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PJ Active Configuration

C

Cloudspine

Feb 4, 2020
143
295
#1
Hi all,

recently purchased an active PJ. I think I have a goal of replacing the pickups, but I'm not really sure of what this entails since it is my first active bass.

It is a Fender Prodigy, so it has a PJ set up, wired thus on two concentric pots:

One is overall volume and a pan between the two pickups.
One is a bass boost/cut and treble boost/cut

If I were to replace the pickups, do I need to replace the preamp? Will I be able to maintain the current control wiring or likely switch it?

I guess another option could be a V/T and V/T set up with passive pickups.

Anyway, any tips/thoughts for recommended action to take? Including good sounding electronics I should look into?

I feel like this has the potential to be a really good bass. It already is very versatile and sounds decent.
 
#2
You can swap to any pickups you'd like and the preamp should work fine.

There are some "edge cases" where preamps are specifically tuned for one vs the other but generally even in those cases the function is still totally fine if you mismatch.
 
#3
dwizum said:
You can swap to any pickups you'd like and the preamp should work fine.

There are some "edge cases" where preamps are specifically tuned for one vs the other but generally even in those cases the function is still totally fine if you mismatch.
Click to expand...
Could I for instance use an EMG pickups with solderless install, but maintain the existing preamp?
 
#4
Yes, you can use EMG pickups. They generally work very well with all brands of preamp.

The "solderless install" part depends on the existing preamp. Likely you will have to either solder to it, or find a conversion cable if it has plugs on the existing pickup cabling.

Can you show us some photos of what's in the control cavity now?
 
#5
There are three kinds of active setups and you need to know what you have.
1. Passive pickups feeding an active preamp. Most active basses fall into this class, Lakland, Music Man, etc. If you want to switch PUPs you have to get passive pickups. Most EMG pickups are active so check carefully before you buy.

2. Active PUPs feeding an active prep. I don't know any recent ones doing this, but if that's what you have, you need active replacement PUPs.

3. Active PUPs feeding a passive control circuit. The Guild Pilot (except for the Pilot Pro) was this way with a set of active EMG P/J PUPs feeding a passive VVT control circuit. Note that these use different value pots, 25K ohms, not 250K.
 
#9

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