No Shop will install my BQC System!!!

[Smilodon]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

+1

The older system was a lot easier to install, ironically.

Depends on what you find challenging. From reading through some of the threads here on TB it seems like the most difficult thing for a bass player is to solder, so the quick connect systems seems sensible.

Soldering feels a bit more secure though.

[joelb79]

I believe if you call up EMG you can order any of their pickups with the older style pots. My local music store only stocks the systems old pots. I'm not sure on the X series stuff, and that would disturb me if they were not able to be hooked up to my normal solder EMG pots. But I hear the tone knob on the JVX is something different; perhaps this is wrong. I bet SGD knows; he seems to know everything about EMG's even though he makes his own pickups.

The OP needs to find a new tech/shop.

[bongostealth]

You have been fed a line of bull. I have installed several EMG systems in my Warwicks and it's absolutely possible. In fact, in my opinion, it's one of the best preamps out there for Warwicks because it really accentuates a Warwick's natural woody tone.

My setups have always been three knobs: vol/vol stack, bass/treble stack, hi mids/low mids stack.

Since you have four knobs, you will need to drill an extra hole. It might be tricky to fit everything in those tight Warwick cavities but it's certainly doable.

Have you gone to a GuitarCenter? They usually have repair techs at every store that will install it for you.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by joelb79

I believe if you call up EMG you can order any of their pickups with the older style pots. My local music store only stocks the systems old pots. I'm not sure on the X series stuff, and that would disturb me if they were not able to be hooked up to my normal solder EMG pots. But I hear the tone knob on the JVX is something different; perhaps this is wrong. I bet SDJ knows; he seems to know everything about EMG's even though he makes his own pickups.

The OP needs to find a new tech/shop.

I guess you meant me? lol The X series has an active tone control. The passive tone control barely works with the standard series. The X series has a lower output impedance so a passive tone control wont work.

I used EMGs since the mid/late 80s until the mid 2000s, so I've had a bit of experience with them!

I still have a few very old EMG pickups, like this one:

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

I guess you meant me? lol The X series has an active tone control. The passive tone control barely works with the standard series. The X series has a lower output impedance so a passive tone control wont work.

I used EMGs since the mid/late 80s until the mid 2000s, so I've had a bit of experience with them!

I still have a few very old EMG pickups, like this one:

I did mean you, I can't type today.

Ok I've noticed that as well that the tone knob doesn't roll everything off. I can still hear highs- which means I can hear what your saying. I'm about to add a BTC to my Vol-Vol-Tone setup. What could one do to improve the tone control aside from ordering that new X-tone knob? Is the extra pot of the tone going to load the setup a little more before the BTC and make it darker than it would without it? I won't loose the function of the tone will I?

[VinKreepo]

Paypal me the $80 and send me the bass! I will install it for you!

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by joelb79

I did mean you, I can't type today.

Ok I've noticed that as well that the tone knob doesn't roll everything off. I can still hear highs- which means I can hear what your saying. I'm about to add a BTC to my Vol-Vol-Tone setup. What could one do to improve the tone control aside from ordering that new X-tone knob? Is the extra pot of the tone going to load the setup a little more before the BTC and make it darker than it would without it? I won't loose the function of the tone will I?

The problem is that active pickups have a lower output impedance, so the passive tone control doesn't do much. As it is, you see EMG uses a .1µF cap.

Their new X series has an even lower output impedance, rendering the passive tone control useless, so they had to go with an active tone control. The active tone control is probably similar to the treble band on the preamps.

I always used the BTC on my basses when I had EMGs and didn't bother with the passive tone control. If I rolled off the highs and boosted some lows, it was very similar to having a passive tone control turned down.

You can try putting the passive control before the preamp, but it still might not work all that well.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by VinKreepo

Paypal me the $80 and send me the bass! I will install it for you!

LOL I would be willing to give it a shot. I've never done it before but like everyone says how hard can it be

[Munjibunga]

It doesn't look like there's an awful lot of soldering to do. I'd do it for you if you were in SoCal.

[lokikallas]

I did the same thing. If its the newer pickups, it's solder less. They have a very simple diagram for plug what to where. I had the old ones and had to solder mine. Easy enough. I even added a second 9v. Just be careful no to cram boards against the side of the cavity as the wood can be conductive, which may cause a short. Any tech who is any decent at all should take your 80$ and be done in 20 minutes.