I replaced the mk1 pickups in my lakland 5 string with mk5cbc. They were a perfect fit.
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Bartolini MK4CBC
- Thread starter PDGood
- Start date
I replaced the mk1 pickups in my lakland 5 string with mk5cbc. They were a perfect fit.
Should be same route size. I added a a coil split to mine as these are dual coil. I have it wired outer coils , inner coils, and both. LOVE the multiple options I get. There is a drop in volume as you switch from dual to single but thats to be expected.
Yes, both MK1 and MK4 have the same form factor. Bu MK1 has 2 mounting screws, MK4 has 3.
It's better to fill the existing screw holes before installing the MK4.
It's better to fill the existing screw holes before installing the MK4.
Please report back with your review here when the replacement is done.
Yes, the MK4CBC will fit the factory routing of the MK1 pickup.
I had the stock MK1's on my SRF705 replaced with a pair of MK5CBC years ago. The sound became too thick. Not the kind of fretless sound I had expected. Fortunately, I had them wired through a push-pull potentio, which functioned as the default dual coil and optional single coil selector. The outer singles sounded much better, but then I got the issue of single coil noise when the pair volume knobs were not set at an equal level.
I'd had this configuration for about 3 or 4 years before I reverted the pickups back to the MK1's last year. To my ears, the stock MK1 pickups sound much better for the kind of midrangy fretless tone I'm after.
Interesting. My SRF is stock at the moment, strung with Chromes and the standard MK1's. I was actually looking to create a bit of a faux Gary Willis signature and try and find a pickup closer to his signature bridge pup and switch to round wounds as a bit of an experiment. From a few other TB posts the CBC seemed to be recommended but I'd happily take other recommendations.
I've taken the Chromes off the SRF and replaced them with D'Addario Nylon Tapewound years ago. IMO, they are perfect match for the SRF, at least on my SRF705. I don't have any intention to use other strings on this bass.
How do you find the tension on the tape wounds? I fancied trying some as they are supposed to get you as close as you can get to that double bass sound on an electric but I looked at the gauges and start at 50 - 105. With rounds / flats I favour a lighter 40-100.
I favour 40-100 (and 120 B) too. Dunlop Super Bright (Nickel & Stainless) are my current favorites for roundwound. And D'Addario Nylon tapes are my favorite tapewound.
When you see tapewound strings, don't be fooled by the gauges. The nylon wraps don't add too much weight; thus, the string gauge beneath the wraps is what really counts. The 50-105 tapes are somewhat comparable to 40-95 rounds.
D'Addario tapes are definitely light tension and they have the right amount of flexibility. Not as floppy as La Bella Copper White Nylon Tapes I had on my other Ibanez fretless.
One word: clarity. I upgraded the Ibby MK1 pickups to the USA Bart MK5CBC and enjoyed increased clarity, definition, tone, and everything else. By contrast, the MK1 pickups are, well, muddy. In the worst way. My sound tech said the difference made the bass I played at the time one of the easiest to mix he had ever worked with. But you can't stop there: get an upgraded preamp, or you will lose all the clarity you gain by upgrading the pickups, because the Ibby preamp is no better. I prefer EMG preamp components for a variety of reasons including clarity, low noise, versatility (especially with the treble contour switches), but as you can read elsewhere on the forum, there are several superlative brands and models of preamps. The sound was so superior that I earned the cost back in gig money within a few months of admittedly hobby weekend gigs. I did later sell the bass for other reasons, but none of those reasons were about sound.
The Cort fretless is back from 'surgery'. And I can say the MK4CBC pickups make a huge difference in the sound. Here are the before and after pics:
Unfortunately there is an issue with either the volume pot (which was replaced) or the output jack, so I have to take it back to get that sorted.
Unfortunately there is an issue with either the volume pot (which was replaced) or the output jack, so I have to take it back to get that sorted.
I have a bass with the MK4CBCs and I think they sound great. Feels like very high quality sound wise.
