Bartolini BH2 and Ibanez bass

[andruca]

How did you find them wired each one in parallel?

Overall, same "defect" I found in series, too scooped, less bassy in parallel than series, and zingier, but only in the highs (while hi-mids still remain poor). I also tested the difference between active and passive with all combinations and passive is more detailed, everywhere, but most notably in the highs/hi-mids. The VariMid, while not producing annoying volume jumps (nor EQ bumps if you have it set flat), is definitely making the signal less nuanced, timbrically speaking, as if "losing resolution" somehow. I like what the VariMid DOES, really helped me tame the tone of these pickups (once already in single coil), mainly by adding mids. Don't know what frequency I'm boosting, not how much, I use both mids and mid frequency between 2/3 and 3/4 of the way, adds clarity/presence/intelligibility. I just don't like it seems to not treat the bass' timbre that good, which I'm sure added to the original series wiring genericness of these BH2s.

 

[jesterbass]

Overall, same "defect" I found in series, too scooped, less bassy in parallel than series, and zingier, but only in the highs (while hi-mids still remain poor). I also tested the difference between active and passive with all combinations and passive is more detailed, everywhere, but most notably in the highs/hi-mids. The VariMid, while not producing annoying volume jumps (nor EQ bumps if you have it set flat), is definitely making the signal less nuanced, timbrically speaking, as if "losing resolution" somehow. I like what the VariMid DOES, really helped me tame the tone of these pickups (once already in single coil), mainly by adding mids. Don't know what frequency I'm boosting, not how much, I use both mids and mid frequency between 2/3 and 3/4 of the way, adds clarity/presence/intelligibility. I just don't like it seems to not treat the bass' timbre that good, which I'm sure added to the original series wiring genericness of these BH2s.

Perhaps in series/parallel they are too hot to be behind a 9V preamp.

 

[andruca]

Perhaps in series/parallel they are too hot to be behind a 9V preamp.

AFAIU parallel means less gain than single coil, which in turn means less gain than series.

 

[andruca]

Voilá, I'm GUYKERed, for sure. These blow the Barts out of the (indistinct) mud. These are single coils and Barts are wired in single coil here too (they are MUCH WORSE than you hear here stock, in series). Only con is the Guykers have less gain, so I've recorded both passive and active with +6db connection (still, flat EQ). It compensates for the colder pickups. Didn't move any gain nor relative volumes between changes, so the volume proportion is faithful.

 

[Rodrigo EV]

I just bought an Ibanez SRMS625EX-BKF (with Bartolini BH2 PickUps) and confirmed the darker, muddy, and not-so-bright pickups.

But, with this wonderful Zoom B1/B1X Four pedal, you can improve that, maybe with a cheaper option than changing the pickups, and you even get more flexibility with some other effects:

• Effect: "BlackOpt" (Dynamics), active - "yes"
  • "Comp" = 50
  • "Lo" = 50
  • "Hi" = 50
  • "Volume" = 50
• Effect: "Dark Pre" (Overdrive / Distortion), active - "yes"
  • "Bass" = 35
  • "L-MID" = 35
  • "H-MID" = 50
  • "Treble" = 75
  • "Blend" = 65
  • "Gain" = 15
  • "VOL" = 85
  • "Boost" = LO
• Effect: "ZNR" (Dynamics), active - "yes"
  • "Detect" = GTRIN
  • "Depth" = 100
  • "Threshold" = 35
  • "Decay" = 0
• Effect: "AMPG SVT" (Amp simulator), active - "yes"
  • "Bass" = -7.0
  • "MID-F" = 450Hz
  • "Middle" = -12.0
  • "Treble" = 7.0
  • "Gain" = 25
  • "Ultra" = BOTH
  • "Volume" = 50
• Patch Volume: 100
• DSP Load: 66%

 

[Rodrigo EV]

I've made some other adjustments, and it got even better - check it out on Bartolini BH2 and Ibanez bass

 

[nanbanpapa]

Been lurking a bit in this thread. I own the lovely BTB845V with BH-2 pickups and "Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ w/ 3-way Mid frequency switch. I am also experiencing flat sound, harsh EQ and not very pleasant sounding tones. But I like the 33" scale and balance of the bass. It seems very solidly built! Link [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I would like to change out the electronics to something better, warmer and clearer or more velvetlike-ish.

On previous basses I have owned, I have switched out the pickups with "boutique" name brands. This has always helped. Nowadays I am more a P than a J guy, so when considering pickups to replace the BH-2's, that has to be factored in somehow.
Currently aiming towards ther Aguilar DCB's.
Preampwise I only need a high quality device, canb be almost anything, as I dont use it much at all, but I might add or cut bass depending on the room.

Any advice?

This exactly my situation Any updates?

 

[nanbanpapa]

I was reading this thread. I have a BTB845V, which I love, but the sound could be much better.
Some people mentioned mod the pickups, some people exchanged the pickups, others mentioned the preamp.

