Replacement for Bartolini MK-1 Pickups

[Kwesi]

What other pickups come in the MK-1 size?

[Showdown]

Bart makes a US pickup, the MK - that is a replacement for MK1s, both 4 and 5 string. I have them in my 44-01 and love them. Nordstrand makes some that will replace the MK1 on 5 string basses, but their 4 string versions are shorter than the MK1.

You can get either here:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/

[Kwesi]

Could anyone tell me the difference tone-wise between the MK and MK-1 pickups?

[Showdown]

The MK are warmer, with mellower highs, tight focused lows, and good mids. Fairly even sounding across the frequency spectrum. Modern and hi-fi sounding. The MK1 are very bright with harsh highs and high mids, and indistinct, mushy lows. The MK1 are a lot more aggressive and extremely punchy. The MK1 would probably be better for metal, the MK more versatile. Some people like the MK1, I don't. IMO, YMMV, etc.

[GrindYourMind]

On my sr506 if I just cut my treble on the bass, it sounds like the beeznees

[calebbarton]

does anyone know the exact model number of the "mk" and not the "mk1"? im looking for the same damn thing.

[Jesse DeCarlo]

This is as good a thread as any to point out that somebody besides Bartolini should be making replacement MK-shape pickups. It appears that Ibanez is selling MK1-equipped basses hand over fist, so there's a pretty big market that's only going to get bigger.

I recently picked up a used SR900, and the build quality of the bass is absolutely stellar for the price. But I personally don't like the pickups (or preamp, for that matter). I'm a fan of US-made Barts, so I'm cool with buying a MK4 set. But it would be nice to have a choice, right?

[mikezimmerman]

Originally Posted by calebbarton

does anyone know the exact model number of the "mk" and not the "mk1"? im looking for the same damn thing.

Depends on the number of strings. See these:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-mk4-pickups.htm

http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-mk5-pickups.htm

http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-mk6-pickups.htm

[calebbarton]

Originally Posted by Jesse DeCarlo

This is as good a thread as any to point out that somebody besides Bartolini should be making replacement MK-shape pickups. It appears that Ibanez is selling MK1-equipped basses hand over fist, so there's a pretty big market that's only going to get bigger.

I recently picked up a used SR900, and the build quality of the bass is absolutely stellar for the price. But I personally don't like the pickups (or preamp, for that matter). I'm a fan of US-made Barts, so I'm cool with buying a MK4 set. But it would be nice to have a choice, right?

+100000000

[miner49er11]

Showdown, Are you referring to the Nordstrand 5-string pups, like the Big Single 5, Big Split 5, or any of the other Bart P2-shaped pups, that measure 4.27" x 1.27"?

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by miner49er11

Showdown, Are you referring to the Nordstrand 5-string pups, like the Big Single 5, Big Split 5, or any of the other Bart P2-shaped pups, that measure 4.27" x 1.27"?

No, Bart makes a US MK4 and MK5 that are direct replacements for the MK1s.

[pretendimhuman]

For those of you playing in particular any Ibanez 6-string (in particular the SR506), The pups are bad but the EQ is worse. The muddy and indescernable lows are on the low-B are complemented with thin, twangy highs on the high-C especially in the extreme upper range. I believe the pups are Korean made, not American. But Bartolini offers the MK-6 which are reputed to have a much more even tone across the tonal spectrum. I'd recommend replacing the Pre-Amp first though with the NTMB. Or you can buy a bass that comes with a better electronics package. j/k

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Jesse DeCarlo

This is as good a thread as any to point out that somebody besides Bartolini should be making replacement MK-shape pickups.

I make them in the Bart BC-4, BC-5 and P4 (six string) size. They fit the MK routs.

I don't know of any other replacements for the Barts.

One thing to note on the MK-1 pickups is that Ibanez installed the bright neck pickup at the bridge, and the deep bridge pickup at the neck.

You can see this on the basses with the US MK pickups, the neck pickup says "T" and the bridge says "B".

So if the neck pickup is too dark and the bridge is too bright, try swapping them.

[waytoodeep03]

Speaking of pickups which preamp compliments the USA MK's the best?

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by waytoodeep03

Speaking of pickups which preamp compliments the USA MK's the best?

I like the Bart NTMB with them. It is made for them after all. The combo sounds great in my Lakland 44-01.

[Floridabwoy]

Does anyone know which ones they put in the modulus's?

[waytoodeep03]

Originally Posted by Showdown

I like the Bart NTMB with them. It is made for them after all. The combo sounds great in my Lakland 44-01.

So does Bart have a higher output that Aguilar obp3

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by waytoodeep03

So does Bart have a higher output that Aguilar obp3

I don't know, I've never tried the Aguilar.

[4Mal]

Originally Posted by waytoodeep03

So does Bart have a higher output that Aguilar obp3

Is output level from the pre important ?

[waytoodeep03]

Yea I do like my basses with volume