Laklands with Barts or SD?

I owned a couple of 55-94s with Barts and really liked them until I played a "Willie Weeks" exactly like you describe. I bought it on the spot and haven't been able to get happy with the Barts since. Currently, I own a 55-63 with the Basslines and Bart preamp, which I think is the best of possible combinations.

The Lakland website has a pretty detailed comparison of the Barts vs Duncans.

 

The Barts will give you more of a mellow tone than the SD's. I personally like the Barts - the SD's seem to work better for slapping and popping, which aren't a big part of my style of playing.

Like Mike said www.lakland.com has a good comparison.

 

Don't know about the 55-94...

But when I got my 4-94 Deluxe, I a/b ed the Bartolinis and Duncans...

I chose the Duncans. Much more punch, much stronger bottom, along with a glassier high end.

I agree w/ Childree... Duncans w/ Bart preamp is the way to go.

 

Both of my Laks have Barts, and I love 'em. From what I'm reading, though, I'd better not try the SD's.

 

I've had 2 Laklands, and when I got the first, I got the Barts. After about 10 minutes, I called and had Dan switch the pickups out to SD's.
When I ordered the second Lakland, I went right for the SD's.

IMHO, The Bartolinis were completely lifeless. They had NO punch and, pardon the expression, No Balls.
The Duncans gave me a great cutting-aggressive tone, but were still able to get a nice mellow sound.

Just my $.02, but to me the Duncans were much more versitile.

 

I love the Barts in mine. When plugged-in, the bass sounds almost the same as the bass un-pugged. Very natural. Only louder. But I was wondering - can we not use EQ to dial in the sound we want, whatever pick-ups we use?

 

Sure, we can adjust the EQ on the pickups, but no matter what you do to the EQ, you won't get the biting sound of the Duncans from Bartolinis.
It's easier to get a mello Bart-like sound from the Duncans, rather than the other way around.

 

Only if the sound you want is that of the Barts with EQ tweaks.

Otherwise... no. It's not that simple.

 

I have the Barts in my 4-94 Deluxe with a maple board and I really like them. I can get tones from smooth to aggressive although the Barts do lean towards the smoother end of the spectrum IMO. It sounds great for both fingerstyle and slap. Definitely a versatile bass regardless.

 

I asked Dan Lakin before about SD pick-ups on his basses. While he is happy to put SDs if that is what his customer wants, he did warn that his customer satisfaction with SDs are not high, which is why 95% of his basses come with Barts.

Thought I should let you know. But, hey, if your ears tell you a different story, that's all that matters.

Cheers!

 

Was he referring to tone or reliability?

 

I had a 55-94 with Barts and hated the sound. Lifeless, with no balls. I am on my second Sonus 5/1, which has an SD humbucker and Bart electronics, it has balls, but almost too much bass, definitely a step up....EMG's and a composite fretboard for me.

 

My Bart-equipped 55-94 has balls... maybe not G&L-sized but it definitely has...

I use nickel roundwounds, make minor EQ tweaks and have gotten excellent sound live. The first time I took it out with the little EA's was amazing. Sounded huge.

 

I am getting bored with Bart tone, my Lakland 4 , Pedulla MVP, Warwick SS1/5... even one of Fender JB with Bart. My new coming Sadowsky 5 is with Passive Basslines Soap Bar. According to Roger it is the best sounding one.