Good pickups for fretless Schecter 6 string?

[domportera]

I'm in the market for some new pickups. I have a Schecter Stiletto Studio 6 with a neck through construction that I got the frets removed from. I've never really been fond of the sound I got from it- it has always seemed dull. The bass comes with active EMGs and has 16mm string spacing. What pickups can I get if I want a clear, strong tone that would fare well in a progressive metal setting? I'm looking for some growl, some bite.

This is my bass, but mine is without frets:
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[domportera]

bump?

 

[honeyiscool]

Your bass doesn't have active EMG pickups if they're stock. They have EMG 45HZ, which are passive pickups.

I would suggest something like the EMG 45PX, or how about something like a Nordstrand Big Split if you want to stick with passive? These will have a lot more clarity.

 

[domportera]

Thanks for answering and sorry I've taken so long to! My bass does however take two 9v batteries and won't play once the batteries die. So I'm inclined to think they're active. should i go active or passive if I'm looking for growl, punch, and the ever-coveted "mwah"?

 

[JustForSport]

If you don't have an 'active/passive' preamp bypass switch, the pickups cannot bypass the 'active' battery-powered preamp, so they will not produce noise w/o a battery.
You can install an 'active/passive' preamp bypass switch, which will let you passive pickups have output to the jack w/o power to the preamp.
If (per the comment above) your bass has EMG 45hz, they will work with a preamp bypass (w/o a battery).
Active EMGs- w/o the 'hz' extension do need a battery to supply power to the built-in preamps and have enough output.
Try adding an 'active/passive' preamp bypass switch, or just jumper the pickups straight to the jack to see if you get what you want out of them. Be sure to give them a fair chance, using your amp to tailor your tone.

 

[domportera]

If you don't have an 'active/passive' preamp bypass switch, the pickups cannot bypass the 'active' battery-powered preamp, so they will not produce noise w/o a battery.
You can install an 'active/passive' preamp bypass switch, which will let you passive pickups have output to the jack w/o power to the preamp.
If (per the comment above) your bass has EMG 45hz, they will work with a preamp bypass (w/o a battery).
Active EMGs- w/o the 'hz' extension do need a battery to supply power to the built-in preamps and have enough output.
Try adding an 'active/passive' preamp bypass switch, or just jumper the pickups straight to the jack to see if you get what you want out of them. Be sure to give them a fair chance, using your amp to tailor your tone.

Great idea! But if I were to bypass the preamp, then wouldn't I lose all EQ control when switching to passive? I'm certainly not looking to lose that. Is there any way I can switch it to passive while maintaining EQ control through the pickups as opposed to the instrument's active EQ?

 

[JustForSport]

There is no EQ control in 'passive' mode w/o a (push/pull?) pot and switch wired for typical passive tone control. Other than a bass cut/ treble cut circuit, there is no passive EQ.
I was just suggesting to give the pickups themselves a fair chance in that particular bass before buying a different EQ and/or pickups. Search around on here for other's opinions, but keep in mind some of those are GAS-fueled, and it's really only 'your' ears that determines what's good in 'your' bass, played thru 'your' rig.
An EMG BQS or Aguilar OBP3PPK will give you much more out of your current pickups, and usually upgrading the preamp makes the most for the $$.

 

[domportera]

There is no EQ control in 'passive' mode w/o a (push/pull?) pot and switch wired for typical passive tone control. Other than a bass cut/ treble cut circuit, there is no passive EQ.
I was just suggesting to give the pickups themselves a fair chance in that particular bass before buying a different EQ and/or pickups. Search around on here for other's opinions, but keep in mind some of those are GAS-fueled, and it's really only 'your' ears that determines what's good in 'your' bass, played thru 'your' rig.
An EMG BQS or Aguilar OBP3PPK will give you much more out of your current pickups, and usually upgrading the preamp makes the most for the $$.

I spoke to a Schecter rep and he said that a pre-amp switch won't provide much of a difference in tone, just some flexibility in mid-range control in particular. He suggested if I'm looking for a tone transformation (which I basically am) I should consider something else by talking with my local luthier. He suggested maybe new active pickups.
Honestly I'm pretty lost as to what I should do. Would different passive pickups make more sense? or should I totally swap that out for active pickups? I *think* the latter would require a total re-wiring of my guitar. So it seems to me that the simplest choices lie between a new pre-amp or new passive pickups. Decisions decisions.... anyone else have their two cents to throw in?

 

[JustForSport]

I spoke to a Schecter rep and he said that a pre-amp switch won't provide much of a difference in tone, just some flexibility in mid-range control in particular.

I don't agree-
Preamps (most) are designed for the purpose of being able to adjust and tailor tone- boosting/cutting, blending, etc., as well as buffering the signal so the cable length doesn't affect/ cut the high end. Most recommend a 3-band preamp 'because' it has mid control, and that is one of the primary ranges that allows the bass to 'cut through'. Being able to tailor it to the amp/cab setup and band instruments is very important. With a preamp bypass, you get the best of both worlds, whether you choose other pickups or not.
A (preamp bypass) switch allows you to bypass the preamp (and still play) if your battery dies or there is a problem with the preamp until it gets fixed. The preamp bypass does need to be wired so that signal and ground are both from the pickup's vol/blend pots to the jack when in bypass mode.
It also allows to bypass the preamp (some 'color' the tone, even 'flat') and run the passive pickups w/o it. A tone pot can also be wired to a switch (or push/pull pot) so you have standard treble cut when playing passive.
Sure, different pickups also will change the tone, but w/o a preamp, the tone options/possibilities are less.
Even going to active pickups will not give you the flexibility of a preamp. (Tho plenty players get all they need by plucking/picking position and other technique). And you'd probably still want a tone pot.

or should I totally swap that out for active pickups? I *think* the latter would require a total re-wiring of my guitar.

Not so- you'd just need a hot/+ wire to the pickups, and that would come from a tie-in to the battery +. That's all.