Other than one being active and the other being passive, how much do these two differ sound/tone wise? Any help is greatly appreciated
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EMG 35dc vs. EMG 35HZ
- Thread starter wyldechild13
- Start date
Hi. Do you have 35HZ and want swap them with 35DC? Or you just looking for something to put into 35 size soapbar hole?
Actually 35DC have very similar voicing compared to 35HZ. It is mid-scooped humbacker pickup. Active version has its advantages it produces clearer sound with less mud in lower and upper register, a bit hotter output. However, imho if you don't like HZ sound in general - you won't like DC as well. At least this has happened to me.
Actually 35DC have very similar voicing compared to 35HZ. It is mid-scooped humbacker pickup. Active version has its advantages it produces clearer sound with less mud in lower and upper register, a bit hotter output. However, imho if you don't like HZ sound in general - you won't like DC as well. At least this has happened to me.
I really like the active emg bass pickups. The passive emg pickups don't seem as clear and powerful as other passive pickups, such as the seymour duncans.
Thank you guys for the feedback, it's much appreciated! My bass has a very complicated setup, and I originally wanted to put the EMG 35DC in it, but the system I have in it right now uses two 9v batteries. I wouldn't even know where to begin as far as hooking up an active pickup. Plus, Fernandes, doesn't have support for older products anymore, so I can't get the wiring diagram I need for it.
The pickup I currently have is a passive pickup, so I figured I could just hook up the EMG 35HZ without hassle.
The pickup I currently have is a passive pickup, so I figured I could just hook up the EMG 35HZ without hassle.
HZ are entry models. They're ok but sound bland without avgood preamp and active EQ.
DC are industry standards with a powerful, balanced, instantly recognizable tone.
They don't even compare IMHO.
DC are industry standards with a powerful, balanced, instantly recognizable tone.
They don't even compare IMHO.
The fun thing about HZ soapbars is ability to do custom wiring (it's not available in same price range seymours for example). By default they're wired is series. They're waaaay brighter with coil splitting (as expected) and somewhat in between with parallel wiring (actually the only change here is more highs, which make them seem to sound less muddy and closer to DC's).
In general they're pretty clear sounding (my warwicks MEC's are barking like a dog in comparison) and pretty much noiseless for a passive pickup.
In general they're pretty clear sounding (my warwicks MEC's are barking like a dog in comparison) and pretty much noiseless for a passive pickup.
I have a Spector legend Custom that came stock with the HZ humbuckers and swap them to DC's and I have to say I at first thought it was an improvement but I was just fooled at first as then I compared recorded tones before the swap and HZ's were darker and mid scooped more, DC's were more hifi. Then compared it to my ESp with the HZ's same preamp as my Spector the EMG B30 and definately prefer the HZ. Eventually swapped the DC out of the neck of my Spector with the EMG P4 Soapbar and left the DC in the bridge and notice a warmer Scoop improvement but still different than the original HZ's. Now Im going to go ahead and swap the last DC in the bridge to the Active EMG J soapbar and see what i get. Ive watched youtube videos of this combination of the active p/j in Spector and other basses and its devently the Spector sound and warmer and Darker closer to the HZ tones. So stick with the HZ or go active P/J IMHO
