Now what would be super useful is a split screen of all of them taking turns so we can compare them side by side. That would be a major go-to video for so many. I love how thoroughly you go through and leave no stone unturned. Everything I would want to know is covered in your videos and for that I am grateful to have stumbled upon them.
Yeah I'm super impressed with that HZ comboed up with the BQC. I'm running the 40 DC's, active humbuckers in my Spector 5 string with the BTS system, it sounds amazing but... it doesn't quite capture what you got going on there with that combo. Um so I'm going to have to go back to the drawing board lol.
3 years after this video was released and here I am once AGAIN being sold by EMG products. I have more of their pickups in my basses than anything else and nothing from them has ever disappointed me. I'm in the process of building up a Warmoth bass with a single MM humbucker, and being an owner of a Stingray Classic (USA model) and a Stingray Special 5HH, I'm intimately familiar with how they sound and just how different they are. I could easily just make another 2EQ classic sounding bass with the preamp and pickup combination we all know and love...but dangit here you are showing me why EMG dominates the tone in my head. Gets out the credit card...thanks Lobster!
I just pulled the trigger and purchased the MMHZ pickup with the BTC HZ preamp. Can't wait to see how it sounds in my hands. Thanks for the inspiration.
@@LowEndLobster I purchased the push/pull pot being that the pickup can switch from series to parallel. I’m going to try it passive with the switch to see how I like it before installing the preamp.
@@JBKeyz88 Awesome! I was going to try for that as well but definitely did not have the space with the BQC in there as well (that PCB is so much bigger than the BTC, it's nuts)
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My Stirling Stingray 5 just died from an unknown reason. But with this video I think I just found my new setup !! Thanks !
Glad I could help! Modification was needed for the 4 string's control cavity (just slight dremeling, nothing crazing), but I think you'll be good to go with the 5'er. Happy modding!
Yes! This was the one I was waiting to hear the most and I am totally sold. Regardless of the setting (centered, everything cut, everything boosted) everything sounded even and clean. I love that about EMG. The only knock and this depends on what one is looking for, is that it is not the classic Stingray sound. Sometime next year I am going to have to get a Ray 35 to copy your mod 👍 Thank you, Lobster!
Wholeheartedly agree and have been an EMG fan for 25 years, yet so many people out there don't like the way they sound which is kind of crazy to me lol...
I have to agree with the rest, I think this combo so far has been my favorite. Bass sounds awesome, amazing what can do when you have a platform to create exactly what you want. Keep the videos coming, always waiting for the next one!
Had to listen to this multiple times. When I was playing guitar the only EMGs I liked was the David Gilmore Strat set! This was a pleasant surprise! If I did not know better, I would think I had tuned the preamp ranges for EMG. I really like this preamp/pickup combination! For me, IMHO, this is the winner thus far.
🎵🎶”The btc has the larger pcb when you have to do some moddin....”🎶🎵 I’ll never get that out of my head, it’s just that catchy. It sounds Amazing Thank you for sharing
This bass sounded great. I love EMG pickups. Since you're in the modding mood, try an Aguilar preamp with the EMG pickups, it's like a match made in heaven.
Thanks for doing this. This setup didn't impress me at me at first, but when I heard you play it with the drum track I immediately heard that it's got to the tone I've been looking for. Really looking forward to putting it in my bass.
You're very welcome! This was one of my favorite combos and really opened my eyes to the quality of EMG and their passive pickups. The BTC fits better without having to mod the cavity, but the BQC adds a ton of flexibility. Happy modding!
I'm sold! Between the SD and the EMG I think these are the two best preamps you've reviewed. Since I'm only a hobbyist, I wonder if it's even worth it though...
It's not the typical stingray sound but it's what I like the most. It cuts through without trouble and has that EMG clarity, that can also be tamed if needed. Let's not forget to mention the sweepable mids. They're a must imho.
Wow! I’m pleasantly surprised. Love EMG guitar pickups; but was never really into the bass pickups. That MMHZ sounds great coupled with that EMG preamp.😌🎶👍🏾
Have HIGH HOPES for the EMG combo....cause i have ALWAYS loved EMG stuff...i own several basses that have EMG stuff in them...and are some of my favs!!!!
Always fun to watch you playing a bass you really enjoy! I think the Ray 4 with dr hi beam lr40's already sounds fantastic but the emg together with that versatile preamp makes it an even better package! Thanks for this very informative video.
Yes, you're definitely putting me in the mood for a 'Ray. I'm psyched for the short scale. It's sort of a Tony Levin feeling! Good stuff Low. It doesn't sound like a 'Ray but it's nice! It ought to cut through any mix. That top sounds great.
This combo really sounds great. Unfortunately here in Brazil buying pups and preamps and bridges or tuners are to expensive to worthy this mods. Love your vids and experimentations. Congrats.
with this instrument, a set of used strings that will have lost their brilliance can always sound like new, just give a suitable adjustment to the tone , very good
Damn the mids are clean, clear and musical. Way impressed with that setup. Love the LobsterMods. Just once...I’d love to hear the pleasing sound the claw makes when it hits the floor. Damn I need that pup and pre on my SubRay4.
@@LowEndLobster I’m making a special request that it makes it into a video. I suspect it is a glorious sound. Let your brothers and sisters in bass hear and rejoice in it as you do. Maybe put it on a loop even.
I just did something similar, only with the EMG MMCS and no preamp, just volume and tone. I think it sounds pretty good. Not exactly what a stingray usually sounds like, but not bad.
