EMG's for my Thunderbird?

[GuitarVader]

This is my second bass (first was an Ibanez that came in a starter pack), and I'm wondering what EMG's I need for it, or if any work at all. It's an Epiphone Thunderbird, if it makes any difference.

Thanks in advance!

 

[luknfur]

Measure your pups and go to the EMG site for their dimensions. If they don't list them the Bart site lists EMG equivalents.

 

[A9X]

If they're the guitar HB shape, then your only active EMG options are the (custom order) ones for Steinbergers with either a P or a CS internals. The TW doesn't fit in the case.

There are other passive HB options, which I'll post if you want.

 

[GuitarVader]

Okay, so I measured them and they're 4" x 1 1/2".

Hope this helps!

 

[A9X]

Okay, so I measured them and they're 4" x 1 1/2".

Hope this helps!

That makes them EMG40 sized.
Plenty of options here: EMG in about 5 flavours (J,P,DC,CS,TW), Villex, SD, Delano, Bartolini amongst others.

I suggest you read all the pickup comparo threads in the FAQ, listen to your gut and jump. Other people's descriptions and clips help, but you (amd I) hear things differenty and you won't really know until you hear them in your bass.

As you're (possibly) going from passive to active, remember you'll need somewhere to mount the battery. Under the PG is a PITA, so I'd suggest a battery box routed in the rear.

 

[GuitarVader]

I thought that the EMG40's were for five strings? Or does that even matter?

 

[A9X]

I thought that the EMG40's were for five strings? Or does that even matter?

It doesn't matter with anything except the P. The rest are blade style polepieces and so long as the string width isn't too wide, they're fine. There are diagrams of the pole structure and string widths on the EMG site.

One of my fives has EMG45's in it.

There's been lots of discussion here about the various tonal qualities of different types of active EMG's.