I know many fellow Tb'rs HATE Hz's..but what is your experience or knowledge of the EMG-SSD pickups?
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EMG-SSD Vs. EMG Hz comparison?
- Thread starter slinginsix
- Start date
Personally I'm so unfond of the Hz's that I've never been able to make myself put other EMG's into any bass I've ever had. I know many others like them...
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+1,000,000
I'm looking for new pickups right now to replace the EMG Hz pickups in my Schecter. I'm not sure what I'm going to get just yet, but I know they won't be another set of EMGs.
Having said that, the SSDs HAVE to be better than the Hzs.
- Aug 21, 2008
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- Owner, SGD Music Products
Having said that, the SSDs HAVE to be better than the Hzs.
Well different from the HZ's anyway. As far as I can tell the HZ pickups are pretty much the active pickups without a preamp (the active pickups do not have low impedance coils as many think).
Maybe Spector just wanted a different tone.
There are a number of pickups that would be direct replacements for HZs.
It seems to me that the SSD's are just Spector's version of the HZ's. Kinda like Duncan Design vs. Duncans.
I do know that my Legend Classic with the SSD pickups really sounds nice and has a ton of low end. Through my Bose system, there is a bit too much on the high end, but just take the treble down a notch on the bass and all is well.
I do know that my Legend Classic with the SSD pickups really sounds nice and has a ton of low end. Through my Bose system, there is a bit too much on the high end, but just take the treble down a notch on the bass and all is well.
What would be the real thing? Do they come in the same dimesions?
I've had "real" EMG's in both a P and Jazz bass (and also the Selects), and I honestly think the SSD's sound pretty much the same.
In fact, after going through a passive only phase, the SSD/Tone Pump Jr. setup on the Spector has gotten me back into the active thing. I wouldn't mine throwing an EMG into my MTD Kingston Artist to see if that gets me closer to the deeper tone I am looking for.
I've had "real" EMG's in both a P and Jazz bass (and also the Selects), and I honestly think the SSD's sound pretty much the same.
In fact, after going through a passive only phase, the SSD/Tone Pump Jr. setup on the Spector has gotten me back into the active thing. I wouldn't mine throwing an EMG into my MTD Kingston Artist to see if that gets me closer to the deeper tone I am looking for.
To the contrary of most everyone here, I dig my EMG HZs. I have the MM, P, and Jazz pups all in one bass and I think they sound nice. I can get some pretty nice warmth out of them.
thx all for the imput. I guess I just love the "open" glassy tone of the high end Spectors, and was wondering if my soon to be delivered Legend Classic will come remotely close to that famous Spector sound.
- Aug 21, 2008
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- 253
- 68
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- Owner, SGD Music Products
I've never found active EMGs to be deep sounding. They are brighter though. I always found myself keeping the bass knob cranked almost all the way up on the bass when I used EMG's to try and warm up the tone.
Hmm, I guess I didn't think about that on the Spector as I like the tone with both the treble and the bass up full (sometimes taking the treble down just a bit).
There is definetly depth to the SSD tone ...not the warmest tone, but for a modern, deep tone-those pickups do that.
Without going off topic, I'll have to research what might be a deep sounding pickup for my MTD.
There is definetly depth to the SSD tone ...not the warmest tone, but for a modern, deep tone-those pickups do that.
Without going off topic, I'll have to research what might be a deep sounding pickup for my MTD.
Makes sense to as why I can keep the bass and treble up full on the Spector Classic and there are still plenty of mids available. I am thinking that people get soured on the harsh highs if the treble is cranked all the way (just turn it down a bit).
The tone of the Spector is not far off from my Peavey Cirrus for comparison. Both sound great. My MTD Kingston Artist on the other hand is kinda blah in comparison (but I could still live with it).
The tone of the Spector is not far off from my Peavey Cirrus for comparison. Both sound great. My MTD Kingston Artist on the other hand is kinda blah in comparison (but I could still live with it).
I believe I hold the record for the cheapest new Spector buy in TalkBass history at $168. It's a fun passive bass with EMG-SSDs which I've strung with flats and is (after heroic remedial setup) a very serviceable, lightweight unit. Does it sound "like a Spector" or "like an active EMG rig"? Probably not, which is great by me.
Not a geek bass.
Not a geek bass.
