xvincex Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Hello, I currently own an ESP Eclipse-304 FM which has 2 EMG passive pickups, and I'd like to know what are the benefits of switching from passive to active pickups? (Like the Eclipse 404). I'm looking forward EMG active pickups. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarkus Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Louder - less noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred TBP Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Also it would help maintain a consistent signal so if you hit notes on "dead spots" or hit them too low to sound off on conventional pickups the signal would come through on the active setup. I installed my first EMG J-set, along with one of their preamps on my Ibanez 5 string back in 1985. The pickups are the same today, but the preamp was replaced a few years ago after enough moisture got into the control cavity to short it out. I have more problems with the stereo output jacks used for the extra voltage lead. On some basses I replace them every other year - the Switchcrafts, I mean, the others tend to go bad even faster. So I'm in the market for a better-built jack. You should remember to unplug the bass when not in use to extend the battery life and to throw a fresh battery in once a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvincex Posted August 31, 2004 Author Share Posted August 31, 2004 So, switching to some EMG 35DC/CS pickups would be a good choice then. Which, between those 2, should be the "bridge" pickup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red 67 Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Also it would help maintain a consistent signal so if you hit notes on "dead spots" or hit them too low to sound off on conventional pickups the signal would come through on the active setup. Not true. Active may, may help overcome dead spots. It will not correct dead spots, or bad right hand tech. The EMG have a "High Fi" sound bright, clean, quiet. Good for rock, EQ for jazz and other types of music. Big Red's Ride Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvincex Posted September 1, 2004 Author Share Posted September 1, 2004 I play metal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian101 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Active pickups also have weaker magnets which means you have to put them closer to the strings. This gives you more pickup to rest your thumb on. "A is A"-the people of tunagialand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvincex Posted September 1, 2004 Author Share Posted September 1, 2004 Which one between the DC and the CS has to be the bridge one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 the CS is said to have a more "classic" tone, so perhaps you'd prefer it for the bridge to soften up the agressive tones from that end. of course, the DC may be more what you like to accentuate bridge pickup tones. personally, i'd go with the slightly more expensive 35TW -- it has dual coils that can be used in humbucking or single-coil modes. that way you can easily mimmick both a J bridge pickup tone and a musicman humbucker tone. if i were going with EMG soapbars, i'd get a 35TW for the bridge and a 35P for the neck. that way i can get both P/J and MM/P tones from the same bass. i wouldn't be opposed to another 35TW for the neck, but it's my second choice. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 i should also add that i have recently switched up to the peavey cirrus BXP, which has active VFL pickups and an active 3-band EQ. i love the extra clarity that the pickups have -- they can feel very bright when playing solo, even with the treble cut, but they cut through a mix better than anything else i've ever played, both live and recorded. i love them. i hope your experience with active EMGs goes as well. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvincex Posted September 1, 2004 Author Share Posted September 1, 2004 DAMN! A MusicMan tone would be great, I guess I'll go with 35p on the neck and 35tw on the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lug Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Originally posted by ian101: Active pickups also have weaker magnets .....true.... which means you have to put them closer to the strings. .....false...... In general, there is less winding which actually allows a little wider frequency range compared to passives but the signal is then aplied to a preamp built into the pup (this is why an active pup has a power wire) that boosts the signal to passive levels or higher before oit hits the EQ> You can stop now -jeremyc STOP QUOTING EVERY THING I SAY!!! -Bass_god_offspring lug, you should add that statement to you signature.-Tenstrum I'm not sure any argument can top lug's. - Sweet Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvincex Posted September 1, 2004 Author Share Posted September 1, 2004 Just a question, I'm a little confused. Is a EMG ACTIVE 35P pickup === EMG ACTIVE P-BASS pickup? (I'm looking for some on eBay, there's only EMG ACTIVE P-BASS PICKUPs listed and I want to know if it's the same) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 I'd check their website to be sure, but IIRC the 35, 40 and 45 are all soapbar shape and can have J, P or side by side humbuckers inside. The P pickup is an actual split pickup in appearance. My main bass has EMGs in, a reverse P/J set and they sound great. Very clear sound with plenty of ooomph! Run them on 9V for the classic compressed EMG sound with in your face highs, or on 18V for a more open natural sound with bigger lows. Alex Barefaced Ltd - ultra lightweight, high ouput, toneful bass cabs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred TBP Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Originally posted by C.Alexander Claber: I'd check their website to be sure, but IIRC the 35, 40 and 45 are all soapbar shape and can have J, P or side by side humbuckers inside. The P pickup is an actual split pickup in appearance. My main bass has EMGs in, a reverse P/J set and they sound great. Very clear sound with plenty of ooomph! Run them on 9V for the classic compressed EMG sound with in your face highs, or on 18V for a more open natural sound with bigger lows. AlexTo add to that, the numbers indicate relative pickup lengths, e.g. 35 = 3.5". It's not exact, and you should measure the outside string distance at the point you plan to put the pickup in, or else you'll experience string dropout. Yes, I speak from experience on this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvincex Posted September 1, 2004 Author Share Posted September 1, 2004 Ok, I exactly need 35P. I'll ask the seller I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Hoffman Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 All of this sounds very interesting, I learn so much from you guys. I never really got into modifying a bass...so I guess I'll make another post about that to answer a Q "The world will still be turning when you've gone." - Black Sabbath Band site: www.finespunmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 cliffy -- EMG makes J pickups with both their more characteristic tone and a very vintage-toned VJ (which still needs at least one 9V for power). see my non-canonical list of J pickup manufacturers in your own thread. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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