Don't like my bartolini pickup or pre, What to switch first

[Hund Basses]

I have a 2012 Zon sonus with a single bart humbucker in the sweet spot and a bart pre amp and I don't like the sound, it lacks a bite and sounds dark. On the preamp the treble knob has to be turned up all the way to get close to a tone i like which is a Marcus Millerish tone.

So the question is what to change first pickup or pre amp?

The only catch it the pickup looks like a custom size so it may be hard to find.

 

[mmbongo]

Definitely pickup. Or strings. Or whatever is making your Zon sound the opposite of every other Zon on the planet.

 

[jg42]

So you want it more aggressive with more highs? Barts are not bright by definition. Even CBCs

 

[Modulus1906]

So you want it more aggressive with more highs? Barts are not bright by definition. Even CBCs

Completely disagree. I switched Classic Bart dual coils in a Pedulla Thunderbass and Modulus Q5 and in both cases the pickups had a much brighter and open top end that the stock barts. I would try the Classic Barts, EMG TWXs, or Delanos SBCs

 

[mmbongo]

So you want it more aggressive with more highs? Barts are not bright by definition. Even CBCs

They are some of the brightest pickups I've used.

 

[jg42]

Completely disagree. I switched Classic Bart dual coils in a Pedulla Thunderbass and Modulus Q5 and in both cases the pickups had a much brighter and open top end that the stock barts. I would try the Classic Barts, EMG TWXs, or Delanos SBCs

Well, obviously compared to the regular Barts, they are bright. But compared to 40DCs or even Big Singles, they are not.

 

[musicmanmike]

Ive put barts in my Ricky and never regreted it

 

[bassbenj]

They are some of the brightest pickups I've used.

Cripes, I can only wonder what you were using? My modulus has barts and they aren't exactly dull (it's got three: neck, sweet spot, and bridge) but they are rather mellow compared to a Modulus with say, EMGs!

 

[jg42]

They are some of the brightest pickups I've used.

Actually I realized that my only bass with Barts is fretless... Maybe if I had them in a fretted, they would seem brighter? Having said that, 40DCs or Big Singles sound way brighter to me.

 

[aproud1]

Depending on the bass... Bart pickups with a bart pre can sound somewhat tame IME. Now Bart pickups with an Aguilar pre is beastly.

If it were me I would try the preamp first. I generally like bart pickups as long as they are attached to a non bart preamp.

All IMO of course...

 

[Modulus1906]

Well, obviously compared to the regular Barts, they are bright. But compared to 40DCs or even Big Singles, they are not.

I didn't see any prior comments from you about 40DCs or Big Singles. However, I might still disagree with you. The 40DCs are probably going to be a bit more edgy and gritty in the lower treble frequency but the Classic Barts are going to have as much or more higher treble sizzle that the 40DCs or the Big Singles.

 

[Hund Basses]

so anyone know who will make a music man like pickup in a custom shell because I have yet to find a manufacturer with the same shape I think there made special for zon


And thanks for all the help

 

[maurilio]

I have a 2012 Zon sonus with a single bart humbucker in the sweet spot and a bart pre amp and I don't like the sound, it lacks a bite and sounds dark. On the preamp the treble knob has to be turned up all the way to get close to a tone i like which is a Marcus Millerish tone.

So the question is what to change first pickup or pre amp?

The only catch it the pickup looks like a custom size so it may be hard to find.

Well a MM sound is accomplish with single coils in a specific location….
but, knowing Bartolini, in your case I would definitely swap the pre first.

M

 

[Hund Basses]

Heres a pic of the bass so you guys understand what i'm talking about

 

[chaosmic]

Depending on the bass... Bart pickups with a bart pre can sound somewhat tame IME. Now Bart pickups with an Aguilar pre is beastly.

If it were me I would try the preamp first. I generally like bart pickups as long as they are attached to a non bart preamp.

All IMO of course...

I agree 100%. Excellent combination. Love the Bart pup Aggie pre combination in my Roscoe...much better than the all Bart or Bart/Demeter I've used in the past.

 

[thehangingmist]

i didnt like the bart pickup and pre on my ibanez sr505 as well ended up selling the bass only when i look back maybe i should have swapped the electronics heh!

 

[mmbongo]

i didnt like the bart pickup and pre on my ibanez sr505 as well ended up selling the bass only when i look back maybe i should have swapped the electronics heh!

Those don't really have Barts, they have MK1's. Nothing like actual Barts.

 

[thehangingmist]

Those don't really have Barts, they have MK1's. Nothing like actual Barts.

figures! thought mk1's are barts

so maybe i let a good bass go! damn because i always liked the bass didnt like pickups and the preamp! now i [DEL]need[/DEL] want a 5er again and i miss that guy never mind though will get another one soon enough!

 

[aproud1]

I know how to get you the sound you want... trade that bass for the Deluxe P in my signature and all your sonic dreams will come true...

 

[5string_phunk]

Depending on the bass... Bart pickups with a bart pre can sound somewhat tame IME. Now Bart pickups with an Aguilar pre is beastly.

If it were me I would try the preamp first. I generally like bart pickups as long as they are attached to a non bart preamp.

All IMO of course...

+1 This has been my experience too! Keep the pickups and change the pre to an OBP-3.