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EMG Js question (please help...)

Stoch

Stoch

Mar 23, 2009
113
33
#1
Hello! This will be a quick one, but please please help as soon as you could, because I'll be going to the tech in a few days max.

(As some of you may already know :)) I have one of them Jazz Bass Classic Custom. It has, as far as I can understand, a preamp/active EQ. The pups are, supposedly, passive Noiseless ones. It's like them American Deluxe models, but WITHOUT a passive/active switch. And I couldn't for the life of me find which kind of preamp it has installed.

Anyway, I'm thinking of getting a set of EMG Js. Two questions:
1) Do I need to change the stock preamp to an EMG one? I know that I'd need to if I had an American Deluxe with that passive/active switch, but my bass doesn't have one... So can I keep the preamp? It's an extra 130 Euros. I am ready to go this far but only if necessary or a lot better for tone.
2) How much work, in terms of things to swap/change/rip out, would I need to expect? All the knobs, all the electronics would have to be taken out?
3) *Bonus questions: Is it at all crazy to maybe be flirting with an idea of installing an EMG PJ set instead? That would require drilling an extra cavity, wouldn't it? But has anyone tried that?

Thank you and please, I'd be really grateful for a quick 101. I'm a noob in need of guidance :)
 
#2
EMGs have the preamp built it. You don't need another preamp.

However, active tone controls, including EMG's own, are practically preamps, too. Stacking preamps does no harm are long as none clip or have too much noise.

If you have volume and tone pot for passive pickups you can't reuse them. But the EMG set comes with pots.

What do you mean you need an extra cavity?
 
#3
uOpt said:
EMGs have the preamp built it. You don't need another preamp.

However, active tone controls, including EMG's own, are practically preamps, too. Stacking preamps does no harm are long as none clip or have too much noise.

If you have volume and tone pot for passive pickups you can't reuse them. But the EMG set comes with pots.

What do you mean you need an extra cavity?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! Well, since I have a Jazz Bass, getting the PJ set would mean having to adjust the hole for the P-style pickup, wouldn't it? The J would fit into existing holes, but the P-style one is of a different size... Or am I not getting something?

Also, would you mind explaining in a little more detail about the preamp/pots? I currently have an active EQ. There's a knob for mids, a stacked knob for bass/treble, a knob for pickup selection and a master volume. The EMG does come with its own knobs, but will the pickups fit into the existing configuration seamlessly? Would I be able to use the current "EQ/preamp" (I still don't understand exactly if it's an active EQ or a full-blown preamp that I have) with the new pickups? Wouldn't, for instance, the separate mids control be obsolete? So what you're saying is I can just get the EMG J set and the techs will be able to hook it up to the existing preamp thing that I have, right? Remember that, unlike the American Deluxe (there's a thread here about EMGs + Am Deluxe), I DON'T have a passive/active switch. Doesn't that make a difference?

And lastly, wouldn't it be better to get the BQC Control System to go with the EMG tone-wise? I don't want to spend the extra cash, but since I'm changing pups anyway, I might as well get the full package. And I can only get the Control preamp, not the System one. Would that be alright?

Thank you once again!

P.S. I would have asked the techs, but they're not very talkative over emails, they'd rather talk in person and see the bass first, but I don't want to waste time (mine and their) because, in the end, I do want a new set of pickups regardless of the situation (the bass is very very noisy and crackles, so I want to fi that as well, I heard EMGs are dead quiet), so I'd rather get the EMGs and have them install them right away, thereby fixing the problem. So you guys are my only hope in getting the right thing. If I get the pickups without the preamp, arrive there and they say that I need the preamp as well, it might already be gone from the shop, so I'd have wasted money on pickups that can't be installed on my bass, you see...
 
#4
So you have passive pickups through a preamp (an active EQ is always a preamp, too)? The tone control will work. The question is whether your volume (in the case of a Jazz bass also the mixer) is before or after the active stage. So you need to find out whether you have a 250-500 or 25-50 Kohm pot.

Of course a split style P pickup won't fit a Jazz route. But keep in mind you can't really put the P pickup into the Jazz's neck position. A split P pickup belongs in a position quite a bit more to the bridge. Position matter, the fat pickup moving toward more bass isn't getting you a real P sound.
 
