So if I go with the 35P/35J setup it'll sound like a Euro Spector? I really like that tone. I wasn't sure if you could get the same tone with the soapbars as you can with the actual P and J setup. So that's not as versatile as the DC'S?
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Spector Club Pt. 3 (Insert Clever Title Here)
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So if I go with the 35P/35J setup it'll sound like a Euro Spector? I really like that tone. I wasn't sure if you could get the same tone with the soapbars as you can with the actual P and J setup. So that's not as versatile as the DC'S?
Well....not exactly. But you will have the same pickups as a Euro Spector, which will get you closer than the HZs or SSDs ever would. They soapbar pickups are the same as the non-soapbar pickups, according to EMG, just in a different sized housing.
As far as versatility goes, I actually had a NS4CRFM and a NS5CRFM at the same time a while back. The NS4CRFM had the typical EMG P/J set and the NS5CRFM had the dual 40DCs. Both basses had the same preamp, an EMG BTS wired for 9 volts. The NS4CRFM was rude, loud, and aggressive all the time. For rock or metal, this was the best bass I ever played and it had an incredible slap tone to boot. But, I could NOT get a decent mellow tone out of it. The NS5CRFM, while still pretty aggressive, was not quite as in-your-face as the NS4CRFM. It was much easier to coax a big, deep, warm tone out of the 40DCs, just favored the neck pickup, cut the highs a smidge, and play closer to the neck. So, IME, it depends on if you want maximum growl, or a big, deep tone with lots of growl that can be tamed, if desired.
I can't have both?
I do like growl, but I also want to be able to dial in some warm tone if I need it. So you think the DC's can be warmer then? That's kind of the opposite of what I've heard reading up here. Now I'm even more confused about what to get. 
I can't have both?
The DCs are warmer and smoother than P/Js due to their inherently fatter low end. However, when creating a list of the warmest, smoothest sounding pickups on the market, the EMG DCs would still be really low on the list. They are still very aggressive, but they sound great with Spectors, especially in styles that call for an aggressive, growly tone with a big low end.
My Rebop5 currently has a 40DC/40CS pickup combo. The 40CS is a much warmer pickup than the 40DC, but I often find it lacking in growl. I find it overly smooth for my taste, it is the only EMG pickup that has made a Spector sound "sterile". I would not classify the 40DC as a warm pickup, but IME it was more versatile and a hair smoother than the P/J set, which I could not get a warm tone out of no matter how I set the EQ, changed hand placement, etc.
That said, I am still saving for another 4-string Spector with the P/J setup. It sounds amazing for rock/metal. Listen to the tones on Empire by Queensryche or Dirt by AIC, just to name a few. IME, the EMG P/J set gives you that tone and that tone only. What they lack in versatility, they make up for in sheer awesomeness. But, if I can only have one setup, I choose the pair of DCs for a very aggressive sound I can have more control over. Hope this helps, as I am not trying to make this more confusing for you.
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Sure, if we're referring to either of these pickups with the BTC. But the tables somewhat turn a bit when you change up to a BQC/BQS or an OBP-3. Both of these pickups take on some extended characteristics, that change the shape a bit, with some added mid controls.
Yeah, the 3-band EQs would help a bit. But, still, the pickups are what they are. Even with a 2-band EQ, I had a much easier time taming the DCs than the P/Js. I am thinking that, even with the midrange control, the DCs would still be easier to control. However, if you HAVE to have the P/J tone, which is pretty awesome, the 3-band might help for those rare times where you want tame them.
Thanks guys. That makes much more sense. I even considered some Nordstrand pickups but then that wouldn't quite give me the Spector tone.
You just described every single one of my desires out of my two basses. In one band i play my Legend 4 with PJs for more growl and aggressive sounds. In the other i play my Legend 5 with soapbars for a warmer, fatter yet sometimes growly sound.
Im planning on switching in BQCs into both Legends to up the overall sound a bit.
Also planning on picking up a neck through Euro 4 and 5. Love the look and sound of those basses.
Ive been contemplating changing the nuts on my Legends as well. Im leaning towards brass because of what ive read so far. How hard would this be to do, and what experience have you guys had with it? (if any)
I've been neglecting this thread so I thought I'd chime in with my .02 cents here.
