should i swap my p-bass pick ups from seymours to emg actives?good idea??

Richard G · #1 06-22-2009, 12:16 PM

i have a squier p-bass that came with seymour duncan pick ups ...i recently bought a emg precision drop in active kit from someone ....im considering dropping the emg's p-pick ups in it......would any one know if theres much difference in from the 2 has anyone tried both....do the emp p active pickups have any good experienced reviews. i dont know if theres any extra grounding i will have to do,which ive never done before but it all looks like- drop in screw it it and plug and play......ill be playing out of my just bought used swr sm 900 head($400.00) which makes everything sound good regardless..thanks!

Richard

Craig_S · #2 06-22-2009, 12:51 PM

It never hurts to try something. You can always put it back to original, later. I think your bass will sound better with the EMGs.

P.S. Those aren't Duncan pickups, they are Duncan designed pickups, made by someone else--unless you bought it used an upgraded, that is...

amimbari · #3 06-22-2009, 01:26 PM

I have 4 identical P/J Charvel basses, one has an EMG "SELECT", just like the DD's made by someone else to EMG specs, a real EMG in one, in the 3rd, the OEM still, and in the 4th a bassline ....

4 basses 4 different split-p's and all 4 now are tonally different to each other than they were when all 4 had the OEMs in them.

better/worse? naw....just completely different. The range of tone from the real EMG is the only "better" thing about all the choices I threw in them.

and like Craig_S said, if you don't like it you can always take it back out in 5-10 minutes.

Richard G · #4 06-22-2009, 02:19 PM

my emg's are in the original box but used. i like a punchy sound good deep low end sound and and almost tight slap sound...i think they are seymour duncans i will be replacing the guy put in/upgraded before i bought it i believe,plus it was kinda cutting out but prob just something loose.

bassgod76 · #5 06-22-2009, 03:45 PM

Just my $.02. I have a set of EMGs in my MIM P Bass. Definitely clearer than my stock pups. Thunderous lows, but the mid lacks a little. My bass is going under the knife again for caity expansion to fit a 3 band EQ. The passive tone control sucks IMO.

Richard G · #6 06-22-2009, 04:28 PM

thanks bassgod ...appreciate that input i think im gonna try them out then later go for something a little more hi-end i think my swr can compensate somehow id like to get some alembics in there

bassgod76 · #7 06-22-2009, 07:59 PM

BTW, the Fender P Bass has a very small cavity. Fitting a 9volt is agonizing at best. I wired mine with 18 volts after routing a double battery box. Huge difference! So much more headroom.

r379 · #8 06-22-2009, 11:25 PM

My MIJ P Bass has EMGs in it and I REALLY like them.

Craig_S · #9 06-22-2009, 11:36 PM

The pickup in your photo looks to be a Quarter Pounder (Duncan SPB3). Before I changed it, I would wonder if the pots and cap were changed, as well. If not, change the pots and cap for better quality pieces. You might be surprised how much difference this will make. You might like the Quarter Pounder that's in it.

CharlieCraver · #10 06-24-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

The pickup in your photo looks to be a Quarter Pounder (Duncan SPB3). Before I changed it, I would wonder if the pots and cap were changed, as well. If not, change the pots and cap for better quality pieces. You might be surprised how much difference this will make. You might like the Quarter Pounder that's in it.

+1

Greevus · #11 06-27-2009, 10:05 AM

i have maybe 6 P styles all with EMGs and i love that combo. i always liked a very Iron Maiden like tone and it always worked for me. I have a MIM Squier P that is a cheapo, but plugged up it sounds like any nice P bass. only had one set of Duncans that came stock, but they were very nice stock passives. not bad at all really.

bassgod76 · #12 06-27-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greevus

i have maybe 6 P styles all with EMGs and i love that combo. i always liked a very Iron Maiden like tone and it always worked for me. I have a MIM Squier P that is a cheapo, but plugged up it sounds like any nice P bass. only had one set of Duncans that came stock, but they were very nice stock passives. not bad at all really.

Iron Maiden? Doesn't Steve Harris use Seymour Duncan pickups; not EMG?

spade2you · #13 06-27-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod76

Iron Maiden? Doesn't Steve Harris use Seymour Duncan pickups; not EMG?

Duncans and Roto flatwounds, although I have a bass with EMGs and Dean Markley Blue Steel that really nail the Maiden tone and used to assume Steve Harris must have been using a similar config since mine sounded so similar. Judging by the vids, he must play extremely hard to get that sound.

Richard G · #14 06-28-2009, 01:55 AM

i finally put in the emg's active p-bass pick up kit i had a little trouble figureing out how to fit in the battery i finally got it to fit nice then i screwed the pickguard back and no sound next day i took off a few screws lifted the pickguard up plugged it in then i heard it ...so i put it together and its been an incredible difference i plugged into my swr sm900 what a difference...tommorow i get to hear it at reahearsal ...pretty cool ..im just glad i didnt have to figure out any wiring or else it would be trashed in anger! nice to have a kit u just drop in ...now i think later ill keep in minde a brass type or anodized pickguard for the future....im diggin squier's i can save my better bass for gigs if ever any!!!

**bass4worship** · #15 06-28-2009, 08:41 PM

Here a P-bass with to sets of pups, One set ( Barts) give me the warm tone I love and the other set (Tritan) give me the growl I need and when they both on what a monter tone. I also use a tonesellar tone pot.