Pope Flex Core in Lakland 55-94

[Munjibunga]

Some of you may recall my thread about the Pope Flex Core I put in my Sadowsky Metro UV70. I said I was going to put one in my 55-94, which I did today. The original Bartolini electronics (pickups and preamp) in the Lakland seem slightly subdued and a little muffy. I didn't know whether it was the pickups or the preamp. I wanted something a little brighter and with a little more high mids.

OK. Well, first off, it's primarily the pickups. With the new Pope preamp set "flat" (everything at noon), the bass still sounds muted and thick. However, the tonal range of the new preamp is much wider than that of the Bartolini. With the pickup blend rolled slightly to the bridge, and some mids rolled into the mix, I'm getting that bark I like out of the bass. It was almost impossible to get that kind of tone out of the Bartolini preamp. So I'm glad I put the new preamp in.

There was plenty of room in the cavity for the new components, but I had to relocate the battery. I'm going with a 9-volt setup, because I don't think I can stuff two batteries in there.

However, I'm now considering dropping some Nordstrand replacements in the pickup slots. I'd like the natural tone of the bass to be a little closer to my ideal. I've got Nordies in my new LeCompte VB5 and they are the bomb. I just have to think about this a little.

[natw42]

Subbed. I have a 4-94 from that era and I'd like to be able to get that bark out of it. Any additional info or clips you can provide would be appreciated.

[Munjibunga]

OK, I'm going to put Nordies in it. NJ5S for the neck and MM5.4 for the bridge. No exposed pole pieces. They should be in within a week or so. I hope. I talked to Stu at Nordstrand, and he assured me that they will be brighter than the Bartolinis. I'm sure the Barts are the right flavor for many, but they're a little dull for me.

I bought the bass new in 1996, and it still has the original strings on it. George at Bass San Diego says that's probably why it sounds dull, but I don't believe it.

The previous paragraph is a lie, but it's the kind of thing I'd do. I think the strings are less than a year old with maybe two gigs on them. It'll be a couple more years before they're good for me.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I bought the bass new in 1996, and it still has the original strings on it. George at Bass San Diego says that's probably why it sounds dull, but I don't believe it.

I hope they are flats!

If they are rounds, then, yeah, they would sound dull.

I had a set of Labella flats on my Ric for about 4 years, and then I broke one of them.

[Munjibunga]

The string thing was a lie/joke as noted. Anyway, I was naive. It'll take about a month before the pickups get wound and delivered.

[Modulus1906]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Some of you may recall my thread about the Pope Flex Core I put in my Sadowsky Metro UV70. I said I was going to put one in my 55-94, which I did today. The original Bartolini electronics (pickups and preamp) in the Lakland seem slightly subdued and a little muffy. I didn't know whether it was the pickups or the preamp. I wanted something a little brighter and with a little more high mids.

OK. Well, first off, it's primarily the pickups. With the new Pope preamp set "flat" (everything at noon), the bass still sounds muted and thick. However, the tonal range of the new preamp is much wider than that of the Bartolini. With the pickup blend rolled slightly to the bridge, and some mids rolled into the mix, I'm getting that bark I like out of the bass. It was almost impossible to get that kind of tone out of the Bartolini preamp. So I'm glad I put the new preamp in.

There was plenty of room in the cavity for the new components, but I had to relocate the battery. I'm going with a 9-volt setup, because I don't think I can stuff two batteries in there.

However, I'm now considering dropping some Nordstrand replacements in the pickup slots. I'd like the natural tone of the bass to be a little closer to my ideal. I've got Nordies in my new LeCompte VB5 and they are the bomb. I just have to think about this a little.

I dropped a Flexcore into a 2011 Pedulla Thunderbass with Bartolini CBC soapbars and oh boy! I'm very happy. It made the Pedulla so much more open with almost any tone you can imagine. I bought another Pope to go into a Yamaha TRB 5PII and am thinking of getting two more for a Modulus Quantum 6 and a Spector. These pres are great

[Modulus1906]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Some of you may recall my thread about the Pope Flex Core I put in my Sadowsky Metro UV70. I said I was going to put one in my 55-94, which I did today. The original Bartolini electronics (pickups and preamp) in the Lakland seem slightly subdued and a little muffy. I didn't know whether it was the pickups or the preamp. I wanted something a little brighter and with a little more high mids.

OK. Well, first off, it's primarily the pickups. With the new Pope preamp set "flat" (everything at noon), the bass still sounds muted and thick. However, the tonal range of the new preamp is much wider than that of the Bartolini. With the pickup blend rolled slightly to the bridge, and some mids rolled into the mix, I'm getting that bark I like out of the bass. It was almost impossible to get that kind of tone out of the Bartolini preamp. So I'm glad I put the new preamp in.

There was plenty of room in the cavity for the new components, but I had to relocate the battery. I'm going with a 9-volt setup, because I don't think I can stuff two batteries in there.

However, I'm now considering dropping some Nordstrand replacements in the pickup slots. I'd like the natural tone of the bass to be a little closer to my ideal. I've got Nordies in my new LeCompte VB5 and they are the bomb. I just have to think about this a little.

You should consider Bart CBCs. I've replaced two sets of OEM Barts (Modulus Quantum and Pedulla Thunderbass) with the CBCs for similar reasons you mention and was much happier.

[Munjibunga]

It's too late. The Nordies hit Bass San Diego today, and I'll install them either Thursday or Friday. I guess it won't be much of a Lakland after that, but I'm sure it'll sound fantastic.

[natw42]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

It's too late. The Nordies hit Bass San Diego today, and I'll install them either Thursday or Friday. I guess it won't be much of a Lakland after that, but I'm sure it'll sound fantastic.

If there is any way you could record before & after sound clips I would greatly appreciate it.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by natw42

If there is any way you could record before & after sound clips I would greatly appreciate it.

Well, it's too late. I put them in today. The install went without a hitch, something I've learned never to expect. George convinced me to put new strings on it, so I popped a set of Fodera Nickel mediums on it. I'll do a more in-depth review later, but I'll just say it came to life, with more accessible mids and a much brighter top end. I played it through a GK MB 800 into a Bergantino HD210. Great rig.

[phat5]

Subbed.