EMG P/J Set

Megalomania · #1 08-17-2007, 05:44 AM

I am interested in purchasing this:
http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&categoryid=24

But, I am still confused by active electronics. Do I need to purchase a seperate onboard preamp to use with this set, or am I good to go?

infect · #2 08-17-2007, 05:56 AM

They have a 'preamp' built in already and require 1 or 2 9-volt batteries to run.

elros · #3 08-17-2007, 06:00 AM

You need no extras.
The EMG pickups have a tiny pre-amp built into the pickup housings. The pickup itself is permanently connected to this pre-amp. You need only to add a 9-volt battery (make sure that there's room for this inside your instrument).
That's why we call EMGs "active pickups" - they have the pre-amp integrated. Most other "active circuits" have regular (passive) pickups connected to a seperate pre-amp.
You can connect the EMG pickups to a seperate pre-amp as well, but you don't really need to. They're active by themselves.

This also means that there's no passive-bypass option.
But they use so little power, a battery usually last a good year (or more) provided you remember to unplug the bass when not in use.

MichaelVee · #4 08-17-2007, 06:25 AM

I've owned an active EMG P/J set since 1986. It's been installed in a couple different basses.

To repeat and expand upon what's already been said, the pickups are active and require a battery. You are best off to use an EMG control set/harness.

The pickups will work great with an EMG BTS or BTC active system. Both have a master volume and a blend control. The BTS has separate bass and treble controls while the BTC has a single concentric bass/treble control.

EMG has a couple of other active control systems you can use, but the BTC/BTS is probably most widely used.

If you go the passive VVT control route, be aware that EMG pickups work best with a 50 kilohm control set. It's best to use the EMG control set if you go passive. Standard pots are either 250K or 500K.

However, if you buy a new set of EMG P/J's, it will include the passive control harness. Just wire it up and go! That's what I've used all along and it's a nice sounding setup.

Megalomania · #5 08-17-2007, 08:21 AM

Thanks for clearing that up for me guys! All great, informative responses.