Any EMG experts here?

[DustyCat]

Greetings,

Ever since loading up my squire strat with a set of SA's a long time ago, I've been an EMG fan.

Due to the aesthetics of my next/current build, I'd really like to do

1 master volume
Dual concentric
Dual concentric

In my mind, that really opens up the potential to mix up to 5 basic ingredients:

Push/pull master volume
4 dials for controls

Spoiler alert: the SPC fat boost is definitely going in there...

But I'd love to hear ideas from you!
This will be a first reach/Frontline guitar for anything and everything a strat can do with EMG's options...

Thanks!

 

[zebra]

I'm no expert on this, but will follow how this thread develops closely.  I like the idea of my go-to guitar having lots of pickup options and tone-shaping onboard and under my fingertips, rather than in pedals.  Makes for getting a good sound quick and portable when playing with jamming with others outside of the house.  In particular, I"m curious about the idea pickup configuration (SSS, HSS, HH, HSH) for optimal variety but minimum fuss.  Like, with active electronics, is it prefereble to have SCs as you base, and add midrange to mimic HBs, or use a knob that thins out HBs to approximate a single coil, or just coil split?  I don't so - with active electronics, there's just so many ways to skin that cat!

 

[Rick]

So you’re going to have 5 different knobs?

 

[Re-Pete]

Your control layout has one master control & two dual concentric controls. Yet you say the SPC will be going in?

The SPC is a stand alone EQ pot. It does not have a switch in/out function. It takes up a pot spot. In a Strat, it is usually placed as a replacement for the second tone pot. It has a mid boost function, dropping highs as you turn it up. This helps thicken up a single coil pickup to resemble a humbucker tone...

https://www.emgpickups.com/spc.html

 

[stratamania]

Where are you going to get dual concentric pots of the correct values for EMGs?
What do you want to do with them?
How are you going to wire it?
Have you researched EMG wiring codes?
Where will you put the SPC and how will you adapt it from the single pot configuration that you can buy it in?

You could also put in an 89 or 89XR at the bridge position and probably get more tonal options more easily than with concentric pots.

 

[DustyCat]

So the SPC takes up an entire pot?
I was hoping I could have my tech wire it up to one of the dual concentric knobs...drat! (Unless there's a way?)

Yes, the plan is to have a master volume (I've been eyeballing that Pi2 Phase inverter as a push pull) and 2 dual concentric pots for 4 + 1 = 5 knobs.
Overkill? Maybe but I'm confident I can handle it...but not if it's impossible.

Is this possible?
Master Volume push/pull with Pi2

Tone 1: Dual Concentric with one knob a tone for the neck pickup, and maybe one knob for EXG Expander

Tone 2: Dual Concentric with SPC on one knob and Afterburner on the other?

Also middle pickup position to connect Bridge and Neck pickups

That's kind of what I was hoping for...

 

[DustyCat]

And again your ideas welcome.
Definitely going with Crossroads SC set.

And yeah, assume I have 0 knowledge of electrons.

 

[mayfly]

Electrons are just like water, man.  Sometimes you have a steady stream, and sometimes you have big waves.  Sometimes you get a little chop with some whitecaps on it.  But it's just like water.

 

[gingataff]

So the SPC takes up an entire pot?
I was hoping I could have my tech wire it up to one of the dual concentric knobs...drat! (Unless there's a way?)

The SPC circuit has the pot already soldered on, but I'm sure a decent tech could desolder it and attach wires onto the dual concentric.

 

[stratamania]

Presumably the tech would be paid so see if he can work it out for you.

 

[Rick]

Torres engineering made a concentric tone control that had an outer regular tone control and an inner mid range tone control (you could adjust the midrange of the tone)  similar to the spc.  Kind of cool, but in the end it was more of a novelty.  Sold that guitar long ago ....

For a boost, I just turn the volume knob up, or use my volume pedal, or kick on my seymour duncan booster.  Love that little guy, as it has a "rich" switch that makes a single coil sound like a humbucker.  Mind you it's humbuckerish, not a humbucker and never will be.  For that, you need a humbucker.

Not sure what a phase inverter is, but if it's like putting the pick ups out of phase to get a nasil tone, then you can do that by properly wiring your switch.  Or use an autowah.

If you're looking to make your amp creamier sounding, then boost the volume at the guitar, at the volume pedal or at the booster, or do all three to stimulate your amp, or get a tube screamer.  I like the BBE clone, but others will have different opinions as it depends on how it interacts with your amp.

And for compressor and expanders, tried them, never needed it, but I play, at the end of the day mostly country music or americana.  I get by without.

 

[Re-Pete]

So the SPC takes up an entire pot?
I was hoping I could have my tech wire it up to one of the dual concentric knobs...drat! (Unless there's a way?)

The SPC circuit has the pot already soldered on, but I'm sure a decent tech could desolder it and attach wires onto the dual concentric.

I saw a Thread last night where a guy was upgrading a Jaguar Bass (not here - another Forum) and desoldered some EMG EQ pots to get the pots into the upper cavity bracket and mounted the small PCB elsewhere. He desoldered the pot from the PCB then used 3 small extensions wires from the Pot's tabs to the PCB connection points. Finicky work, but it's doable. Not something I'd try.