Replacing EMG HZ?

[jakeopolis]

hey all,

i will likely be buying a spectorbass, which has one piezo pickup in the bridge and one EMG HZ (passive) pickup. when blended, the pickups sound nice, but alone the EMG HZ is uninspiring, as it is reputed to be.

does anyone have any recommendations for a replacement passive pickup for the stock EMG HZ in the spectorcore? in general, by the way, i do like EMG.

thanks!

 

[Thornton Davis]

I replaced the two passive EMG-HZ pickups in my Schecter Elite-5 with a pair of EMG 40P5 active pickups. While I was at it, I replaced the EMG BTC preamp with an Aguliar OPB-2 active preamp.

The results were 1000% (yes a thousand) improvement. You can check out EMG's P40 pickups on the EMG website. Basically they are active and split like a Fender Precision pickup but housed in a soap bar pickup case.

TD

 

[tdub0199]

I replaced my HZ's with an active EMG 35P4.....

 

[Erik the Red]

I've been wanting to replace the HZ's in my Jackson.
Nordstrand seems to be another good option. Anyone have experience with the Nordies that are a drop-in replacement for HZ's?

 

[jakeopolis]

thanks for the replies guys, appreciate it.

any thoughts on a passive option? the bass is passive and i'd rather not re-wire it.

 

[Z-Bass]

Seymour Duncan makes a nice passive soapbar type pickup that should work. Also as others noted, Nordstrand is another passive option. I believe you could get a Fat Stack pickup that has the option of spliting to give more tonal options; although I don't know if they would be a direct drop in replacement, they look longer than the EMG-HZ housing. I'm sure Bartolini is another option but I'm huge fan so I couldn't recommend.

Even with these options I would talk to someone at EMG to see if wiring something active would be difficult. There are several options with EMG. In addition to the models already mentioned, you could upgrade with one of their TW humbuckers and that would give the option of selecting single coil operation. I also remember reading about someone replacing the EMG-HZ in their Spectorcore with an EMG DC pickup. They had positive results but until you try, you'll never know whether it will work for you.

 

[hip63]

Just replaced my HZs a week ago

2010 Schecter Stilletto Elite 4:
EMG 35CS in the neck position
EMG 35DC in the bridge position
EMG BQC System

2010 Schecter Riot 5:
EMG 40CS in the neck position
EMG 40DC in the bridge position
EMG BQC System

With the diversity in the pickups I picked and combined with the flexibilty of the BQC System, the range of tones these basses can put out is nothing short of amazing! From big and angry to mellow and cool, its there baby!

See them here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/schecter-owners-club-pt-2-a-671508/index18.html#post10583026

hip63

 

[ysand]

I liked the HZs a lot on my Zebop.
Got a good deal and swapped them with a DC and a TW.
I'd recommend any of these two.
Amazing sound!

 

[bass-shy]

Seymour Duncan "Basslines" SSB-4 Passive Phase II Soapbars sound like what you're looking for.

Tonally, they're in between Barts and EMG's.

 

[jakeopolis]

thanks a lot guys, some really good suggestions here. i'll keep this thread bookmarked

 

[maurilio]

..... Also as others noted, Nordstrand is another passive option. I believe you could get a Fat Stack pickup that has the option of spliting to give more tonal options; although I don't know if they would be a direct drop in replacement, they look longer than the EMG-HZ housing.
....

EMG has three size options, for the large pups: 35-40-45 (all 1.5" wide).
Nordstrand has all three of those cover size....

M

 

[keyofnight]

I've lost faith in my pair of HZs, and I'd like someone to tell me what they're supposed to sound like. To me, HZ sound like an old radio: like I'm listening to bad recording amplified a little too loud. They sound a lot better with mids/highs boosted and bass cut (using an onboard eq), but that's not much of a consolation. I can even hear it using different basses and amps in guitar shops. (My girlfriend is a flautist and can rarely ever tell the difference between bass tones—she said the difference was huge.)

I could be hearing things, so l'd appreciate it if you guys would describe the sound of your HZs in more detail. If there's something I'm missing, I'll listen closer. Maybe you guys can restore my faith. (;

 

[D.I.X.bass]

i put hz s in my fender mim jazz bass i think they sound so weak compared to my other basses im not impressed at all with them. such a big diff in output compared to my duncans i have on my p bass.

 

[keyofnight]

i put hz s in my fender mim jazz bass i think they sound so weak compared to my other basses im not impressed at all with them. such a big diff in output compared to my duncans i have on my p bass.

Which Duncans?

 

[Merlo79]

Interestingly enough I replaced my EMG40TW for 40P5 and DC and eventually settled for Hz.

All of the previous pickups sounded insanely aggressive. I liked the active "power" in their sound but just looking at my bass would yield 17 harmonics, 26 string scrapes and 14 miscellaneous clicks The only thing I could do was roll the tone down and press the string with the soft part of my finger, which limited my options severely.

With Hz things are looking much better, I can slam on the string with a pick even and the sound is at the very least satisfactory