Thanks Lobster for producing this video! Really impressed with the output from this combo, and planning to get a set for my SUB bass too. As I am very new to bass modifications, would you be able to advise the differences between BTC/BQC/BQS as well as HZ and non-HZ versions?
Hey James! I just used the regular BQC system here. When you see the Q, think Quad/four as you have four controls- bass, mid, mid freq, and treble. The BTC has the T, so think two (it's the two band). The C stands for concentric, the S probably stands for something else but I think "Spread out", as the controls are not stacked on the BQS. The HZ ones are meant for use with the HZ passive EMG pickups, but I just used the regular BQC here without issues. However keep in mind, this preamp did require some cavity mods. If you are not to keen on removing some material from the control cavity, I'd recommend going with the BTC with a volume and tone control.
Question: how do you “cut the preamp entirely”? You mean rolling off bass, treble and mid? Cause doing this would means cut all frequencies, right? I mean: since the circuit is cut and boos and the center (click detent) would means flatting all frequencies according de centers determined by EMG. Did you installed some switch to put the bass in passive mode?
Hey! So I found two videos of the EMG pickup being installed without the preamp. Only using the volume and tone knob. Sounds pretty good, more like a Joe Dart sound signature. Have you tried this? If not, would you mind testing it and share your thoughts? I just purchased a sub ray 4 two days ago, thanks to you, and now I’m trying to decide which pickup to get for it.
Wow! That p/up & eq combo sounds fantastic and extremely usable throughout the cut/boost range. Definitely my favorite so far. I like the tone of the ceramic pups...kitties too! Excellent channel bro Lobster! '): BassClef
@@bassclefconnoisseur Not a stupid question at all! The EQ requires a battery, but the passive EMG pickup does not. Active EMG pickups that do require batteries would still only need a single 9V to power the preamp and pickups together, but you also have the option of running the circuit at 18v.
@@LowEndLobster Yeah, I figured so...I've got the EMGJAX (alnico) active pups w/ the active tone circuit in one of my jazz basses and I absolutely love how they sound (and slap)! Just wasn't sure since that one is passive. Thanks so much for the speedy reply...now to check out how the Barts sound! Lobster for the win!!
Ok first off.... EMG MMHZ bass pickup, sounds very good, I have the same preamp and the 5 string brother of this pickup , what I can suggest is that instead of modding this to add a toggle or blade style switch to split the coil, I would add a 3 way or 4 way rotary switch to have series/parallel/ split or series/parallel/N coil/S coil to give different tones, the only real mod you would need to do is relocate the output jack and drill a hole either for a panel jack, or add a football jackplate and add the jack... but other than that I wouldnt change a thing, this is an amazing bass and yeah you don't get that "classic musicman tone" but tone is subjective to the musician, it all matters what you like and how you like it. Rock on Lobster man...
Thank you Ray! I too was really impressed with how nice the HZ sounded. Great mod idea! It could definitely be done. EMG does have the series/parallel HZ pots, but still no single option with those.
Hey Lonster, great vid. Watched all The mods vids. This one sounds great. So you think the EMGs just sound good or can they cop the stingray sound? Thanks.
My SUB series 4's active pickup has faulted on me twice, something just wrong going on. This was the perfect video for me, looking into where to go with passive pickup/preamp combos to replace the standard interior and pickup
@@LowEndLobster so should I be looking to just replace the active pre-amp? something is losing connection under the hood i’m just trying to figure it out lol. thank you for the reply! much appreciated man
This series has been so helpful in helping me choose a preamp for my diy stingray build. I was very close to getting the East but I think this just edges it. The only thing I don't like is the knobs, I take it they're a standard size and can be changed?
Yes you can absolutely change the knobs. Save yourself the headache and get the BTC and the mid control separate so the guts are on 2 smaller pcbs. Way easier fitment
Pretty cool demo. that emg pickup sounded real nice. I personally prefer passive pickups over active ones. I do think that passive pickups sound more organic compared to active pickups. not that I have anything against active pickups. it's just that some of them tend to have weird overtones making the bass sound unnatural. it's a little difficult to explain. but some active pickups don't sound too bad at all. I also like ceramic pickups. I like how smooth and punchy they sound. and I also like alcino pickups for it's low mids focused sounds. over all, great demo.
@@LowEndLobster There are amazing sounding passive pickups. emg is one of them. and bartolini is another. Speaking of which, I've recently got a set of bartolini pickups for christmas. and I am looking forward to getting them installed on my Ibanez bass.
Thanks Anthony! That's a great question. It depends on what you want. The Ray34 is close to a pre-facelift USA Stingray both in feel and tone. IMO the stock stuff there is pretty solid, a preamp upgrade may be beneficial but the pickup is nice. However, all these modded SUBs are averaging under $600 all in if you're paying full price for the SUB. That's about $200 less than a Ray34.
The tech I'm working with tried this mod and it didn't work with the EMG MMHZ. He said it was a bad pickup. I contacted EMG and they built me another one and told that I could keep the defective one!
Sounds great, i'm thinking in buying an HH Sub ray and modding it.. but i like passive basses, do you think this EMG pup would sound good in passive? :/
Thank you! Yes, you can absolutely setup a Ray4HH with two of these passive pickups and a passive control setup. HOWEVER be aware you will lose the 5 way switch coil tapping unless you hardwire and solder the pickup wires to the switch correctly. I'm not sure if EMG make a 5 way switch that would be plug and play and have the coil tapping
i have a EKO M300, a italian rip off of the stingray. i made it quite playable, but the tone control is crap(2x volume and a weird tone control) . i want to improve the sound , but stay as cheap as possible . i am concidering buying this passive EMG pick up, and install it with the regular hardware it comes with( 1 volume and 1 tone pot) would the sound come close tou this stingray with everything in the middle?