I guess the easier of these options is to try the mod. I wonder how much improvement resulted from it?
Secondly, is the preamp the problem, or rather the BH2 pickups? I see that a lot of people simply exchanged the pickups.

Thanks!

 

[Bad_tattoo]

I was reading this thread. I have a BTB845V, which I love, but the sound could be much better.
Some people mentioned mod the pickups, some people exchanged the pickups, others mentioned the preamp.

I guess the easier of these options is to try the mod. I wonder how much improvement resulted from it?
Secondly, is the preamp the problem, or rather the BH2 pickups? I see that a lot of people simply exchanged the pickups.

Thanks!

Check out my post from a while back: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bartolini-bh2-and-ibanez-bass.1401884/page-14#post-27949410

If you want to and have the patience, you can wire the pickups to 2 switches that allow the stock BH2 pickups to be paired in a way that will most likely sound good to you I put it in this way because the BH2 themselves are very average pickups, but it is a very cheap way to get a lot of sounds out of them. By nature I find them quite lacking and lifeless in the mid area but there are some great sounds to be coaxed out of them in the right coil positions and preamp settings.

 

[dune]

I was reading this thread. I have a BTB845V, which I love, but the sound could be much better.
Some people mentioned mod the pickups, some people exchanged the pickups, others mentioned the preamp.

I guess the easier of these options is to try the mod. I wonder how much improvement resulted from it?
Secondly, is the preamp the problem, or rather the BH2 pickups? I see that a lot of people simply exchanged the pickups.

Thanks!

I replaced the "offshore" electronics in my 845V with USA Barts which vastly improved the tone of the bass to my ears.
At the time I remember thinking that the only reason it was a $1000 bass rather than a $2000 bass was the cheap stock electronics (which in mine looked like a rat's nest) and the lack of finesse in the finish. The contours of the body left a lot to be desired from both visual and comfort standpoints. Comfort-wise, there was too sharp of an angle under my right forearm. Visually, the lines created by the darker wood lamination under the poplar burl were nowhere near matching the overall lines of the body and drove me nuts, the stain was awful and the painted back totally unnecessary.

 

[nanbanpapa]

Check out my post from a while back: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bartolini-bh2-and-ibanez-bass.1401884/page-14#post-27949410

If you want to and have the patience, you can wire the pickups to 2 switches that allow the stock BH2 pickups to be paired in a way that will most likely sound good to you I put it in this way because the BH2 themselves are very average pickups, but it is a very cheap way to get a lot of sounds out of them. By nature I find them quite lacking and lifeless in the mid area but there are some great sounds to be coaxed out of them in the right coil positions and preamp settings.

Oh cool! Many thanks!

In the meantime, I did the mod, which slightly improved the overall sound. I tried combinations of the mod +6 db and de VM3/BEQ preamp outputs. Ended up keeping the VM3 output with the mod +6.
But I will check the single coil/parallel/series wiring

 

[nanbanpapa]

I replaced the "offshore" electronics in my 845V with USA Barts which vastly improved the tone of the bass to my ears.
At the time I remember thinking that the only reason it was a $1000 bass rather than a $2000 bass was the cheap stock electronics (which in mine looked like a rat's nest) and the lack of finesse in the finish. The contours of the body left a lot to be desired from both visual and comfort standpoints. Comfort-wise, there was too sharp of an angle under my right forearm. Visually, the lines created by the darker wood lamination under the poplar burl were nowhere near matching the overall lines of the body and drove me nuts, the stain was awful and the painted back totally unnecessary.

I completely agree

 

[andruca]

I finally gathered the courage (and the money) and got myself a pair of (quad coil) P452J. The biggest difference is the mids, more present and "flatter response" overall than the BH2s. UN-SCOOPED! Steep price tho', meaning in line with what Aguilar or Nordstrand would charge for a fitting option (+shipping to Madrid+30% customs). My initial intention was to get P45Js, but they're made to order and the wait was LONG, and Best Bass Gear happened to have these in stock. I'm using half of them, just the neck-side inline pairs of coils (was using also neckside -single- coils with the BH2s, less scooped/dark option). Nice Jazz sounding humbuckers, happy so far.

 

[andruca]

It's a little cramped in there, but I managed to add 2 DPDT coil tap switches for single/series/single operation (not really single but each inline pair of coils). It offers so much more now. Liking these "2 humbucking Js in one pickup" Bart P452Js a lot

 

[CavinTan]

It's a little cramped in there, but I managed to add 2 DPDT coil tap switches for single/series/single operation (not really single but each inline pair of coils). It offers so much more now. Liking these "2 humbucking Js in one pickup" Bart P452Js a lot

Could you add a wiring schematic for this?

Ps. it is a landmine in my ebh1265ms, i dont even know where to begin with the parallel mod..

 

[andruca]

Could you add a wiring schematic for this?

Ps. it is a landmine in my ebh1265ms, i dont even know where to begin with the parallel mod..

