Bartolini J pickups not suitable for use with electronics?

[echoSE7EN]

I was checking out the All Parts site earlier today, looking for some Barts (J-set). In the description for the pups, it says something to the fact of, "Although our pups are quiet, they are not suitable for use with electronics." I'm I correct in assuming that Bartolini J pups aren't good-to-go with a preamp/active set-up?

Thanks

[bongomania]

That's a very strange thing for them to say. I'd want to look into it directly with Bartolini, for an explanation.

[air_leech]

a couple of years ago I put a set of Bart 9J pups in a Warwick with an Aguilar OBP3 preamp.
worked great.

[echoSE7EN]

Here's the direct quote (see: last sentence) --

"Bartolini Pickup Set for Jazz Bass® #9J, Black. These are single coil units with strong lows and low mids. When used together they will have very low hum and noise levels. The tone of these pickups is deeper than vintage pickups; their strength is in the lows and low mids. The Neck and Bridge coils are equal as in the original Fender pair. Using either Neck or Bridge pickup alone will result in some hum and noise. -Our single coils are quieter than traditional single coils but not quiet enough to be recommended for use with electronics."

[Hopkins]

I am assuming that those are the 9SU, not the 9J1 which are hum canceling. I have a set of 9J1s with an OBP-1 which work great together.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by bongomania

That's a very strange thing for them to say. I'd want to look into it directly with Bartolini, for an explanation.

Agreed.

Another place is to contact bestbassgear.com - those folks are pretty knowledgeable and very helpful.

[Hopkins]

Off the Bartolini website

- These are single coil units with strong lows and low mids. When used together they will have very low hum and noise levels. The tone of these pickups is deeper than vintage pickups; their strength is in the lows and low mids. The Neck and Bridge coils are equal as in the original Fender pair. Using either Neck or Bridge pickup alone will result in some hum and noise. -Our single coils are quieter than traditional single coils but not quiet enough to be recommended for use with electronics.
9SU- pair S/L

9J1 - pair S/L split coil construction for hum canceling -deep tone - strong lows and low-mids

The ones you looked up are the single coil, not the split coil ones. If you use the 9J1 set you will be fine

[m.oreilly]

i've used the singles with no ill effects. i think it comes down to the shielding and the pre itself.

[echoSE7EN]

Originally Posted by Hopkins

Off the Bartolini website



The ones you looked up are the single coil, not the split coil ones. If you use the 9J1 set you will be fine

Thanks! These may be my first "owned" Barts and Bart Pre. I've played a few examples, and have really liked the tonality.

[walterw]

yeah, they're obviously just running with the assumption that players with preamps on their basses will want zero noise, and recommending accordingly.

true single coils work just fine with preamps (ask marcus miller). just expect a little noise when you boost the treble with one pickup on.