Wow I like this one a lot...Enough that I’m looking into it more and ran into a tech question - on the EMG site looks like that 4th pot is blend for 2x pup setups. Do install instructions include single pup option that show how to skip the blend pot? The website docs don’t really address that that I can see. If my intuition is right, I’m assuming the single pup leads can just go straight into the BQC where the blend pot leads would go for a 2x pup setup? Wiring diagrams are Greek to me and never undertaken anything like this, but that all sounds intuitive enough in my head (eg blend pot turns 2x signals into 1x signal...if starting with 1x signal, just go straight where the blend would have gone...) Also, and most importantly - 🥩 + 🦞...Surf ‘n Turf bass?
Thanks Joe! You are correct, you would just go from the vol direct into the BQC and bypass the need for the blend entirely. You can actually do this with most preamps that have a blend knob for a one pickup setup. Snip off the pot so you'll have either one or two wires coming from the preamp to the blend knob, and wire your pickup directly to those!
Hi Lobster Very interesting, thank you for sharing. Since you’re clearly no stranger to modding sterlings, do you have a favourite? Any brand or combo of (pickup-preamp) that you installed on one of your Rays which in your opinion stands hard and shoulders above the rest? (Yes I’m thinking of upgrading the whole shebang on a ray 24 and not sure where to even start. Phoning a friend) Thank you and keep up the good work 🙌
I have a stingray with active pickup and the BTS preamp but with the treble backed up it is nowhere near as bright as yours. Do you have the highs boosted on your preamp?
You have dip switches on the pcb for 4 different treble curves! I'm using the passive pickup here too, the active might sound a bit more even across the frequency range
I have two 40 hz's sitting around and I have replaced them with an active EMG David Ellefson set. I'm gonna drop the 40dc inplace for a 40dcx. Oye Como Va!
I’m planning to do this mod thanks to you. I do have a question, though. I bought the bqc without the volume pot, can I solder the current volume pot into the pre amp?
@@LowEndLobsterso if I buy this pickup can I just buy the BQC Control? Or do I need the BQC system? Because when you buy the pickup, it comes with volume and tone pot. I want to do this mod, but I’m not Shure what to buy. The BQC Control or BQC system.
Nope, stock wiring. I think this is the only one in series in this comparison, though you do have the ability to wire in parallel if you wanted to solder
Hi, installed the same combo on mt Ray4. The fit can be done without digging into the wood but will require to cut off the plug in and solder it instead to the back of the pins. No grounding point for the bridge. Knobs are crappy, one even came with stripped tread, so replaced it with $20 chrome metal. The sound maybe lacking the bottom base? Tempting me to move EMGHZ to the neck position and install original to the bridge with adding volume control. To make HH one EMG one original.
Hey I have a Sterling StingRay 5H and thinking about changing the electronics. Do you know if it is possible to get a 3 band eq with mid sweep and a tone knob? I'm not sure if I can use a volume/tone stack for a 3 knob or just get a new pickguard for a 4 knob (I have the version where you have to take off the pickguard to access the electronics). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Alexander! You can absolutely do this mod with the 3 hole setup, or if you wanted you could definitely get a different pickguard and go four knob (though I'm not sure if you'd have to remove some material under the pickguard to fit it). With EMG, I believe they offer a stacked Vol/Tone for the 3 knob setup. Otherwise, you could just add the tone knob into the circuit and do Vol, Tone, Mid/Freq, Bass/Treb. Hope that helps!
@@LowEndLobster Awesome thank you so much. Think I'm going to try the concentric volume/tone. I weirdly like the Sterling basses for getting that tight subbass like on a pad (definitely not the Stringray sound lol) so I think pushing the low mids and rolling off the tone and treble would sound awesome
Good question! I have no idea, probably good ;P. One thing to keep in mind is the pickup shape is slightly different on the Ray34 (with the built in thumb rest), so you'd need a new pickguard as well. Existing route should not be an issue.
We are over half way and you just said the SAME thing i typed in about MEAT on it!!...hahaha GREAT bass minds and all....and WOWIE AT THE SLAP TONE....!!...YUP we have a WINNNER...WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!!!
Hi, is it possible to install only BCC Control with the original volume of the SUB Bass? Because the BQC System is sold with 2 plot EQ, 1 plot balance, 1 plot Volume and it's more expansive... Thanks
If you were to install a switch to control series, parallel or single coil in the pickup, is that wired via the preamp/can be done with that preamp or is that a direct connection to the pickup?
Great question! It would be wired before the preamp. EMG actually makes a push pull pot that would be plug and play with this pickup, or you could wire it up yourself with a push pull knob or a switch.
@@LowEndLobster This is good news. I'm looking into getting a Warwick Streamer LX Jazzman 5 and may want to replace the pickups with something a bit more punchy. Since it already has the switch, I would be able to just connect it to the EMG MMHZ. This is all assuming that it will fit without routing.
great video, 100% educational, I have a huge doubt and probably very amateur, but I always believed that the battery was for the pickup, but apparently it is for the pre amp, my doubt is, emg has musicman type pickups but active, which Does it change if one decides to put an active pill and not a passive one as in this case? I would really appreciate the answer.