#5
uOpt said:
So you have passive pickups through a preamp (an active EQ is always a preamp, too)? The tone control will work. The question is whether your volume (in the case of a Jazz bass also the mixer) is before or after the active stage. So you need to find out whether you have a 250-500 or 25-50 Kohm pot.

Of course a split style P pickup won't fit a Jazz route. But keep in mind you can't really put the P pickup into the Jazz's neck position. A split P pickup belongs in a position quite a bit more to the bridge. Position matter, the fat pickup moving toward more bass isn't getting you a real P sound.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks! I'll drop the idea of a PJ. Also, does this ultimately mean it's safer for me to buy the EMG preamp as well and thereby replace all the electronics?
 
#6
Stoch said:
Ok, thanks! I'll drop the idea of a PJ. Also, does this ultimately mean it's safer for me to buy the EMG preamp as well and thereby replace all the electronics?
Click to expand...

EMGs have the preamps built into the pickups.

Volume and tone pot are by default simple, the tone pot just cuts some highs.

You need a blend pot, and the big question is whether you have a 250-500 Kohm blend pot right now or a 25-50 Kohm. If the latter you can just reuse your whole electronics chain.
 
#10
Thanks everyone!!

I'll probably get the preamp just in case, with the option of returning it if there's no need.

As for the blend pot, is it an easy thing to get hold of, if need be? I'd rather avoid ordering something from the US (for example) for a number of reasons. Same goes for pickups. One of the shops here has EMG Js in stock. I would have thought about getting Lollars, or Seymour Duncans or something else, but no one here (that I know of) has them. It's proving quite difficult in terms of availability of bass gear and parts. Guitarists have it way easier. But I mean, EMGs are good, aren't they? I've read and heard only good things about them. I'm not a pro, nor am I looking for a very specific tone, I just want to appreciate my bass a little more, and replacing stock pickups seems like a good idea, considering there's bound to be something wrong with the electronics due to all the hum and noise and crackle I'm getting. So rather than maybe fixing what I have now, I'd rather use this as a pretext to get some new pups. I've spent quite a lot already, no point in not spending a bit more to get the job done, bass-wise.
 
#11
does anyone know if with the active emg j pickups if a battery hole will have to be cut? It looks like the pots are considerbly more shallow that the stock pots that come in a j bass. Would it be possible to fit the battery under the controls in the cavity that is already cut for them?
 
#12
EMG pickups are already active and they come with their own pots. If you want to be able to adjust treble and bass, you can buy a BTC or BTC system or a BTS or BTS system, depending on the amount of knobs needed. Assuming you have a side jack and 4 knob control plate, I suggest the BTS system. Personally I wouldn't try connecting them to the current preamp. I'd take it out.

Just my opinion. I'm an EMG user.
 
#13
cmhadden said:
does anyone know if with the active emg j pickups if a battery hole will have to be cut? It looks like the pots are considerbly more shallow that the stock pots that come in a j bass. Would it be possible to fit the battery under the controls in the cavity that is already cut for them?
Click to expand...
Where is battery currently housed? If it's in the control cavity, you may have an issue keeping it in there. My tech just routed a space under the pickguard for the batteries.
 
#15
cmhadden said:
does anyone know if with the active emg j pickups if a battery hole will have to be cut? It looks like the pots are considerbly more shallow that the stock pots that come in a j bass. Would it be possible to fit the battery under the controls in the cavity that is already cut for them?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that depends on the bass as routing depth varies as do the details of the paths.

But most of the time there is space to put it somewhere.
 
#16
Your bass has the standard metal Jazz cover except it has 4 knobs, right? You know, that's a good question whether the PCB's for a BQC would fit in there plus a battery. The other boards would probably be OK but the mid control's board has a bit of size to it. Might want to ask someone who's tried it or contact EMG.
 
#17
JimmyM said:
Your bass has the standard metal Jazz cover except it has 4 knobs, right? You know, that's a good question whether the PCB's for a BQC would fit in there plus a battery. The other boards would probably be OK but the mid control's board has a bit of size to it. Might want to ask someone who's tried it or contact EMG.
Click to expand...

+1 I had to route to add a VMC and BTC in a Fender built Jazz, and the BQC will be similar. Warmoth MIGHT not need routing, they use a larger deeper route, so it does vary a bunch. get ready to dremel/route if you want a preamp.
 

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