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Scott Whitley SWB-1

why would you buy the pro and make it passive? You are basically paying for the EMG electronics/pickups and then you would remove them?

He has a good point. Although there is a higher level of finish. Branded parts and a five piece neck too.

That said - it’s a great sounding bass as it is. And the active stuff gives you way more headroom at the amp and it’s a lovely warm sounding instrument. Why the overwhelming desire for passive circuitry?
 
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He has a good point. Although there is a higher level of finish. Branded parts and a five piece neck too.

That said - it’s a great sounding bass as it is. And the active stuff gives you way more headroom at the amp and it’s a lovely warm sounding instrument. Why the overwhelming desire for passive circuitry?
I have the active and I replaced the factory pickups with EMG's.
I am gonna order a pro model soon as well. I love this bass.
 
why would you buy the pro and make it passive? You are basically paying for the EMG electronics/pickups and then you would remove them?

Well, It has the 5-ply neck, and that awesome walnut top. It seems like the sturdier neck appears to be a good thing after some of the feedback on the other neck.

Also, I’d leave the EMG pickups in there, but convert it to a simple volume/tone/switch setup. I like EMG Jazz pickups a lot, but I’m a super simple, passive setup kind of guy when it comes to controls.

I kicked around the idea of getting the regular powder blue version (that color is freaking awesome) and putting aftermarket EMG JAX’s in there, but if the neck moves around as much as everyone is saying it is, that would be an issue for me.
 
I have the active and I replaced the factory pickups with EMG's.
I am gonna order a pro model soon as well. I love this bass.
When you replaced the SWB-1 active bass stock pickups with EMG, what all did you have to do? Curious because I’m contemplating the same potentially...but I am hoping I won’t feel the need. Haven’t received mine yet. Thanks!
 
That may work. The EMG are active pickups. You would need to change out the electronics. Seems like an expensive route to take
When you replaced the SWB-1 active bass stock pickups with EMG, what all did you have to do? Curious because I’m contemplating the same potentially...but I am hoping I won’t feel the need. Haven’t received mine yet. Thanks!
We had to replace the volume pot I believe (it comes with the pickups). The people at guitar exchange did it for me. Took him about an hour. The pickups were direct swaps. He used the same electronics otherwise.
 
Stephen, I have the feeling that your website has not been updated for a long time.
Especially with regard to the swb. I miss some colors. I miss the correct pictures of a fretless neck. I miss the pickups for upgrading my existing swb etc.
I'm not a marketing man but I think you can generate more sales with an updated website. Just a tought.
My question, do you sell the SWB Pro with fretless neck? Or.. is the neck of a SWB Pro exchangeable with the neck of my passive SWB-1?
 
Well, It has the 5-ply neck, and that awesome walnut top. It seems like the sturdier neck appears to be a good thing after some of the feedback on the other neck.
Also, I’d leave the EMG pickups in there, but convert it to a simple volume/tone/switch setup. I like EMG Jazz pickups a lot, but I’m a super simple, passive setup kind of guy when it comes to controls.
I have ordered a SWB Pro and hope to get it this week.
I like to have the choice for Passive or Active so I'm thinking of making that possible with a switch or push pull pot. You say the EMG's also can act as passive? Can you provide me a diagram please?
I kicked around the idea of getting the regular powder blue version (that color is freaking awesome) and putting aftermarket EMG JAX’s in there, but if the neck moves around as much as everyone is saying it is, that would be an issue for me.
I must be honest. I have 2x SWB-1 for 9 months and the necks now seem to be stable.
 
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I have ordered a SWB Pro and hope to get it this week.
I like to have the choice for Passive or Active so I'm thinking of making that possible with a switch or stacked pot. You say the EMG's also can act as passive? Can you provide me a diagram please?
I must be honest. I have 2x SWB-1 for 9 months and the necks now seem to be stable.

Dispatched today. :)

The pickups are EMG J-SEt Active Pickups. I'm not sure they work passive.
 
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The EMGs won’t work passive (unless it’s the Geezer set). The pickups themselves are active and need a battery. You do not, however, need the active preamp with them. You can run EMGs with their passive wiring harness. In this case; volume, tone, and a 3-way selector.
 
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Did a search on Internet trying to understand this. Now I'm wondering why you should bypass the pre-amp. Turning the stacked EQ knob to the middle position give you the passive tone (at least that is what I did understand). With the pre-amp you have extra control over trebble and bass (+/- 12dB). Since the pickups always need battery the difference between passive use and pre-amp use looks very small to me.
Thank you for the information. I've learned a lot.
 
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The SWB-Pro has arrived. Looks good, feels good, sounds good. Thanks Stephen.
Pretty good trebble/bass control from the EMG BTC Control. Thinking of buying the same control for my other basses. It's also suitable for passive pickups.
Soon I'm gonna make this bass fretless (exchange necks with my passive fretless SWB-1) and hope it sounds as good as I think it will.
 
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