EMG40 shape pickup

[Tymophil]

Hi all,

I plan on changing the pickup on an Aria-Pro II TSB-550. It is a single pickup configuration.

The pickup must be of soapbar shape, and its size should be about the EMG 40 shape.

I found only one pickup designed for 4-strings : Bartolini M44C-B.

I found two 5-strings :
EMG 40DC
Basslines SSB-5N

My favourite one would be the Bartolini, because it is passive and I can hook it with two different electronic harnesses :

Bartolini HR4.2
Seymour-Duncan STC-3M3

For the EMG 40DC, I would like a 3-band EQ (3 knobs). What should I use (I searched through the EMG site, and could not find what to use for a single pickup configuration).

Now I have several questions :

1. Should a 5-strings pickup (with wide blades) be avoided ?

2. For the passive pickups (Basslines, Bartolini) which electronic harness would you recommand ? In fact, what combo (pickup, harness) would you recommand ?

3. For the EMG 40DC, what electronic harness would do (3-band EQ, three knobs) ?

Thanks.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

If you get the Bartolini, I'd go with a M45CBC- Classic Bass Series.

I installed a set into an ESP bass along with an Aguilar OBP-3 and it sounded really good.

In my opinion, the Basslines are on the bland side, and the EMG's is on the harsh side.

There are a few other option for that size also, like Kent Armstrong and Link Removed

 

[BruceWane]

The EMG 40J, 40TW, and 40P (the 6 string version) will all work with a 4 string as well.

 

[Tymophil]

Thanks for your answers so far,

I still have a question. All of you point me to 5-strings pickups. I want to replace an Aria-Pro II pickup, with quite narrow string spacing (about 50mm).

Is there any problem with having so much of the blades over... nothing ? Is there any chance that the pickup pick something else or something ?

I chose the Bartolini M44B just because it was a 4-strings pickup, and all other choices were by default only.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Thanks for your answers so far,

I still have a question. All of you point me to 5-strings pickups. I want to replace an Aria-Pro II pickup, with quite narrow string spacing (about 50mm).

We are pointing you to 5 string pickups because you said "EMG-40" shape. That's a 4 inch wide 5 string pickup. You can of course use something in an EMG-35 shape (3.5" wide), which is the 4 string pickup, but I assumed you are trying you fill up the space of the original pickups.

Is there any problem with having so much of the blades over... nothing ? Is there any chance that the pickup pick something else or something ?

No, there's no problem with the pickup beind wider than you need. Look at the new Carvin soapbar. They use the 6 string sized pickup on the 4 and 5 too. I think it looks silly on a 4 string.

There's always a chance of picking up something other than the strings. They don't stop that.

I chose the Bartolini M44B just because it was a 4-strings pickup, and all other choices were by default only.

Bartolini makes a 4 string version of the pickup I listed as well.

 

[stflbn]

Brian Barrett at LowEnd bass shop just had a custom set of Kent Armstrongs made for me to replace the EMG 40hz's in my Schecter Studio5.

Along with an Aguilar OBP-3 and I'm a very very happy man.

 

[maurilio]

Nordstrand has them.
Give 'em a call.

M