Bartolini MK-5

[DWBass]

I did a search and could not find anything specific to my question so here goes........

Has anyone upgraded their Lakland 55-01 MK-1's (or any other bass with the same pups) to USA MK-5's?? How much of a difference in sound did it make? Is there a need to upgrade the (older Bart) pre-amp as well or was the pup upgrade enough? Or.....are the pups ok but will benefit a new pre-amp?

Any other thoughts?

[micahturner]

Check out this thread:

Lakland 01 Club Part 2

A lot of guys have upgraded their 55-01's with MK5's and the LH3 preamp with positive results. I've done the preamp upgrade and will soon do the pickups.

Good luck!

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by micahturner

Check out this thread:

Lakland 01 Club Part 2

A lot of guys have upgraded their 55-01's with MK5's and the LH3 preamp with positive results. I've done the preamp upgrade and will soon do the pickups.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. How was the sound difference in pickups? Mine has the older Bart pre-amp.

[kevinmoore73]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Has anyone upgraded their Lakland 55-01 MK-1's (or any other bass with the same pups) to USA MK-5's?? How much of a difference in sound did it make? Is there a need to upgrade the (older Bart) pre-amp as well or was the pup upgrade enough? Or.....are the pups ok but will benefit a new pre-amp?

I upgraded the pickups and preamp at the same time in mine, so I can't say which part made the most difference. All I can say is the upgrade left me with an entirely different (and much better-sounding) bass.

Another thing to note is that the MK1 pickups and the MK5 pickups are obviously physically different. The plastic is different, the weight is different, and the wiring is different.

Here are some pictures I posted from when I did the upgrade: Lakland 01 Club

More info: Lakland 01 Club

Lakland 01 Club

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

I upgraded the pickups and preamp at the same time in mine, so I can't say which part made the most difference. All I can say is the upgrade left me with an entirely different (and much better-sounding) bass.

Another thing to note is that the MK1 pickups and the MK5 pickups are obviously physically different. The plastic is different, the weight is different, and the wiring is different.

Here are some pictures I posted from when I did the upgrade: Lakland 01 Club

More info: Lakland 01 Club

Lakland 01 Club

Reading your post, I agree the G string does sound a bit on the thin side. I'm thinking I may benefit from a pre-amp upgrade first and see how it sounds. I'm also contemplating a Nordie/Audere combo (which I have in my JO5).

[ex-tension]

another thread:

Upgrading to Bartolini MK5CBC pups - wiring options...