Thank you! Great question. So the EMG MM pickups come in both active and passive flavors. It doesn't really change the process since you're already utilizing a battery here for the preamp, you just add the pickup power to the battery loop
Hi LEL! Can you give a link to the video on the enlarging the control cavity please? Or perhaps the name of the video so that I can search? I am in a similar position and need to0 enlarge and want to see what you did. Thank you!
I've never been too much of a fan of EMGs but this thing here is pleasantly punchy. However, boosting the bass makes the sound too "pumped" - which is actually a typical EMG problem. That kind of sound tends to muddy the mix. Best to leave it in the neutral position. Actually, it sounds the best with bass and treble centered and mid boosted a bit.
Thanks Bassdriver! I agree about the EQ, honestly my favorite EMG EQ combination (which I've done several times now) is doing a Vol-Tone-BTC 2 band stack. I like the pairing of the tone control with the 2 band over a 3 band from a practical standpoint.
Nice review, as is all of them in this series. I saw that you giveaway this bass, is there a chance to make another video with this EMG guitar with same onboard preamp, same Di box, just with EMG MMTW, or EMGCS active pickups? It would be nice to see head to head shootout betwine Active vs Pasive EMGs. There is no proper review anyware on the web of this. Sory on my bad English.
I really like how this one feels like acoustic... don't know how put it , umm like how passive fenders feel, warm and full of wood tone ... this can be a great "in between bass" between a P bass and stingray tone .... gosh so many videos , my mind will have bass rush 😄
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Now what would be super useful is a split screen of all of them taking turns so we can compare them side by side. That would be a major go-to video for so many. I love how thoroughly you go through and leave no stone unturned. Everything I would want to know is covered in your videos and for that I am grateful to have stumbled upon them.
Thanks Art! Check out the finale vid, I do a side by side with all 8 examples :)
The EMG combo, and the Nordstrand combo are my two favorites.
Thanks Shawn!
Yeah I'm super impressed with that HZ comboed up with the BQC.
I'm running the 40 DC's, active humbuckers in my Spector 5 string with the BTS system, it sounds amazing but... it doesn't quite capture what you got going on there with that combo.
Um so I'm going to have to go back to the drawing board lol.
Same
3 years after this video was released and here I am once AGAIN being sold by EMG products. I have more of their pickups in my basses than anything else and nothing from them has ever disappointed me. I'm in the process of building up a Warmoth bass with a single MM humbucker, and being an owner of a Stingray Classic (USA model) and a Stingray Special 5HH, I'm intimately familiar with how they sound and just how different they are. I could easily just make another 2EQ classic sounding bass with the preamp and pickup combination we all know and love...but dangit here you are showing me why EMG dominates the tone in my head. Gets out the credit card...thanks Lobster!
I just pulled the trigger and purchased the MMHZ pickup with the BTC HZ preamp. Can't wait to see how it sounds in my hands. Thanks for the inspiration.
Awesome!
@@LowEndLobster I purchased the push/pull pot being that the pickup can switch from series to parallel. I’m going to try it passive with the switch to see how I like it before installing the preamp.
@@JBKeyz88 Awesome! I was going to try for that as well but definitely did not have the space with the BQC in there as well (that PCB is so much bigger than the BTC, it's nuts)
My Stirling Stingray 5 just died from an unknown reason. But with this video I think I just found my new setup !! Thanks !
Glad I could help! Modification was needed for the 4 string's control cavity (just slight dremeling, nothing crazing), but I think you'll be good to go with the 5'er. Happy modding!
Yes! This was the one I was waiting to hear the most and I am totally sold. Regardless of the setting (centered, everything cut, everything boosted) everything sounded even and clean. I love that about EMG. The only knock and this depends on what one is looking for, is that it is not the classic Stingray sound. Sometime next year I am going to have to get a Ray 35 to copy your mod 👍 Thank you, Lobster!
Thanks Taconeko :) Glad you're enjoying the series
Wholeheartedly agree and have been an EMG fan for 25 years, yet so many people out there don't like the way they sound which is kind of crazy to me lol...
I like this one a lot more than I thought I would .Might even be my favorite.
Thanks Thiago! Me too :)
When you need a fix of stingray content you come see the lobster. Excellent as always 🦞
Thanks Wullie :)
I just love EMG pickups and preamp LowEndLobster! I think that one is gonna be my favorite of them all!!!
Thanks Guy :)
I’m genuinely surprised at how much I liked that one. Smooth and clear without any excessive clank.
Thanks! I'm in the same boat :)
Ohhhhh yeah....my FAV so far...im a LOVING the EMG O RAY!!!...that was at detent....WOW!!!!
:)
Clarity and 👊 punch.
Indeed :)
I have to agree with the rest, I think this combo so far has been my favorite. Bass sounds awesome, amazing what can do when you have a platform to create exactly what you want. Keep the videos coming, always waiting for the next one!
Thanks Andrew!
Had to listen to this multiple times. When I was playing guitar the only EMGs I liked was the David Gilmore Strat set! This was a pleasant surprise! If I did not know better, I would think I had tuned the preamp ranges for EMG. I really like this preamp/pickup combination! For me, IMHO, this is the winner thus far.
Thanks Matthew! I dig this one a lot as well :)
🎵🎶”The btc has the larger pcb when you have to do some moddin....”🎶🎵
I’ll never get that out of my head, it’s just that catchy.
It sounds Amazing
Thank you for sharing
XD Thanks Tommy!
