Help : odd problem with BMP-1 and EMG

[zakk_speed]

I just finished up my HSS BMP-1 project and I'm having an issue I cant get sorted..so here is the gratutitous guitar pic



Its loaded with a ProTrack/EMG-SA/Fred combo, the passives are running through the BMP-1 and out to the 5 way, the EMG is running directly to the 5-way middle. The output from the switch is run back through the BMP-1 volume control. Theres a 25K push/pull tone which splits the neck and bridge as well.

The pickups each work individually, with the BMP-1 volume levels significantly louder than the EMG-SA which I expected. My issue is with the 2 and 4 positions : instead of getting a nice in-between tone of parallel EMG/BMP-1 its as if the middle pup isn't even on i.e. position 1+2 sound identical (all neck) and as are 4+5 (all bridge). I've checked the 5-way and its operating as expected, and the pups all work as expected individually. Even with the pups split there is no mix tone with the EMG.

I'm stumped....any ideas?

[Guston7]

I haven't mixed my EMG's with Blackout, but I did want to say sweet Radius!

[frankfalbo]

The Dimarzios are out of phase with the EMG. You need to invert the wire colors going in to the BMP-1. Each pickup has 4 conductors. If you have it hooked up the way I think you do, simply reverse black and white on each Dimarzio.

Basically if you look at all four wires going into the BMP (ignore the shield) it's the CENTER TWO wires that need to be flipped. Leave the outer two.

[zakk_speed]

I haven't mixed my EMG's with Blackout, but I did want to say sweet Radius!

Thanks - it took me about 2 years of searching to finally find one at a reasonable price, darn things are as rare as hens teeth in good condition. Black wasn't my first choice, but I've decided to embrace a 'Lord Vader' black on black vibe on this one. The finish is a little scratched but it was all original with no chips and no nasty 'upgrades'. I'll likely change the speed knobs and buff it out once I get it the pups sorted and level+crown the frets.

[zakk_speed]

The Dimarzios are out of phase with the EMG. You need to invert the wire colors going in to the BMP-1. Each pickup has 4 conductors. If you have it hooked up the way I think you do, simply reverse black and white on each Dimarzio.

Basically if you look at all four wires going into the BMP (ignore the shield) it's the CENTER TWO wires that need to be flipped. Leave the outer two.

Thanks Frank - did that but it didn't make much of a difference. I'm suspecting I have a bad EMG-SA as even on its own its not as loud as the SDS-1 in my other axe, or maybe its just not a good match. Picture below of how its wired. I might just pop for an AS-1 as the SA tone is good but I wanted those 2/4 tones as well . I'll pop a fresh 9V in to make sure though first.

[Guston7]

I'm a big Radius fan. They used to be pretty cheap and easy to come by, but once the JS's took over the body style, they went up substantially in value. One of my favorites is the 542R. I have one in perfect shape in cayman green.

Interesting survey by Frank. I thought if they were out of phase, the mix positions would get quieter, not stay the same. I guess the Blackout amped p'ups are so much louder than the EMG that it doesn't cancel that much out?