Please critique my Bartolini pickup/preamp system

[jibreel]

I have a five string fretless Thorus bass built by Simmons guitars. http://www.simmonsguitars.com/thorus.html

It is going in to have electronic repairs done by the builder. This is my first magnetic pickup only bass [ I am a piezo nut ] so I do not have much experience. I am wondering if there would be better pickups and/or preamp to have in this bass.

The preamp is Bartolin 3 band NTMB-918FL. 18V. Controls as follows: The upper knob is the Volume. It is a push/pull type. Pulled out is passive, pushed in is active.
The Bass/Treble control is the stacked knob clockwise from the Volume. This adds or subtracts bass/treble, center detent.
The Mid frequency control is the lower knob. It has a center neutral position with a notch and a push/pull adjustment selection for a 250 Hz and 800 Hz adjustment point.
The Pickup Pan knob is counter clockwise from the volume knob.

There is no writing on the pickups for identification, other than something like 9I 51 ????

Here is a montage clip of the type of fretless sounds I like:

Tim Landers on a lightwave bass
Richard Bona on the NW Bass Works Bona model
Kai Eckhardt
Demo MP3 for the Basslines worp semi-acoustic Fretless

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...?bandID=745295

I like the lyric, organic, fat, semi- acoustic sound. It does seen like the Barts have somewhat of a signature sound.

I already know that there are many pickups and preamps to choose from. So many factors make a difference. I have read many threads etc.

I am posting this just in case anyone has a suggestion jump out that you think might be an upgrade. No need to post all the different options etc. Thanks in advance for all the knowledge on this board.

[The Penguin]

I don't of anything that would be an upgrade, more expensive and trendy yes, but not an upgrade. Swapping out the Barts for most other pickups you'll get recommended here will be a downgrade from the Barts complete shielding. The pre is very flexible also. I would only change to get a different tone or if you have to have a certain brand, nothing really to upgrade here IMO.

The Barts should have a model number on the underside so if you pull one we can help you find out how it's voiced.

[jibreel]

Thanks Pequin,

Kind of what I thought would be the answer. I do like the Audere preamp but just don't know if it is worth it to do the experimentation. I have not been lucky at all in recent projects

The only writing I found was on the bottom of the neck pup. Handwritten something like 9I 51 ????

[KeithPas]

I really liked your playing and the tone of your fretless basses on your clips, sounded great.

[jibreel]

Wow, I should have indicated the source of the music. My bad. Not me. Wish it was me.
I will edit my original post.

Tim Landers on a lightwave bass
Richard Bona on the NW Bass Works Bona model
Kai Eckhardt
Demo MP3 for the Basslines worp semi-acoustic Fretless

This is the tone I want to get.

[The Penguin]

Originally Posted by jibreel

The only writing I found was on the bottom of the neck pup. Handwritten something like 9I 51 ????

The 9 says J bass (so does the picture )but I'm not sure on the rest. Bart was never very easy to decipher and they change names occasionally. The number of pins on the back could tell more and if it's 1, 2 or 4 coils.

[jibreel]

They are probably one of these. I will ask the builder.

59CBJS pair - Jazz Bass shape neck (short) pickup and bridge (long) pickup are low noise single coils.
List Price $ 155

59CBJD pair - Jazz Bass shape neck (short) and bridge (long) pickups have dual in-line hum cancelling coils.
List Price $ 174