Upgrading Schecter Electronics- Complete noob

[jef4490]

Hi there. I am completely clueless when it comes to electronics. I've been playing a Schecter Elite-4 Diamond series bass (2007) for a while now and it has definitely persisted as my main axe. Love the way it plays, looks, and feels and I was recently reading that the stock electronics aren't necessarily very good. Specifically, I saw a lot of discussion about the pre-amp not being particularly good.

So with a budget of up to $400 or so, what would be some good upgrades to make for improved sound? Should I get a new pre-amp and leave the pickups? I've seen some talk about conversion to passive, if someone could explain what that entails, I would be much obliged (just a passive preamp?). Or new pups too.

All contributions appreciated.

 

[grendle]

emg 35 p/j set with a spector tonepump run at 18v would be my choice in that bass but thats just me should be able to do that for well under 400. what type of music do you play the most and what kind of tones are you going for?

 

[Wagz]

You could just run that bass passive.
Either rip the pre-amp out of it (sell on eBay or TB for $30) or wire a push/pull volume knob that disables the pre-amp.
The EMG-HZs in that bass sound decent when run without the Schecter pre-amp. And, EMG offers a passive wiring diagram for them here Invalid Link Removed

 

[jef4490]

emg 35 p/j set with a spector tonepump run at 18v would be my choice in that bass but thats just me should be able to do that for well under 400. what type of music do you play the most and what kind of tones are you going for?

I play mostly blues rock type stuff, a little progressive rock as well. I like versatility, but generally leave my on board and amp EQ fairly flat, with just a tiny bit of boost on both bands on the preamp. On that bass the result is a lot of deep lows and just a hint of crunch in the treble. I play with a fairly aggressive attack, almost exclusively finger style. Don't really use pedals.

I've been fairly happy with my tone on the schecter up until recently, and I definitely would look to keep an active system on the bass. As far as what I'm going for is I suppose a little more clarity and versatility in the sound. I've never modified any instruments before and am not entirely sure if this will be my experience, but I would like to install new electronics that just frankly sound better, and will make me feel like I'm playing a brand new instrument.

PS: one small thing I'd like to also discuss is the issue of aesthetics. Obviously, the body doesn't have a pickguard so installing the p/j pups will significantly changing the appearance of the bass, yeah? Will this involve cutting out more of the wood to fit them?

 

[The Wiz]

I would sell the schecter and add in your 400 dollars and buy a new bass entirely. But i suppose im biased because i hate schecters...

 

[grendle]

I play mostly blues rock type stuff, a little progressive rock as well. I like versatility, but generally leave my on board and amp EQ fairly flat, with just a tiny bit of boost on both bands on the preamp. On that bass the result is a lot of deep lows and just a hint of crunch in the treble. I play with a fairly aggressive attack, almost exclusively finger style. Don't really use pedals.

I've been fairly happy with my tone on the schecter up until recently, and I definitely would look to keep an active system on the bass. As far as what I'm going for is I suppose a little more clarity and versatility in the sound. I've never modified any instruments before and am not entirely sure if this will be my experience, but I would like to install new electronics that just frankly sound better, and will make me feel like I'm playing a brand new instrument.

PS: one small thing I'd like to also discuss is the issue of aesthetics. Obviously, the body doesn't have a pickguard so installing the p/j pups will significantly changing the appearance of the bass, yeah? Will this involve cutting out more of the wood to fit them?

i would go passive with the emg hz's then. their a good hi fi sounding passive pickup and should suit your styles pretty well. actives with a pre will get edgy in that bass quick. Those are great basses and really under rated imo. big bang for the buck with them.

P/J pickups can be gotten in a 35 case so they look no diferent than whats in there, and fit the same. the emg HZ's are basically the same as the emg "CS" pickups. If you wanted to go P/J that would be cool too. they have a bit more growl and a different high end than the "DC" style pickups. the P/J setup is a great route and different than what you have. if you went emg you can run them Vol/vol/tone/tone and stay away from a preamp. you got options. after playing basses with DC pickups for a long time I went back to a P/j setup and couldnt be happier.

