From Bartolini to Aguilar

[Session1969]

No way the Aguilar OBP1 is deeper than the Bart. No way. The aggie has more of a treble bite ( great sound too, though).

 

[SimonQwerty]

Aguilar is absolutely neutral. It's like a crystal clear and versatile eq. If you want to hear the sound of Aguilar in a starter position (when no boost/cut added) just turn off NTMB

 

[engedi1]

Absolutely stay with the Duncan pickups, and get the Aguilar. However, the OP3 is a better direct comparison, as it is 3 band boost cut like the NTMB. I HATE the NTMB, especially when paired with bartolini humbuckers like I used to have in my modulus. I also used to have the NTMB in my Lakland deluxe USA with Bart pickups, and thought that was way too polite. I enjoy lakland basses MUCH more with the Hanson pickups and pre. I personally find it sterile and uninspiring, especially on that bass. I think in generally, the OP3 will be more aggressive sounding, meaning more highs, and high mids. As will the Duncans. YMMV of course, and it will be different from bass to bass, but there is no good or bad, just what you want. I like aggressive, more raw, and in your face tones, and I think Duncan's with the Aguilar would deliver that. IMHO, Barts are smoother, more polite, more tame in the high mids, think Tobias-they are killer in Tobias basses. Anyway, give the Aguilar a shot. Or you really want the OP1, get the Sadowsky pre that it is trying to emulate. I KNOW that is killer!

 

[BassOliverB]

Absolutely stay with the Duncan pickups, and get the Aguilar.

I will get the Aguilar, but I will get a Lane Poor/Legacy Pickup. That's my plan!

 

[engedi1]

Cool. Have only heard good things about Lane Poor pickups.

 

[z_nyo]

I have bartolini NTBT in my bass, and It sounds FAT ! I think boost and cut add more versatility than just Boost only...but to say that Barts sound thin is just simply wrong.

 

[MarTONEbass]

I have that Bart preamp in all 3 of my basses and I like it. I used to have a Modlus Q6 with Bart soaps and an Aguilar OBP-3 that I also really liked. IIRC, the Aguilar seemed that it was more extreme and could push around the Barts a little better to make them less polite. I actually just bought an OBP-3 to replace the NTMB in my Q5.

In my humble opinion, if you find Barts to be too polite for your tastes and tonal goals, the Aguilar will offer you a bit more variability for more extreme settings.

 

[engedi1]

Saying Barts or their preamp is thin sounding is just plain silly. Like those who say a jazz bass has no bottom end. Plug in a Pedulla and tell me it is thin sounding! I think it is safer to say that they are more "polite" which means a flat eq response through the midrange. That is the goal behind the design. Aguilar is more aggresive. Like comparing an Eden amp to a Gallien Kruger-more high mids and mids. Lane Poor pickups are also meant to be aggresive I believe, so it should be a good fit!

 

[BassOliverB]

I have never personally said that the Bartolini preamps are bad. Bartolini preamps are great! I'm just telling what I have heard, about the differences between the Bart and the Aggie. But in my opinion, the Aguilar is a little better. I like the aggressive tone like Flea's. That's also why I am going to get a LP PU.

 

[Afc70]

I've got an old modulus flea (made in 97)with the original bartolini preamp and lane poor pickup. Sounds killer! I personally wouldn't change my Bartolini preamp for the Aguilar,but that's just my preference.

 

[Lorenzini]

Just put a Nordstrand pickup in there, call it a day.

 

[scubaduba]

I love all of the subjectivity in this thread. So I'll add to it with my opinion.

I currently have two basses with Bart/Bart combo. A Pedulla Thunderbass and a Tobias. I've owned no less than 10 other basses with all Bart electronics.

On the other hand I've owned basses with Aguilar pre's as well as Fender, Sadowsky, Audere, Mayones, and other preamps. And scores of different pickups.

IMHO an OBP-1 is not an "upgrade" from a Bart NTBT. Like others have already said its a lateral move and, depending on your ear, could be a downgrade. My current arsenal contains no basses with Aguilar preamps. I've never been in love with a bass stocked with an Aggie. I much prefer Bart electronics (and Audere preamps rock too and are extremely versatile with the Z-mode position switch).

The Aguilar is NOT more deep sounding. To me it is more raw sounding though. Bart electronics just seem more polished and usable to me. I'd rather record with Bart's.

In your comparison the OBP-1 is not an upgrade. Look for the OBP-3 and I bet you'll be happier. Pop on some stainless strings to liven everything.

Bottom line, if you want the Aggie then go for it. I'd try what you have with a setup and stainless strings first and see what your ear says.

 

[johnbee]

For what it's worth, I had a Flea with the Bart preamp and pickup. Based on my experience, the bart/bart config gives more of the smooth fingerstyle sound you'd expect from a Modulus Quantum, Roscoe, etc. And based on what I've read (here on TB mostly), the Aguilar and LaneLane Poor pickups might be brighter and better for slap-style playing.

My bart/bart Flea had a smooth, fat, deep sound, not at all "thin". But it could also be dialed back for piano-like tones. I wish I'd never sold that bass.