6 string pickups/preamp

[cuddlemonster]

Hello, this is my first post so excuse me if I don't do it right.

Right now I've got a stock Douglas 6 string from rondomusic.com and it's got the worst pickups in it. I need to use it's controls+a pedal EQ+the EQ on the head (all turned to extremes) to get a decent sound out of it. I'd like to replace the pickups but I have these questions:

Can I just swap out the pickups and use the preamp that's already in it? It's active, but do all pickups and things get wired the same way? Also, would it be better to just switch the preamp instead?

And are there any other 6 string J pickups? I could only find one set of Bartolini's that would fit (not that that's bad, i don't think) but are there more options?

Thanks for any help!

[jbo]

Hey man! I have a Brice six string from Rondo and had the same issue with it. I didn't have the money to buy a new set of pickups (and still don't....lousy college) but I did happen to have a Seymour Duncan 3-band active eq on hand from a different bass. Made a HUGE difference in the sound and the 3-band offered some nice versatility. I would still like to get some Bartolini's for mine though (they are great pick-ups!). So I would say, whatever you do will definitely have some effect, but from my experience, the pickups weren't as bad as I thought after I heard them through the new pre-amp. And if you're worried about the wiring, the SD pre-amp comes pre-wired which was really nice. All I had to do was solder the pickup wires and the input jack. But I think if I get a set of Bartolini's, I'll put a bartolini pre-amp in as well. Anywho, I hope that helps!

[Stealth]

From what I know, Delano offers 6-string Jazz-pickups. You might want to check them out, though they only have a single model available.

[Brado]

I, too, recomend the Delano pickups. If you want a super quiet/ great sounding preamp to go with them, I would recomend a BEE PRE (from Bee Basses).
www.beebasses.com

The Bartolini stuff is, indeed, a good upgrade from what's in there/ but for about the same price, I think you would be much happier with the Delano/BeePre combination.

Originally Posted by cuddlemonster

Hello, this is my first post so excuse me if I don't do it right.

Right now I've got a stock Douglas 6 string from rondomusic.com and it's got the worst pickups in it. I need to use it's controls+a pedal EQ+the EQ on the head (all turned to extremes) to get a decent sound out of it. I'd like to replace the pickups but I have these questions:

Can I just swap out the pickups and use the preamp that's already in it? It's active, but do all pickups and things get wired the same way? Also, would it be better to just switch the preamp instead?

And are there any other 6 string J pickups? I could only find one set of Bartolini's that would fit (not that that's bad, i don't think) but are there more options?

Thanks for any help!

There's another discussion going on about this which I started in an unrelated thread. I have the same bass, and I'm looking at EMG-40P's to replace the pickups, and I'm still undecided on what preamp to swap in. The 40P's though are probably going to be the closest fit to what's in your bass already.

[cuddlemonster]

i didn't go to the EMG site to see what the 40P's are, but i'm pretty sure you're talking about a soap bar pickup right? If that's the one i'm thinking of then I think you got the Douglas with the humbuckers and not the J pickups.

Where can i get pricing and stuff for the Delano pickups? I went to the english and.. .de(denmark?) site and theres no pricing or places to buy from. also the Bee Bass preamp sounds nice too, but again, no price or anything. but i think that's custom?

I just brought the douglas and my old schecter to a shop to see if i could switch the preamps between the two, and i guess it can be done but is a pain to do? anyone ever do this?

Anyway thank you for the speedy replies!

Oops

[eastcoasteddie]

Originally Posted by jbo

Hey man! I have a Brice six string from Rondo and had the same issue with it. I didn't have the money to buy a new set of pickups (and still don't....lousy college) but I did happen to have a Seymour Duncan 3-band active eq on hand from a different bass. Made a HUGE difference in the sound and the 3-band offered some nice versatility. I would still like to get some Bartolini's for mine though (they are great pick-ups!). So I would say, whatever you do will definitely have some effect, but from my experience, the pickups weren't as bad as I thought after I heard them through the new pre-amp. And if you're worried about the wiring, the SD pre-amp comes pre-wired which was really nice. All I had to do was solder the pickup wires and the input jack. But I think if I get a set of Bartolini's, I'll put a bartolini pre-amp in as well. Anywho, I hope that helps!

Same here! I'm looking to put a Bart 3-band pre in my Brice. I'm sure it'll sound really great after that. The picups in it are pretty good, they have a good deal of magnetism to them...lol

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by cuddlemonster

i didn't go to the EMG site to see what the 40P's are, but i'm pretty sure you're talking about a soap bar pickup right? If that's the one i'm thinking of then I think you got the Douglas with the humbuckers and not the J pickups.

Where can i get pricing and stuff for the Delano pickups? I went to the english and.. .de(denmark?) site and theres no pricing or places to buy from. also the Bee Bass preamp sounds nice too, but again, no price or anything. but i think that's custom?

I just brought the douglas and my old schecter to a shop to see if i could switch the preamps between the two, and i guess it can be done but is a pain to do? anyone ever do this?

Anyway thank you for the speedy replies!

I have Delano pickups in my 6 and love them. I would contact Brian at www.bestbassgear.com. He has the Delano pickups for sale. You can also ask him about a preamp. He has many different kinds, just tell him what you're looking for.