How do EMG "Select" pickups compare?

konaboy · #1 06-25-2009, 12:58 AM

Take my Cort Performer with "Select Designed By EMG" pickups.

How does the Precision pickup compare to a standard precision pickup? Better than a bottom of the range Squier/Fender pickup for example?

I'm asking because I'm considering swapping out my Selects for Fender pickups (or similar). I don't own a P-bass and don't have access to one so I am unable to do an A-B comparison with my guitar.

If the EMG selects are inferior then I would like to replace them.

Thanks!

Jefenator · #2 06-25-2009, 01:30 AM

If I had that bass, and liked the way it plays and sounds unplugged, I'd probably upgrade the pickups. (I once had a bass with EMG Select pickups and I thought they were pretty mediocre.)

There's a lot of quality options out there for the P/J configuration.

konaboy · #3 06-25-2009, 07:25 AM

Please be specific, exactly what is it that's inferior? just curious, thanks!

walterw · #4 06-25-2009, 06:27 PM

i usually refer to them as "reject designed by EMG". they're just weak and dull, nothing like real EMGs.

BigOldHarry · #5 06-25-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

i usually refer to them as "reject designed by EMG". they're just weak and dull, nothing like real EMGs.

+1

They were EMGs passive cheapy p'ups used in off-shored basses back when EMG was *the* p'up for bass.

They aren't terrible - they just aren't anything special. If you get a set, don't pay much!

renniw · #6 06-25-2009, 06:46 PM

In their price range they are good. Don't expect them to sound like 200$ nordstrand.

walterw · #7 06-25-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renniw

In their price range they are good. Don't expect them to sound like 200$ nordstrand.

or even $70 duncans.

konaboy · #8 06-26-2009, 12:50 AM

now we're getting somewhere! Would swapping them out for Squier/Fender Mex pickups be an upgrade, or are these equivalent?

allexcosta · #9 06-26-2009, 01:00 AM

I have used Selects in the past and they are alright, but I'd replace them with Dimarzios DP126.

konaboy · #10 07-15-2009, 03:27 AM

just thought I'd update the thread with my findings.

The EMG precision pickup is now swapped out with an item from a '05 MIA precision. And I can barely hear any difference. For the first couple of plucks I could hear a slight change in the tonality but after a minute or so I got used to the sound and can barely detect any change in the tone or volume. Possible the Fender pickup is more punchy and with a bit more clarity but I could be imagining it.

This is through a decent EBS combo and flatwound strings.

I'm not completely surprised since I was quite happy with the sound in the first place but was curious what an "upgrade" would actually offer. Turns out not a lot in my case. It was fun to do and I'll leave the Fender pickups in anyway.

Makatak · #11 11-17-2011, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konaboy

just thought I'd update the thread with my findings.

The EMG precision pickup is now swapped out with an item from a '05 MIA precision. And I can barely hear any difference. For the first couple of plucks I could hear a slight change in the tonality but after a minute or so I got used to the sound and can barely detect any change in the tone or volume. Possible the Fender pickup is more punchy and with a bit more clarity but I could be imagining it.

This is through a decent EBS combo and flatwound strings.

I'm not completely surprised since I was quite happy with the sound in the first place but was curious what an "upgrade" would actually offer. Turns out not a lot in my case. It was fun to do and I'll leave the Fender pickups in anyway.

Amen .........If it aint broke , dont fix it . Half the time people " upgrade " for the sake of upgrading .