Enjoying those EMG passives - going to install this setup on my OLP.
I’ve been waiting for this; and just as I expected, this mod has punchy tone of Stingray and Crispy highs of EMG.
Thank you! Yeah this one really impressed me
This bass sounded great. I love EMG pickups. Since you're in the modding mood, try an Aguilar preamp with the EMG pickups, it's like a match made in heaven.
That's an idea! Thanks Nino!
Wow, didn't expect i would be so impressed with this combo.
Me neither hahaha, I'm right there with you.
You really had fun Lobster. The mod sounds like it gives the Sub 4 a better tone. I liked when you boosted the mids.
Thanks Don! :)
Thanks for doing this. This setup didn't impress me at me at first, but when I heard you play it with the drum track I immediately heard that it's got to the tone I've been looking for. Really looking forward to putting it in my bass.
You're very welcome! This was one of my favorite combos and really opened my eyes to the quality of EMG and their passive pickups. The BTC fits better without having to mod the cavity, but the BQC adds a ton of flexibility. Happy modding!
I'm really surprised, didn't expect to love this combo as much as I do. I think this may be my favorite combo you've tried so far!
Thanks Matt! Me too, very surprised by this. This bass was definitely my 'gateway drug' into EMG hahaha
I guess Christmas came early this year, especially for us who love these Stingrays and our wallets
Thanks Danial :)
This combo exudes tastiness.
I'm sold! Between the SD and the EMG I think these are the two best preamps you've reviewed. Since I'm only a hobbyist, I wonder if it's even worth it though...
Oooh, I like the sound of this!! I really like this one the most so far. There is so much variation and you are able to customize.
Thanks Zachary!
It's not the typical stingray sound but it's what I like the most.
It cuts through without trouble and has that EMG clarity, that can also be tamed if needed.
Let's not forget to mention the sweepable mids. They're a must imho.
Thanks! I agree :)
Dam fine bass sir, it sounds so good shaping. It has a great personality all its own.
Thanks Ryan! I agree
Smooth and crispy. My favorite one so far!
Thanks Jeremy :)
Definitely my favorite of the week! That variable mid sweep makes it so versatile!
Thanks Matt :)
Yeah this combo hits closer to your EBmm's than the others. Well done.
Thanks Bob!
Wow! I’m pleasantly surprised. Love EMG guitar pickups; but was never really into the bass pickups. That MMHZ sounds great coupled with that EMG preamp.😌🎶👍🏾
Thanks! I agree, I was surprised by this as well
Have HIGH HOPES for the EMG combo....cause i have ALWAYS loved EMG stuff...i own several basses that have EMG stuff in them...and are some of my favs!!!!
Indeed! These are super sweet paired together
Always fun to watch you playing a bass you really enjoy! I think the Ray 4 with dr hi beam lr40's already sounds fantastic but the emg together with that versatile preamp makes it an even better package! Thanks for this very informative video.
The modern pickup in a classic bass!
Indeed :)
Yes, you're definitely putting me in the mood for a 'Ray.
I'm psyched for the short scale. It's sort of a Tony Levin feeling! Good stuff Low. It doesn't sound like a 'Ray but it's nice! It ought to cut through any mix. That top sounds great.
Thanks Jeff :)
That's the best-sounding MM pickup that they make.
Great tome. Sounds compressed. Good value for the dough.
Thanks Matt!
This bass has some MEAT on its bones for SURE...i am predicting a WINNER HERE!!!...YES I AM CALLING IT NOW!!!
;)
This combo really sounds great. Unfortunately here in Brazil buying pups and preamps and bridges or tuners are to expensive to worthy this mods. Love your vids and experimentations. Congrats.
Love the EMG SOUND
Thanks Sam! I agree, this is a killer combo
Hell yeah! Sounds awesome. Love this combination 👍
Thanks Martin!
with this instrument, a set of used strings that will have lost their brilliance can always sound like new, just give a suitable adjustment to the tone , very good
Damn the mids are clean, clear and musical. Way impressed with that setup. Love the LobsterMods. Just once...I’d love to hear the pleasing sound the claw makes when it hits the floor. Damn I need that pup and pre on my SubRay4.
Thanks Rick! LOL the claw thwap ahahaha it is glorious
@@LowEndLobster I’m making a special request that it makes it into a video. I suspect it is a glorious sound. Let your brothers and sisters in bass hear and rejoice in it as you do. Maybe put it on a loop even.
Hi Lobster, I’m really impressed with this package. Not totally “stingray’” sounding but nice and phat. I’m feeling the grooves! 👍🏾🙏🏿
Thanks Trevor! Me too :)
I just did something similar, only with the EMG MMCS and no preamp, just volume and tone. I think it sounds pretty good. Not exactly what a stingray usually sounds like, but not bad.
Thanks Mickey! Awesome :)
Wish I could hear a good quality sample of that setting because that's the one I'm looking for ;)
My friend, the preamp is inside MMCS . You are using a battery?
Dang! This sold me on the BQC! I’m planning a preamp swap on my EHB1005MS and this seems to fit the bill!
Nice! That's a great idea :) what pickups would you go with?
Even with the preamp cut ...it sounds as good as a cpl of them at detent!!
right!? haha
Thanks Lobster for producing this video! Really impressed with the output from this combo, and planning to get a set for my SUB bass too. As I am very new to bass modifications, would you be able to advise the differences between BTC/BQC/BQS as well as HZ and non-HZ versions?