I'm luckily long out of the Bartolini scam. I dumped those (also DEAD sounding) 4 coils too, did a 3D printing of some covers and put Wilkinson Jazz pickups inside, best my 1005MS has ever sounded, by too damm far. As for me, Bartolini just ignores how to make pickups that don't sound dead. Sorry, after several tries and much waste of money, and never having played a Bart equipped bass that wasn't systematically ruined by them (no matter the config, no matter classic or modern or whatever other marketing gimmick), I'm in "Bartolini sucks" camp forever. Words fail to express how bad I regard them, even generic chinese Guyker/Donlis crap sounds better

There's the schematics doc in Bartolini's website, which is what I used. Here you go, the wiring I was using is on page 6 (single/parallel/single)... https://bartolini.net/wp-content/uploads/Docs/PickupWiring4Conductor.pdf

 

[CavinTan]

I'm luckily long out of the Bartolini scam. I dumped those (also DEAD sounding) 4 coils too, did a 3D printing of some covers and put Wilkinson Jazz pickups inside, best my 1005MS has ever sounded, by too damm far. As for me, Bartolini just ignores how to make pickups that don't sound dead. Sorry, after several tries and much waste of money, and never having played a Bart equipped bass that wasn't systematically ruined by them (no matter the config, no matter classic or modern or whatever other marketing gimmick), I'm in "Bartolini sucks" camp forever. Words fail to express how bad I regard them, even generic chinese Guyker/Donlis crap sounds better

There's the schematics doc in Bartolini's website, which is what I used. Here you go, the wiring I was using is on page 6 (single/parallel/single)... https://bartolini.net/wp-content/uploads/Docs/PickupWiring4Conductor.pdf

Do you mind sending me a DM on the 3d file for the covers?
i was inspired by your post on putting J pups in with a cover to make it still look like a BH2. better still, was thinking of building matching wood covers for my 1265MS, but i think black still looks best. i'm in the process of building custom knobs though.

how's the sound and output for the wilkinson? heard mixed reviews..

 

[andruca]

Do you mind sending me a DM on the 3d file for the covers?
i was inspired by your post on putting J pups in with a cover to make it still look like a BH2. better still, was thinking of building matching wood covers for my 1265MS, but i think black still looks best. i'm in the process of building custom knobs though.

how's the sound and output for the wilkinson? heard mixed reviews..

PMed you with both the FreeCAD and STL files.

The sound of alnico Wilkinsons is great. I've also been testing a couple of Donlis blade pickups (about 30€ delivered, Wilkinsons were 54€) and they're great too. What can I say? DAMM NORMAL PICKUPS will do that. Any normal pickup will simply sound great compared to Bartolini rubbish, no matter the range or type. They're naked and every snob is too affraid to call their dead crap out. Output is higher than any single coil combination on the BH2s and also on the P452Js (can't wire single coil here really, but each pair of inline coils -hardwired inside, just 4 wires + gnd coming out-). They're not particularly quiet, just Bartolini dead (no bright, no mids, no bite, makes every instrument sound generic). I also happen to have tried a pair of Nordy Big Blade knockoffs from AliExpress (Guyker) and, even tho' they sounded OK, output was too weak. Both alnico Wilkinsons and Donlis blades (5 string versions of both) measure at around 7-8kohm DC and do properly cover the EHB's 5 strings at their tilted position.

 

[paskisti]

I'm luckily long out of the Bartolini scam. I dumped those (also DEAD sounding) 4 coils too, did a 3D printing of some covers and put Wilkinson Jazz pickups inside, best my 1005MS has ever sounded, by too damm far. As for me, Bartolini just ignores how to make pickups that don't sound dead. Sorry, after several tries and much waste of money, and never having played a Bart equipped bass that wasn't systematically ruined by them (no matter the config, no matter classic or modern or whatever other marketing gimmick), I'm in "Bartolini sucks" camp forever. Words fail to express how bad I regard them, even generic chinese Guyker/Donlis crap sounds better

There's the schematics doc in Bartolini's website, which is what I used. Here you go, the wiring I was using is on page 6 (single/parallel/single)... https://bartolini.net/wp-content/uploads/Docs/PickupWiring4Conductor.pdf

I understand BH2s are not good but are you also disliking the USA Bartolinis as a direct replacement? I'm thinking between BTB Iron Label BTB625EX updated to USA Bartolinis and BTB1835 with Aguilar DCB. Iron Label would still be cheaper (and black), where BTB 1835 more expensive, good out of factory (but not black).

 

[BasseroDE]

It's a little cramped in there, but I managed to add 2 DPDT coil tap switches for single/series/single operation (not really single but each inline pair of coils). It offers so much more now. Liking these "2 humbucking Js in one pickup" Bart P452Js a lot

Where did you get the finger ramp - desperately searching for one like yours?

Edit: Should´ve read the thread further ;-) could you please also send me the files? @andruca