NewYorker soapbar

[EmmettC]

Hello,

I have a G&L L5500, it's an early G&L 5 string which has EMG 40dc pickups and an EMG preamp as standard. It's a lovely bass to play, but I just don't like the EMG sound. I want to change the electronics, but I don't want to do any routing or drilling, and I think I've settled on the NYC soapbars, but I haven't decided on the wiring, my thoughts are volume volume tone with push /pull volume pots for coil tapping, Will the pickups sound ok with just a passive tone or should I get an active preamp, I could get a stacked bass/treble active preamp, but I'd like to run it passive if it'll sound ok. Finally, what pots should I use, 250k or 500k.? Thanks in advance,

Emmett

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

Welcome to the forum.

I would begin with VVT controls and high quality A250k pots. If you do eventually decide to add active EQ, I suggest the Blackouts For Bass two band EQ. Set the micro switch on the PCB to the lower frequency band to dish out some Fender growl.

 

[blueman335]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

What do most basses use, 500K's or 250K's?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

The classic passive Fenders all use A250k.

For the OP question, the nearest comparison would be the Fender Roscoe Beck signature Jazz Bass.

 

[EmmettC]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

Great, thanks for the advice. I've ordered the pickups and I have all the pots ready to go, I'll update once I have it done.

 

[blueman335]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

The classic passive Fenders all use A250k.

Don't basses with HB's and mini-HB's use 500K's?

 

[EmmettC]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

I was wondering about that, but it seems the fender roscoe beck has 250k pots, and that has similar pickups, I'll try 250k first and see, it will be coil tapped anyway so it's going to be used as a single coil as much as a humbuckers.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

You'll be fine with a passive bass. I love my Stingray's active EQ, but I also love playing around on my Squire Jazz for the passive sound.

 

[EmmettC]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

You'll be fine with a passive bass. I love my Stingray's active EQ, but I also love playing around on my Squire Jazz for the passive sound.

I have a stingray too (a 5 string HH), and an old P, but I don't have a passive 5 string. I don't mind an active preamp, it was just the sound of the EMGs I couldn't get on with. I'll try the NYC soapbars with a passive tone first, but I wouldn't be surprised if I add a 2 band preamp soon enough.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

I have a stingray too (a 5 string HH), and an old P, but I don't have a passive 5 string. I don't mind an active preamp, it was just the sound of the EMGs I couldn't get on with. I'll try the NYC soapbars with a passive tone first, but I wouldn't be surprised if I add a 2 band preamp soon enough.

I prefer a 3 band eq. In fact, as soon as I have enough money and after I buy my Explorer that I've been gassing for since I was 12, I'm gonna set up my bass with a 3 band EQ. I use a ton of mids in my bass sound, so the idea of being able to boost the mids even more makes me happy.

 

[EmmettC]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

I have a 3 band John East preamp in my Stingray, but I rarely touch the mid control. The reason I'll probably go for 2 band on the G&L is space, it'll have to be a stacked bass/treble control.

Explorer bass or guitar?

 

[dd12939]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

I have the NYC's in my Spector with passive VVTT (500k) and individual push/pulls for split and series/parallel. I really dig the setup - lots of tonal variety.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

I have a 3 band John East preamp in my Stingray, but I rarely touch the mid control. The reason I'll probably go for 2 band on the G&L is space, it'll have to be a stacked bass/treble control.

Explorer bass or guitar?

Guitar. There's a used one at the local Guitar Center that sounds and plays heavenly. I'm trying to save up enough for it.

I think when I can I'm gonna upgrade the electronics to the Seymour Duncan system. It has everything I want. I looked at an EMG but I hate the mid control on them where you select the mid frequency you want to boost. Like I said, I use a ton of mids, so I want to boost them all, not just one.

 

[longcat]

Re: NewYorker soapbar

I think when I can I'm gonna upgrade the electronics to the Seymour Duncan system. It has everything I want. I looked at an EMG but I hate the mid control on them where you select the mid frequency you want to boost. Like I said, I use a ton of mids, so I want to boost them all, not just one.

...that's not really how EQ functions. EQ works on a group of frequencies. the frequency selector on the mid control just sets where the center of that group sits.