Hey James! I just used the regular BQC system here. When you see the Q, think Quad/four as you have four controls- bass, mid, mid freq, and treble. The BTC has the T, so think two (it's the two band). The C stands for concentric, the S probably stands for something else but I think "Spread out", as the controls are not stacked on the BQS. The HZ ones are meant for use with the HZ passive EMG pickups, but I just used the regular BQC here without issues. However keep in mind, this preamp did require some cavity mods. If you are not to keen on removing some material from the control cavity, I'd recommend going with the BTC with a volume and tone control.
Question: how do you “cut the preamp entirely”? You mean rolling off bass, treble and mid? Cause doing this would means cut all frequencies, right? I mean: since the circuit is cut and boos and the center (click detent) would means flatting all frequencies according de centers determined by EMG. Did you installed some switch to put the bass in passive mode?
Really awesome the sound with that BQC control. On my I used the active pickup the MMCS with the BTS control and also sounds awesome
Thanks João!
@@LowEndLobster really like your channel 👊🏻 greetings from Portugal
@@LowEndLobster you have to review the Kramer D-1. It has that exact same set from the factory. MMCS with the BTS pre amp. Only $500. Good buy?
Hey! So I found two videos of the EMG pickup being installed without the preamp. Only using the volume and tone knob. Sounds pretty good, more like a Joe Dart sound signature. Have you tried this? If not, would you mind testing it and share your thoughts? I just purchased a sub ray 4 two days ago, thanks to you, and now I’m trying to decide which pickup to get for it.
I have not, but we will do this next EMG MM project :)
The pickup sounds great, but I miss the huge pole pieces!
Thanks Christopher! I agree, it does look odd without the poles haha
Wow! That p/up & eq combo sounds fantastic and extremely usable throughout the cut/boost range. Definitely my favorite so far. I like the tone of the ceramic pups...kitties too! Excellent channel bro Lobster!
'): BassClef
Thanks BassClef :)
@@LowEndLobster Possibly a stupid question: Does that emg set-up still require a battery for the eq section since the p/up is passive? Thanks
@@bassclefconnoisseur Not a stupid question at all! The EQ requires a battery, but the passive EMG pickup does not. Active EMG pickups that do require batteries would still only need a single 9V to power the preamp and pickups together, but you also have the option of running the circuit at 18v.
@@LowEndLobster Yeah, I figured so...I've got the EMGJAX (alnico) active pups w/ the active tone circuit in one of my jazz basses and I absolutely love how they sound (and slap)! Just wasn't sure since that one is passive. Thanks so much for the speedy reply...now to check out how the Barts sound! Lobster for the win!!
Ok first off.... EMG MMHZ bass pickup, sounds very good, I have the same preamp and the 5 string brother of this pickup , what I can suggest is that instead of modding this to add a toggle or blade style switch to split the coil, I would add a 3 way or 4 way rotary switch to have series/parallel/ split or series/parallel/N coil/S coil to give different tones, the only real mod you would need to do is relocate the output jack and drill a hole either for a panel jack, or add a football jackplate and add the jack... but other than that I wouldnt change a thing, this is an amazing bass and yeah you don't get that "classic musicman tone" but tone is subjective to the musician, it all matters what you like and how you like it. Rock on Lobster man...
Thank you Ray! I too was really impressed with how nice the HZ sounded. Great mod idea! It could definitely be done. EMG does have the series/parallel HZ pots, but still no single option with those.
@@LowEndLobster if you decide to do that you should make another mod video with those tone options...
Hey Lonster, great vid. Watched all
The mods vids. This one sounds great. So you think the EMGs just sound good or can they cop the stingray sound?
Thanks.
My SUB series 4's active pickup has faulted on me twice, something just wrong going on. This was the perfect video for me, looking into where to go with passive pickup/preamp combos to replace the standard interior and pickup
The stock pickup is passive too
@@LowEndLobster so should I be looking to just replace the active pre-amp? something is losing connection under the hood i’m just trying to figure it out lol. thank you for the reply! much appreciated man
Honestly the pickup is what you should replace first, I just wanted you to know that it's passive and not active. The pre is the only active component
This is killer combination!
i think i'm going to install this combination on my sterling stingray 24
Thanks David! Just remember, the BQC did require some minor modification in the control cavity.
Oh yes! That's the sound!
This series has been so helpful in helping me choose a preamp for my diy stingray build. I was very close to getting the East but I think this just edges it. The only thing I don't like is the knobs, I take it they're a standard size and can be changed?
Yes you can absolutely change the knobs. Save yourself the headache and get the BTC and the mid control separate so the guts are on 2 smaller pcbs. Way easier fitment
That sounds great!! I need to learn how to tinker with basses I've been playing over 20 yrs and don't know anything about that
It's a lot of fun!
Pretty cool demo. that emg pickup sounded real nice. I personally prefer passive pickups over active ones. I do think that passive pickups sound more organic compared to active pickups. not that I have anything against active pickups. it's just that some of them tend to have weird overtones making the bass sound unnatural. it's a little difficult to explain. but some active pickups don't sound too bad at all. I also like ceramic pickups. I like how smooth and punchy they sound. and I also like alcino pickups for it's low mids focused sounds. over all, great demo.
Thanks Alex! I was also very surprised by the passive EMG pickup as well
@@LowEndLobster There are amazing sounding passive pickups. emg is one of them. and bartolini is another. Speaking of which, I've recently got a set of bartolini pickups for christmas. and I am looking forward to getting them installed on my Ibanez bass.
