Delano pickups... Worth the price?

[PopDaddy]

Years later….the Delanos are fire! I installed the PMVC and JMVC into my Sire P7 with the Sire preamp. The pups are extra spicy. The PMVC tone is deep and hollow like a cave. It responds well to the onboard tone control in crafting a unique sound. The JMVC has a strong growl that sounds like the Bass of Doom when played finger style. The combined tone is very punchy or “burpy”. Bottom line, the Delanos are a great option. Peace

 

[dzem]

My JVMC 4 Fe/M2 set arrives this week. I can prepare some sound demos next week (metal/rock context). My bass is all passive VTT jazz configuration. I use Boss GT-1000. I know there are a lot of all digital bass players like me so it would be something new as opposed to sound demos with traditional amps and cabs. You will also be able to hear how well the pickups take in drive/distortion/fuzz, which is an aspect I hardly see being discussed among bass players who play only heavy music.

 

[JimS]

Delano SBC4 HE/S-E experiences?

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Specific "E" EMG35 shape...with Sonar 2...very nice!

5 string P2 shape...also very nice...Sonar 3 PP/AP

I like what Delano is doing...!

 

[InvisibleMan]

Delano SBC4 HE/S-E experiences?

A slightly-customised SBC4 HE pickup in the EMG35 shape. Sounds gorgeous on the fretless.

 

[Wfrance3]

I have a nice set of HE/S 5s (EMG 40 Size). They're super versatile and clear. They're 4-wire so I can switch each to series/single coil/parallel. I had my bass set like that for a while, but honestly just like the single coil mode, so they're hard wired that way. - I moved them from one bass to another that didn't have room for switches and I didn't want to drill.
So, to answer your question, yes, I do find Delano pickups to be "worth it". Having said that, one thing you might try is raising your pickups. Decrease the distance between the top of the pickup and the bottom of the string.

There are no rules about this exactly

start here:
Bass Side - Treble Side
8/64" (3.6 mm) 6/64" (2.4 mm)

go here if you can get away with it:
Bass Side - Treble Side
7/64" (2.8 mm) 5/64" (2 mm)

If your strings start to magnet onto your pickups, you'll have to increase this distance until they don't...

Changing your pickup height can make as much difference as a fresh set of bass strings. Before you spend Delano Dollars, try raising your pickups. You may have just the pickups you want already, but don't know it...

 

[JimS]

I have a nice set of HE/S 5s (EMG 40 Size). They're super versatile and clear. They're 4-wire so I can switch each to series/single coil/parallel. I had my bass set like that for a while, but honestly just like the single coil mode, so they're hard wired that way. - I moved them from one bass to another that didn't have room for switches and I didn't want to drill.
So, to answer your question, yes, I do find Delano pickups to be "worth it". Having said that, one thing you might try is raising your pickups. Decrease the distance between the top of the pickup and the bottom of the string.

There are no rules about this exactly

start here:
Bass Side - Treble Side
8/64" (3.6 mm) 6/64" (2.4 mm)

go here if you can get away with it:
Bass Side - Treble Side
7/64" (2.8 mm) 5/64" (2 mm)

If your strings start to magnet onto your pickups, you'll have to increase this distance until they don't...

Changing your pickup height can make as much difference as a fresh set of bass strings. Before you spend Delano Dollars, try raising your pickups. You may have just the pickups you want already, but don't know it...

TY. I have EMG 35DCX in a Spector NS-2 and want a more hi-fi tone. It was suggested to try the Delano SBC/HE or EMG J35X.

 

[Wfrance3]

EMG 35DCX in a Spector NS-2

I think that bass has a preamp in it, which may be ok, but in the interest of full disclosure, my Delano pickups are in a passive VVT arrangement.
VVT - Linear Taper 500K Volumes, Audio Taper Tone. The bass these are in originally had 4 knobs, so to put something in the 4th hole, I have a little switch with a Emerson Caps; one .047 and .022.
With flats and in SC mode it sounds pretty vintage, which is what I was going for.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

That NS-2 likely has a V-B-T/B +/- HazLab preamp with the DCX pickups?? That is the Spector sound.

I also had the Delano pickups default to passive operation with the preamps available. On the Warwick Streamer Stage I the Treble control was the replacement that is + in active and a roll-off in passive operation on the Sonar 3.

I had EMG35DCX originally in that black Jazz Bass with an EMG V-B-T-EXB. I thought that was one of the most Hi-Fi sounds I'd ever heard through a Trickfish Trilobite preamp. I went to the Delano pickups to bring it back into a full, round and warmer sound. The Delano pickups you are looking at are clear and punchy for sure.

I always think USA Spector NS-2/5XL = Hi-Fi with the EMG DC(X) pickups.

 

[JimS]

I think that bass has a preamp in it, which may be ok, but in the interest of full disclosure, my Delano pickups are in a passive VVT arrangement.
VVT - Linear Taper 500K Volumes, Audio Taper Tone. The bass these are in originally had 4 knobs, so to put something in the 4th hole, I have a little switch with a Emerson Caps; one .047 and .022.
With flats and in SC mode it sounds pretty vintage, which is what I was going for.

