• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

EMG MMTW + which preamp?

G

gordonfreemanjr

Dec 30, 2018
77
27
The European Union
#1
I’m upgrading my Sterling 5 with new pickups and preamp. I decided to go with EMG MMTW. I have no idea which preamp to choose. EMG seems most obvious, but I don’t even know if they do these for MM’s. I was also recommended Darkglass Tone Capsule, but I’m not sure if these two play well together.
 
#3
Any of EMG’s preamps will work. You’ll have to use the volume pot that comes with the pickup, because it has the push/pull switch for the coil switching (that’s the whole point of the TW).

You can also use any of the other preamps from the other makers; it just might be slightly more trouble to wire.
 
#4
ctmullins said:
Any of EMG’s preamps will work. You’ll have to use the volume pot that comes with the pickup, because it has the push/pull switch for the coil switching (that’s the whole point of the TW).

You can also use any of the other preamps from the other makers; it just might be slightly more trouble to wire.
Click to expand...

I’m not wiring it myself, I’m handing it over to a pro to do it for me. I was recommended the Tone Capsule; I’d like to go with it, however I’m kind of weirded out that the Capsule has 3 knobs, while my Sterling 5 has 4.
 
#5
gordonfreemanjr said:
I’m not wiring it myself, I’m handing it over to a pro to do it for me. I was recommended the Tone Capsule; I’d like to go with it, however I’m kind of weirded out that the Capsule has 3 knobs, while my Sterling 5 has 4.
Click to expand...

That should work, right? Three tone control knobs for the Tone Capsule, and the EMG master volume knob for the MMTW.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gordonfreemanjr
#6
ctmullins said:
That should work, right? Three tone control knobs for the Tone Capsule, and the EMG master volume knob for the MMTW.
Click to expand...

CRAP. I just noticed that the MM5TW’s have the wrong shape. Music Man pickups come in two shapes: a regular rectangle and a rectangle with “ears”, two on the one side and one on the other.

I need the “eared” version. I see no ears on MM5TW - which is weird? because the four string version - MMTW - does have these ears.

CRAP.
 
#7
You would have to remove some material from the pickguard and body in that case. I did that on a Harley Benton MB5. It wasn't a big deal for me, its not like it affects the value like in a US MM.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back