Do you recommend buying a sub series and upgrading the pick ups or going for a more expensive sterling such as the ray34?
Thanks Anthony! That's a great question. It depends on what you want. The Ray34 is close to a pre-facelift USA Stingray both in feel and tone. IMO the stock stuff there is pretty solid, a preamp upgrade may be beneficial but the pickup is nice. However, all these modded SUBs are averaging under $600 all in if you're paying full price for the SUB. That's about $200 less than a Ray34.
Very cool vid, man! Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, Roberto!
What sort of amps do you play through when making your videos ?
The tech I'm working with tried this mod and it didn't work with the EMG MMHZ. He said it was a bad pickup. I contacted EMG and they built me another one and told that I could keep the defective one!
damn dude, all of these sound really nice.
Thanks Jason!
Sounds great, i'm thinking in buying an HH Sub ray and modding it.. but i like passive basses, do you think this EMG pup would sound good in passive? :/
Thank you! Yes, you can absolutely setup a Ray4HH with two of these passive pickups and a passive control setup. HOWEVER be aware you will lose the 5 way switch coil tapping unless you hardwire and solder the pickup wires to the switch correctly. I'm not sure if EMG make a 5 way switch that would be plug and play and have the coil tapping
YO lobster I joined your discord my first discord ever!! Ceramic Stinger here 😄🤘
Nice! See you on there :)
@@LowEndLobster absolutely!! I posted my stingers on there
The treble doesn't sound quite right to me. Is there a way to get a higher frequency with the switches on the PCB, to a more glassy tone?
i have a EKO M300, a italian rip off of the stingray. i made it quite playable, but the tone control is crap(2x volume and a weird tone control) . i want to improve the sound , but stay as cheap as possible . i am concidering buying this passive EMG pick up, and install it with the regular hardware it comes with( 1 volume and 1 tone pot) would the sound come close tou this stingray with everything in the middle?
Wow I like this one a lot...Enough that I’m looking into it more and ran into a tech question - on the EMG site looks like that 4th pot is blend for 2x pup setups. Do install instructions include single pup option that show how to skip the blend pot? The website docs don’t really address that that I can see.
If my intuition is right, I’m assuming the single pup leads can just go straight into the BQC where the blend pot leads would go for a 2x pup setup? Wiring diagrams are Greek to me and never undertaken anything like this, but that all sounds intuitive enough in my head (eg blend pot turns 2x signals into 1x signal...if starting with 1x signal, just go straight where the blend would have gone...)
Also, and most importantly - 🥩 + 🦞...Surf ‘n Turf bass?
Thanks Joe! You are correct, you would just go from the vol direct into the BQC and bypass the need for the blend entirely. You can actually do this with most preamps that have a blend knob for a one pickup setup. Snip off the pot so you'll have either one or two wires coming from the preamp to the blend knob, and wire your pickup directly to those!
The EMG's are the best so far
Thanks froge :)
I like that combo best.
Thanks Richard!
Hi Lobster
Very interesting, thank you for sharing.
Since you’re clearly no stranger to modding sterlings, do you have a favourite? Any brand or combo of (pickup-preamp) that you installed on one of your Rays which in your opinion stands hard and shoulders above the rest? (Yes I’m thinking of upgrading the whole shebang on a ray 24 and not sure where to even start. Phoning a friend)
Thank you and keep up the good work 🙌
I have a stingray with active pickup and the BTS preamp but with the treble backed up it is nowhere near as bright as yours. Do you have the highs boosted on your preamp?
You have dip switches on the pcb for 4 different treble curves! I'm using the passive pickup here too, the active might sound a bit more even across the frequency range
quick question! Do I have to buy pickups and preamp seperate, or do i get BQC preamp with pickups?
Separately
I have two 40 hz's sitting around and I have replaced them with an active EMG David Ellefson set. I'm gonna drop the 40dc inplace for a 40dcx. Oye Como Va!
Nice! I really want to check out the Jackson DE. The early 40 Hz were meh IMO, you did good swapping em
Is it necessary to change the stock preamp?? Will the pickup work well?
GREAT lowend without sounding muddy at all....MAN BRO this thing keeps making me make comments.....hahaha
:)
I’m planning to do this mod thanks to you. I do have a question, though. I bought the bqc without the volume pot, can I solder the current volume pot into the pre amp?
You can. use one of the EMG plug cables, cut and strip off one side and wire that to the volume pot, then it's still plug and play! DIY EMG pot :P
@@LowEndLobster you are the man! Thank you!
@@LowEndLobsterso if I buy this pickup can I just buy the BQC Control? Or do I need the BQC system? Because when you buy the pickup, it comes with volume and tone pot. I want to do this mod, but I’m not Shure what to buy. The BQC Control or BQC system.
The EMG MMHZ is wired in series from the factory, did you re-wired it to parallel?
Nope, stock wiring. I think this is the only one in series in this comparison, though you do have the ability to wire in parallel if you wanted to solder
@@LowEndLobster , I have this pickup, and I use stock wiring. The pickup sounds fantastic, even in passive mode.
Hi, installed the same combo on mt Ray4. The fit can be done without digging into the wood but will require to cut off the plug in and solder it instead to the back of the pins. No grounding point for the bridge. Knobs are crappy, one even came with stripped tread, so replaced it with $20 chrome metal. The sound maybe lacking the bottom base? Tempting me to move EMGHZ to the neck position and install original to the bridge with adding volume control. To make HH one EMG one original.
