Bartolini MK1 Pickups and EQ...anygood? - Page 3

SGD Lutherie · #41 04-09-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DickyT

It looks to be the only direct replacement for the mk1 is the MK4CBC.

BC soapbars are almost the exact same size as MK soapbars. Just amount 1mm different.

I make a BC replacement.

arjune · #42 04-16-2009, 07:10 PM

I just bought an Ibanez SR500, and I think I'm going to replace the preamp, but I can't really decide which I want to do. I'm stuck between a Bart NTMB or the Aggie OBP-3. I have a feeling that I'd like the tone of the Aggie more, but I have no clue.

When I swap out the pre, I'll post sound clips.

ashtray9 · #43 04-27-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

One odd thing about Barts in Ibanez basses, is Ibanez wanted a deep sounding neck pickup, and a brighter sounding bridge pickup. Usually Bart does it the other way around for a more balanced tone.

I have an SR4000E Prestige bass here that I did some fretwork on, and it has the USA Barts. I took a look at them and they have the neck (B) pickup installed at the bridge, and vice versa!

Wow, I have never heard that before...
So a large amount of tonal change from swapping the pups in these Ibanez basses may be from using the recommended positions from Bartolini.

How are most J and soapbar pups positioned on other basses? Do most builders adhere to using a darker pup for the bridge and brighter for the neck?

SGD Lutherie · #44 04-27-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray9

Wow, I have never heard that before...
So a large amount of tonal change from swapping the pups in these Ibanez basses may be from using the recommended positions from Bartolini.

If you are finding the bridge pickup too thin sounding, that could help.

Quote:

How are most J and soapbar pups positioned on other basses? Do most builders adhere to using a darker pup for the bridge and brighter for the neck?

Originally the same pickups were used for neck and bridge positions... on Jazz basses the pickups are different lengths, but wound the same. Newer pickup designs often have the bridge pickup wound hotter to compensate for the smaller movement of the strings closer to the bridge.

ashtray9 · #45 04-29-2009, 03:43 AM

Ok, so this is interesting. I just received the replacement barts today and installed them.

Here's a clip from today:
New BArts
Here's a clip with the old MK1's:
MK1's

The Mk1's have more definition! I'm at a loss. It's the same bass, though the DR's have been restrung a few times... could the strings have lost that much clarity? Also, the Barts allow for wiring the individual coils of each pickup in either series or parallel. They arrived in series, but I found the tone too midrangey and undefined so I wired them in parallel.

How are the MK1's wired internally?

Any comments or similar experiences?

Ach · #46 04-29-2009, 04:12 AM

MK1 are split-coils (P-like pickups). They run in series i believe (as all P pickups are).

Jesse DeCarlo · #47 04-30-2009, 01:45 PM

Thanks for posting clips, ashtray!

I definitely hear what you're talking about -- there's more treble response in the MK1 recording. But I actually like the old-school, thick and powerful low end of the replacements. I wouldn't say they lack definition... they're certainly not muddy or anything.

And what I really want to know is, do they have better string to string balance than the MK1 pickups? Because that's what drives me crazy about the MK1's -- the D string is way too quiet and the E string is way too loud. As long as a pickup sounds decent, you can work with it using a good EQ. But if the string volumes aren't balanced there's nothing you can do. (I guess you could resort to heavy compression, but Homey don't play that.)

ashtray9 · #48 05-01-2009, 12:31 AM

Okay, update. The new barts are amazing. I gigged with them last night and the difference was very clear. The tone is very fat and growly in the mid-bass. Sat perfectly in the mix. Seems the MK1's are very flat to the point of not working as well in a band setting... I also dialed in the pickup height which helped bring out more of the frequencies I felt were lacking.

SO, in short, the replacement barts provide a huge improvement in tone. My bass now has it's own growly character. I imagine the MK1's would actually be preferable for hi-fi wooten slap guys.

And yes, string-to-string balance is no longer an issue with the replacements.

ChadDMatthews · #49 06-16-2009, 04:39 PM

yes, thanks ashtray. Those new barts sound fantastic. Can't wait to upgrade.
peace

MNAirHead · #50 06-16-2009, 04:49 PM

I have them on one..

sounds great in a band mix..

