Members KevinTJH Posted March 19, 2018 Members Share Posted March 19, 2018 Just picked up a brand new EMG H4 (Passive EMG-HZ series) to install on my single-humbucker Acrylic electric guitar. Pretty straight forward, it’s got 1 Volume knob, 1 Tone knob and 1 toggle switch (coil-split option would be cool if I could do that with it). Everywhere I’ve looked online keeps giving me schematics and info about EMG’s “fancy” solderless wiring kit. I’ll be upgrading all my pots as well, but I can’t justify spending an extra AUD$70 when CTS pots cost so much less. My only concern is that I have no idea what’s inside the box of a brand new EMG passive pickup so I don’t know if I’ll need to purchase additional wires or some sort.Plus I want to add some sort of additional functionality for the random toggle switch that is already built-in the guitar. Assuming I choose to go with CTS pots, would I just be getting 500k pots? I’m a little confused as some EMG pots are 25k. Also, would I be getting long shaft or short shaft? Or does it not really matter that much? Any advice would be most appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr.Grumpy Posted March 19, 2018 Members Share Posted March 19, 2018 EMG's passive pickups are pretty much like every other manufacturer's pickups. To convert EMG's modular solderless system for standard soldered connection, just snip off the connector. EMG should provide a way to decode the pickup wire colors. Don't bother "upgrading" pots if the current ones work smoothly and don't crackle. There is no tone magic in "upgraded" pots of the same value. Typical pot values used in electric guitars: 500 k for humbucker guitars, 250K for single coil pickups; 25k pots are for use only with active pickups or preamps. As far as long vs. short shaft pots, you'll have to measure what's in there now. Generally, short shaft pots mount in a thin plastic or metal pickguard or control plate, like a stratocaster or telecaster. Long shaft pots are used where the pots are mounted on a wood body, like a Les Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted March 20, 2018 Members Share Posted March 20, 2018 Ok, the H4's are 4 conductor plus chassis ground. So you should be able do series/parallel with a single toggle switch, or coil tap, or, if you get a mini 3 way switch, series/single/parallel. The pickup should come with a color code so you should be able to use any diagram from below. https://guitarelectronics.com/guitar-wiring-resources/1-pickup-guitar-wiring-diagrams/ As for pots, they are passive, so the 500K will be perfect for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted March 21, 2018 Members Share Posted March 21, 2018 Take the time to watch the following video. It's nice and straightforward. What he calls the Input jack I'd call the Output jack though. I'd worry about the split later, once you've nailed this and know that you like the pickup in that guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KevinTJH Posted March 28, 2018 Author Members Share Posted March 28, 2018 Thanks so much for the responses, guys! Very informative. So in all honesty, assuming I never plan on replacing the EMG H4 once it has been installed, there is literally no benefit to purchasing their solderless wiring kit compared to just soldering it directly myself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted March 28, 2018 Members Share Posted March 28, 2018 I don't think it's easy to mess this one up. Use a Push/pull pot so you can rewire for a coil split later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted March 28, 2018 Members Share Posted March 28, 2018 No benefit. So heat up the soldering iron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KevinTJH Posted April 2, 2018 Author Members Share Posted April 2, 2018 I don't think it's easy to mess this one up. Use a Push/pull pot so you can rewire for a coil split later. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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