18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
- Thread starter PipeRain
- Start date
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
Welcome to the forum.
I have a copy of the original SD installation instructions. Bear with me while I attempt to remember where I have stored them.
Welcome to the forum.
I have a copy of the original SD installation instructions. Bear with me while I attempt to remember where I have stored them.
PipeRain
New member
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
Thank you!
Would it be possible to get a copy of the install instructions? A pdf or something?
Thank you!
Would it be possible to get a copy of the install instructions? A pdf or something?
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
The physical wiring of the Active EQ series pickups is identical to the Pro Active and Lightnin' Rods models. The present day schematic diagram applies perfectly well to the old pickups.
One aspect that may be different is the pot resistance values. The recent products are supplied with 100k pots. The old design may have been 50k.
(That's right. I have not yet found the black on yellow instruction leaflet!)
The physical wiring of the Active EQ series pickups is identical to the Pro Active and Lightnin' Rods models. The present day schematic diagram applies perfectly well to the old pickups.
One aspect that may be different is the pot resistance values. The recent products are supplied with 100k pots. The old design may have been 50k.
(That's right. I have not yet found the black on yellow instruction leaflet!)
PipeRain
New member
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
Thanks again, I really appreciate the follow-up.
I guess I'll go look up the current wiring diagrams and see if they allow for an 18 volt mod. I'm a little hesitant to actually try the mod until I am sure that, so long as I wire it properly, I don't fry the pups. I really like the way they sound, they're nigh unto impossible to find anymore and I really can't afford a new set of pups right now. Buying all that My Little Pony stuff for my daughter this Christmas has pretty well depleted my "Stray cash".
Thanks again, I really appreciate the follow-up.
I guess I'll go look up the current wiring diagrams and see if they allow for an 18 volt mod. I'm a little hesitant to actually try the mod until I am sure that, so long as I wire it properly, I don't fry the pups. I really like the way they sound, they're nigh unto impossible to find anymore and I really can't afford a new set of pups right now. Buying all that My Little Pony stuff for my daughter this Christmas has pretty well depleted my "Stray cash".
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
At the risk of getting myself lynched, here is a pretty comprehensive set of answers and explanations.
http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wiringdiagrams/PowerTips_Tricks_0230-0190C.pdf
Hopefully, the information will set your mind at ease.
At the risk of getting myself lynched, here is a pretty comprehensive set of answers and explanations.
http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wiringdiagrams/PowerTips_Tricks_0230-0190C.pdf
Hopefully, the information will set your mind at ease.
PipeRain
New member
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
Lots of info and very well written.
<snark>EMG did something right after all!</snark>
Maybe I am just quibbling, but I am a tad concerned that the Active EQ pickups can't handle more than 9 volts. While my daughter and girlfriend might appreciate the fact that if the pups are toasted they won't have to listen to "Run to the hills" or "Symphony of Destruction" anymore, but I would be heartbroken. I do know that Seymour's older guitar pups did fine on 18 volts as that was what they are/were designed for, but I am not entirely sure of their bass pups....
Lots of info and very well written.
<snark>EMG did something right after all!</snark>
Maybe I am just quibbling, but I am a tad concerned that the Active EQ pickups can't handle more than 9 volts. While my daughter and girlfriend might appreciate the fact that if the pups are toasted they won't have to listen to "Run to the hills" or "Symphony of Destruction" anymore, but I would be heartbroken. I do know that Seymour's older guitar pups did fine on 18 volts as that was what they are/were designed for, but I am not entirely sure of their bass pups....
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
I ran a set of 80`s P-J Duncans off of 18 volts and had absolutely no problems, unless you like distortion when you slam the strings hard and therefore would consider more headroom a problem.
That is however the only benefit. Not longer battery life, not "better" tone per se (a hint more open due to the added HR, but that´s about it), and not more output.
In retrospect, I´d do it again, but not if it entailed any significant effort, as the difference (for me and my playing style) was more or less negligible as soon as I stepped on my compressor.
I ran a set of 80`s P-J Duncans off of 18 volts and had absolutely no problems, unless you like distortion when you slam the strings hard and therefore would consider more headroom a problem.
That is however the only benefit. Not longer battery life, not "better" tone per se (a hint more open due to the added HR, but that´s about it), and not more output.
In retrospect, I´d do it again, but not if it entailed any significant effort, as the difference (for me and my playing style) was more or less negligible as soon as I stepped on my compressor.
Last edited:
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: 18 Volt Mod for old school SD Bass Actives
I have always been happy to run my SD Active EQ series pickups on 9v. I have never felt any great need for increased headroom. Indeed, this would be self-defeating on amplification with built-in multi-band compression and "Tube Tone" modelled distortion à la Ampeg.
Erm, I have still not unearthed to wiring instruction sheet! Sorry.
I have always been happy to run my SD Active EQ series pickups on 9v. I have never felt any great need for increased headroom. Indeed, this would be self-defeating on amplification with built-in multi-band compression and "Tube Tone" modelled distortion à la Ampeg.
Erm, I have still not unearthed to wiring instruction sheet! Sorry.