8 String Guitars: Active to Passive conversion Megathread!

[teqnick]

Alright guys. I think it's time for a thread to compile all sorts of 8 string ibanez active-passive conversion info here! Pics, schematics , and other info would be greatly appreciated. A lot of these threads have to be dug up! I'm still waiting on my PK and CS to come from Nick, but here's some info i've got so far:


-The tabs on the bkp's need to be trimmed 2-3 mm to fit the routes
- There are emg housings on guitarjonesusa.com for like 3 dollars
- fretsonthenet.com has all your pickup ring needs. Right now bucketbot and I are working on getting cavity frames rather than full pickup rings. They will fill the gap between the route and the body, and will require no additional drilling into the body, but rather long screws to go into the already existent EMG routes.
- Petey G. kept the standard 3-way switch, and added a coil split mini toggle: one position standard, second position split one pickup, position splits both pickups.
- Guitarwiz2k did the 5 way switch + phase inverter + coldsweat matched set in his!


Here are links to some of the threads that have the info from above. It would still be great to get more info and feedback + projects in progress!

5 way switch + phase inverter+ BKP coldsweat set (Guitarwiz2k) :
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pi...ay-switch-and-mini-toggle-phase-reversal.html

Coldsweats in RGA8 + pickup rings (Petey G.)
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...modded-rga8-and-meshuggah-content-inside.html

Passive Covers to retain that stealthy look!
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...ng-bkps-with-plastic-covers-for-a-2228-a.html

Bucketbot's Painkillers in an RG2228
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/extended-range-guitars/118168-rg2228-with-bkp-painkillers.html

GatesofCarnage's BKP adventure!
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pi...5-gatesofcarnages-bkp-intrepid-adventure.html

8 String BKP options. There's a good list from Nolly in here!
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pickups-electronics-and-general-tech/121350-8-string-bkps.html

MF_Kittens Agile 830 with BKP Painkillers. (great example of the clarity of Painkillers on the Low F)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbnh...9A5535E1&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=10

808's to Passives: Answered by MaxofMetal
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pi...122150-from-808s-to-bkps-pots-and-wiring.html

Yevetz's RG2228 refinish + passives
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...s/extended-range-guitars/ext...t-started.html

ShredCow's Schecter C8 with passives and rings
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/extended-range-guitars/extended-range-guitars/ext...-passives.html

LeftyGuitarJoe's half passive conversion
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/extended-range-guitars/126461-schecter-damien-elite-8-half-passive-conversion.html

Peteus's Agile 828 passive to active conversion
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/extended-range-guitars/128498-agile-interceptor-828-active-to-passive-conversion.html#post2108343


That's all i've got for now. I know there's much i've overlooked, but it's late and i'm getting tired! Anything else that 8 string owners can add would be awesome!

**EDIT** Thanks for the contributions so far guys! And also thanks to Mesh for stickying this!

 

[Daggorath]

Definitely prefer the covers, but I have a thing about pickup rings - they're just fugly. Shame bkp don't do the covers on the 8s, hopefully one day they'll do it.

 

[teqnick]

I totally agree. I'm hoping that these custom order rings turn out pretty cool. They'll be the size of the EMG route. It'll just be covering the cavity between the body and the pickup.

 

[teqnick]

Added another link. It would be great if you guys could post up some sound clips! I know Nolly has a bunch floating around, but anything else would really contribute to the awesomeness that i'm trying to achieve with this thread.

 

[technomancer]

Cool idea, but why restrict it to Ibanez?

 

[teqnick]

Good point! If a mod can change the thread title to :" 8 String Guitars : Active to Passive Megathread" , I would greatly appreciate it. Until then, i'll continue to post helpful threads. Whether it be Agile, ESP, LTD, or Ibanez!

 

[djpharoah]

Title changed and stickied for further reference.

 

[Guitarwiz2k]

Here it is then... I did do the, series, parallel, coil split, 5-way switch mod. I also replaced the mini toggle active eq switch with a phase reversal option for the bridge pickup.

Mr. PeteyG kept the standard 3-way switch, and added a coil split mini toggle: one position standard, second position split one pickup, position splits both pickups.

The pickups inside are Bare Knuckle - Cold Sweats (the matched set)

5 way switch + phase inverter + BKP Cold Sweats: http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pic...-reversal.html

Great Thread started... and a sticky too!

 

[heineken_fretwalker]

This is very relevant to my interests. Good work!

 

[teqnick]

More links added! Any other contributions would help greatly!

 

[yevetz]

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/extended-range-guitars/92868-2228-project-started.html

 

[teqnick]

Thanks yevetz! Added your link to the first post, along with a helpful post from MaxOfMetal regarding what would be needed for a proper conversion including 3 to 5-way switching!

 

[leftyguitarjoe]

I like the look of the rings. They are beefy. I cant wait to do it with my Schecter. EMG's just arent my thing. I need to have the crunchy bite of a Bareknuckle like in my 7 string.

 

[leftyguitarjoe]

And a link:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...9075-pics-of-a-schecter-c8-with-passives.html

 

[teqnick]

thanks for the link Joe! i'll add it right now

 

[leftyguitarjoe]

thanks for the link Joe! i'll add it right now

No problem. I couldnt let ALL the links be about Ibanez guitars haha. I had to get some Schecter action in there. In the coming months, if all goes as planned, my Schecter will be in this thread. I'm getting a Cold Sweat for the bridge and a Q-Tuner BL5 for the neck.

And for the record, I'm not a hater. I have 2 Ibanez guitars myself.

 

[teqnick]

Haha , no doubt man! I'd love to see more on other 8 stringers as well. That sounds like a sweet combo that's gonna go into your Schecter. I was contemplating with the Q-Tuner bl5 in the neck of my 2228, but decided for the double BKP thing

 

[technomancer]

Some pics of the BKPs in active housings that are going in my KxK Sii-8 eight string

The build thread is over here http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/extended-range-guitars/122052-kxk-sii-8-order-56k-meh.html

 

[leftyguitarjoe]

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...r-damien-elite-8-half-passive-conversion.html

My half passive conversion

 

[Peteus]

This seam like a good thread to ask. I have the FOTN conversion rings and i'm placing my BKP into my agile however I am confused as how to mount the pickup into the rings for the BKP don't have a screw tap in the base plate. (I'm used to placing in Dimarzio with screw taps in the base plate) You can't mount them like EMGs and have the height adjustment screws on top like in these conversions
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...9075-pics-of-a-schecter-c8-with-passives.html
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ext...nt-inside.html

So how have these guys managed to place the height adjustment screws on top of the ring. Have they bonded a nut to baseplate and can therefore adjust the pickup height with ease from the top of the guitar?