Pickup & Pre combo & 6 String Bass

[jzbass6]

Help!! I'm looking for some ideas for a pickup (Bart P4 & EMG 45HB size) & pre combo for a 6 string bass, geared more toward funk, slap and finger style R&B playing. Tonally I'm looking a nice fat clear bass presence, not to bright, smooth top end and not mid heavy. The pre and pickups don't have to made by the same company. You experience and input is appreciated.

[da drive first]

IMHO the best pickup and preamp that best fits your criteria is:bartolini P-4 pickups and Audere 4 band preamp with 3way Z-mode switch and series/parallel switches for each pickup

[winegamd]

What bass is it going in. If it is the Yamaha I would keep the stock pickups and just put in a Aguilar OBP-3. I did that on my RBX6JM and can get a really smooth sound like you describe, especially when on the neck pickup w/ a little bridge or both pickups on full(I have mine wired so each pickup has its own volume).

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by winegamd

What bass is it going in. If it is the Yamaha I would keep the stock pickups and just put in a Aguilar OBP-3. I did that on my RBX6JM and can get a really smooth sound like you describe, especially when on the neck pickup w/ a little bridge or both pickups on full(I have mine wired so each pickup has its own volume).

It a Brice Z6 Prestige that I picked up to totally mod out, I thought about the OB3 but I've heard that there are some issues with the tone control boost. (I have a Valenti 5 on order with the OB3 option so I'll know for myself soon) I actually have a Bart NTBT in it now with the stock pickups, but I'm not a big fan of Bart pickups.

Originally Posted by da drive first

IMHO the best pickup and preamp that best fits your criteria is:bartolini P-4 pickups and Audere 4 band preamp with 3way Z-mode switch and series/parallel switches for each pickup

But this does sounds interesting, I have a Audere in my DJ5 and it's killer.
Anyone have any experience with Seymour Ducan, EMG or other pickups that would fit the criteria?

[winegamd]

I have played a lot of basses with the EMGs. Some I have liked and some not so much. They sounded terrible in a Modulus Q6, but great in a Spector Euro 5 B/O. I think the body woods have a lot to do with it. They seem to sound better with less dense woods in my opinion. As for the Basslines, I have not heard any of the six string soapbars that I like. There Jazz p/u's sound great though. I dont know if there custom shop is still open to make bass P/U's or not. I know John Myung had some Seymor Duncan Customs in his RBX6JM from the Dream Theater "Scenes form New York" DVD and I think they sound really good. You could also check out Aero's and probably get some Nordstrands to work.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by winegamd

I have played a lot of basses with the EMGs. Some I have liked and some not so much. They sounded terrible in a Modulus Q6, but great in a Spector Euro 5 B/O. I think the body woods have a lot to do with it. They seem to sound better with less dense woods in my opinion. As for the Basslines, I have not heard any of the six string soapbars that I like. There Jazz p/u's sound great though. I dont know if there custom shop is still open to make bass P/U's or not. I know John Myung had some Seymor Duncan Customs in his RBX6JM from the Dream Theater "Scenes form New York" DVD and I think they sound really good. You could also check out Aero's and probably get some Nordstrands to work.

Thanks winegamd,
I'm emailing Blueberry Hill today about some Nord Fat Stacks & Big Singles, I'll also check out Aero's site too.