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My 1st 5-String, Modded Jackson?

S

Selios

Jun 20, 2012
312
375
Niagara, ON, Canada
#1
Hello,
I'm in the market for my first 5-string as I've started a project where I would find a fiver to be useful. I definitely would like one with EMG40 pickups as I am specifically seeking their tone, but many models that come stock with the EMGs are simply discontinued and not easily accessible where I live. So, having played a Jackson JS3V the other day and enjoying the neck, I am considering buying one and upgrading the stock electronics to the EMG40s and the EMGBQT preamp. Basically, I'm hoping that this effectively transforms a price-friendly bass into a total tone machine, hopefully coming in at less than $900.

I will be tuning the bass to ADGCF. Does anyone see any issues with these modifications, or better solutions? I've never purchased non-stock components for any of my basses before, and opinions are appreciated. Thanks!
 
#2
Check if the pickups and electronics will fit correctly in the current pickup cavities or if you need to expand them or modify them any other way. That will determine if you can do the job yourself (assuming you're not handy with a router and solder iron) or if you're better of paying someone to do it for you. As far as tuning goes, heavy gauge strings will help you with feel and clarity. There's no reason why this shouldn't work.
 
#3
I am pretty sure the JS series use emg35 size pickups, not the 40 size. Doesn't really make a difference because they are designed to sound the same, but if you get the 40's they probably won't fit. I've got a CBXV and I know for sure that uses the 35's. While I am not 100% sure and you should definitely double check, I am pretty positive you are going to want 35's.
 
#6
miner said:
I am pretty sure the JS series use emg35 size pickups, not the 40 size. Doesn't really make a difference because they are designed to sound the same, but if you get the 40's they probably won't fit. I've got a CBXV and I know for sure that uses the 35's. While I am not 100% sure and you should definitely double check, I am pretty positive you are going to want 35's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this information. I might be confused though; to me it seems that (because of the layout on the EMG website) the 35s fit 4-string basses, while the 40s are advertised for 5-strings and the 45s are advertised for 6-strings. I'll keep trying to find pickup dimensions but if anyone can confirm whether the 35s or 40s can be used I'd appreciate it!
 
#7
Yeah they are designed that way, but Jackson 5 strings tend to have a tighter string spacing (part of why I love mine so much) and they are able to use a 35 in there. The emg35 is 35mm wide, the 40 is 40mm wide, and the 45 is 45mm so you should be able to tell pretty easily by measuring the stock pickups.

Also, while they are definitely not going to sounds the same as the stock pickups, it's still going to have a lot of the same character as the original. It will still have the same types of pickups in the same locations. So if you don't like how the bass sounds at all stock, you probably won't like it with the new pickups. For example, I've never really liked jazz basses. They are great when other people play them, but not for myself. It doesn't matter if you put EMG's in one, Duncan's in one, or golden pickups hand wound by George Washington sent down from heaven, I am still not going to be happy with the bass. So make sure you like the bass as it is before you spend all that money. You can't predict exactly how it is going to sound until you've tried that pickup with that bass before. Make sure you like the bass before you buy it and change everything.
 
#8
miner said:
Yeah they are designed that way, but Jackson 5 strings tend to have a tighter string spacing (part of why I love mine so much) and they are able to use a 35 in there. The emg35 is 35mm wide, the 40 is 40mm wide, and the 45 is 45mm so you should be able to tell pretty easily by measuring the stock pickups.

Also, while they are definitely not going to sounds the same as the stock pickups, it's still going to have a lot of the same character as the original. It will still have the same types of pickups in the same locations. So if you don't like how the bass sounds at all stock, you probably won't like it with the new pickups. For example, I've never really liked jazz basses. They are great when other people play them, but not for myself. It doesn't matter if you put EMG's in one, Duncan's in one, or golden pickups hand wound by George Washington sent down from heaven, I am still not going to be happy with the bass. So make sure you like the bass as it is before you spend all that money. You can't predict exactly how it is going to sound until you've tried that pickup with that bass before. Make sure you like the bass before you buy it and change everything.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying those pickup dimensions!
I understand what you mean about pickups with the same placement having similar characteristics, in fact, I have bought basses based on pickup placement before (I like the kind of sound that neck pickups tend to get based on their placement). However I believe that swapping pickups as well as the preamp will result in a considerable difference, especially because of the preamp.
 

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