Bartolini Aguilar combo

snaketut · #1 09-16-2011, 10:17 PM

I'm new here so if you guys know a thread that already exists with my answers that would be cool, if not...

I have a 99 warwick thumb 5 BO. I'm wondering if the aguilar obp3 pre-amp and bartolini 59j1's would work in it? Also, is there anyone on here with that combination? Can anyone compare it to the stock MEC's that are in my Thumb? Does anyone have a better suggestion for me? I'm a fan of a bright sound, but clarity is more important to me. I'm planning on making my bass fretless so that will make a difference. Thanks for your help!

snaketut · #2 09-16-2011, 10:18 PM

P.S. I love my bass already, I just want to take it to the ultimate level.

Kwesi · #3 09-16-2011, 10:20 PM

No reason it shouldn't work. I've played that combination in a few other basses (all jazz basses) and they all sounded great. Personally, I think anything would be an improvement on the MEC package.

snaketut · #4 09-16-2011, 10:44 PM

Thanks Kwesi. It's awesome to talk to anyone that has an actual opinion on this sort of thing. I don't have any serious bass playing friends.

Brad Johnson · #5 09-27-2011, 12:20 AM

That combo has sounded great in trhe basses I've heard them in. Not sure what it'll do in a Warwick. What woods are the Warwick?

Then again, for fretless I'd go Bart NTMB with the 59J's. That pre kills in fretlesses and allows you to get a great not fretless sound too. At least that's what's happened for me.

K-man · #6 09-27-2011, 02:15 PM

I have thumb fretless BO with the stock MEC warwick pre amp. I like the way it sounds. Maybe see how your bass sounds first after you change it over to fretless; then take the next step with the pickups and pre if you are not dugging the sound.

xikbastard · #7 09-29-2011, 02:27 AM

i have a bart MM/J and OPB-3 18v on my wick, compare to my stock MEC TJ/J + MEC 3-band Pre on my vampyre. i prefer the vampyre tones much more than the bart MM/J+OPB-3.

been using that for a year and i wanna change it back to stock MEC pups and replace the OPB-3, the OPB-3 is a bit aggressive and with the amp set flat. its quite boomy, and when gigs i am exposed to different rig and always set them flat and tweaked with the onboard pre- its get really frustrating at times, i was looking to change it to bart pre-amp or an audere and is doing some research on it.

NecroticImbecil · #8 09-29-2011, 01:04 PM

I don't know the exact model numbers, but my 5 string fretted has Bart P-J pickups and an OBP-2, I wouldn't imagine a huge difference other than the increased EQ control. Sounds staggeringly awesome. Clear, bright, and deep.

Just so you can put my comment into context, I think Warwicks are well made basses but have only heard a few that had a sound I liked. Those few did not have MECs in them.

BruceWane · #9 09-29-2011, 02:44 PM

I've got a Modulus Genesis 5 with 59j's and an OBP-3, and it sounds fantastic. They are not what I'd call "bright", but they do have a nice organic top and notes are well defined and clear, not muddy. A good bit of growl, especially if you dig in hard.

Pickup placement on the Thumb is pretty different from most instruments, though. A pair of 59j's back near the bridge would certainly be more bright than traditional J mounting positions.

gravesbass · #10 10-09-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaketut

I'm new here so if you guys know a thread that already exists with my answers that would be cool, if not...

I have a 99 warwick thumb 5 BO. I'm wondering if the aguilar obp3 pre-amp and bartolini 59j1's would work in it? Also, is there anyone on here with that combination? Can anyone compare it to the stock MEC's that are in my Thumb? Does anyone have a better suggestion for me? I'm a fan of a bright sound, but clarity is more important to me. I'm planning on making my bass fretless so that will make a difference. Thanks for your help!

I have this exact combo in my '87 Thumb NT 5 and it simply kills. Do it!! K wired the obp3 for 18v and both batteries fit fine under the control plate.