Pickup Upgrade - Worth It?

AmazingGracePlayer · #1 07-07-2007, 07:02 PM

I have an Ibanez SR500 with Bartolini MK1-4 pickups along with Bartolini MK1 3-Band EQ, and the tone it offers is very muddy and disgusting. In short, I don't like the tone. I thought about getting a new bass, but I couldn't find anything built like the Ibanez SR500 - low action, small frets, tight string spacing, 24 frets, etc, etc. So I thought about upgrading it.

The tone I'm looking for is the Victor Wooten tone, and I thought about buying EMG J pickups ($156.00 new on the web). I was wondering, is it worth upgrading the SR500 with a new $156 pickup? If I upgrade the pickups, do I need to upgrade the preamp as well? If yes, are there any certified bass repairers (other than GC) who can do that job for me?

Thanks for all your help!

A9X · #2 07-07-2007, 07:07 PM

The MK1's are P2 sized iirc so EMG's won't fit without routing.

Earwigger · #3 07-07-2007, 07:07 PM

It will not sound like a Victor Wooten even if you put new pickups in it. The Mahogany that the bass is made from is your issue with the muddiness. New pickups might help. Since the SR500 is pretty well made generally, it would not be a waste to get new pickups, but I would also reccomend a new preamp first. The MK-1 preamp is pretty bad IMO and I bet if you replaced it with a 100$ Audere or something similar you would have a lot cleaner tone and a lot more versatility. The MK-1 takes a lot of the sound quality out.

AmazingGracePlayer · #4 07-07-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9X

The MK1's are P2 sized iirc so EMG's won't fit without routing.

Which is why I'm going to bring it to some professional bass fixer, or else I'd just do it myself...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earwigger

It will not sound like a Victor Wooten even if you put new pickups in it. The Mahogany that the bass is made from is your issue with the muddiness. New pickups might help. Since the SR500 is pretty well made generally, it would not be a waste to get new pickups, but I would also reccomend a new preamp first. The MK-1 preamp is pretty bad IMO and I bet if you replaced it with a 100$ Audere or something similar you would have a lot cleaner tone and a lot more versatility. The MK-1 takes a lot of the sound quality out.

Victor's basses have mahogany bodies as well (except he has maple tops). Would it be better if I just upgrade the preamp instead of both the pickups and the preamp?

A9X · #5 07-07-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

Which is why I'm going to bring it to some professional bass fixer, or else I'd just do it myself...

Most people when they change the pups, usually don't want to make permanent mods to the bass, hence my comment so you didn't get a set of pups that won't fit. Since you're OK with routing the -45 size will fit best as the P2 is a bot longer than the -40.

I'd change the pre first as it's a dog. My usual suggestion is an OBP.

AmazingGracePlayer · #6 07-07-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9X

Most people when they change the pups, usually don't want to make permanent mods to the bass, hence my comment so you didn't get a set of pups that won't fit. Since you're OK with routing the -45 size will fit best as the P2 is a bot longer than the -40.

I'd change the pre first as it's a dog. My usual suggestion is an OBP.

Yeah, I checked the dimensions of the EMG Js, and they're narrower but thicker... Anyway, I don't have a problem with that as long as it gives a better tone. Which OBP would you suggest?

Chunk-O-Funk · #7 07-07-2007, 07:19 PM

Is it worth it as far as the bass is concerned? No.
Upgrading the electronics won't make it worth much more, so looking at it from that point of view it may be a waste of money.

If it turns out to be exactly what you want and you get a lot of enjoyment out of it, then it is worth every penny.

AmazingGracePlayer · #8 07-07-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

Is it worth it as far as the bass is concerned? No.
Upgrading the electronics won't make it worth much more, so looking at it from that point of view it may be a waste of money.

If it turns out to be exactly what you want and you get a lot of enjoyment out of it, then it is worth every penny.

Thanks?...

SoLongJake · #9 07-07-2007, 07:21 PM

OBP is the aguilar preamp

**Ryan L.** · #10 07-07-2007, 07:21 PM

Better suited for the Pickups forum.

