EMG pickups - string distence?

[kyral210]

How close to the strings should my EMG's be on my 5 string bass? I have a 40DC in the bridge and a 40P5 at the neck. Should they just be as close as possible without rattle?

[Zebra]

Supposedly the design of EMGs makes it so that string distance is irrelevant to sound or volume. Just put them where they're comfortable for your playing.

[meev992]

My instruction manual said that EMGs should be place as close as possible to the strings...

however, for myself, I had to lower my pickups a great deal, to avoid distortion. YMMV

[22pauld22]

I have lowered my emgs .. but it made no real difference to the tone .. changing between 9v and 18 volt certainly does though

like meev said they are supposed to be set as close as possible as the magnets are weak because they are active and won't have an effect on string movement

[meev992]

Originally Posted by 22pauld22

I have lowered my emgs .. but it made no real difference to the tone .. changing between 9v and 18 volt certainly does though

like meev said they are supposed to be set as close as possible as the magnets are weak because they are active and won't have an effect on string movement

I've heard differing opinions on the 9v versus 18v. I suppose it's worth the try...will search TB for the how-to wire it up.

and the second point, that's what i figured too, but I eventually lowered my pickups A LOT...the E side is practically flush with the body now...go figure....it still puzzles me though, why my experience is in direct conflict with the manufacturers recommended setup.

[22pauld22]

Hey Meev .. where are you noticing the distortion ? are you saying your preamp is clipping on your bass amp ? cos I find I can clip any preamp with just about any bass if I turn up the input gain enough .. what is your setup and where are you hearing seeing or hearing the distortion ?

going from 18 back to 9 is easy .. just take one of the battery clips out .. leaving just one battery .. I find with 18v's the emgs are even brighter and cleaner .. I have a p5 and a cs

let us know what your signal path is from bass through to amp including any affects and what you have done to find where the distortion is coming from other than moving your pickups .. you know strip it right back to bass and amp with a known good cable ..

I'm not really an emg lover but I must admit I have never gotten distortion from them without having my input gain too high .. I'll be interested to hear whats going on there

[meev992]

Yes, the Pre-amp is clipping on the bass amp. For all my basses, I just leave my volume knob all the way up...probably not the best idea, but it's a pet-peeve of mine, to not have my knobs all the way up....maybe I'm just hearing things, but I feel like it doesn't sound as "full" without the knob all the way up.

I don't think anyone should worry, It's probably just the way I am (as I do play with an aggressive attack).