Help replacing EMG HZ pickups in Spector

Berberdeng

Berberdeng

Jan 26, 2020
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Machesney Park IL
#1
Hey everyone! I’m new to replacing parts on my basses. I’m sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn’t find much info specific to what I have going on.

I have a Spector Q5 with a BTS preamp. I want to replace the EMGHZ pickups with new EMGs. I can’t seem to figure out which models will work with my bass and what the difference is between all of the models out there.

Sound wise I’m hoping to get more out of the low end that the HZ is lacking, and hopefully more of a punch. I love the sound of PJs. Not sure if that info helps.

Thanks in advanced for the help!
 
#2
Does your Q5 have soapbar pickups? If so it probably has a 40 size (4" wide.) You can measure it to tell. The 35 is 3.5" wide, the 40 4" wide and the 45 4.5" wide. Go to this page EMG Pickups / Soapbars / Bass / Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups and look for the number that corresponds to the size you have. The soapbars have different internals (some like a Jazz, some like a P and some like a standard coil side by side humbucker.) Any of those will work for you as long as you select the correct size (35, 40 or 45.) Read the online documentation that describes the pickups and make a choice. Hope this helps.
 
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#3
rwkeating said:
Does your Q5 have soapbar pickups? If so it probably has a 40 size (4" wide.) You can measure it to tell. The 35 is 3.5" wide, the 40 4" wide and the 45 4.5" wide. Go to this page EMG Pickups / Soapbars / Bass / Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups and look for the number that corresponds to the size you have. The soapbars have different internals (some like a Jazz, some like a P and some like a standard coil side by side humbucker.) Any of those will work for you as long as you select the correct size (35, 40 or 45.) Read the online documentation that describes the pickups and make a choice. Hope this helps.
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I am in a similar situation. I want to upgrade my neck-thru Spector NS2000/4 (EMG BTS pre + EMG HZ Pups) to get closer to the "growly but clean" tone I associate higher end Spectors with. While I know materials will affect the sound, the build quality on these NS2000 are "close enough" to be a good candidate for an upgrade.

I have my eyes on a HazLab style preamp to replace the EMG BTS, but was wondering as to what pickups would pair well with it? All I know is that part of the tone comes from the P/J configuration on the Amercian/Euro basses and my bass sports EMG HZ soap-bars.

When looking at the EMG site, it looks like they have soap-bars that have the same function as a P or a J pickup, but with a soap-bar layout. I am not sure if my current pickups have this type of configuration

I guess that once I change the BTS pre amp for a HAZ and if I am still not happy with the tone yet, I could look at replacing the pups with a P and J soap-bar. This is the best approach I came up with, but I would greatly appreciate the feedback from others that did such upgrade(s). Cheers!
 
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#4
Why don't you try the 40P5? I've tried 40HZ, 40DC and 40P, and to me the 40P gives the most thump, and has less of the high end brittleness. Just be sure to get the 40P5 5 string version, and not the 40P not-5 string version.
 
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#5
If you are looking at a cleaner sound on your 5 strings, I would probably go a a 40P/40J or try the 40 40JCS that is described as having "smoother top end". I even saw some Top end Spectors with double-P setups!!

I also love a P/J sound, but I personally want my Spector to sound like my nostalgic idea of a Spector sound, which I associate to the NS2 and NS4 USA neck-thru models.

I see the Spector NS2 generally sports a 35P/35J configuration while the NS4 (soapbars) has two 35DC-X. Like most that are looking at replicating teh "classic Spector sound", I am looking at emulating the sound of the NS2, so I will personally try the 35P4 (same as 40P5, but for 4 strings) on the neck and a 35DC by the bridge.
It should give me the best of both worlds, clean thump (P) + growl (DC), but this is all assumptions based on spec-sheets.

Now does anyone here have any experience with the "X" versions of these pickups? Do they really JUST give you more range or is the sound different?

The new Spector NS4 basses seem to all have these "X" EMG pickups whereas older models sported the "non-X" versions.
 
#6
IBJammin said:
Why don't you try the 40P5? I've tried 40HZ, 40DC and 40P, and to me the 40P gives the most thump, and has less of the high end brittleness. Just be sure to get the 40P5 5 string version, and not the 40P not-5 string version.
Click to expand...
Actually, there is one more EMG soapbar that gives an even darker tone: the CS. But it is deep, smooth, and can be driven as desired.
 
#7
Diver said:
Now does anyone here have any experience with the "X" versions of these pickups? Do they really JUST give you more range or is the sound different?
Click to expand...
I have the 40JX in one of my 5-ers. Yes, it is brighter, a hair more output, and more headroom.

You can use a non-X pickup with an X pickup, but you must use the X balance control to avoid impedance loading and loss of tone. I have a CS neck and a JX bridge soapbar combination in one of my basses, and it is a great, versatile combination. The CS is like a smoother P with more bottom, and the JX is like a J-bridge, but with better top end and no nasal wheeze. When I want to add attitude to the CS, I simply dial on some JX.
 
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#8
iiipopes said:
I have the 40JX in one of my 5-ers. Yes, it is brighter, a hair more output, and more headroom.

You can use a non-X pickup with an X pickup, but you must use the X balance control to avoid impedance loading and loss of tone. I have a CS neck and a JX bridge soapbar combination in one of my basses, and it is a great, versatile combination. The CS is like a smoother P with more bottom, and the JX is like a J-bridge, but with better top end and no nasal wheeze. When I want to add attitude to the CS, I simply dial on some JX.
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Thanks! That's what I am a bit concerned about, In my case, I like the "nasally/honky" feel of a classic J pickup versus the more modern ones that are overall more clear, but that's just personal and because of what I like to play with a J-Bass.
I wonder if the 35DC, because of less range versus the 35DCX, will have a more colored tone that is associated with the older Spector bass models, as the X versions didn't exist yet.
Basically, I wonder if by going with the X version, I would sacrifice the sought-after signature tone for more headroom and clarity on the edges of the spectrum?
 
#11
I own 3 fully equipped EMG basses all with BQC or BQS.. A dual JX, a 40 DC/40J, and dual TWX. I love them all, but the dual TWX is by far my favorite. The ability to toggle between dual/single on each pup is fantastic. There isn't a tone on it I don't like. Here's a demo I made of every pickup combination.



I also used to own a dual 40 DC that I liked but didn't love, but I've since moved on from it.
 
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#12
Diver said:
Thanks, well I found a 35P/35DC combo for half the price online, I couldn't pass on that.
I will be upgrading my Spector from 2x HZ pickups + EMG BTS preamp to 35P/35DC + Haz preamp, cannot wait for the amp to arrive in the mail!
Click to expand...
It’s been a while Diver.
How do you like the upgrade? My 2000/4 still has the HZ and BTS, but my pulse2 has pj EMG that growl and are very dynamic. The HZ neck and bridge have their own sound, but I would like them to be more dynamic. So maybe the combi you mentioned?
 
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