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 #6.
2) Some instruments may already have a battery holder installed and in that case
see the diagram at the bottom of page 3.
3) Instruments with two pickups may need soldering to the selection
switch in some installations.
- 9V +
Installation Instructions:
EMG Models: EMG-ZW Set (EMG-81 / EMG-85)
ZW INSTRUCTIONS 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) Determine a good spot for the Pickup Buss and make sure the
4) Determine a good spot for the Pickup Buss and make sure the
cable or wires from the selection switch will reach the Pickup Buss,
cable or wires from the selection switch will reach the Pickup Buss,
5) Install the EMG Volume and Tone Controls and tighten them in.
5) Install the EMG Volume and Tone Controls and tighten them in.
6) Then install the pickups keeping any excess cable under the pickup
6) Then install the pickups keeping any excess cable under the pickup
rather than in the control cavity.
rather than in the control cavity.
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / Master Volume and Tone
Refer to Diagrams #1, #2, and #3
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 B157 Pickup Buss (BLACK Shroud) as shown,
Refer to diagram #2
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 #3.
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+ Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip.
Extra pins on the V+ 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 #3
2 Pickups
Toggle Style Select Switch
Master Volume & Master Tone
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
BRIDGE PICKUP (POSITION 1)
NECK PICKUP (POSITION 2)
OUTPUT (POSITION 3)
NECK PICKUP
BRIDGE PICKUP
TO MASTER VOLUME
Diagram #2
Diagram #3a
2 Pickups
Lever Style Select Switch
Master Volume & Master Tone
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Diagram #1
Insert the plug onto the 3 pin header
of the pickup as shown above.
Note the orientation arrow.
Installation (Two Pickup Guitars with Selection switch):
Guitars with two pickups and a selection switch will use the EMG B157 Pickup Buss
as shown in diagram #2.
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 B157
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.
