I am trying to decide on which pickups to get for my in-progress Warmoth Gecko 6. The neck is wenge with ebony fb and the body will be ash with zebrawood top. I should have the body in about three weeks, and then it will be time to get the pickups and electronics (if I am able to sell my 78 musicmaster to pay for them). It will have an Aguilar OBP-2.

The sound I am going for is a Pedulla/Roscoe type [growly] sound in passive mode and the ability to get the MTD type "zing" in active mode.

What is your verdict?

Seeing as you're going for a Roscoe/MTD type of sound IMO Bartolini's would be the logical choice. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Barts that MTD and Roscoe use in their basses are custom wound to their specs. But I'm thinking that Bartolini's standard line of soapbars are pretty close soundwise.


I've emailed Michael Tobias a few times and he was very helpful. Keith Roscoe and Gard are fantastic as well. I'd recommend you get their opinions on the models of Bartolini pickups they use on their basses.

I also humbly suggest that you consider the Aguilar OBP-3. I have the OBP-3 in my Lull 5-string and IMO it's a great preamp. One day I plan on replacing the Bartolini 3-band in my Roscoe with OBP-3. -Just a thought.

Best wishes on your Gecko. It sounds to me like it's going to be a great instrument.

Seeing as you're going for a Roscoe/MTD type of sound IMO Bartolini's would be the logical choice. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Barts that MTD and Roscoe use in their basses are custom wound to their specs. But I'm thinking that Bartolini's standard line of soapbars are pretty close soundwise.


I've emailed Michael Tobias a few times and he was very helpful. Keith Roscoe and Gard are fantastic as well. I'd recommend you get their opinions on the models of Bartolini pickups they use on their basses.

I also humbly suggest that you consider the Aguilar OBP-3. I have the OBP-3 in my Lull 5-string and IMO it's a great preamp. One day I plan on replacing the Bartolini 3-band in my Roscoe with OBP-3. -Just a thought.

Best wishes on your Gecko. It sounds to me like it's going to be a great instrument.

Thanks for the suggestions. I too am of a mind that the Pedulla and Roscoe Barts will be very close to the standard production pickups, but I have heard that the MTD active Barts are not at all like the regular Bartolini pickup line. From the clips I have heard, the Bartolini CBC pickups sound quite close as far as the high frequency response.
As for using the OBP-3 instead of the 2, it is an ongoing debate. I'm not really sure I will use the mid control at all, and I read somewhere (I beleive on the Sadowsky website) that having a mid control in the 0 possition still has some sort of effect on the sound (as opposed to not having a mid control at all), but then again I don't have dolphin ears like Roger Sadowsky.

I've no plans to buy any pickup not made by www.delano.de

I'm THAT impressed with the one in my new Bee!

I've no plans to buy any pickup not made by www.delano.de

I'm THAT impressed with the one in my new Bee!

Any clips? How is the pricing?

Any clips? How is the pricing?

I've got 2 clips on the media page of my site (first and last ones). I'm still getting use to the 7 string so haven't recorded much yet.

Mine came in my Bee... Fred @ www.beebasses.com can sell them retail so feel free to ask him (tell him I said Hi) for a quote.

I've got 2 clips on the media page of my site (first and last ones). I'm still getting use to the 7 string so haven't recorded much yet.

Mine came in my Bee... Fred @ www.beebasses.com can sell them retail so feel free to ask him (tell him I said Hi) for a quote.

Cool. Will listen when I get home from work tonight. The prices on the website seem quite steep, but with the retail discount maybe it will be within reach.
Thanks.

I've got 2 clips on the media page of my site (first and last ones). I'm still getting use to the 7 string so haven't recorded much yet.

Mine came in my Bee... Fred @ www.beebasses.com can sell them retail so feel free to ask him (tell him I said Hi) for a quote.

I listened and I am definitely impressed (with the playing and the pickups), but they don't have that "brittle" high end that some people complain about Barts having(which I absolutely love). But they definitely are very smooth sounding. They may be perfect for my (future) Warmoth Jazz bass. :D

thanks :)

Both tracks were with the pre flat. The first one in series... and NIB it was in parallel. Also, mine is a MC7-FE

Thanks to all who voted and posted. Due to the discussions on this thread and clips of these pickups that I heard on TB I have decided to go with the Bartolini CBC pickups. Thanks again for you input.

I've heard good things about the Bartolini CB pickups, but have yet to experience them for myself. I'm very curious to hear their high frequency response to see if they are less veiled than the other Bartolinis I've tried (C and CX). I hope you like them.

If you find that the CBs don't have enough open highs and seek an alternative, I've found that the Q-Tuners are rather exceptional in their extended frequency response.

I'm very curious to hear their high frequency response to see if they are less veiled than the other Bartolinis I've tried (C and CX).

I've heard they are more "open" sounding. I will post clips as soon as I get the bass from the shop.