EMG pickup height

[lownote]

Just got a Hohner B Bass V.  Active/passive with EMG pups.  How high should I have them under the strings?  New strings but the B string is quite quiet compared to the others - even though  the sound is reasonably tight and well articulated. Doesn't help that at the mo the pups aren't going anywhere up or down so whatever your advice disemboweling may be needed first.

Edited April 10, 2018 by lownote12

[Hellzero]

Put some new foam under the pickups and you can raise the real EMG's as close as 1 mm under the strings, but do this when fretting the string at the last fret on B and G strings for both pickups checking each side after moving the other end. Your EMG's being the passive ones, just do the same but not going any closer than 2,5 mm using the same procedure. Use an Allen wrench to take measures. 

[lownote]

12 hours ago, Hellzero said:

Put some new foam under the pickups and you can raise the real EMG's as close as 1 mm under the strings, but do this when fretting the string at the last fret on B and G strings for both pickups checking each side after moving the other end. Your EMG's being the passive ones, just do the same but not going any closer than 2,5 mm using the same procedure. Use an Allen wrench to take measures. 

Thanks.  Not clear what you mean by real EMGs and mine being passive? Cheers...

[Hellzero]

The ones fitted on your bass are the first passive generation EMG's, only the preamp is active, otherwise the passive switching wouldn't work. The real EMG's are active pickups only working with a battery so passive switching is here impossible. Some years ago, EMG put the HZ (high impedance) series on the market, which is a recreation of your passive ones. Loop the loop.

Clearer now ?

[Hellzero]

Take a look here where you will find the schematic and some explanations about the preamp :

https://richsstudioproject.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/hohner-b2a-active-electronics-repair/

[lownote]

Thanks Hellzero - the expertise and willingness to help on this site is awesome. 

[ianrendall]

I have passive Barts (I think) on my Ibby that has active/passive switching. Is 2.5mm spacing a general guide for any passive pups or just the EMGs?

[Hellzero]

It's a general guide for any passive pickup.

[ianrendall]

6 hours ago, Hellzero said:

It's a general guide for any passive pickup.

Super, thanks! Out come the tools! And @lownote12 I’m still very much enjoying the bass. All those knobs and switches and I still use it almost always passively 🤪