EMG J Service manual

INSTALLATION INFORMATION
EMG MODELS: J, JA, J-CS SET (4 /5-STRING)
Warranty
All EMG Pickups and accessories are warranted for a period of two years. This warranty does not cover failure due to improper installation, abuse or damage. If
upon examination the pickup is determined to be defective, a replacement will be made. Warranty replacement products are covered by this same warranty. This
warranty covers only those pickups and accessories sold by authorized EMG Dealers. This warranty is not transferable.
© 2009 Copyright EMG INC. All Rights Reserved.
PO BOX 4394
SANTA ROSA, CA
95402 USA
P [phone]
F [phone]
EMGPICKUPS.COM
0230-0116B
*Note: Magnet Type: A (Alnico) C (Ceramic) C/S (Ceramic and Steel)
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTES:
1) Only one 9-Volt battery is required to power the pickups and any
accessories such as the EXB, BTC, B125 Blend, and BQ Controls.
Use an Alkaline or Lithium battery for longest life.
2) The Volume and Tone controls included with this EMG System are
25K Ohm. This value is required for the system to work correctly.
3) A stereo output jack (12B) is included with the EMG Pickups;
it grounds the black battery wire to turn on the pickups when
the plug is inserted into the jack. If you are replacing passive
pickups, make sure to use the jack included. If your guitar has a
long panel jack (see Diagram #4, Page 3), make sure it is a
stereo type, a Switchcraft 152B is recommended.
4) When installing EMG Active Pickups, DO NOT connect the bridge
ground wire. This wire is usually soldered to a volume or tone
control casing and goes to the bridge. This wire grounds the
strings and uses them and your body as a shield against hum and
buzz. It also creates a shock hazard.
EMG Pickups are shielded internally and DO NOT require string
grounding. This greatly reduces the possibility of reverse
polarity shock from microphones and other equipment.
5) EMG Active Pickups have very little magnetism compared to
passive pickups. We recommend you adjust the pickups as
close to the strings as possible. Sustain and string movement
will not be inhibited by close adjustment.
6) If your installation is different from the diagrams in these
instructions or you need additional diagrams visit our website:
emgpickups.com for a complete listing of available diagrams.
7) SPECIAL NOTE:
The diagrams shown are for EMG Active Pickups.
All diagrams show the Red Wire coming from the pickups
connected to the battery. If you are installing EMG-HZ
Passive Pickups refer to their diagrams. The Red Wire of
the HZ Pickup is NOT for battery power, it is a coil wire.
SPECIFICATIONS: MODEL:
J JA J-CS
Logo Color Silver Gold Silver
Magnet Type * C A C/S
Resonant Frequency (KHz) 3.95 3.20 3.20
Output Voltage (String) 2.00 1.00 1.00
Output Voltage (Thump) 4.50 4.50 4.50
Output Noise (60 Hz) -101 -99 -99
Output Impedance (Kohm) 10 10 10
Current @9V (Microamps) 80 80 80
Battery Life (Hours) 3000 3000 3000
Maximum Supply (Volts DC) 27 27 27
PICKUP AND MAGNET DIMENSIONS:
The shorter housing (SJ) is for the neck pickup, while the longer housing (LJ) is for the bridge pickup. Each of the housings also have
different mounting hole distances. Both SJ and LJ Housings can work with both 4 and 5-string instruments, but you should check the width
of your strings against the magnet dimensions above to make sure there is sufficient string coverage. A rule of thumb for any pickup is that
the total magnet width should be the string width plus twice the distance the pickup is from the strings. So, If the pickup is 3/16” (5mm) from
the strings, with a magnet width of 3.10“ (78mm) the maximum string width would be 2.72” (69mm). If your string width is too wide for a J Pickup,
choose one of the EMG Extended Series Pickups, with a 4 inch (100mm) housing, where we have several styles of pickup available.
3.590
1.500
.920
R .250 TYP
R .093 TYP
.730
#4 WOOD SCREW
FOR MOUNTING
.750
LONG J HOUSING
(LJ)
SHORT J HOUSING
(SJ)
3.100
3.100
.920
3.700
R .250 TYP
R .093 TYP
.730
1.560
#4 WOOD SCREW
FOR MOUNTING
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED STRING WIDTH 2.725"
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED STRING WIDTH 2.725"

2 Pickups, 2 Volume controls and Master Tone, no selection switch
J-Bass Style wiring
Refer to Diagram #2
1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, keep any excess under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body / pickguard.
