EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

[GilmourD]

So, I've come to find that the EMG SPC can actually be used with passive pickups. That leaves me with a question, though.

How does the SPC compare to Fender's mid boost that's used in the Clapton Strat?

How do the overall affects on frequency compare between the two? How much affect does each unit have when turned all the way down (since I know they don't actually turn off as per default wiring).

I'm interested since I have a Strat that currently has a Fender Vintage Noiseless in the neck, Fender Lace Sensor Gold in the middle, and a Duncan APS-1 in the bridge and it's currently wired with what I believe to be the ONLY good product from Torres Engineering, the Super Midrange Control, which I'm kinda finding lacking these days...

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

The EMG-SPC offers a claimed 12dB boost. The Fender EC system offers in the region of 25db.

 

[jeremy]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

the clapton thing is a preamp boost thats on all the time and an adjustable mid boost.

there is a circuit board the size of a credit card. i have one installed with some classic stack + and i like it very much for what it is.

i havent ab'd the spc next to it but used to have one of them as well and liked it just fine. the big difference is the install and the preamp boost of the clapton system

 

[santellan]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Doesn't the preamp buffer have a bit of treble boost in it?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Two other considerations with either of these systems:
1) They are not recommended for use with passive single coil pickups such as the APS-1.
2) Installing the midrange boost control pot robs you of one treble roll off control.

With your choice of pickups, you might find it more convenient to achieve the mid boost with a pedal - the SD Pickup Booster, for example.

 

[jeremy]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

i have a pup booster and i like it but basically its a clean boost.

i have used my clapton boost with a set of antiquitys and it worked very well. what makes you say it isnt supposed to work with passive single coils?

the clapton system comes with a tbx tone control (or at least it used to) i use a normal tone control instead.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Two other considerations with either of these systems:
1) They are not recommended for use with passive single coil pickups such as the APS-1.
2) Installing the midrange boost control pot robs you of one treble roll off control.

With your choice of pickups, you might find it more convenient to achieve the mid boost with a pedal - the SD Pickup Booster, for example.

The only reason I could see #1 being true is noise reasons... But the same would be true of using any distortion, overdrive, or booster of any sort, wouldn't it?

As far as #2... I already have the Torres Super Midrange Control in what would normally be the neck tone and then the middle tone is wired to both the middle and neck with no tone on the bridge.

Honestly... Last time I actually used a normal treble roll off type tone control was... Um.... Hmmm... I can't seem to remember. :cool2:

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

i have a pup booster and i like it but basically its a clean boost.

i have used my clapton boost with a set of antiquitys and it worked very well. what makes you say it isnt supposed to work with passive single coils?

the clapton system comes with a tbx tone control (or at least it used to) i use a normal tone control instead.

Yeah, it seems to still come with a TBX. I'd give it a whirl, but if I don't like it, I'd probably rewire it with a normal tone like you did.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

So, I'm getting the feeling that this guitar might end up with the Fender unit.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

One question, though... Is there any difference in where the frequency spikes in each unit or did they basically center them both in the same region?

 

[jeremy]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

not sure. both thicken things up nicely though

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Bump!

I never bought anything when I made this thread. Well, the wife said to go spend some money on something fun. Who am I to argue!? LOL

So anybody want to chime in with any additional opinions?

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Has this thread festered and died in the past year? LOL

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Yeah.

I have an EMG SPC in my modified Ibanez RG321MH. I use it in conjunction with an EMG-H pickup in the neck position. It does the Nineties Gilmour thing for me. The word tasteful comes to mind.

 

[efnaka]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

I have been using the EMG VMC. This is originally a bass preamp for cutting or boosting mids, and you can change the main frequency. This is a concentric knob. I find it very usefull for my guitar!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

I have one of the old SD Midrange EQ Prototype systems that does the same thing - albeit with more boost than cut.

IMO, even with its DIP switch options, the EMG-VMC is really only suitable for bass guitar.

 

[efnaka]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

IMO, even with its DIP switch options, the EMG-VMC is really only suitable for bass guitar.

Well I must say I have installed in one guitar and have been using to add mids and lows, and some times to cut them. the frequency range for cutting or boosting is pretty wide. Sounds great to me. Maybe it was not good for your axe or was not what you were looking for... but i works for me very nice!

 

[GilmourD]

Re: EMG SPC vs. Fender 005-7577-000 (Clapton mid boost) -- For passive pickups!

Anybody else use the SPC with passive pickups?