EMGtv Presents The New EMG E-Series Bass Pickups

[Aric Bjorn]

EMGtv

NEW!

also:

Low End University

I can see these becoming pretty popular, even though I don't have a need for them at the moment

 

[onda'bass]

I Can't believe it took this long to make that shape.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I Can't believe it took this long to make that shape.

Maybe some issue with patents or whatever on that shape?

I don't think you can copyright a size of pickup or whatever, plus plenty of folks make that Bartolini size pickup already. No clue, maybe they just felt it wasn't needed lol. Either way, glad it's here!!!

 

[ardgedee]

Maybe some issue with patents or whatever on that shape?

My guess is a not-invented-here mentality since they have their competing EMG40 shape (plus some spec ambiguity because some P2 pickups have three mounting screws, others have two... there's the almost-exactly-but-not-quite-the-same MK shape...). Plenty of other pickup companies have been making P2 pickups for years now.

Not having a P2 shape means leaving a lot of money on the table, that's millions of Soundgears you're ignoring, not to mention all the other companies that use that shape.

 

[tubby.twins]

(plus some spec ambiguity because some P2 pickups have three mounting screws, others have two... there's the almost-exactly-but-not-quite-the-same MK shape...). Plenty of other pickup companies have been making P2 pickups for years now.

Not having a P2 shape means leaving a lot of money on the table, that's millions of Soundgears you're ignoring, not to mention all the other companies that use that shape.

I think the not-invented-here mentality is still alive and well in some form. Here's why:

1. The EMG specs show that the E5W pickup measures 109mm (4.275 inches) in length. That's going to be a bit larger than just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market and the MK shapes as well, since the accepted standard length is just 108mm (4.25 inches). This doesn't seem like a big difference on paper, but it can be very frustrating to learn that the existing body routes are just a bit smaller than they need to be. I've tested enough P2-shaped pickups (as well as a few that claimed to be P2-shaped, but were actually a bit larger) to fully understand how a small discrepancy in size can be a big annoyance to the unlucky person who is trying to install them in an existing bass. If EMG had chosen the standard 108mm length, this problem could have been avoided.
2. The EMG specs also show that the armature/magnet/whatever in the E5W measures 3.05 inches, but the maximum recommended string width is listed as only 2.60 inches. This is considerably shorter than the maximum recommended string width of the standard EMG40 shaped pickups, which are shorter in length. For example, the 40JCS-X has a larger maximum recommended string width of 3.00 inches, even though the shell is only 4 inches long. Maybe I'm missing something obvious about the internals of the new E-series, but having a shorter effective armature in a longer pickup shell doesn't make any sense to me. It also creates uncertainty about whether these pickups will work effectively with existing wide-spaced 5-string basses (e.g., 19mm string spacing) that happen to work just fine with just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market.

So I'm really not seeing these as "simple, drop-in upgrades" (as claimed by EMG) for other P2-shaped (or MK-shaped) pickups in existing basses, especially basses that have wider string spacing.

 

[SuperTheBass]

I think the not-invented-here mentality is still alive and well in some form. Here's why:

1. The EMG specs show that the E5W pickup measures 109mm (4.275 inches) in length. That's going to be a bit larger than just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market and the MK shapes as well, since the accepted standard length is just 108mm (4.25 inches). This doesn't seem like a big difference on paper, but it can be very frustrating to learn that the existing body routes are just a bit smaller than they need to be. I've tested enough P2-shaped pickups (as well as a few that claimed to be P2-shaped, but were actually a bit larger) to fully understand how a small discrepancy in size can be a big annoyance to the unlucky person who is trying to install them in an existing bass. If EMG had chosen the standard 108mm length, this problem could have been avoided.
2. The EMG specs also show that the armature/magnet/whatever in the E5W measures 3.05 inches, but the maximum recommended string width is listed as only 2.60 inches. This is considerably shorter than the maximum recommended string width of the standard EMG40 shaped pickups, which are shorter in length. For example, the 40JCS-X has a larger maximum recommended string width of 3.00 inches, even though the shell is only 4 inches long. Maybe I'm missing something obvious about the internals of the new E-series, but having a shorter effective armature in a longer pickup shell doesn't make any sense to me. It also creates uncertainty about whether these pickups will work effectively with existing wide-spaced 5-string basses (e.g., 19mm string spacing) that happen to work just fine with just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market.

So I'm really not seeing these as "simple, drop-in upgrades" (as claimed by EMG) for other P2-shaped (or MK-shaped) pickups in existing basses, especially basses that have wider string spacing.

This is some really key information. Thanks for sharing!

 

[HelpImaRock]

I watched both videos. It seems the target audience is replacing pickups on $400 to $600 instruments. Ibanez SR300 series, Squier active, and the 35" Jackson competition. I've been trying out a bunch of these basses lately because I'm considering an entry level 5 string. And surprisingly, they all have pretty great sounding pickups. In the second video, I actually liked the Jackson's stock pickups best, though I would have EQ'd them differently. I'm glad these are going to be available. But I'm not certain just how much of an upgrade they'll be.

