What to try instead of my Bartoini's?

[SteveC]

I have a Yamaha BB605 bass that I really love. It feels better than any bass I have tried. When I first got it years ago, I replaced the electronics with Bartolini hum canceling pups (jazz style) and a 5.4 A/P preamp.

I have a friends Geddy Lee at my house. I love the tone. I'd like to get that out of my Yamaha. Any suggestions? I think I want to try passive, and as I like the Geddy sound, probably single coils.

Am I on the right track with that line of thinking? I know my Yamaha won't sound like the Geddy Lee, but I just want to get in the ballpark.

What pups would you all suggest? I guess they don't need to be single coil, but I'm guessing that's part of the tone I'm hearing.

[DaZombieWoof]

The blessing and curse of Bartolini pickups is they are smooth and somewhat polite. Single coil may be part of the deal, but something with more attitude is in order. Might even be interesting to try the pickups used in the Geddy Lee.

[SteveC]

My Yamaha is a 5'er, so exact Geddy Lee pups aren't an option, but I suppose Fender single coil 5 jazz pups would be a starting point. Or maybe some Nordstrand single coils.

Do I need to go passive as well? Does the active preamp have as much an influence as the pups?

[T. Alan Smith]

As much as Barts impressed me, Nordstrands totally blew me away.

[bearhart74]

Aeros rock of your into active.. if Passive you cant beat Villex