• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Problems with EMG Geezer Butler Pickups

Not too sure how many people have had similar issues but this is a first for me. I just got my EMG GZR's today and I installed them exactly how the instructions said to. Also this isn't my first time. I had a P bass a couple of years ago that I installed the EMG GZR's and I had no trouble at all. This time however I'm having issues with the E & A pickup. The D & G pickup with the logo works fine no issue but the E & A pickup I am hardly getting any sound out of. I checked my wiring, the pots, the connection, everything is fine on it. I have no idea what the problem could be as I have never had this issue happen before. When I checked the pickups by tapping the magnets I noticed the magnets closer to the E string were very faint while the magnets closer to the A string were just a little louder but not much. I'm gonna call EMG tomorrow and see what they say. I don't think the pickup could be defective, could it? I'm beyond baffled.
 
So I just ran the pickups directly into the input jack and the D&G pickup I get sound as usual, but with the E&A pickup no sound at all. I'm about 99.99% positive it's defective, I'm certain I did not bend or damage the pin connectors in anyway that would've compromised the connection. I hope EMG can replace it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 96tbird
Not too sure how many people have had similar issues but this is a first for me. I just got my EMG GZR's today and I installed them exactly how the instructions said to. Also this isn't my first time. I had a P bass a couple of years ago that I installed the EMG GZR's and I had no trouble at all. This time however I'm having issues with the E & A pickup. The D & G pickup with the logo works fine no issue but the E & A pickup I am hardly getting any sound out of. I checked my wiring, the pots, the connection, everything is fine on it. I have no idea what the problem could be as I have never had this issue happen before. When I checked the pickups by tapping the magnets I noticed the magnets closer to the E string were very faint while the magnets closer to the A string were just a little louder but not much. I'm gonna call EMG tomorrow and see what they say. I don't think the pickup could be defective, could it? I'm beyond baffled.
Was your problem resolved? I just installed the PA5HZ and got massive ground noise. The ground was fine on the pickups coming out. I checked the usual suspects to not avail. I have a call in to EMG (I bought them direct from EMG). These were not my first EMG's but they are my first passive EMG's. Never had a problem before. Looks like the back up Bass gets a workout tomorrow. I am a week away from the max 30 day period.
 
Was your problem resolved? I just installed the PA5HZ and got massive ground noise. The ground was fine on the pickups coming out. I checked the usual suspects to not avail. I have a call in to EMG (I bought them direct from EMG). These were not my first EMG's but they are my first passive EMG's. Never had a problem before. Looks like the back up Bass gets a workout tomorrow. I am a week away from the max 30 day period.
I ended up getting a full refund from the seller I bought them from on ebay. I decided to go with Seymour Duncan SPB1's and I do not regret it one bit. No offense to the folk at EMG but I've had more experience with Seymour Duncan and I just like their pickups better. My next P bass is going to have the Steve Harris SPB-4's. Those things just sound amazing and not as harsh as the Geezers. I liked the Geezers for the time I used them back in 2016 but it just wasn't what I was looking for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zoobiedood

Latest posts