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Bartolini Pickups

#21
Yeah, the name "classic" isn't really meant to imply a vintage-correct tone. I think it was intended to be a contrast to the more "modern" sounding "deep tone" series.

David, have you done a side-by-side comparison of your Neo with a Bartolini "classic bass" humbucker ? You should still have one floating around. :)
 
#22
tubby.twins said:
Yeah, the name "classic" isn't really meant to imply a vintage-correct tone. I think it was intended to be a contrast to the more "modern" sounding "deep tone" series.
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I think it's meant as classic Bartolini... their classic pickups (Hi-A), which is what it sounds like.
David, have you done a side-by-side comparison of your Neo with a Bartolini "classic bass" humbucker ? You should still have one floating around. :)
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I currently have it mounted in the test bass. I have not yet done any side by sides with a neo, since I don't have any wide neos on hand, but I'm making up a batch so I will.

I'm just crazy busy with orders and getting my son into collage. Now he is so I can't focus on pickups. :D
 
#23
jackajesusfreak said:
I know this is a question that involves mostly opinions, experience, and perspective, but if you were to come up with a 'pecking order' for pickups, where would Bartolinis fall?
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Such a list would be mostly subjective preference.

Those who prefer a warm/round sort of sound with somewhat rolled off highs would probably rate Bartolinis quite favorably. Those looking for a pickup with hi-fi clarity and extended harmonic overtones would probably find them somewhat mellow and uninspiring. I like some Bartolini pickups (e.g. the Classic Bass series), but there are other pickups that I like more. Q-tuners and Lane Poors would be near the top. I also have a feeling that I'd like the SGD sidewinders if I had a chance to try them. EMG would be pretty far down the list....
 
#25
Unfortunately I have never been able to warm to them. I have eventually taken them out of every bass that came with them. I just tried yet again over the past few weeks with my Q5 loaded with both PU's and pre being Bartolini and compared to my Spector w/ EMG PU's and Pre I really just prefer the EMG sound. Not for everyone, I know. But they are now out and EMG's going in.

I also know that Bartolini gear is very high quality product with a more than proven track record but, again, I am resigned that they may never be my thing. But, that's why there's something for everyone out there.
 
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#26
SGD Lutherie said:
That's not a bad pickup to lose to. Back when I had Hi-A pickups and a Hi-A TC1 preamp in my Ric, I called it my "baby Alembic", because that's what it sounded like. I always have that Alembic tone n the back of my mind, and my original low Z pickups were my version of that tone:

Link Removed
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Clip sounds good. Yours are among the pickups I've read about here but have no hands-on experience with, sadly considering my current finances I'm unlikely to any time soon. Guess I'll have to be content with my Barts, Alembics, Bardens, and even EMGs.
 
#27
Just bought a Roscoe 6 string bass with these pickups. Plays and sounds beautiful. My main bass for last 30 years is a Wal 4 string. Then I got a Precision 5 string (because as you know nothing sounds like a P bass). Then wanted to try the challenge of a 6 string, went to Bass Direct UK - tried a few and as soon as I plugged this in it played and sounded better than anything else. You can tell this bass has been made with care by someone who knows what they're doing. So to answer your question these pickups are extremely good - in my experience second only to a Wal. How much of the sound is due to the included Bartolini pre amp I don't know - I have also heard these are v good. I also use a Boss GT-10B which widens the tone possibilities!
 
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#28
Petezzz said:
Just bought a Roscoe 6 string bass with these pickups. Plays and sounds beautiful. My main bass for last 30 years is a Wal 4 string. Then I got a Precision 5 string (because as you know nothing sounds like a P bass). Then wanted to try the challenge of a 6 string, went to Bass Direct UK - tried a few and as soon as I plugged this in it played and sounded better than anything else. You can tell this bass has been made with care by someone who knows what they're doing. So to answer your question these pickups are extremely good - in my experience second only to a Wal. How much of the sound is due to the included Bartolini pre amp I don't know - I have also heard these are v good. I also use a Boss GT-10B which widens the tone possibilities!
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Cool song and performed well!
 
#30
DaZombieWoof said:
In a Lakland 55-02 Bartolini pickups are both wonderful and frustrating. I call them "polite". Mind you, the tone with the Bart preamp fits anywhere and usually is adored by the people at the board, hence decent sound in house. Courtesy of that I have learned to at least respect them. I would like more attitude and quirky behavior, but that does not necessarily translate to band mix.
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That's exactly how I feel about my 55-02, polite sounding pickups. Started a thread sometime ago about swapping for something a little more agressive, but the replies didn't really point to anything in particular. Still searching.
 
#33
If you did blind "taste tests" of 10 completely random aftermarket pickups installed in a random bass, and ranked them, my prediction is that Barts would consisently score above average in the 6 to 8 slot.

The pickups that beat them I doubt would be as near consistent. Those would likely be your love/hate pickups. Your Seymour Duncan Quarter-pounders, EMGs etc...

I guess what I'm trying to say, is what constitutes great tone is a highly subjective thing. What sounds best to one person is going to sound like crap to another, But barts have a nice tone that a wide variety of people like and few hate.

Again, just another personal opinion here.
 
#34
I know what people mean when they say Barts are "polite" sounding but I actually like that because to me they have more of a natural acoustic string sound. And that suits my playing style. May not be your cup of tea if you want a very bright electric slap attack type of sound. Horses for courses. As Nev says- highly subjective.
 
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#37
I have had a Rick that had Duncans and then I replaced them with EMG pickups. the EMG's sounded better. I have 2 Hamer 5's with EMG's that both just crush everything in their path. The B string is clear and very focused. I have had a Guild Pilot 4 and a Heartfield 6 with Bartolinis and both sounded good, but not great. The Bartolini's just were not as clear for me, nor did they have as much output. I would put them ahead of the Duncans though.
My list would be
1) EMG
2) Batrolini
3) Duncan
 
#38
Petezzz said:
Absolutely I know you CAN get that sound if you want it. Personally I prefer the more subtle tones available. Here's my Roscoe - not sure exactly which model of CB pickups these are:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.505992026120465.136371.132764710109867&type=3
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Yeah, I think the typical Roscoe does have a more subtle tone. The one Kim Stone played while with the Rippingtons had a brighter attack though. So it's probably just what you ask for during the build. I personally like bright sounding pickups since I slap quite a lot. My Lakland has MK5CBC's. Not quite as bright as I like. I have to turn the treble all the way up to get a nice slap tone.
 
#39
DWBass said:
Yeah, I think the typical Roscoe does have a more subtle tone. The one Kim Stone played while with the Rippingtons had a brighter attack though. So it's probably just what you ask for during the build. I personally like bright sounding pickups since I slap quite a lot. My Lakland has MK5CBC's. Not quite as bright as I like. I have to turn the treble all the way up to get a nice slap tone.
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What preamp do you have? I have the same picukps in my 5501 and they are stellar, and VERY bright. With an Audere preamp they were unbearably bright. Replaced it with a Bart and now they are only 'bright as heck'. I normally run the treble at about 75%. Also, what strings do you use? I use nickel rounds.
 

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