I don't seem to be a fan of the EMG HZ, but....

Kristopher · #1 02-13-2010, 03:40 PM

Hey guys, I recently played a Schecter Riot 4 with a burl maple top and neck through body. Yup, pretty sweet. The problem is that it's loaded with two EMG-35HZ pickups and I wasn't that impressed with the sound. What I would like to get is a tight agressive humbucking tone ala Musicman Sterling. Is it possible with a different set of pickups or a preamp? Would a better set of pickups fit?

Yeah, I know, get a Sterling - I have one, and it's pretty sweet. But what I don't have is a neck through bass with a bare wood finish with no pickguard.

Thanks TBers!
-K

Kristopher · #2 02-13-2010, 06:52 PM

Nevermind.... I went back and played the bass and it sounded awesome. I guess what I'm used to (a Sterling) biased my opinion.

Mods feel free to delete.

SurrenderMonkey · #3 02-13-2010, 07:23 PM

obvious upgrade is with EMG actives.

Here's an example of such upgrade (although it's a totally different bass).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MonpZ0o0RuU

Gopher Bob · #4 02-13-2010, 10:59 PM

EMG-HZs have a bad reputation. They are not bad pickups. I've played a few basses with the HZs that I loved the sound and played a few others with HZs that I've hated the sound... no clue why unless the preamp made that much of a difference.

But down the road if you do want what I would call "tight and aggressive" I second the opinion to get some EMG DCs. With those you could do some serious crowd control with your riot bass.