I actually have a completely opposite view on these pickups. I owned a Spector Euro 6LX for a year and a half and I've had my Euro 4LX for 8 months-ish and I'd argue that the Euro 4LX is easily the warmer more organic of the two. They are both naturally aggressive and perfect for rock but the Euro 4LX is much more versatile in my opinion. Either can be toned down to fit other styles of music easily. I've actually got two videos that exemplify that pretty well here. I play a lot of music but I played my Spector Euro 4LX in the jazz band at my school and it fit perfectly. It never sounded harsh or sharp to me. I honestly can't understand why so many agree that Spectors are too modern to play jazz, R&B, funk, fusion and other similar music.
The DCs do have a stronger low and high end but surprisingly they don't sound as nice as the PJs to me. The PJs have this mid presence that gives the tone a lot more personality whereas the DCs can sound quite "cold" sometimes. Both pickups growl but the PJs sound closer to a jazz bass but more articulate and with much better highs (though I think that is something specific to Spector basses). I always use these examples to explain it's versatility but the Euro 4LXs can do everything from Marcus Miller to Jaco when EQ'd right. In fact I'd sayit's the closest you'll get on any 4 string to MMs tone without actually getting his sig bass. What gets me about the Euro 6 is that the slap tone really only seems to work for urban gospel. Loads of highs but not too much else.
If you get any Euro Spector I would strongly recommend dropping in some PJ pickups for the better, more versatile tone (love the 6 but the 4 sounded better to me). For the 5 and 6 strings you can get the extended casings (40/45P and 40/45J) which are the same as regular PJs but in different shapes. Its funny because the USA NS5-XLs have the EMG DCs too but sound much more like the Euro 4LXs but more powerful. If I had the cash I'd grab one myself
. All in all, you really can't go wrong with a Spector but i'd take the PJ setup over most any of the EMG soapbars. In fact they were my favorite pup combo period until I got my Sandberg now they share the #1 spot
Well, all I can say that there is no substitute for personal experience. Maybe the P/Js sound different in the alder/walnut/maple Euro LX than they did in my all maple NS4CRFM? Maybe one person's playing style works better with the soapbars while someone else's style works better with the P/Js. Hard to say really, as it is also hard to estimate how each pickup will sound in a Legend, which I believe is basswood/maple.
FWIW, I would never say that there is any style that any bass can't be used in, but some basses do IME fair better in some styles than others. I think the EMG P/Js sound great for funky styles, whether slapping or finger-funk. Dave Larue used a Spector NS-2 in the early 90's with Steve Morse Band, a fusion group, and it worked great. And, while I would choose other basses for styles like Jazz or R&B, I'm sure that judicious EQing and some flats, a P/J-loaded Spector would work just fine. On another note, while subbing on guitar for an R&B band, I played alongside a bassist who used a Warwick Corvette 5er for traditional R&B and it worked just fine.
But, my experience was mine and I stand by it. Unfortunately, some experimentation may be needed to find the right pickups for EagleMoon.
- Feb 3, 2005
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Honestly I wouldn't mind the HZ's but they seem so weak. I really have to crank the EQ all the way to get decent tone out of them. I guess I will have to just pick a set and see how they work. I hate to have to waste money on experimenting though. That's the bad part.
No not really. How are they different? I wish I could find some decent sound clips of these pickups.
As much as I'd love to, the price keeps it way out of my reach but that's a good question. Has anyone here rocked one of these?
Hiya
I hope you don't mind me asking where you got this info from? So far as I'm aware it's only one or two of the US models that have these pups. I've a white Euro 5 LX incoming and I'm pretty certain that like it's other 5 string Euro brethren that I've come into direct contact with it'll have 40DC's.
Worth considering imo the is the John East U-Retro especially if you like to have onboard control of the level and placement of your mids. I've put one into my NS5 (all 18V) and will probably do the same with the Euro. Both the Euro and the NS have/had the 2EQ cut and boost HazLabs pre.
I now have one going spare, is this perhaps the 70's like model? It's not a Tonepump.
Edited to say, no it's not, similar spec but 18v vs 9v.
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