Gothic Dolphins
New member
Is it possible to make passive pickups active?
If you Id really like to know.
I use two Duncan '59's.
Thank you.
If you Id really like to know.
I use two Duncan '59's.
Thank you.
Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
- Thread starter Gothic Dolphins
- Start date
Kac
Hootersologist
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
I have an EMG PA-2 active boost in my guitar. It works with either passive or active pickups, so If I had passive pups it would almost be like making them active.
I think there are other products similar to this that might be better at what you're asking about, but i hope this helps you get a little better idea.
Rock on ~ Kac
I have an EMG PA-2 active boost in my guitar. It works with either passive or active pickups, so If I had passive pups it would almost be like making them active.
I think there are other products similar to this that might be better at what you're asking about, but i hope this helps you get a little better idea.
Rock on ~ Kac
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
welcome to the forum!!
the short answer is no. you cannot make a passive pup into an active pup.
you can make a passive pup loaded guitar active which is what kac is talking about.
emg's are active pups, they need a battery to function.
the clapton strat uses passive pups with an active preamp.
what are you trying to get? more output? active eq?
welcome to the forum!!
the short answer is no. you cannot make a passive pup into an active pup.
you can make a passive pup loaded guitar active which is what kac is talking about.
emg's are active pups, they need a battery to function.
the clapton strat uses passive pups with an active preamp.
what are you trying to get? more output? active eq?
frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
I often use the Bartolini TC5-Z but they're hard to get. They' offer a flat active conversion with a mid boost option already built in. By changing caps and resistors you can control the amount of boost and the frequency range. You can also forego the mid boost in favor of a full frequency boost. The Duncan pickup booster s available from somewhere (you'll have to do a search) as an onboard booster. It was originally made for a Jackson as an onboard device before they put it into a pedal along with the resonance switch.
I often use the Bartolini TC5-Z but they're hard to get. They' offer a flat active conversion with a mid boost option already built in. By changing caps and resistors you can control the amount of boost and the frequency range. You can also forego the mid boost in favor of a full frequency boost. The Duncan pickup booster s available from somewhere (you'll have to do a search) as an onboard booster. It was originally made for a Jackson as an onboard device before they put it into a pedal along with the resonance switch.
Gothic Dolphins
New member
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
I am looking stronger mid, that have a real full sound, along with higher output.
Would a active preamp be the way to go?
I am looking stronger mid, that have a real full sound, along with higher output.
Would a active preamp be the way to go?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
I don't mean to contradict Jeremy, but we're getting into a bit of a gray area here. At the heart of an active pickup is a passive pickup which just has a buffer/amplifier added to it internally. The question becomes, is the coil construction of the active the same as the passives? I can't say for sure because I've never torn one apart. (And don't intend to sacrifice mine.)
The next question becomes, who says I can't wind an active pup to, say, 59 specs and then install the buffer onto it? Well, I can. So . . . if I take a 59, add the Duncan SFX-01 circuit board that GuitarElectronics sells, don't I now have an "active" pup? I'd say yes.
Also, there's a plethora of buffer and amplifier circuits available online that would make perfect passive-to-active convertors. Just check out Jack Orman's site.
I don't mean to contradict Jeremy, but we're getting into a bit of a gray area here. At the heart of an active pickup is a passive pickup which just has a buffer/amplifier added to it internally. The question becomes, is the coil construction of the active the same as the passives? I can't say for sure because I've never torn one apart. (And don't intend to sacrifice mine.)
The next question becomes, who says I can't wind an active pup to, say, 59 specs and then install the buffer onto it? Well, I can. So . . . if I take a 59, add the Duncan SFX-01 circuit board that GuitarElectronics sells, don't I now have an "active" pup? I'd say yes.
Also, there's a plethora of buffer and amplifier circuits available online that would make perfect passive-to-active convertors. Just check out Jack Orman's site.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Gothic Dolphins
New member
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
Thanks ArtieToo, that was just the information I was looking for.
Thanks ArtieToo, that was just the information I was looking for.
Rupen APP
New member
Re: Turning passive pickups into active pickups?
Yes, I've built my own custom "EMG/Live wire" style circuitry and tweaked them each time. It give a lot more clarity and effortless drive/harmonics than passives. It can be modded to sound more tubey or Djent clinical.
It gives same drive as a 18v mod, using just 9v....haven't changed a battery on 4 guitars in 6 months either.
There is a trade off though.
The "charm" that people talk about passives is what I call "The cheesey spongey quality" [signal having to mechanically travel through 1st coil, some damping before exits the second coil ] Humbuckers.
It's there if you listen closely compared to actives (some people call it warmth and body, but it's sponge-like) ; also clear sounding passives can't sound meaner than the actives equivalent (the differential amp chip sound)
I am also able to kick out frequencies below 70hz, and above 10250hz [ leaving the most useful range]
Dimmer switches and TV screens only robs your signal from 1 metre away.
I would say in summary : Making your favourite passive pickup into active is like putting it on steriods...sustain is natural and more too.
Good results with 8K to 15K humbuckers. I always find you lose something in the tone above 15.2K
Also be prepared to hear all your mistakes when playing with such high clarity.
Yes, I've built my own custom "EMG/Live wire" style circuitry and tweaked them each time. It give a lot more clarity and effortless drive/harmonics than passives. It can be modded to sound more tubey or Djent clinical.
It gives same drive as a 18v mod, using just 9v....haven't changed a battery on 4 guitars in 6 months either.
There is a trade off though.
The "charm" that people talk about passives is what I call "The cheesey spongey quality" [signal having to mechanically travel through 1st coil, some damping before exits the second coil ] Humbuckers.
It's there if you listen closely compared to actives (some people call it warmth and body, but it's sponge-like) ; also clear sounding passives can't sound meaner than the actives equivalent (the differential amp chip sound)
I am also able to kick out frequencies below 70hz, and above 10250hz [ leaving the most useful range]
Dimmer switches and TV screens only robs your signal from 1 metre away.
I would say in summary : Making your favourite passive pickup into active is like putting it on steriods...sustain is natural and more too.
Good results with 8K to 15K humbuckers. I always find you lose something in the tone above 15.2K
Also be prepared to hear all your mistakes when playing with such high clarity.
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