

If you want to stick with the preamp you have you could get some SGD pickups. They actually have the same connector as the EMG-HZ's do on the back. It would be a simple swap and you may end up liking the EMG preamp. I've heard good things about them.

So the only downside is, it's harder to install?

jonnymac101881 · #15 07-11-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitcoilsenior

So the only downside is, it's harder to install?

If you go to active EMG's you will need new volume pots regardless. So tw vs regular active EMG's won't be a difference in install difficulty. I was referring to the ability to swap pickups after the fact.

EMG P/J/CS/DC/PX/JX/JX-CS/CSX/DCX all have this connector:

TW's have this connector:

My point was if you were to buy and install pickups from the series that have the 3 pin connector you could actually experiment with swapping pickups. If you were to buy a DC and a CS you could install the DC in the neck and the CS at the bridge. You could then take those pickups and swap them to see what sort of tone it gives you with the CS at the neck and the DC at the bridge. If you get the TW you won't have this option.

splitcoilsenior · #16 07-11-2010, 01:22 PM

I think I'll get the TW because I don't have the money to get all those different pickups. This mod will be the last mod I do for a long time =p.

jonnymac101881 · #17 07-11-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitcoilsenior

I think I'll get the TW because I don't have the money to get all those different pickups. This mod will be the last mod I do for a long time =p.

I didn't mean you'd have to get them all. I just have a feeling you're not going to end up using the "j" mode on the TW's much. There's actually some guys on the spector club thread that bought new spector euro's and ended up swapping out the TW's to put DC's in. If you really are sold on the versatility of the TW's then why not just put a pair in? Then you can go humbucker/single coil on both the bridge and the neck.

splitcoilsenior · #18 07-11-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnymac101881

I didn't mean you'd have to get them all. I just have a feeling you're not going to end up using the "j" mode on the TW's much. There's actually some guys on the spector club thread that bought new spector euro's and ended up swapping out the TW's to put DC's in. If you really are sold on the versatility of the TW's then why not just put a pair in? Then you can go humbucker/single coil on both the bridge and the neck.

It says on the EMG site that you can't use EMG Pre-amps. I'm trying to sell my VM P-bass, SX jazz bass, and Line 6 combo so i can afford these new pickups. I really like the sound of a passive Jazz bass, but I need the dual humbuckers for the sound my band needs.

splitcoilsenior · #19 07-11-2010, 01:55 PM

I just saw the DCX on the website. Looks interesting... but I don't quite understand the concept of it. I'm now considering a P and a DC instead of the TW...THERES TO MANY OPTIONS.

Bass-Adrenaline · #20 07-11-2010, 02:26 PM

Trust me, youre putting way to much thought into it. Find a few pickups you may be interested in, do some research, weigh the pros and cons of each, and buy some. If you put to much thought into it youll just get frusterated and end up dissapointed. Everyones tastes vary so no matter what anyone says in the end you just need to decide.

Now, like i said this is just an opinion and you should take it how you want. I personally dont like EMG pickups, at all. Ive yanked EMG pickups and/or pre amps out of 3 basses ive owned.

Sound clips help a lot imo but there are still variable you cant account for.