Modulus Q6 , replace Bartolinis with EMG 45 TW??

[Luis Fabara]

Hello Folks,

Im thinking of replacing the pickups on my Modulus.

I currently have Bartolinis 84M56CX Brightest Quad Coils with a NS2TMB-18 Preamp. Wired for Series/Parallel-pseudo single coil. The pseudo single coil setting Hums.

I feel that I always have to bump up the treble, cut some lows to find a good startup tone like my P with EMG's, or my Peavey Cirrus, otherwise it is too Dark and "tamed"

Also the preamp has a tendency to overdrive amps when the mid control is used with the bridge pickup soloed.

Has anyone in here tried the EMG TWs with a BQC/BQS control on a Modulus? Are they good for metal?

I had the DC's on a Spector, but thats a whole different animal than the modulus, also pickup spacing is closer.

I got a set from a friend of mine, but would like to hrear your opinions, as A/Bing pickups and preamps is not that easy.

Any insights are greatly apreciated.

 

[Luis Fabara]

Bump. Just for future reference.

I went ahead and replaced the Bartolinis with the EMGs.

The results were the opposite of what I expected.

The EMG TW system (45TWPickups+BQC Pre) had a lower overall output than the Bartolini System.

It was less "burpy" and even more "tamed" than the Bartolinis.
The Dual Coil mode was darker in comparison to the Humbucker mode of the Bartolinis.

The Single Coil modes had even lower output, but a very good tone. Using the preamp with lot of boost in the mids, lows and highs onthe tone was very pleasant, because of this, I might stay with the EMGs.

The pickups themselves dont hum, but the pre is somewhat noisy, mids are Boxy, Lows a little muddy, not so much range of control.
High control is good, I set it at 5K and 3K with good results on both positions.

The TWs are nothing like the DC's or true EMG J's, and Im guessing even the CS are different.

 

[Modulus1906]

Bump. Just for future reference.

I went ahead and replaced the Bartolinis with the EMGs.

The results were the opposite of what I expected.

The EMG TW system (45TWPickups+BQC Pre) had a lower overall output than the Bartolini System.

It was less "burpy" and even more "tamed" than the Bartolinis.
The Dual Coil mode was darker in comparison to the Humbucker mode of the Bartolinis.

The Single Coil modes had even lower output, but a very good tone. Using the preamp with lot of boost in the mids, lows and highs onthe tone was very pleasant, because of this, I might stay with the EMGs.

The pickups themselves dont hum, but the pre is somewhat noisy, mids are Boxy, Lows a little muddy, not so much range of control.
High control is good, I set it at 5K and 3K with good results on both positions.

The TWs are nothing like the DC's or true EMG J's, and Im guessing even the CS are different.

Meant to ask, did you do 18v pre with the EMGS. If not you should

 

[Luis Fabara]

Yes 18v.

Its a must for EMG's

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Just for fun, I would try them without the preamp. I went through various preamps with my Q6 with various pickups and ended up throwing some EMG DC pickups in there with the passive tone control and it worked out nicely. Plenty crisp. Of course, I do go into a SMS Classic preamp and Alembic SF2, so I have lots of nice tone shaping offboard.

Edwin

 

[Luis Fabara]

I tried them today with my drummer and 1 guitar player.

In single coil mode it cuts rather nice, better than the barts, but the B string has no thunder compared to the Humbucker mode.

 

[Modulus1906]

I tried them today with my drummer and 1 guitar player.

In single coil mode it cuts rather nice, better than the barts, but the B string has no thunder compared to the Humbucker mode.

All things considered after having researched it a bit, I've decided to give the "Classic Barts" (M55CBC) a try in my Quantum 6. They supposedly have a tight low mid sound with some sparkle up top. If that's true, it'll be what I think I need to make the bass a little bit more aggressive. Do you agree? Thanks

 

[Luis Fabara]

I Havent used/tried The Classic Series in any bass yet so I cant comment on those specifically.

But while those might sound good, I try to go on opposite directions when trying pickups. As normally most pickups from The same manufacturer tend to exhibit similar characteristics unless they aré taylored/custom made for different response than their standard designs.

Right now Im considering a set of Lace Alumitones for a full bodied monster tone, but will wait until I get a couple of sets of La Bella HRS to test The EMG TWs properly. I dont like The rotosounds at all on my Modulus