Plug the Neck Pickup Cable onto the Neck Volume Control.
Plug the Bridge Pickup Cable onto the Bridge Volume Control.
3) Plug a coax cable from the Neck Volume Control to the Bridge Volume
Control.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Bridge Volume Control the the Master Tone Control.
5) Plug the output cable onto the Master Tone control and connect the output
wires to the output jack by pushing the connectors on as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
6) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip.
Extra pins on the V+ Supply Buss are for EMG Accessories.
7) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely in the
control cavity. We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before
closing the control cavity.
General Notes:
Every attempt has been made to make this a solderless installation.
There are some instances where this is not possible;
1) If your instrument uses the long panel output jack and you had passive pickups
you will need a new stereo output jack, the Switchcraft 152B is recommended.
Soldering to the new jack will be required, see Diagram #4 on page 3.
2) Power Supply tips are on page 4. If your instrument has a battery holder,
you are installing this pickup with an older EMG, or you want to supply your
instrument with +18 Volts, see page 4 for tips to avoid soldering.
Installation Instructions:
EMG Models: J, JA, J-CS SET (4 /5-STRING)
J SET Page 2
****Tips and Tricks****
****Tips and Tricks****
Start your installation by:
Start your installation by:
1) Read the General Notes on Page 2 if you haven’t already
1) Read the General Notes on Page 2 if you haven’t already
and determine if you have the right output jack for your
and determine if you have the right output jack for your
instrument. A Stereo 12B type (Included) or a 152B Long Panel
instrument. A Stereo 12B type (Included) or a 152B Long Panel
Jack will be required.
Jack will be required.
2) Remove the strings
2) Remove the strings
3) Remove any existing Pickups and controls
3) Remove any existing Pickups and controls
(remember the order and function of each control)
(remember the order and function of each control)
4) Install the EMG Volume and Tone Controls and tighten them in.
4) Install the EMG Volume and Tone Controls and tighten them in.
5) Then install the pickups keeping any excess cable under the pickup
5) Then install the pickups keeping any excess cable under the pickup
rather than in the control cavity.
rather than in the control cavity.
- 9V +
MASTER
TONE
NECK
VOLUME
OUTPUT
T
R
S
OUTPUT CABLE
BRIDGE
VOLUME
Diagram #3 (preferred wiring order)
B125 Active Balance Control
Active Tone / Master Volume
NECK
PICKUP
BRIDGE
PICKUP
ABC
CONTROL
ACTIVE
TONE
MASTER
VOLUME
OUTPUT
JACK
BATTERY
BUSS
MASTER
VOLUME
BATTERY
NEG (-) BLACK
ACTIVE
TONE
NOTE REVERSED CONNECTOR!
RED
RED
RED
BOTTOM VIEW
B118
ACTIVE BALANCE
CONTROL
- 9V +
OUTPUT
T
R
S
BATTERY
BUSS
EMG Neck Pickup
(Upper 3 pin header)
EMG Bridge Pickup
(Lower 3 pin header)
FROM BRIDGE PICKUP
FROM NECK PICKUP
This installation can be used for instruments with 3 control positions like
the diagram above, but use a Balance Control instead of 2 Volume Controls.
The Active Tone Control shown in this diagram can be replaced with the
EMG-EXB Expander, or the EMG-BTC Control (Active Bass and Treble EQ).
Installation Instructions:
Diagram #1
Insert the plug onto the 3 pin header
of the pickup as shown above.
Note the orientation arrow.
Diagram #2
Volume / Volume
Master Tone (Passive)

J SET Page 3
Installation Instructions:
EMG Models: J, JA, J-CS SET (4 /5-STRING)
MASTER
TONE
FROM NECK PICKUP
FROM BRIDGE PICKUP
BATTERY
NEG (-)
MASTER
VOLUME OUTPUT
T
R
S
OUTPUT CABLE
RED
RED
RED
GROUND
BRIDGE P/U
NECK P/U
OUTPUT
- 9V +
1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body.
Plug both Pickup cables onto the Pickup Buss (BLACK Shroud) as shown,
Refer to Diagram #6a
Bridge Pickup to position 1
Neck Pickup to position 2.
3) Plug a coax cable from the Pickup Buss (position 3) to the Master Volume
control as shown in Diagram #6b.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Master Volume to the Master Tone as shown.
5) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal
The Neck pickup goes to the NK Terminal
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black
terminals on the terminal block.
6) Plug the output cable onto the Master Tone control and connect the output
wires to the output jack by pushing the connectors on as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
7) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip.
Extra pins on the V+ Supply Buss are for EMG Accessories.
8) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely in the
control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.
Diagram #6b
2 Pickups
1 Master Volume
1 Master Tone
Toggle Style Switch
TIP
RING
SLEEVE
Diagram #4
FROM TONE
OR VOLUME
BATTERY
NEG (-)
RED to BATTERY BUSS
Soldering to the 152B Panel Jack:
If your instrument has a long Panel Jack like the one below
you will have to solder the output cable as shown.
Ground (Black) to the sleeve
Signal (White) to the Tip
Battery Negative (Black) to the Ring
- 9V +
Diagram #5
13
Soldering to the battery buss:
If your instrument has an older EMG Pickup you can solder the
pickup RED wire to the buss. Simply use some needle nose pliers,
pull out the V+ header and solder the RED Wire from the pickup(s)
to any of the pins and then re-insert the header into the housing.
2
BRIDGE PICKUP (POSITION 1)
NECK PICKUP (POSITION 2)
OUTPUT (POSITION 3)
TO MASTER TONE
NECK PICKUP
BRIDGE PICKUP
Installation (Two Pickup Guitars with Selection switch):
Guitars with two pickups and a selection switch will use the EMG B157 Pickup Buss
shown at the right in Diagram #6a.
The Pickup Buss is a convenient way to wire your guitar without soldering.
There is a separate sheet attached to these instructions that describes the
Pickup Buss in detail.
In all installations it’s best to find a place to mount the Pickup Buss in the control
cavity before starting. Then, after the cables are routed use the velcro to mount it
securely.
Diagram #6a

J SET Page 4
Diagram #8
If the instrument has a Battery Holder:
If your instrument has a 9 or 18 Volt battery holder you can still
use the EMG Connectors to supply power to the pickups.
Simply cut and strip the wires from the battery clip provided.
Twist the wires together (Red to Red and Black to Black) and
use the shrink tubing included to cover the connections.
Soldering the wires is recommended.
9/18 VOLT
BATTERY
HOLDER
Cover these connections with the
shrink tubing provided.
BLACK to RING terminal
of the Output Jack
RED to BATTERY OR PICKUP BUSS
BLACK to RING terminal
of the Output Jack
RED TO BATTERY BUSS (+18Volts)
Diagram #9
- 9V +
- 9V +
T
R
S
RED
BLACK
H INSTRUCTIONS Page 4
OUTPUT
T
R
S
NK VOLUME
FROM NECK PICKUP
FROM BRIDGE PICKUP
BR VOLUME
BATTERY
NEG (-)
NK TONE
BR TONE
Diagram #7
2 Pickups
2 Volume (either Volume will act as a master)
2 Tone
Toggle Style Switch
GROUND
BRIDGE P/U
NECK P/U
OUTPUT RED
RED
RED OUTPUT CABLE
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / 2 Volumes and 2 Tones)
Refer to Diagram #7
1) Install the Pickups and route the cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body
Plug both Neck and Bridge pickup cables onto the Volume Controls as shown.
Plug a coax cable from the Bridge (BR) Volume control to the Pickup Buss
(Position 1).
Plug a coax cable from the Neck (NK) Volume control to the Pickup Buss
(Position 2).
3) Plug a coax cable from the Bridge (BR) Volume control to the Bridge (BR) Tone
control as shown.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Neck (NK) Volume control to the Neck (NK) Tone
control as shown.
5) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal
The Neck Pickup goes to the NK Terminal
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black
terminals on the terminal block.
6) Plug the output cable onto the Pickup Buss (Position 3) and push the connectors
onto the jack as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
7) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip. Extra pins are for EMG Accessories.
8) Put the battery in the foam insulator provided and place it securely in the
control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.
- 9V +
+18 Volt Wiring Option:
If you want to operate your instrument at +18 Volts for more
headroom then use 2 batteries wired as below.
Also, if you are using any type of EQ in your instrument
(EMG-BT, BQ) or anything that boosts the pickup signal then
+18 Volts is recommended.
Solder the Black and Red
wires together and cover
the connection with shrink
tubing, or other insulation.