Hi

If you've found an installer in the San Jose or surrounding area, who has made a great job of your empeg install, I'd be grateful if you could pass on their details to me.

Thanks

Rob
rob@empeg.com

I can mention one that did an "ok" job, but I had a couple issues with their "thoroughness" and attention to detail.

I won't mention their name unless someone mentions them as a POSITIVE. No need to tarnish someone's reputation unless its only to counter an existing shine. :)

D

Well, I don't have one, but I'd sure be interested in one if you find them -- let us all know! :)

Thanks!

Alex

I've been to several different installers for a variety of purposes, and I've had issue with a number of them. Mostly on attention to detail. They would forget to install everything, leave parts left over, break a few things. One of them shorted a few things and blew my dash instrumentation, and then gave me the car to drive home at night (so I don't know what speed I'm going!) one of them yanked a wire and connected it backwards causing my brake lights to be always on, unless I hit the brake pedal, in which case the brake light goes off. Some of them left gouge marks and scratches, all in all, if somebody can refer a honest to goodness installer that knows what they're doing I'd highly appreciate it as well.

Calvin

Woah! I wouldn't call that a lack of attention to detail, I'd call that just plain BAD! I sure hope you got your money back, considering it sounds like they didn't get a single thing correct!

DiGNAN

Wow. Unless someone comes forth with a good recommendation, maybe I should just try to install it myself...

Speaking of which, my primary reason for considering an installer was because I wanted to keep my factory head unit, which doesn't have aux inputs. I've sort of convinced myself since that I don't really need it, which could make the installation much more straightforward.

So, I should start to look at the specifics of how I might go about doing this. Are the installation PDFs that I've heard about available for the Mark2? Where?

Thanks, :)

Alex

The Empeg2 manual is here... (accessible from http://www.empeg.com
-mark

...proud to have owned one of the first Mark I units

Well, the thing is, it took several trips to fix all the problems until they were to my satisfaction. This is the case with a variety of different installers in the Bay Area.

Calvin

Looks like I should work in a different profession. Something like a "traveling installer".

I've already prepared my car for the Mk2 so that it just has to be plugged on. Everything else will work.


TeeMcBee

I can't speak for their ability with empegs specifically, but Lott's in Santa Cruz is very good overall. I'll be having them do the work to put my forthcoming Mk.2 in the M Coupe.


-Zandr
Mk.I #150

I hear the Crutchfield guides are really good if you've got the tools, time and patience.

Those Crutchfiled guides are tiny little masterpieces. They are works of art, I tell you. I'm so glad I ordered one and waited for it to arrive before attempting to dismantle the dashboard on my new Honda. If I hadn't, I would probably have broken or scratched something. And their little wiring adapters are a godsend.

I don't know if Crutchfield will send you the guides unless you buy something from them, though. I also don't know if they just sell the wiring harnesses and the mounting adapters ala carte, either. Since I've bought a whole bunch of car audio stuff from them before, I'm not sure if they're sending it to me because they assume I'm re-installing their CD player or what. Anyone have more information on what Crutchfield will/won't send you without the purchase of a car stereo from them?

Now I've done it. I said "ala carte" just before going out to lunch. Now I'm hungry for Mexican food.

___________
Tony Fabris

I'm 99% certain that they will sell you the guides, and fairly certain that they will also sell you harnesses and adapters as well. I have an all-new 2001 model car, though, (Mitsu Eclipse Spyder) so I'm not sure if they'll have a guide for me. I should give them a call.

On the other hand, the dash is easy to open (I've already done it), and I don't want to install an amp or speakers -- there's already an amp under the passenger seat.

It's just the wiring that I'm going to find tricky.

Alex

Well, if and when I finally get to purchase mine (#9054 in queue) I am definitely going to have an excedingly rough time to install it. The reason being is that my current system in my car (95 mustang GT convertible) has a premium Mach 460 sound system, with THREE separate amps driving 8 speakers! Of course this system is Ford specific (meaning some serious rerigging would have to be done!) so utilizing the factory amps would be difficult at best! Looks like I'll have to chunk those amps and get new ones that I can easily interface the empeg to...

I see a black hole, and it eminates from my wallet!

Gerald

Macon, GA USA

Edited by gibbo97 on 20/6/00 06:39 AM.

I don't think it'd be too difficult to connect those amps to the empeg.

I think currently they are connected like this:

1x 2channel amp for the front, 1x 2channel amp for rear and 1x 2channel amp (bridged) for a sub.
I think your current head unit has only 2 channels for front and 2 channels for rear output. (1 channel= left, 1 channel=right) so in summary that's 4 channels.

So you don't have to do much to connect your amp-configuration to the empeg. You just have to connect the line-out's to the amplifiers - the same way it's done at your current config. (Check out your current-config then you're better prepared and the installation won't be a problem. If you are a little known to electrics you can do it by yourself in one or two hours).


TeeMcBee

PAC has a simple and cheap solution that will allow you to use those factory amps with little to no wiring. Check out their web page at: http://www.go2pac.com/prod12.htm

Definately a great product!

Live in US and Wanna sell your MKI? E-mail me. :)

I think if there are factory installed amps there is a wiring in the car already. So it should be no problem anyway. You maybe just need a connector.

TeeMcBee

Live in US and Wanna sell your MKI?

Hey Chris, why are you limiting you search to the US? You're not afraid of foreign stuff, are you ?

Henno
ex 00120

Actually, it shouldn't be too hard - I had Mach460 in my '98 Cobra - A couple of different companies make adapter modules that allow you to plug right into the factory harness, and use the Mach460 amps. Last time I checked the price on these they were $60-$100 depending on the brand. I know Crutchfield carries them, as should any reputable car audio shop.