Hey I have a Sterling StingRay 5H and thinking about changing the electronics. Do you know if it is possible to get a 3 band eq with mid sweep and a tone knob? I'm not sure if I can use a volume/tone stack for a 3 knob or just get a new pickguard for a 4 knob (I have the version where you have to take off the pickguard to access the electronics). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Alexander! You can absolutely do this mod with the 3 hole setup, or if you wanted you could definitely get a different pickguard and go four knob (though I'm not sure if you'd have to remove some material under the pickguard to fit it). With EMG, I believe they offer a stacked Vol/Tone for the 3 knob setup. Otherwise, you could just add the tone knob into the circuit and do Vol, Tone, Mid/Freq, Bass/Treb. Hope that helps!
@@LowEndLobster Awesome thank you so much. Think I'm going to try the concentric volume/tone. I weirdly like the Sterling basses for getting that tight subbass like on a pad (definitely not the Stringray sound lol) so I think pushing the low mids and rolling off the tone and treble would sound awesome
outstanding !!
Thanks Tom!
How do you think the EMG HZ humbucker would sound w the stock Ray 34's preamp?
Good question! I have no idea, probably good ;P. One thing to keep in mind is the pickup shape is slightly different on the Ray34 (with the built in thumb rest), so you'd need a new pickguard as well. Existing route should not be an issue.
We are over half way and you just said the SAME thing i typed in about MEAT on it!!...hahaha GREAT bass minds and all....and WOWIE AT THE SLAP TONE....!!...YUP we have a WINNNER...WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!!!
:)
Hi, is it possible to install only BCC Control with the original volume of the SUB Bass? Because the BQC System is sold with 2 plot EQ, 1 plot balance, 1 plot Volume and it's more expansive... Thanks
Yes but it would be a lot more effort vs just getting the hz system
@@LowEndLobster Finally I have ordered a EMG Pickup MMCS with the BTS System :-) Thanks
Hmmmm I'm thinkin' Nordy Big Blademan + this Preamp... That'll do nicely
:)
If you were to install a switch to control series, parallel or single coil in the pickup, is that wired via the preamp/can be done with that preamp or is that a direct connection to the pickup?
Great question! It would be wired before the preamp. EMG actually makes a push pull pot that would be plug and play with this pickup, or you could wire it up yourself with a push pull knob or a switch.
@@LowEndLobster This is good news. I'm looking into getting a Warwick Streamer LX Jazzman 5 and may want to replace the pickups with something a bit more punchy. Since it already has the switch, I would be able to just connect it to the EMG MMHZ. This is all assuming that it will fit without routing.
@@johangericke1492 yes, just make sure the switch is wired up right and you'll be good!
great video, 100% educational, I have a huge doubt and probably very amateur, but I always believed that the battery was for the pickup, but apparently it is for the pre amp, my doubt is, emg has musicman type pickups but active, which Does it change if one decides to put an active pill and not a passive one as in this case? I would really appreciate the answer.
Thank you! Great question. So the EMG MM pickups come in both active and passive flavors. It doesn't really change the process since you're already utilizing a battery here for the preamp, you just add the pickup power to the battery loop
Thank you very much, so if I put an active pill I don't have to put another battery? the sound changes ?? which one do you recommend
@@yosoy3218 You can run a pickup and preamp off the same battery, or run two batteries in some situations if you want to.
Hi LEL! Can you give a link to the video on the enlarging the control cavity please? Or perhaps the name of the video so that I can search? I am in a similar position and need to0 enlarge and want to see what you did. Thank you!
I've never been too much of a fan of EMGs but this thing here is pleasantly punchy. However, boosting the bass makes the sound too "pumped" - which is actually a typical EMG problem. That kind of sound tends to muddy the mix. Best to leave it in the neutral position. Actually, it sounds the best with bass and treble centered and mid boosted a bit.
Thanks Bassdriver! I agree about the EQ, honestly my favorite EMG EQ combination (which I've done several times now) is doing a Vol-Tone-BTC 2 band stack. I like the pairing of the tone control with the 2 band over a 3 band from a practical standpoint.
Nice review, as is all of them in this series. I saw that you giveaway this bass, is there a chance to make another video with this EMG guitar with same onboard preamp, same Di box, just with EMG MMTW, or EMGCS active pickups? It would be nice to see head to head shootout betwine Active vs Pasive EMGs. There is no proper review anyware on the web of this.
Sory on my bad English.
Hi Sony! That's a great idea, I think I can do something like that in the future on a similar bass :)
I really like how this one feels like acoustic... don't know how put it , umm like how passive fenders feel, warm and full of wood tone ... this can be a great "in between bass" between a P bass and stingray tone .... gosh so many videos , my mind will have bass rush 😄
hahah I know what you mean! Thank you :)
Será se com o capitador orginal e com circuito BQC EMG fica bom?
Um Sterling Ray5 ativo
Let’s gooooo crustaceans 🦞!!!!!
WOO! This one was the best combo IMO.
Does EMG make a 5 string version of this? I found an active one on their site, but not a passive
Hey Joe! Great question. I just looked and they don't! What a shame, it's a great sounding pickup.
@@LowEndLobster ugh, too bad.
Could you maybe show a pic of the routing you did so that the preamp could fit in the control cavity?
What is the difference between the MM-HZ and MMTW? I love this combo by the way!
Great question - the HZ is passive, and the TW is active
@@LowEndLobster Great! I`ll be building this combo in my sub pretty soon :)