Bartolini M45CBC = low output????

kp_funk · #1 03-24-2008, 10:42 AM

Hey TB'ers,

Has anybody experienced Bartolini M45CBC- Classic Bass Series pickups being fairly low output? If so, what did you do to make them louder? Would putting the Bartolini NTMB preamp in it (with the gain control) make a large difference in output level or just a slight difference?

I have a passive Fender Jazz bass with Samarian Cobalt pickups in it and this bass is louder than my bass with the M45CBC pickups. Is this possible? Do I just have a bad set of pickups? I am hoping the Bart NTMB preamp will make a huge difference.

Wilbyman · #2 03-24-2008, 10:54 AM

How do you have it wired? I had this pickup in a single pu bass. I wired it to a 3 way switch allowing series parallel and single coil operation. I thought the series and single coil modes were low output and were assisted by a preamp. The parallel mode was pretty loud, easily louder than my Fender. I would install the preamp but also check your wiring, as you might prefer the parallel mode. I have not heard of a defective Bart pu so I doubt that is your problem.

W

Rickett Customs · #3 03-24-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

How do you have it wired? I had this pickup in a single pu bass. I wired it to a 3 way switch allowing series parallel and single coil operation. I thought the series and single coil modes were low output and were assisted by a preamp. The parallel mode was pretty loud, easily louder than my Fender. I would install the preamp but also check your wiring, as you might prefer the parallel mode. I have not heard of a defective Bart pu so I doubt that is your problem.

W

+1. The pre will make an output difference, no question.

kp_funk · #4 03-24-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbyman

How do you have it wired? I had this pickup in a single pu bass. I wired it to a 3 way switch allowing series parallel and single coil operation. I thought the series and single coil modes were low output and were assisted by a preamp. The parallel mode was pretty loud, easily louder than my Fender. I would install the preamp but also check your wiring, as you might prefer the parallel mode. I have not heard of a defective Bart pu so I doubt that is your problem.

W

So wiring the pickup in Parallel is louder? I read on the Bartolini site that parallel wiring has "1/2 the output of series wiring with 50% more treble but less mids". In your experience paralell wiring was louder? Hmmm!!!! Should I try that?