Need more low end from thumb bass

[lvca]

Don't forget Thumb's MEC pickups are active ones, they can't be wired in serial

 

[JimiLL]

Something jumps out at me here - and this is assuming you have pa support on these gigs...
If it's only a live sound issue that you don't notice through your rig (provided the rig's of decent quality for a fair reference), I would think it has to do with the sound mix on the stage itself - what the audience hears is usually different. PA subs are set up optimally for the audience & monitors will generally give you a clearer tone to work with. Just something to keep an eye on.
A third pickup won't make any difference that new J pickups can't help with just fine.
And you've already switched the pre - the Warwick's bass frequency is 100Hz so it wouldn't have given you much down low. Any idea where the Bart's is located? Most are between 40-60Hz, so I bet you're ok there. I built a Streamer with Basslines in the thumb's pickup configuration with an Aguilar pre, including 40Hz bass, no shortage of available depth here!
If you have plenty of low end through a good amp & cabinet, I don't think you have to worry much, it's elsewhere.

Well its a Genz GBE 1200 through a XB2 610 cab. I know its in the bass because when I play my spector euro 5 through it I have no low end issues. I know this amp has a 23hz low cut which doesnt help, but otherwise im in love with the amp and dont wanna sell it.

The Bart pre amp bass control is centered around 40 hz. This does help quite a bit but its still not the total package im lookin for. Infact, the sound out through the front is pretty good..... just as good nearly as whats coming out of the cab

 

[JimiLL]

I was thinkin of maybe even purring a 31 band graphic eq in front of the amp?

 

[JimiLL]

Ok scratch all that.... im thinkin im just gonna try some new pickups.... easiest for me now.

I was thinkin Sd Antiquity II's, but they are only in 4 string formats.... what about SGD or Barts?

 

[sotua]

I have a 2006 warwick thumb bo 5 string, and I like everything about it, except some times in a live setting it doesnt have as much low end as I would like.

Ive kind of been toying with the idea of routing in a reverse P-pickup just in front of the two single coils. Good idea or nay? Will I pick up much more heft to the sound or is it gonna be kinda futile?

I have a guy that can do the routing and such... but could you even hook up a third pickup into the pre amp?

Sell it and get a Jazz Bass. It's exactly the same problem I had, and that's the only way I could get a really satisfying live tone.

(however, the thumb has an amazing bedroom/basement tone... )

 

[knowles]

Keep that rig, it's kickass. The built-in highpass filter won't affect anything you hear since the vast majority of bass tone begins at the first octave harmonic, around 60Hz for the B string. It's only there to protect speakers.
MEC pickups are typically voiced a bit on the thin side, so that a Warwick will cut through in pretty much any situation.
I can tell you that I'm real happy with my Basslines AJB5/Aguilar OBP2 - this dude's running a very similar setup, with just a bit of gain, eq & compression -
Low mid icy crunch - YouTube

If you notice the problem through that amp, with that eq, pickups are probably the answer for ya. Good luck, lad!

Edit:
And make sure you're using the proper pot values for all the controls. That's not something I can answer to, having no experience with Bartolini. But in general, I think the tone control pots would have come from them & the volume & blend should match with whichever pickups you're running.

 

[JimiLL]

Keep that rig, it's kickass. The built-in highpass filter won't affect anything you hear since the vast majority of bass tone begins at the first octave harmonic, around 60Hz for the B string. It's only there to protect speakers.
MEC pickups are typically voiced a bit on the thin side, so that a Warwick will cut through in pretty much any situation.
I can tell you that I'm real happy with my Basslines AJB5/Aguilar OBP2 - this dude's running a very similar setup, with just a bit of gain, eq & compression -
Low mid icy crunch - YouTube

If you notice the problem through that amp, with that eq, pickups are probably the answer for ya. Good luck, lad!

Edit:
And make sure you're using the proper pot values for all the controls. That's not something I can answer to, having no experience with Bartolini. But in general, I think the tone control pots would have come from them & the volume & blend should match with whichever pickups you're running.

The AJB-5's are a direct drop in to the thumb? Do I need two bridge pickups or will a neck and bridge do? Also will they work with the Bartolini Pre thats in the bass?

 

[darkstorm]

Use a eq after last effect to boost 40Hz. Do not use one set at 60 hz for low bass, that wont cut it. You need 40hz or lower. boost for center freq.

 

[Jontom]

Add 2 15" woofers into your stage rig and you'll never need more bottom. I have a '91 Thumb w/EMG j's(w/btc preamp), Crest CA9(fronted by an Eden WTDI) and Eden 210 XLT on top of an Eden 215 and it kills! Focused, tight and punchy bottom.

 

[Rano Bass]

The Thumb sound is, by nature, very midrangy. You can mess with it all you like and very possibly not be satisfied with the results.

Listen to this guy
You cant mess with the natural sound of the bass, the only choice is to add a pickup closer to the neck but i would not do it.
I had a Thumb 5 BO and when i needed something with a fatter bottom end i just used my jazz bass.
Its like saying: Stevie Wonder has a great voice but i wish he sounded like Barry White It will never happen, it doesnt matter how many microphones he tries.
IMO of course.

 

[knowles]

Listen to this guy
You cant mess with the natural sound of the bass, the only choice is to add a pickup closer to the neck but i would not do it.
I had a Thumb 5 BO and when i needed something with a fatter bottom end i just used my jazz bass.
Its like saying: Stevie Wonder has a great voice but i wish he sounded like Barry White It will never happen, it doesnt matter how many microphones he tries.
IMO of course.

This is a reasonable point of view as well, as has been echoed on here. The combination of elements that make it a Thumb will always contribute to a certain characteristic tone, no matter what you do. But if you start with an inherently bright sounding bass, you can always add some depth to it...back to that clip again of the neck-through with AJJs. Massive.
And I'm not saying this is your best bet in terms of a pickup swap, since I have my own ideal sounds and there is no "best". But I'm happy with them.
Active for 5 string Jazz Bass® AJB-5 - Seymour Duncan 5-String
They give measurements & the tone chart link compares with other Basslines pups for an idea of what you'll get.
But I'd look through the J-pickup comparison sticky. It probably has everything else you could need....

 

[JimiLL]

Im not looking for huge amounts of difference... just something a little more plump sounding. I know its in there somewhere..

 

[Duckwater]

What strings are you using? Maybe you could try some that are a little more bass/low mid prominent, or play closer to the neck. There are a lot of things to consider before buying new electronics or butchering your bass.

 

[JimiLL]

Using Circle K strings right now.... tbh im not even really crazzy about them, but they are the only ones that make em big enough for me. (I have it tuned 1.5 steps down)

 

[knowles]

I know LaBella makes a .150 in steels at least, if that's of any interest. Not sure about nickels, though.
You'll find it...