want to upgrade my Schecter C5 to EMG-DC or better

[ziggyb]

I own two Schecters, an Elite-4 LH and my favorite, my lefty Custom5 which we call my "surf bass" with it's natural satin finish and the fact that I live in South Florida.

I love to play this instrument. The body is mahogany and very light, and the neck is fast. It's my most comfy bass to hold and play.

The problem is, it sounds like cr*p. Even through my MarkBass combo, it still comes out with a "hi-fi zingy sound that I think perhaps would be good for metal" as another bass player on TB put so eloquently...

I have resorted to using half-wounds to tone down the zinginess. It helps, but I have now decided to upgrade the electronics and make this thing really sweet. Everyone I talk to says ditch the EMG Hz pups and their passive silliness...

I am considering gutting it like a trout on a cutting board, and replacing the pups with EMG DC 40's, along with an EMG BQC System and converting to 18v. I know it will be a bit of a tight fit, but it looks like it might work. (there's always a Dremel MotoTool for a job like this..)

I am after a more warm, vintage tone, with plenty of depth. I would like to go back to possibly roundwound strings and give up the halfs.

Does anyone out there have any pearls of wisdom they would like to share? Is there another combination of pup and pre that y'all would go with instead of EMG?

I like their system approach to electronic design, everything seems to fit nicely together. Not sure how great this is going to sound though, after I get done spending over $300 on components!

Thanks for your help!

Ziggyb