A9X · #11 07-07-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

Yeah, I checked the dimensions of the EMG Js, and they're narrower but thicker... Anyway, I don't have a problem with that as long as it gives a better tone. Which OBP would you suggest?

You can also get the J's in the EMG standard sized soapbar config. Soame pickup in a rectangular package. When installed it'll look lioke a factory setup, whereas putting J's in the existing pickup holes, even with made covers will look dodgy.

OBP3. Try www.bestbssgear.com for good service and pricing.

MadMark5 · #12 07-07-2007, 08:54 PM

funny you brought this up. I have a Cort with the mk p/u and pre, and I'm about to change the pre with a OBP-1. I'm gonna see how that sounds before I change the p/u's. I would rather not have to rout the cavities, and I was told the OBP-1 might be enough to help the sound....
it looks like about a 1/16th route if I have to go that way, and I think both basses are close.
I would say start with the pre and see how that sounds before you change the p/u's..
also, what type of rig do you have? that could also be impacting the overall sound....

capnsandwich · #13 07-07-2007, 09:22 PM

I was in a similiar situation about 6 months ago. I got a Tbias Toby Pro Korean made 5 string off ebay. It's a walnut body neckthrough with a walnut/maple neck and a rosewood fretboard. I tried and tried to like this bass but couldn't due to the generic tone I got out of it. I took it to a local lutier, Phil Maneri, her in Coulmbus, Ohio and he hooked it up with some Bartolini quad coils and an 18v NTBT. It now sounds as good as any high-end bass and I get nothing but compliments on my tone and that's saying something since before they couldn't even hear me.

He said that the preamp was actually choking my tone and keeping the signal from expanding and I was better off just going passive. Either way I've got a monster now.

AmazingGracePlayer · #14 07-08-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMark5

funny you brought this up. I have a Cort with the mk p/u and pre, and I'm about to change the pre with a OBP-1. I'm gonna see how that sounds before I change the p/u's. I would rather not have to rout the cavities, and I was told the OBP-1 might be enough to help the sound....
it looks like about a 1/16th route if I have to go that way, and I think both basses are close.
I would say start with the pre and see how that sounds before you change the p/u's..
also, what type of rig do you have? that could also be impacting the overall sound....

I have a Behringer that offers crisp clear highs and solid lows and an Ampeg that offers solid, fusion-like tone overall.

AmazingGracePlayer · #15 07-08-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9X

You can also get the J's in the EMG standard sized soapbar config. Soame pickup in a rectangular package. When installed it'll look lioke a factory setup, whereas putting J's in the existing pickup holes, even with made covers will look dodgy.

OBP3. Try www.bestbssgear.com for good service and pricing.

Could you send me a link to that soapbar EMG J please?

JimmyM · #16 07-08-2007, 01:47 PM

Barts are one of the few pickups it pays to change out. They are a dark, muddy-sounding mess if you ask me. If you want to stick with active, EMG's are the way to go.

A9X · #17 07-08-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

Could you send me a link to that soapbar EMG J please?

http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&categoryid=29

The -45J (or -40J, same thing in 0.5" shorter package). Also look at the TW series which is a J and a CS in the same housing.

MadMark5 · #18 07-08-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

I have a Behringer that offers crisp clear highs and solid lows and an Ampeg that offers solid, fusion-like tone overall.

def not your rig then, you should be able to tell the difference once you make the change with either rig...

AmazingGracePlayer · #19 07-09-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9X

http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&categoryid=29

The -45J (or -40J, same thing in 0.5" shorter package). Also look at the TW series which is a J and a CS in the same housing.

There's only 45J, no 40J though... did you mean 40P? Is it correct for me to assume that the 40P and 45P are replacement models for P pickups and 45J is a replacement model for standard EMG J?

A9X · #20 07-09-2007, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

I remember seeing those somewhere and I think they're narrower and longer (longer string-wise), but I could be wrong.

1.75 x 4" (-40) or 4.5" (-45)