Bartolini "Deep" vs "Bright" pickups

[Saxn]

I have been agonizing over pickup replacement for a while now, trying to be fiscally responsible and whatnot. I have been looking hard at the Bart jazz pups, and have narrowed it down to one of the "classic bass" pickup sets. My dilemma comes with choosing between the 9CBJS S1/L1 set (labeled as a "deep" set) and the 9CBJS S3/L3 set (described as a "bright" set) Here's why all the angst:

I will be throwing these in a modified Yamaha RBX374. I have done an active to passive conversion on her and part of that conversion involved putting a multi-cap rotary switch in the system (a 'varitone') that allows for a very wide range of top-end roll off options.

Since I have that option, I was wondering if there was any reason I should not get the single-coil "bright" pickup pair rather than the "deep" set. Can you guys tell me if extended upper range is the only difference in the pickup sets, or are there other differences to consider between the two?

If the difference is simply an extended high-end, then I can adjust the cap range in the varitone circuit to emulate the deep pickup set, but since I am a big fan of a fat low-end, I'd like to know if I am giving up some bottom-end "thump" by going with the bright pickups... and I will have to weigh the options a little further.

Thanks for the help!

[Saxn]

I'll bump this as it was a little late yesterday when I posted...

[GMSweet]

I'll offer what I can hoping that someone else will chime in...

Caveats: My bass is a J/MM setup with the neck J slightly south of the "normal" J bass location and the south coil of the MM pickup splitting the 60's and 70's location. The north coil of the MM is slightly north of the 60's location.

I've been testing a couple of different pickups in my bass. Bart original series X45k (slim inline hum-cancelling based on the Bart 9K series; hotter and brighter than the 9J's) and Bart Classic Bass X45CBJD1 in the neck (deep tone) and the MV2CBJD(3) (two bright tones in an EBMM shell).

I definitely hear difference in the bottom end of the brights in the bridge location and in general between the original series and the classic bass series. I've warmed up the brights by switching to nickel strings which has helped. After a preamp swap the is happening this week, I may be moving away from the Barts all together and moving to Delano's. According to my luthier, the Delano's will offer the warmth of the barts with the cut of EMG's.

Again, a very different bass and with in-line hum-cancelling pickups instead of single coils like your looking at, but I hope it helps. If I had to guess for you, I would pick the 9CBJS S1/L1 set and adjust your strings to taste.

Matt

[Saxn]

Thank you, Matt. Not news I was HOPING to hear, but ALWAYS better to know than not know, I say. And if your luthier is a you trust then I may have to wander off to check out Delano as well if they offer passive j options ... argh.

Thanks again for the input!

[bongostealth]

I once spoke to the guys at BestBassGear.com and they told me that the Bartolini "deep" is warmer in that the highs are rolled off. I guess they are preferred by those who want a more Motown type of sound or P-bass. But then again, P-bass are what they are because of the pickup placement. Maybe you should call BestBassGear.com and speak to them yourself. They are EXTREMELY friendly and helpful.

[DWBass]

I'm going through this quandry as we speak. My tech installed some 'Deeps' in my Jazz and while I like they way they sound, I need way more highs as I slap quite a lot. I'll be ordering some 'Brights' along with a pre-amp.

[GMSweet]

Make sure that while looking at the Barts, you keep the different lines of pickups separated. Both the "Original Series" and "Classic Bass" lines have deep and bright windings.

The "Original Series", to my ears, have a low/low-mid hump, are a bit warmer but have a nice sheen at the top end. I found them to be a little lacking in the upper-mids. The "Classic Bass" series I find to be more balanced in the low end, not necessarily lacking just a little less push. However, everything that may have been missing in the upper-mids is brought to life. For me, the Hi-Beams I normally used were to harsh with a full classic bass install so the switch to Sunbeams helped out.

I also second the recommendation on BestBassGear. When I originally began talking with them over a year ago, they indicated that the Bart CB line or Delano's would be the way to go. I believe they even thought I should go with the Delano's at the time, but give the odd routes in my bass and the cost, I opted to try the Barts. This time around, when I asked my questions, they called my luthier (Chris Stambaugh) to discuss my bass and to make a recommendation. Chris and I were just talking about the pickups the other day and just about pushed me over the edge towards ordering them. I'm wishing I had just spent the extra dollars a year ago to go with the Delano's.

I'll dig up a post I made earlier with a sloppy sound clip of the CBJD/MV52CBJD(3) setup.

Matt

[Saxn]

Thannks for the replies, guys. I will defiitely give the gang at besstbassgear a shout ad will report back here with the reply.

[Saxn]

Well, Evan from Best Bass Gear just responded to my query on the difference in the "deep"/"bright" pickups, and here it is word for word:

Hello,

You are looking for a comparison between the "bright" and "deep" sets, but there is also the "classic bass" set which sonically fits between the two.

All three of these pickups have the same strong warm lows and low mids, the difference in each comes with the treble response. The "deep" set has the treble slightly rolled off for a warmer sound. The "classic bass" set has a little more top end to balance out the strong lows giving you a clean and clear tone. The "bright" set dials up the treble a little more giving you a more articulate sound with a bit of snap to the high end.

The low end of all of these pickups are the same. However, your ear gets fooled into thing the "deep" set has more bass respsonse as there is less treble to balance out the tone. It does not have more bass, but your ear is fooled into thinking it has a stronger low end. For what you are looking for I would go with a classic bass set, for example the 9CBJD-1 set for a 4 string jazz pickup set. You will have to measure the length of each of your pickups to determine if the standard set of jazz pickups will fit your bass.

Let me know if you have any further questions!

That is about the best answer I could have hoped for!! So I can indeed (apparently) adjust the varitone caps to roll off the highs and emulate the sound of the "classic" and "deep" sets... not sure why they recommended the classic set as I did mention the varitone option in my email. I am now strongly inclined towards getting the Brights and tweaking the tone control from there. Anyone see any reason to do any different?

[GMSweet]

I can only re-iterate that I hear a difference in the lows and mids between my original series pickups and the replacement CBJD3 in the bridge. My bridge only tests included the X45J (59J), X45K (59K) and the south coil CBJD3 and I couldn't make them sound alike with EQ alone. In the neighborhood, sure, but each had a characteristic that I just couldn't EQ in or out. The only Bart I want to try in the bridge is the CBJD1 and I was just talking to my luthier about that they other day.

Like most things in life, "you makes your choices and spends your money". Assuming budget is relevant and I was in your shoes, I think you should go for the CBJD-3's because you may always be wondering "what if?" like I am about the Delano's.

I had forgotten that you mentioned the single coil version in your first post so that is still a choice for you to make. I'm a no hum kind of guy rolling between the pickups and no desire to allow for hum.

I'm not sure if any of my rambling helps, but I look forward to hearing about your decision! Get 'em ordered and get 'em in!

[Saxn]

Matt, man... you're reading my mind! After looking at all the options (and seeing the opportunity to add another toggle switch to the bass ) I am thinking I will throw in the classic bass bright dual coils.

I will let you know how the mod goes! Hopefully I can get it done sooner rather than later, but I can't guarantee it as I am in the middle of a move from one place to another and am SUPPOSED to be repairing the old house for sale

Thanks for the input!

[DWBass]

I just ordered a set of 'classic' single coil 'brights'! I do a lot of slapping and need that high end snap!