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Advice on pickup/preamp selection

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Doublestoppen

Mar 26, 2011
7
0
Lake Charles, Louisiana
#1
I recently acquired a Warwick corvette that the previous owner had changed all of the electronics on it and I'm not to crazy about what he put in it. Id like some suggestions on some nicer pickup/preamps that would go well with the heavier woods on this bass. I mostly play rock but would like something versatile. I've been looking at Bass lines, Bartolini, Nordstrand, Audere. Something along those lines but I don't know enough and would like some opinions from people who know more about these things.
Thanks.
 
#9
I could be wrong, but I think a lot of the issue is that nobody knows enough about what is in the bass right now and what you don't like about the setup. Knowing the style of pickup would help - jazz, musicman, etc. Having specific models of the EMG pickups and preamp would probably help if you could figure that out. If not, describing the sound the bass has right now and what you do or don't like should be great in helping people with some experience point you towards something new.
 
#10
Well I was just asking for some general opinions. I mentioned what style of music I usually play and the type of bass, which are for the most part all the same. Bubinga body, ovankol neck, wenge fretboard and 2 single pickups. I mentioned which pickups I was looking at but I do not have enough knowledge on them which is why I started the post and somehow everyone is focusing on the pickups that are in it and not even suggesting anything.
I bought this bass as a backup and since someone already changed it from original I was gonna put something else in it. It doesn't sound bad the way it is but the work that was done was sloppy and is like to make it look nicer.
If it helps to get some suggestions, let's pretend it has no electronics and I'd like to put something nice in it that's not O.E.
 
#11
The tough thing is that many people would argue that the EMGs are very versatile and even "nicer" than many other pickup brands, including those you mentioned. EMGs came stock in older Warwicks. Lots of people who play "rock" use EMGs. So this is probably one of the reasons why a question of "what is nicer/more versatile than EMGs" isn't getting many responses - your opinion on them isn't an accepted fact or truth.

Obviously the tone of the bass as it is set up isn't working for you, so it probably will help you get more suggestions if you can try to give more detail around what you don't like and also what you want to achieve.

For what its worth, I can empathize a little as I'm not entirely sold on the tone that I'm getting from my Thumb that has Bartolini pups and preamp in it, and I've also wondered about swapping them out for something else. However, the more I play it and get to know it, I'm starting to see that maybe the issue is just that it is substantially different than my SR5 I had before, so I can't approach playing or EQing it the way I did in the 20 years before I acquired the Thumb. I'm still not entirely sold on the Barts, but I should add that I've learned a huge amount from researching old threads on here...yes, using the magical "search" function that is so often suggested!

Maybe its worth just giving yourself some time with the 'Vette to work out new ways of getting tones that work for you?
 
#12
Thanks rabbit, even though I've never been a fan of EMG's this is the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm not dead set against EMG's but since I have 3 Wicks now I'd rather them not all sound exactly the same. Thanks for mentioning the Bart's in the Thumb.
No matter what suggestions I get I'm still going to research more. Just since I've never worried about pickups before and always kept things stock I was looking for a general direction to start. I've seen a few threads mentioning poor choice in pickup models I figured I'd get some opinions. If I could give more info on what's in the bass now I would but I'm working out of town and that bass is a bit too far to pickup and check. Lol
 
#13
I think it will still help you out to provide more detail on what sound you like and are seeking, and also what it is about the current set up that you don't like. For example, I just can't imagine anyone recommending something like EMGs for a warm, round tone, or alternatively something like Barts for a crisp, clear, ultramodern tone.

I've found from experience that the people around here and this forum are a invaluable wealth of information and experience. Ask some good, clear questions, and you'll get great info back. Also, be sure to post back your experiences so others can benefit from what you discover.

Good luck with the (re)search!
 
#15
Doublestoppen said:
Well I was just asking for some general opinions. I mentioned what style of music I usually play and the type of bass, which are for the most part all the same. Bubinga body, ovankol neck, wenge fretboard and 2 single pickups. I mentioned which pickups I was looking at but I do not have enough knowledge on them which is why I started the post and somehow everyone is focusing on the pickups that are in it and not even suggesting anything.
I bought this bass as a backup and since someone already changed it from original I was gonna put something else in it. It doesn't sound bad the way it is but the work that was done was sloppy and is like to make it look nicer.
If it helps to get some suggestions, let's pretend it has no electronics and I'd like to put something nice in it that's not O.E.
Click to expand...

I meant no offense, and I apologize that I wasn't more helpful. I intended to get across that without knowing what style of pickups are in the bass, it's impossible to recommend pickups that will physically fit in the bass. I'm assuming they're jazz pickups? Also, I understand it's difficult but the more that people know about the pickups that are in the bass, the more they can help make suggestions for something new.

All that being said, I don't have experience with aftermarket bass pickups so I can't offer much help. I just wanted to clarify what I meant - kind of a "help us help you" deal.
 
#16
I guess thats my problem. I'm not 100% on what kind of sound I really like. I don't know enough about after market electronics or what they sound like. I probably worded my post wrong thinking I'd get what I was looking for that way but not really knowing much on the subject all I did was cause confusion. I'm pretty sure I'd like a more modern tone but really don't know the differences between different brands. Really sorry for the confusion guys, I'll just keep researching and hopefully find my answer or how to better ask the question.
Thanks.
Oh and no offense taken JR. :)
 

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