That NS-2 likely has a V-B-T/B +/- HazLab preamp with the DCX pickups?? That is the Spector sound.

I also had the Delano pickups default to passive operation with the preamps available. On the Warwick Streamer Stage I the Treble control was the replacement that is + in active and a roll-off in passive operation on the Sonar 3.

I had EMG35DCX originally in that black Jazz Bass with an EMG V-B-T-EXB. I thought that was one of the most Hi-Fi sounds I'd ever heard through a Trickfish Trilobite preamp. I went to the Delano pickups to bring it back into a full, round and warmer sound. The Delano pickups you are looking at are clear and punchy for sure.

I always think USA Spector NS-2/5XL = Hi-Fi with the EMG DC(X) pickups.

Correct : it has Haz lab preamp which I’d have to replace. Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Delanos are awesome if you’re looking for something articulate, clear and loud. Very modern sounding - definitely not for those who are primarily looking for Motown or dad rock sounds.

I’ve been a big fan for a long time - I’ve got the J and PMVC in my Warwick and they’re glorious

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Correct : it has Haz lab preamp which I’d have to replace. Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.

I thought about your interest in EMGJX from a suggestion you mentioned.

In my prior discription of the black Jazz Bass mentioned starting with EMGDCX pickups. It actually started with a DCX in the bridge position. It had a TWX"R" in the neck with a PP on the volume pot.

The TW"R" or REVERSE puts the selectable JX coil at the top of the pickup housing and not the standard bottom in the TW or standard EMG35JX in the soap bar housing. This, of course, puts the coil near to the fingerboard and a bit deeper tone.

The Jazz Bass also started with a Maple/Ebony neck, as well.

You may want to think about that small change to your Spector NS-2 by putting an EMG35JX"R" in the neck position and keep that great HazLab preamp just as it is. Call Alex @ EMG and discuss a special order on this "R" pickup.

 

[InvisibleMan]

If we are talking selectable coils in an EMG35 shape (on a Delano thread no less) I thought I’d share that the SBC can be reconfigured to work in two straight hum-cancelling rows, for which I’m happy to share a diagram if you like.

Anyway, I liked the sound of this configuration so much that at my request Delano were happy to offer a factory-made version of this configuration of the SBC without the cross coils, for another instrument. It’s basically two JC4 HE/M2 in an EMG35 housing. Just so you know it’s an option! Who knows, perhaps if enough people request this variant they’ll offer it as a standard version.

 

[superheavyfunk]

It’s basically two JC4 HE/M2 in an EMG35 housing.

I’d buy that! I think it would be great in my Gibson DC jr.

 

[SharpCat]

JMVC set in the house! Wow, these things are high output. Much higher than the Dimarzio Sixties in my BB234, and I thought those were loud.

I didn't see anything on the manufacturer web site--any recommendations for pickup height? TIA!

 

[SharpCat]

JMVC set in the house! Wow, these things are high output. Much higher than the Dimarzio Sixties in my BB234, and I thought those were loud.

I didn't see anything on the manufacturer web site--any recommendations for pickup height? TIA!

Duh, my amp volume got bumped.

They are not quiet, but not way more than the Dimarzios after all. My apologies.

OTOH, they sound great.!

 

[dzem]

Hey guys, I have received the Delano JMVC 4 Fe/M2 set. When I try to look up the wiring schematics on Delano's website, I only see the following schematics for "shielded 2 conductor cable"

My bass is fully passive with volume/volume/tone configuration. What schematic can I follow?

P.S: the product page for Delano JMVC 4 Fe/M2 states the following:

P.P.S: I have already emailed Delano, but I thought I can get a faster and simpler reply here. Thanks!

 

[SharpCat]

The white is hot, and the black and bare wires should be grounded together. For V V T I’d use the bottom schematic on the previous page of their pdf to the one you pasted here. (Their page 7.)

I’m using the “No ground” schematic for V B T, and it sounds great.

 

[dzem]

The white is hot, and the black and bare wires should be grounded together. For V V T I’d use the bottom schematic on the previous page of their pdf to the one you pasted here. (Their page 7.)

I’m using the “No ground” schematic for V B T, and it sounds great.

Thank you good sir. Just to be sure, you are talking about this:

My pickup set (JVMC 4 Fe/M2) is Shielded 2-conductor cable and the photo above shows schematics for 1-conductor. I am assuming by your comment that this can be applied to 2 conductor also. I have no knowledge of electronics and I do not know how all this works, but I am trying to get the clearest picture possible to explain to my friend who will do the pickup swap for me.

Is my understanding correct?

 

[SharpCat]

Thank you good sir. Just to be sure, you are talking about this:

View attachment 5214088

My pickup set (JVMC 4 Fe/M2) is Shielded 2-conductor cable and the photo above shows schematics for 1-conductor. I am assuming by your comment that this can be applied to 2 conductor also. I have no knowledge of electronics and I do not know how all this works, but I am trying to get the clearest picture possible to explain to my friend who will do the pickup swap for me.

Is my understanding correct?

Yes, that’s the one. Where it has ‘shielding’, solder both the bare and black wires.