Timmy

Rickett Customs · #51 06-17-2009, 06:04 AM

Like i've ever said before, I've found that barts are way better on the fretless variety as opposed to fretted IME

Vakmere · #52 06-17-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ro_Maniak

I'm thinkin o gettin an ibanez bass with Bartolini MK1 Pickups and EQ, are they any good?

IMO absolutely not. Bartolini make a better pup than that. They use the MK1 because they're cheap.

marc40a · #53 04-26-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray9

Okay, update. The new barts are amazing. I gigged with them last night and the difference was very clear. The tone is very fat and growly in the mid-bass. Sat perfectly in the mix. Seems the MK1's are very flat to the point of not working as well in a band setting... I also dialed in the pickup height which helped bring out more of the frequencies I felt were lacking.

SO, in short, the replacement barts provide a huge improvement in tone. My bass now has it's own growly character. I imagine the MK1's would actually be preferable for hi-fi wooten slap guys.

And yes, string-to-string balance is no longer an issue with the replacements.

Quick question... about this old post that I stumbled across...

did you keep the stock preamp? The clip sounds great.

Billy K · #54 04-27-2010, 09:31 AM

Like some of you guys I did not like the MK1 sound so I have it in the shop now installing the MK4 and the new preamp. He tells me it should be done the end of this week if not sooner. Do you think I could sell the MK1 and preamp and pots? What do you think is fair price. They got about 40 hours on them I did not like them right away.I will post a update when I get my SR500 back.

BigBeatNut · #55 04-07-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray9

Okay, update. The new barts are amazing. I gigged with them last night and the difference was very clear. The tone is very fat and growly in the mid-bass. Sat perfectly in the mix. Seems the MK1's are very flat to the point of not working as well in a band setting... I also dialed in the pickup height which helped bring out more of the frequencies I felt were lacking.

SO, in short, the replacement barts provide a huge improvement in tone. My bass now has it's own growly character. I imagine the MK1's would actually be preferable for hi-fi wooten slap guys.

And yes, string-to-string balance is no longer an issue with the replacements.

From the description, I like the sound of your new barts,

But I can't figure out what model you're talking about.

Can you tell me (assuming you're still watching this thread) ?

Andy

wyg · #56 06-02-2011, 03:14 PM

I was thinking of getting an sr506 as well so i was looking around between the bart page and and some other sights and it appears the Mk's are the same size as the p2-p4's. You can check dimensions here. Bartolini Pickups - Best Bass Gear

Jazz 9 · #57 06-22-2012, 10:29 PM

I have an Ibanez Sr706 with the mk1 barts. The pups sound awesome, its a lot smoother for finger style playing than my fender jazz, which I use for funk style playing...excellent sound from the preamp also...I use a GK rig...which also gives me the clean sound I like

alaskaleftybass · #58 06-23-2012, 12:56 AM

Hi there, I have the Ibanez SR500 and I love the sound the Bart MK1's put out. You will not be sorry to invest in the pickups. Good luck! :-)

Biga173rd · #59 06-23-2012, 01:53 AM

For the price the MK1 pickups sound great you can get a great P sound out of them or even a decent jazz bass and slap tone out of them. The Key like everyone says it's the pre it lacks. Now the pubs I enjoyed them for quite awhile but i was looking for a more modern sound. And I finally replace the stock MK1 with Barts MK5 CBC what can i say! great string to string clarity, amazing midrange slap,burpy,fat,smooth finger tone sound. My 55-01 never sounded better. Also I swap out the MK1 pre to a us Bart NTMB pre i could not be any happier with the upgrade what a huge difference. My 55-01 can go toe to toe with my Cirrus in tone. So yea guys ether way stock or upgraded play what you feel sounds good. Me i just prefer a more modern sound.

DaveyM69 · #60 01-14-2013, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

BC soapbars are almost the exact same size as MK soapbars. Just amount 1mm different.

I make a BC replacement.

Hi David,

Sorry to drag up an old thread but it seemed a logical place to ask...

Do you do a 6 string version - MK6CBC equivalent?