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Delano comparison

BassIsFun17

BassIsFun17

Jan 16, 2006
1,773
709
36
Atlanta
www.landtband.com
#1
Hello everyone,

I'm looking to try a different flavor pick up set for my Warwick Corvette Standard Passive 5 string bass.

I've always had some interested in trying Delano pickups. So I was interested if anyone has any input on a set to try out.

there are quite a few sets to choose from on best bass gear. such as:
Delano 5-string JC Series Pickups - Best Bass Gear

does anyone have input on a set to try? anyone with first hand experience in any of the Jazz style pickups delano has to offer?

all input is welcome

thanks!
 
#7
I have p2 sized Delano soapbars in my fretless Icon 6. They are nice, especially compared to stock Carvin pups. Lots of definition, detail... but I recently realized that with definition comes coldness. Having said that, they are definitely warmer sounding than EMG 40DC, but still not as warm and organic as Bartolini dual coil soapbars. The best way to describe Delano would be "precise". But with that comes a certain "detachment"'. Some like it, some don't. For me, so far Barts are ahead, but it's more of a personal choice - Delanos are top-notch! I guess the next pups that I try will be Norstrand Neo Blades. I already have a set, just need to put them in.
 
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#9
Currently I'm debating getting Delano PMVC 5 FE or asking Curtis Novak to produce a Fender Precision Bass type 5-string pickup. I do like the warm sound of a PBass and lately I find the natural growl a bit excessive. I want precise definition and warmth with reduced growl.

I have Bartolini pickups in my 5-string Jazz Bass and they are absolutely amazing. By far, the Bartolini's surpass the Fender Jazz pickups.
 
#10
I wasn't crazy about the tone of my Roscoe with the Jazz configuration, it came with Barts. I tried Fralin, Aguilar, Nordstrand, the Nords sounding the best. Then I played a friends J bass with the Delano's and it sounded great so I put a set in my Roscoe and the tone opened up nicely.
 
#11
Some have mentioned Bartolini pickups. I had some Barts 9j's on all my basses throughout the 80's and 90's and I'd say they are the exact opposite of Delano JMVC's (sorry I did not try the JC's)
Barts are very deep, smooth and syrupy with absolutely no attack in the high mids. I now only use them for fretless. The Delano's are not as deep sounding but punchy with present high mids which work well with a pick. In my experience the Barts are good for pop/jazz/fusion/smooth stuff and the Delano are totally in-your-face great for any aggressive type of music where a PBass or a Stingray would fit well. They are both great but at each opposit side of the spectrum.
 
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#12
jg42 said:
I have p2 sized Delano soapbars in my fretless Icon 6. They are nice, especially compared to stock Carvin pups. Lots of definition, detail... but I recently realized that with definition comes coldness. Having said that, they are definitely warmer sounding than EMG 40DC, but still not as warm and organic as Bartolini dual coil soapbars. The best way to describe Delano would be "precise". But with that comes a certain "detachment"'. Some like it, some don't. For me, so far Barts are ahead, but it's more of a personal choice - Delanos are top-notch! I guess the next pups that I try will be Norstrand Neo Blades. I already have a set, just need to put them in.
Click to expand...

Similar experience, with the "Xtender" pickup in my Human Base (~MM sweetspot). The clarity, precision, definition I get out of it is awesome really, but I do use other elements in my signal chain to warm up the sound a bit : a fine balance between dirt, amp, cab sim and the likes. I'd rather this way than the other way around : seems easier to me to "dirtify" the sound as needed.
 
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