Installation

General INFORMATION:
The EMG B165(rC) 3-Position Switch Buss provides a convenient way to install EMG Pickups without soldering. The buss includes an input
section for two pickups, a Supply buss for distributing 9V+ battery power to the pickups and accessories. A tone/effects send and return buss
with bypass and an input/output section for signal output and battery power on/off.
.965
1.625
Diagram #2
Diagram #1
6/32 THD
TYP (2)
1.350
1.530
0230-0167B
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INSTALLATION INFORMATION
EMG MODEL: STRAT (S3), B165(
rC), 3-POSITION SWITCH BUSS FOR 2 PICKUPS
(ACTIVE EMG PICKUPS ONLY)
The EMG B165 (rC) Switch Buss has 4 primary sections.
Read the instructions and use the diagrams for assistance.
Section 1) Pickup Inputs:
Diagram #1 shows the 2 pickups plugged into the Input section of the Switch Buss.
Be sure the the pickup cables match the color legend on the PC Board.
Neck Pickup (NK) on top and Bridge Pickup (BR) on the bottom 3 pins.
Plug the Red wires from the pickups onto the pins marked RED.
Section 2) Bypass, Tone / EFX Send (S) and Return (R)
Each Pickup has a send and return for tone controls or effects. This feature allows you
to choose any pickup and have a tone control on it, either passive or active.
You can use any EMG effects like the VLPF, SPC, EXG, PA2 or RPC on either pickup.
Bypass
Refer to Diagram #2
The 4-pin header labeled Bypass has 2 removeable shunts, one for each pickup signal. The shunt
bypasses the EFX Send (S) and Return (R) headers and sends the pickup signals directly to the
selection switch terminals. Only remove a shunt if you are using the Send and Return feature of the
Switch Buss. If you are using passive tone controls the shunts need to be left in place.
Tone / EFX Send (S) and Return (R)
Refer to Diagram #3
Send (S)
The outer row of pins of the stacked header is the Signal Send (S) for each pickup. There are two
pins for each pickup Black (Ground) and White (Signal). This row sends the signal of the pickup to
the input of whatever effect or tone control you are using.
Return (R)
The inside row of pins of the stacked header is for the output signal Return (R) for each pickup.
Like the Send Header there are two pins for each pickup Black (Ground) and White (Signal). The
Return Header sends the pickup signal from the tone control back to the selection switch.
There are a lot of options if you decide to use the Tone/EFX section. The diagrams included
illustrate only a few of the options available.
Diagram #3
NECK PICKUP
BRIDGE PICKUP
RED WIRES
FROM PICKUPS
BYPASS HEADER
BATTERY INPUT
TONE/EFX
SEND AND RETURN
OUTPUT JACK
“RING” PIN
SWITCH
OUTPUT
PICKUP
INPUTS
V+ SUPPLY FOR
ACCESSORIES
BYPASS HEADER
SEND HEADER
(4 OUTSIDE PINS)
RETURN HEADER
(4 INSIDE PINS)
Wiring Note:
Daisy Chained Controls:
If you are going to “daisy-chain” your controls, i.e. master volume, master tone (passive or active)
and/or any other EMG Controls in series, you will not use the send and return feature of the B165.
Go to the top of page 3 for further information about wiring the controls in series.