EMG-TW pickups, like them or not.

[braddigan]

There are 2 ways to go about what you are looking for-

1. You could swap the volume and blend pots for 2 push/pull volume pots. If there is a blend p/p pot, that would be an option as well.

2. You could leave the preamp as-is, and add 2 DPDT switches for coil tapping.

If a pro is doing it, they'll probably know what can and can't be done, but those are 2 options I know will work. I went the route of 2 switches for a project bass I have- each one controls series/parallel, and they come in handy sometimes. just be aware that there is a volume difference between the 2 settings you will have.

Thanks for the quick reply. To my understanding, the TWs come with the volume p/p pots...so in order to go through with option 1 all I have to do is order a pair of the pickups, correct? Sounds like the simpliest method to me.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Thanks for the quick reply. To my understanding, the TWs come with the volume p/p pots...so in order to go through with option 1 all I have to do is order a pair of the pickups, correct? Sounds like the simpliest method to me.

Yes. You are correct.

 

[PhatBasstard]

I have a Spector 4 and 6 string as my two main basses. Both are running the same pre (OBP-1) at 18 volts.

My NS 4 string has the active EMG PJ setup.
I have recently installed TW's in the 6 with mini toggles rather than the push/pulls.

They are definitely darker, but somewhat thicker, than the PJ's. They also (in dual coil mode) have somewhat less output as I need them a little closer to the strings to be equal with the PJ's.

I never use the single coil mode as I don't need that tone and because the volume drops by about 1/3. I imagine the "mod" meantioned earlier probably drops the dual coil volume rather than boosting the single coil somehow. This would make them nearly unusable to me as I couldn't get them close enough to the strings to match the output of the 4 string with PJ's.

DC's are probably in my future.

 

[Z-Bass]

My experience is only based on in-store individual playing so I can't really comment on how these EMG models work in a band (live or reheasal) context. But here are my general observations as I have spent some considerable time with these. I agree that the TW were a bit darker or warmer sounding, but what I found really cool was the variety of tones I was getting with just blending the pickups and trying out the different slit coil settings. I didn't even get the preamp and liked a lot of the settings I heard. I think these would be a worthy upgrade.

Regarding the DCs, I remember really liking these but I play with a lighter touch and it was great being able to get all of these dynamics with minimal effort. I thought the low end was there with that top end 'crispness' I like about EMGs.

 

[xnewyorka]

Here is a demo of the EMG TW pickups with various tone control settings on a 6-string for anyone who happens to come across this old thread: