Machines Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I'm going to upgrade my Corvette which is currently J/J with active MEC pickups. I want to replace the bridge pickup with an MM style humbucker but also retain the ability to have it as single coil via a switch (like a $$). Can anyone advise which pickups would work here? Do i need an active replacement?! I've looked at EMG, Seymour Duncan and Aguilar but they all look the same. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrn1989 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I think you'd be better of matching an active pickup with another active pickup otherwise there would be a big volume mis match? By the looks of online searches mixing active and passive can be done but a wiring pig, it may be more hassle than its worth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 I'm happy to use an active pickup, just not sure what there other than EMG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 When you state the MEC pickups are active, are they active in the EMG sense (they have pre amp built into pickup) or passive and become 'active' with the pre-amp. All 3 of my Warwicks (and the 4th I did have) are the latter type. There seems to be some debate on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 Well 3below im not sure, i expected just passive pickups with a preamp but was going on what Warwick say. If not active pickups the world is my oyster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verb Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 MEC active pickups have a gold MEC logo and passive have a silver logo plus dynamic correction written on then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Machines - possibly time to open the bass up. Power connection wires to the pickups will be the giveaway for fully active (EMG style). If there are just two wires (signal and ground, contained inside one cable -) from the pickup it will be the regular passive ones. Seeing your sig has 2013 Corvette Pro I would guess it will be the passive ones. If this is the case the upgrade operation is much easier and there will be plenty of choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) I looked last night, i'm quite sure there were indeed power connection wires, and this schematic seems to back this up: [url="http://www.warwick.d...ck.de/Technical%20PDF/Scematic/PS-AS/PS_Corvette_Activ_60003.pdf"]http://www.warwick.d...ck.de/Technical PDF/Scematic/PS-AS/PS_Corvette_Activ_60003.pdf[/url] The MEC MM ones are all passive so that rules them out (as well as being over priced). EMG seem to do a few MM pickups but only those that link to their own preamp ? Edited April 29, 2015 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 EMG have the 'quick connector'. They can be fitted to other pre-amplifiers (no promises on degree of success). They also work with 25KOhm passive volume and tone controls. You would need a 'quick connector' cable to the pickup and then cut the other end connector off. Solder appropriate connections to existing pickup input to Warwick pre amp. [url="http://www.emgpickups.com/media/productfile/E/M/EMG-MMTW.pdf"]http://www.emgpickups.com/media/productfile/E/M/EMG-MMTW.pdf[/url] Above is link to the tappable MM style pickup. Hope this helps. Nothing is simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Why not replace the neck J p/up with a passive one at the same time as installing the MM? That would open up your choices nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verb Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 As stated above,you can use EMG pickups with other manufactures pre amps.I have active EMG P/J in my Fortress One with an Aguilar OBP-3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks for all the info chaps. I've found an EMG MMTW on Thomann for £65 which is pretty good I think. plus I can use a 3 way switch which is what I wanted. I've ad a quote from Jaydee for routing too which is very reasonable Edited April 30, 2015 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I've got an EMG-MMCS for sale if you're interested at £55 posted. Unused in the orignal box, complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks grangur, but I'm definitely aiming for the coil tap ability of the TW for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1430388612' post='2760874'] Thanks grangur, but I'm definitely aiming for the coil tap ability of the TW for now. [/quote] Don't blame you. It's a good feature to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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