 

[Doug Parent]

I think the not-invented-here mentality is still alive and well in some form. Here's why:

1. The EMG specs show that the E5W pickup measures 109mm (4.275 inches) in length. That's going to be a bit larger than just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market and the MK shapes as well, since the accepted standard length is just 108mm (4.25 inches). This doesn't seem like a big difference on paper, but it can be very frustrating to learn that the existing body routes are just a bit smaller than they need to be. I've tested enough P2-shaped pickups (as well as a few that claimed to be P2-shaped, but were actually a bit larger) to fully understand how a small discrepancy in size can be a big annoyance to the unlucky person who is trying to install them in an existing bass. If EMG had chosen the standard 108mm length, this problem could have been avoided.
2. The EMG specs also show that the armature/magnet/whatever in the E5W measures 3.05 inches, but the maximum recommended string width is listed as only 2.60 inches. This is considerably shorter than the maximum recommended string width of the standard EMG40 shaped pickups, which are shorter in length. For example, the 40JCS-X has a larger maximum recommended string width of 3.00 inches, even though the shell is only 4 inches long. Maybe I'm missing something obvious about the internals of the new E-series, but having a shorter effective armature in a longer pickup shell doesn't make any sense to me. It also creates uncertainty about whether these pickups will work effectively with existing wide-spaced 5-string basses (e.g., 19mm string spacing) that happen to work just fine with just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market.

So I'm really not seeing these as "simple, drop-in upgrades" (as claimed by EMG) for other P2-shaped (or MK-shaped) pickups in existing basses, especially basses that have wider string spacing.

This is a real head scratcher to me as well.

 

[Doug Parent]

Quick update: The EMG E5W fits in a standard route that Warmoth does on their bodies specified for a P2 soapbar. It also fits the Ibanez SR series with the same size route. Just FYI. And.....they sound great, much open sounding than a Bart P25CBC with enough usable high end without having to crank up 4khz to cut through. Thicker tone than a J pickup but in the same tone overall family. I could see this new E series going head to head with Aguilar's DCB line.

 

[pgpete]

Re 109mm width vs 108mm.
if the routing is done right there would be a mill or two gap - after all, you need to be able to adjust pickup height without it scraping on the sides - so I mill or two should be within tolerance.

 

[Petebass]

Wait..... designed as a drop in replacement, but because they are active, so they won't work with the existing non-EMG preamp. You'll also have to budget for a BQS or other EMG preamp. What if your bass already has a nice pre?

If they also made a passive HZ version that would work with any preamp, then they'd be true drop-in replacements, and I have a few basses that I'd be tempted drop to do these into.

 

[ctmullins]

Wait..... designed as a drop in replacement, but because they are active, so they won't work with the existing non-EMG preamp. You'll also have to budget for a BQS or other EMG preamp. What if your bass already has a nice pre?

If they also made a passive HZ version that would work with any preamp, then they'd be true drop-in replacements, and I have a few basses that I'd be tempted drop to do these into.

EMG active pickups can be paired with any preamp.

 

[ardgedee]

EMG active pickups can be paired with any preamp.

A lot of preamps can handle active pickups, but I don't think all of them can be used unmodified -- for example, some have a passive balance control between the pickups and the pre, and that might need changing because of the impedance difference.

 

[ctmullins]

A lot of preamps can handle active pickups, but I don't think all of them can be used unmodified -- for example, some have a passive balance control between the pickups and the pre, and that might need changing because of the impedance difference.

Yes that's true. But I don't think of a passive balance control as "part of" the preamp. It's a separate component, which can easily be swapped out for a blend suitable for active pickups if needed.

 

[Petebass]

EMG active pickups can be paired with any preamp.

I was in their website yesterday. It says the current BQS is for active EMG pickups only, and the BQS HZ can be used with any pickups.

I'll email them to confirm.

 

[ctmullins]

I was in their website yesterday. It says the current BQS is for active EMG pickups only, and the BQS HZ can be used with any pickups.

I'll email them to confirm.

Yes. That doesn't mean that you can't use EMG actives with non-EMG preamps. I have two basses set up this way.

 

[Petebass]

Yes. That doesn't mean that you can't use EMG actives with non-EMG preamps. I have two basses set up this way.

Interesting. That opens up some possibilities for sure.

 

[micguy]

I think the not-invented-here mentality is still alive and well in some form. Here's why:

1. The EMG specs show that the E5W pickup measures 109mm (4.275 inches) in length. That's going to be a bit larger than just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market and the MK shapes as well, since the accepted standard length is just 108mm (4.25 inches). This doesn't seem like a big difference on paper, but it can be very frustrating to learn that the existing body routes are just a bit smaller than they need to be. I've tested enough P2-shaped pickups (as well as a few that claimed to be P2-shaped, but were actually a bit larger) to fully understand how a small discrepancy in size can be a big annoyance to the unlucky person who is trying to install them in an existing bass. If EMG had chosen the standard 108mm length, this problem could have been avoided.
2. The EMG specs also show that the armature/magnet/whatever in the E5W measures 3.05 inches, but the maximum recommended string width is listed as only 2.60 inches. This is considerably shorter than the maximum recommended string width of the standard EMG40 shaped pickups, which are shorter in length. For example, the 40JCS-X has a larger maximum recommended string width of 3.00 inches, even though the shell is only 4 inches long. Maybe I'm missing something obvious about the internals of the new E-series, but having a shorter effective armature in a longer pickup shell doesn't make any sense to me. It also creates uncertainty about whether these pickups will work effectively with existing wide-spaced 5-string basses (e.g., 19mm string spacing) that happen to work just fine with just about every other P2-shaped pickup on the market.

So I'm really not seeing these as "simple, drop-in upgrades" (as claimed by EMG) for other P2-shaped (or MK-shaped) pickups in existing basses, especially basses that have wider string spacing.

A 5 with 19 mm spacing will have a strung spacin of 3 inches - at tge bridge. Where the pivkus are, the spacing will be a bit less. String spacing is not an issue here - simple math shows that.

 

[pgpete]

I just finished installing some EMG E5Ws into a Cort Space 5 -

 

[Petebass]

I just finished installing some EMG E5Ws into a Cort Space 5 -

View attachment 7368711

Nice. We look forward to a review