EMGs in a P-bass w/ J-neck...?

[ghostdog93]

I was at a potential customer's house earlier today doing an estimate, when I noticed what looked like a nice 4-string sitting in another room. I took a quick peek in and saw what looked like a metallic blue P-bass body, with two EMGs (neck & bridge) topped off with a maple neck that seemed to me to be from a J or something similar, judging by the width of the nut. There were three control knobs and one jack, but no markings were visible. I should have snapped a pic or two but I didn't have my camera handy. Cool looking bass, though.

So, does anyone run EMGs in their P or J? If so, care to share why? I'm curious as to what this setup would sound like, versus a standard P, J or P/J setup.

 

[mcKrueger]

ive heard of a p bass special with p and j pickups with a p body and j neck but other than that i dont know

 

[darkstorm]

Sound preferance. Same reason some replace stock pups with dimarzio, bartolini, seymor duncan, or other brand. EMG's have a heavier harder rock to metal tone to them then stock fenders for example.

 

[ghostdog93]

Sound preferance. Same reason some replace stock pups with dimarzio, bartolini, seymor duncan, or other brand. EMG's have a heavier harder rock to metal tone to them then stock fenders for example.

I'm guessing then that the bass in question would be good for metal...

*ahem*

 

[Thunderitter]

I run EMGs in my project P bass. Why? I like the sound; a bit more punch and definition, but you can dial that back as required!

 

[Bassnotthefish]

I'm running EMG P+J PUs in my Schecter Ash Model T 4 string bass. It looks very fender traditional 51-P...but doesn't sound so much like it. It's more snappy. I'm using the BTC? preamp or something like that...the one with selectable mid range switches on the circuit board, and stacked concentric bass and treble tone controls, and I use two volume knobs for P and J pickup respectively.

Before going to these pickups, they were stock 'duncan designed' passive pus.

I play mainly rock with some dabbling in funk.

Passive pus have that earthy warm-roll off tone in this bass. It was almost too muddy for a lot of styles and seemed rather limited. Also, it felt like the transient response was 'slower,' kinda slow bluesy in feel, strolling along...

After switching to the EMGs the bass was transformed IMO. Incredible fast attack and decay. Lots of highs if you want them. Tons of low too. Very flexible. The sound is now very modern and articulate. It can be very 'clean' sounding for sure. I think it's because the passives have a kind of 'woof' to them, whereas these EMGs get rid of that cloudy 'woof' and instead it sounds 'pure.' So if that's what you want, go EMG. To me it doesn't sound sterile. It's 'precise!' Works for a P-bass i guess!

Oh yeah, and now it punches like crazy!

 

[ghostdog93]

Thanks for the input on the pickups.

I talked to the client again today, and after a little digging I got him to talk about the bass. He put it together for a friend as a wedding present. It's a Warmoth P body in swamp ash, with 2 EMG 35HZs, rear rout, VVT controls, and a maple/maple J neck from Mighty Mite. Tuners and bridge are Gotoh.

When I asked for a pic he just laughed.