Who actually loves the old Barts in their Lakland basses?

[phat daddy]

Who shares my contrary opinion that the old Bartonlinis that were standard in the Lakies for so long are great sounding pickups unto themselves and don't feel the need to replace them with Lakland's new pickups, Nordies or the like? I'm speaking particularly about the 44- and 55- series basses, although I'm interested in what all Lakland owners who've had these pickups feel about them.

I absolutely love the Barts in my 55- series bass.

[ErnieD]

I replied to your thread in the BASSES threads but without having a way to compare my Bart filled -02 with a Lakie loaded -02, I can say I am quite happy with the Barts in my 55-02D. But you know I really wish I could compare with the newer elecs without having to buy another -02 to do so. Maybe someone can post a clip with a direct comparison of the basses loaded with each electronics, it'd be nice to hear.

[Evan_S._Brown]

When I bought my 55-94 deluxe i had the choice of the new style lakland pups with LH3 or the Bartolinis and preamp and i chose the barts. I am really really happy with my choice, they have an extremely warm sound that i found the laklands couldn't get.
and live through the PA it sounds amazing! I found the laklands a bit too agressive and abrupt (not bagging lakland here, we are all lakland lovers in this thread)
I'm really happy you started this thread because i felt discouraged because everyone is so keen on the new lakland pups and LH3 i started to think maybe i didn't make the right choice.
i'm glad there is someone else out there that loves the barts too

[Jim Carr]

55-01D here. All original electronics (Bartolini pups with Korean Preamp).

Love? Hmmmmnn...no. Like a lot, sure!

But, I have thought about Nordy Fatstacks and an OBP-3, which are great in my Valenti.

[pickles]

I just switched back to the barts from the LH3s. Really, I like certain things about both systems. Overall I probably prefer the warmth of the barts.

[doxcoke]

I love the Barts in my HB. They are the exact sound I wanted. I have no idea what the new lakland pickups sound like but then again I don't care. Everyone always comments on how rich and thick my bass sounds so I'm happy. Also, the more I play the HB the better it sounds so I'm definitely not going to change anything yet.

[wyleeboxer]

Dont want to hi-jack the thread, but Ive got some barts I got from a felow TBer who took them out of his older 44- J and MM pups. I put them in several years ago into a Schector Jazz bass. Im thinking of trying the bass out in funk/R&B band that Im in, the thing is that their set up in passive only, they sound ok but am I missing something, intially they have low output and sound a bit low in the highs maybe, hopefully not a problem? I would like to keep it passive and dont want to install a preamp or other pups if I dont have too, after practice next week Ill now if the tone of the barts are going to work for me... but would like a heads up if anyone can share?

[Lorenzini]

Both are great. Honestly, the Barts are better for certain things, where the LH3s shine in other settings.
I sure do miss my old Bart loaded 44-02.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Both are great. Honestly, the Barts are better for certain things, where the LH3s shine in other settings.
I sure do miss my old Bart loaded 44-02.

Totally agree with this post. I think the Barts are great pickups for the fingerstyle growly tone that Barts are famous for while the Lakland pups are hotter and have a lot of punch for slapping and percussive techniques. I do like the Bartolini tone a lot, not only in the Lakland -02's but also in many other basses as well.

I'm not a big fan of the 55-01 Barts but then again they're really not true Bartolini pickups.

[Dr. Cheese]

I definitely prefer the Barts. They are much warmer sounding which is what I want.

[wyleeboxer]

I guess I should re-ask my question and that is, how do your old barts sound in passive mode? I through some new strings on the bass today and that seemed to wake some tone up... thanks

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Totally agree with this post. I think the Barts are great pickups for the fingerstyle growly tone that Barts are famous for while the Lakland pups are hotter and have a lot of punch for slapping and percussive techniques. I do like the Bartolini tone a lot, not only in the Lakland -02's but also in many other basses as well.

I'm not a big fan of the 55-01 Barts but then again they're really not true Bartolini pickups.

Absolutely man. As bassists, we really cannot complain about either one .
If I HAD to go with one of them, I'd pick the LH-3 probably, sans weak A string problem.

[Avezzano]

55-02 fretted and fl: never had any urge whatsoever to change the original setup!!! And my ones are now pretty old stuff: a 2001 demo (fretless) and a 2002 fretted (maple). Since there's hardly something I could ever desire more from the superquiet, versatile overall onboard electronics I do not see any reason to risk my basses and my wallet to... "improve" something that is already excellent.

[rappa29]

When I bought my 44-02, I wasn't that familiar with Lakland.

I originally auditioned an Amber, deluxe, maple fb, with LH3 system in it. Liked everything about it except the finish (petty, I know). But the feel and tone was all there! They didn't have any other finishes that I liked with the LH3 in it.

There was a Cherry Sunburst, deluxe, rosewood fb, with Bart system, hanging right next to it. Played it. Feel and tone was there but different, darker, warmer. At the time my ears weren't super critical so the finish was the deciding factor and bought it.

It's been my main axe since Dec and the more I play it and learn to use the preamp, the more I really enjoy it! And the better I get, the better it sounds!

When my much more talented bass playing friend plays it I REALLY DIG IT! It sounds freakin' great in his hands!

So I'm perfectly happy with my 44-02 w\Barts.

I might revisit the LH3 system now that my ears are a lot more 'experienced' than 4 months ago but it'd only be to move up to a 55-02 but....

My best friend just bought a 55-01, maple fb, with MK-1 system and he loves it! He sent me some clips and it sounds great!

That prompted me to snag a 55-01, rosewood fb, MK-1, last weekend from a fellow TBer!

So my 55-02, LH3 dreams will have to wait until I win the lottery!

[JEDI BASS]

I haven't tried the Lakland pups. But, from what I've read here on TB, the Barts sig sound is part of what I love about my 55-94. I'd consider getting another Lakland w/ the L-pups, way down the road. But, I'd NEVER replace the Barts in my baby.

[zachbass02]

I'll take mine with Barts....Love 'em. LH-3 system was not for me...

[mdiddium]

Originally Posted by doxcoke

I love the Barts in my HB. They are the exact sound I wanted. I have no idea what the new lakland pickups sound like but then again I don't care. Everyone always comments on how rich and thick my bass sounds so I'm happy. Also, the more I play the HB the better it sounds so I'm definitely not going to change anything yet.

+1
I just got my used Hollowbody (about 3 or 4 years old, #54) yesterday and I couldn't be happier. I conveniently had a gig last night and decided to put it to the test. In a big band setting, it's warm, creamy tone really shined. It also had the clarity to not get lost in the mix. I don't even think I'd be interested in having Darkstars put into it because the Barts are exactly what I was hankerin' for. I'm very curious as to what the new HB's will sound like, but I know that I found the perfect bass for me.

[buffordbass]

I'm all about fingerstyle, and the Barts suit me just fine!!