I can probably add more context to give a more clear picture of what I have had go through my head already.
Initially I contacted Mr. Tobias through email and asked what his recommendation to get the truest MTD tone from the Kingston Z 5 was, he pointed to Dana B. Goods with the electronics set from the Kingston ZX series. I did a little reasearch and found that the Pickups are the P25CX-T(mtd) in the neck, P25CX-B(mtd) in the bridge, and the preamp is the HR-5.2APMT/918. Another option given is that if a "voice with more high mids and less treble" is preferred to use P25CBC-T/B, their P2 Classic Bass Dual Coils which are supposed to have "powerful lows and low-mids – bright treble." The third option is that "For a vintage, single coil voice," use the Singularity Series P25S-T/B, which is their P2 shape Single coils where "the asymmetric blade design yields powerful lows and low-mids along with bright treble."
Out of those three I was most interested in the CX series (MTD customs), and the Singularity series. However, I was very unsure about the CX's. There is a huge lack of audio samples and I have never played a bass with them, ZX or otherwise. I am not interested in the Singularity series because of the hum that comes with single coils, so they were out. The Dual coil P25CBC's were interesting, but since they are described as more high mids with less treble, that is not quite what I am looking for. Deep down I longed for the xxP25C from the Original Bass series, but I have chosen that the more mid focused sound is going to come from the Lakland with the Series wiring. Since Mr. Tobias recommended that CX series, I will stick with his line of thinking. I love the SBC's and think they will be able to be a pretty convincing replacement for the CX series. Although, the CX are wired in series from Bartolini, while I will wire the SBC in parallel. This is one variable I am still tossing around in my head before I commit to anything, and can have a huge impact on everything else.
Now, the 55-01 already has the Glockenklang 3-band preamp installed, and to be honest, I am very pleased with every aspect of it. How it boosts and cuts, the frequencies they use,and the fact that the pickups sound like they should with the preamp set flat. There is nothing telling me to replace it.
Since I really have no desire or reason to pull that preamp out and replace it, this has led me to the decision to wire the SBC in the 55-01 in Series. That will give me my reference point to use the gain control on the preamp I put in the Z5 to match the output of the 55-01. This is purely for amp gain reasons, but it is something I am looking for.
I have looked at the Audere preamps often. When I was thinking of adding Series/Single/Parallel switching Audere's form factor really played a role. There are problems I have with coil tapping though. The increased volume that series wiring has compared to the other two keeps me from commiting to this. I was going to use a 4PDT toggle switch and add resistors to an extra pole to reduce the volume for the series position. That is where Audere's size appealed to me. I just am not really motivated to do that now and since there is no gain control for the Audere I am having to look elsewhere. The Nordstrand preamps are very transparent and I'm sure either their shop or I could make the needed adjustments to change the the mid frequencies to where I am looking to have them, but the Bartolini ,made for MTD, already has them where I think I would like them. This will require less work, if there is anything that needs to be adjusted and I like that. Haha
So for now, I am looking at the Delano SBC 5 pickups matched with the Glockenklang 3-band in the 55-01 and the Bartolini in the Z5. There has been quite a bit of thought going on, probably too much really. I wasn't exaggerating when I said, "This begins a journey." Lol