 

[jef4490]

i would go passive with the emg hz's then. their a good hi fi sounding passive pickup and should suit your styles pretty well. actives with a pre will get edgy in that bass quick. Those are great basses and really under rated imo. big bang for the buck with them.

P/J pickups can be gotten in a 35 case so they look no diferent than whats in there, and fit the same. the emg HZ's are basically the same as the emg "CS" pickups. If you wanted to go P/J that would be cool too. they have a bit more growl and a different high end than the "DC" style pickups. the P/J setup is a great route and different than what you have. if you went emg you can run them Vol/vol/tone/tone and stay away from a preamp. you got options. after playing basses with DC pickups for a long time I went back to a P/j setup and couldnt be happier.

Thanks for clarifying the casing options. Ok, with that in mind I guess I'm definitely leaning towards the p/j option. And you're saying passive is the way to go for that? Can you give me some pros and cons for a passive/active p/j setup and why you recommend passive?

Thanks for all the help, really appreciate it.

 

[MontzterMash]

Here's what I did with basically the same bass:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/emg-preamps.htm

Got the EMG BQC system (awesome, love the sweepable mid), and then two EMG JX-CS pickups. Sounds really nice, lots of compliments.

I then got a PX pickup, to try the PJ setup and found that I don't like that as much (YMMV). The two J's together sound GREAT to me but not a single one as much, and there also is a big volume difference between the two. I do really like the P pickup in both the neck and bridge (great thing about EMG pickups is it's really easy to experiment), and think I'd probably really like a double P setup. Played lots of those in stores. So for me, JJ and PP both great (just different).

Bestbassgear was great to work with, if you call them they can really help talk you through stuff.

 

[grendle]

Thanks for clarifying the casing options. Ok, with that in mind I guess I'm definitely leaning towards the p/j option. And you're saying passive is the way to go for that? Can you give me some pros and cons for a passive/active p/j setup and why you recommend passive?

Thanks for all the help, really appreciate it.

I would go active EMG 35 P/J pickups but skip a separate preamp and keep the tone controls passive. That should give you a clean middle of the road tone , good for pretty much anything you want to do. Not a vintage tone though, just cleaner and more articulate than what you have now.

 

[grendle]

Here's what I did with basically the same bass:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/emg-preamps.htm

Got the EMG BQC system (awesome, love the sweepable mid), and then two EMG JX-CS pickups. Sounds really nice, lots of compliments.

I then got a PX pickup, to try the PJ setup and found that I don't like that as much (YMMV). The two J's together sound GREAT to me but not a single one as much, and there also is a big volume difference between the two. I do really like the P pickup in both the neck and bridge (great thing about EMG pickups is it's really easy to experiment), and think I'd probably really like a double P setup. Played lots of those in stores. So for me, JJ and PP both great (just different).

Bestbassgear was great to work with, if you call them they can really help talk you through stuff.

Good option here as well with the Bqc. Lots of control available.

 

[Sid Fang]

i would go passive with the emg hz's then. their a good hi fi sounding passive pickup and should suit your styles pretty well. actives with a pre will get edgy in that bass quick.

I'm pretty sure that's what that model comes with out of the factory. I've a ~2005 Stiletto Elite 5 and that's what it's got.

 

[grendle]

I'm pretty sure that's what that model comes with out of the factory. I've a ~2005 Stiletto Elite 5 and that's what it's got.

yep they come with emg hz's and the emg bt active tone circuit i think stock. dropping the tone circuit and going vol/vol/tone/tone opens up the tone a bit with the HZ's. their decent pickups but sound better wired straight imo. the guy from nickle back does that with his spectors. they sound a little more vintage than the std emg with a pre setup. imo.