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Finding a replacement for EMG DC35s

socialleper

socialleper

Bringer of doom and top shelf beer
May 31, 2009
10,158
13,692
Canyon Country, CA
#1
I have an ESP/LTD TA-600 with two EMG DC35 pickups in them. I love the look and feel of the bass, yes I know its "pointy" but that's the kind of music I like, but I've always a little trouble getting just the right sound out of it. The mids are pretty scooped and the highs are super bright regardless of which pickup you use. I've also noticed that the center position on the pan in significantly more quiet than when you go to the bridge or the neck PU.

What are my options for replacing these pickups if I am looking for a beefier low mids and less brittle highs? Let me hear all options (except ditching the bass); preferably ones based on personal experience.
I know the Aguilar DCBs are out there but I've never heard them. I've also never heard the CS, 35P or 35J versions of these pickups.

Bass specs:
Alder body
Rosewood fingerboard
Through body neck
35" scale
EMG active DC35 (bridge and neck)
Controls: Tone, pan, volume
 
#4
Having just put a BQC system and J-CS pickups in a Carvin SB4K I can completely agree with JimmyM. I hadn't had EMG preamps in anything since the late 90s and they seem much better and more transparent now than back then, in addition to being pretty dead quiet. I'm totally satisfied!
 
#6
mysteryclock said:
Having just put a BQC system and J-CS pickups in a Carvin SB4K I can completely agree with JimmyM. I hadn't had EMG preamps in anything since the late 90s and they seem much better and more transparent now than back then, in addition to being pretty dead quiet. I'm totally satisfied!
Click to expand...

What do you think of your J-CS. Does the CS series really have a more relaxed tone or is it marketing hype?
 
#9
Down_Low said:
They'll also make their other pickups in that size if you ask, for no extra charge. I've got a set of EMG 35 sized Big Singles sitting here waiting to go into my next bass. There was a little bit of extra wait time for them, but that's it. Custom ordered them through Best Bass Gear.
Click to expand...

Good to know. From what I understand Nordstrand pickups have a pretty vintage tone. I think I'd like to find a way to get a big beefy tone out of what really looks like a metal bass. Nordies and a good pre-amp might work. I keep hearing people say that the Nord pre-amps are "transparent", but I've never been sure what that means.
 
#11
It's much more simple than all the above: get a 35CS for the neck position to get all the girth and the ABC (active balance control) to balance the pickups and your are in business.
 
#13
I've never been a fan of the DCs. For a simple swap (assuming your bass uses the quick connect system), I'd try the TW. They are said to be warmer and less artificial sounding. they also have the versatility of dual and single coil wiring options. I listened to a couple of clips on youtube recently of TW pickups and they sound pretty cool.
 
#14
socialleper said:
I have an ESP/LTD TA-600 with two EMG DC35 pickups in them. I love the look and feel of the bass, yes I know its "pointy" but that's the kind of music I like, but I've always a little trouble getting just the right sound out of it. The mids are pretty scooped and the highs are super bright regardless of which pickup you use. I've also noticed that the center position on the pan in significantly more quiet than when you go to the bridge or the neck PU.

What are my options for replacing these pickups if I am looking for a beefier low mids and less brittle highs? Let me hear all options (except ditching the bass); preferably ones based on personal experience.
I know the Aguilar DCBs are out there but I've never heard them. I've also never heard the CS, 35P or 35J versions of these pickups.

Bass specs:
Alder body
Rosewood fingerboard
Through body neck
35" scale
EMG active DC35 (bridge and neck)
Controls: Tone, pan, volume
Click to expand...


More important than replacing the pickups is the need for an on board EQ in this bass. It has passive electronics, meaning just one "tone" pot for EQ. Get anything of quality. An Audere 4-band preamp cured the "one trick pony" syndrome I experienced with the passive electronics.

Pickups? I replaced the pickups with drop-in Bartolini M34C's. Between the preamp and the Bart's, it's a whole new bass with a flexible tone palette.

Also, if you decide to change your pickups be prepared to drill a hole from the bridge to the control cavity. There is no ground wire to the bridge. It was designed for EMG's.

2014 ESP Ltd TA-600 - Modified

100_5445.JPG
 
Last edited:

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