Please educate me on EMG pickups for my LTD B-206SM

[gwangi]

Okay so I'm not trying to be a dufus here on TalkBass but I'm honestly confused on the route I should go with pickup replacement for my LTD B-206SM.
I had research into getting a set of EMG 45CSX soapbars & a BQS system for my LTD but I started thinking from looking at the picture of the battery cable that how would the cable fit thru the hole going to the separate battery compartment when the cable has connectors on both ends,the ends are to big to go through the hole.
And another question I have is why can I have it it just a passive system instead of active?
Again I'm not trying to come off as stupid but I honestly don't know and I absolutely hate the thin sounding pickups and the preamp that are in the bass right now.
I'm hoping somebody here on TalkBass has some insight on what should I do and or recommendations on what is the best route to go.
Thanks in advance.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Okay so I'm not trying to be a dufus here on TalkBass but I'm honestly confused on the route I should go with pickup replacement for my LTD B-206SM.
I had research into getting a set of EMG 45CSX soapbars & a BQS system for my LTD but I started thinking from looking at the picture of the battery cable that how would the cable fit thru the hole going to the separate battery compartment when the cable has connectors on both ends,the ends are to big to go through the hole.
And another question I have is why can I have it it just a passive system instead of active?
Again I'm not trying to come off as stupid but I honestly don't know and I absolutely hate the thin sounding pickups and the preamp that are in the bass right now.
I'm hoping somebody here on TalkBass has some insight on what should I do and or recommendations on what is the best route to go.
Thanks in advance.

First, you don't really know those small red EMG power wires will not fit. You may need to use the ones in the Bass anyway and adapt the 9v bus or connection to work with your situation.

Second, you can use PASSIVE EMG pickups or use the active pickups and standard EMG Volume and Tone pots and no active preamp/EQ. There are options.

You should speak to a local repair person who can look at your Bass and can help you select the best situation for your needs.

 

[Samatza]

On my Jazz Basses I snuck those wires through one at a time.

Pickups are active but the controls are VVT, they are a bit brighter because of more open top end but I roll the tone off a tad and they sound great.

There are passive options too, it depends what sound you’re looking for and the basic character of the bass.

 

[ctmullins]

Unsolder the battery box wires inside the main control cavity, and leave them attached to the battery box. Rip everything else out, and install your EMG stuff. Don’t use the EMG-supplied battery connector, and instead solder your battery box wires into the circuit. Done.

The CSX is a really fantastic pickup.

 

[gwangi]

Just curious could I go this route by just changing the preamp out with this preamp:

Bartolini HR-5.2AP/918 Pre-Wired Harness NTMB+F

without changing the pickups or do you think I should change the pickups as well?