Just a warning...I had a very bad customer service experience with Joe Barden myself. Let's just say I'll never touch another Barden product. Look elsewhere. Fralin, Nordstrand, Lollar...all great pickups who stand behind their product.
I have Barden pickups in a Tele, Strat and Les Paul Jr. Love them for guitar, have yet to try any bass models but intend to. Never had a need for customer service, so no problems there.
Unless you buy used, just get them direct. Used hold their value and you're unlikely to find much discount on new ones.
so it looks like the only price i could find so far is around $260 for the set. i think i might just wait a bit to see if they pop up around here first. hopefully i find one before i go back to hawaii in feb.