new pickup and preamp?

[On The DL]

I'm looking to get some bart J's for my spector 5. The stock EMG HZ's just don't have enough punch or growl for my taste.

My question if this, is it worth getting pickups if I'm not going to change out the preamp as well? I guess I could always get a bart preamp later, but I'd like some feedback before I buy either.

thx

 

[BoomSTICK]

I'm looking to get some bart J's for my spector 5. The stock EMG HZ's just don't have enough punch or growl for my taste.

My question if this, is it worth getting pickups if I'm not going to change out the preamp as well? I guess I could always get a bart preamp later, but I'd like some feedback before I buy either.

thx

My thought would be to try out some new pickups first.

When you say growl and punch that's totally p/u influenced.
Pre amps would only enhance what was already there.

 

[joeyl]

most active basses I have encountered have good sounding passive pickups going into cheap preamps. You may want to try the stock pickups without the stock preamp first.

 

[On The DL]

appreciate the advice guys- my spector tends to have a fair amount of extra noise, especially if the treble is rolled back considerably. I'm curious whether this is most likely from the p/u's or the preamp. any ideas?

 

[joeyl]

appreciate the advice guys- my spector tends to have a fair amount of extra noise, especially if the treble is rolled back considerably. I'm curious whether this is most likely from the p/u's or the preamp. any ideas?

there is no telling. Does that bass come shielded?

 

[On The DL]

I meant to say there is noise especially if the treble ISN'T rolled back. Yes, it's shielded.

I ordered some bart "J"'s today, so if we'll see how they sound with the stock preamp. If I'm not satisfied, I can always get a better preamp later.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

My thought would be to try out some new pickups first.

When you say growl and punch that's totally p/u influenced.
Pre amps would only enhance what was already there.

I don't know much about electronics, but what I witnessed with my G&L, I'm not sure I'd agree.
When I got my L2500, it sort of sounded dead and flat, no matter how much I played with the tone knobs or my amp's EQ. I just hated the sound.

I then went to a small shop and aksed about changing the pickups out for something with more verve. They suggested I change the preamp. They put in their own proprietary preamp (Rudy Pensa) and Holy Crappola! the bass just came alive. Never sounded better. I can flatline my EQ and the thing will sound great.

The pickups it has are very high output. The preamp made all the difference in the world.

 

[BoomSTICK]

I meant to say there is noise especially if the treble ISN'T rolled back. Yes, it's shielded.

I ordered some bart "J"'s today, so if we'll see how they sound with the stock preamp. If I'm not satisfied, I can always get a better preamp later.

Let us know how it sounds

 

[On The DL]

so I got the bart J's in and I love em. they're deeper than the EMG's I had, but no less clear and have more punch and growl (even though I could always want more). mabye down the road I'll get a bart pre in there too

thanks for the feedback

 

[Stealth]

so I got the bart J's in and I love em. they're deeper than the EMG's I had, but no less clear and have more punch and growl (even though I could always want more). mabye down the road I'll get a bart pre in there too

thanks for the feedback

Mind giving us some soundclips? Would love to hear the Bart Js.

 

[On The DL]

Mind giving us some soundclips? Would love to hear the Bart Js.

ya, I've got to get an audio interface so I can record onto my computer, it may be a week or so but I'll work on it. here it is. ok, just a precursor, I'm playing through a cheap guitar multi-effects into the mic input of my computer, recorded with a free audio program and I couldn't hear what I was playing. yes, cheap, I know, but it's all I got right now

flat eq, no comp or anything

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[On The DL]

ya, I've got to get an audio interface so I can record onto my computer, it may be a week or so but I'll work on it. here it is. ok, just a precursor, I'm playing through a cheap guitar multi-effects into the mic input of my computer, recorded with a free audio program and I couldn't hear what I was playing. yes, cheap, I know, but it's all I got right now

flat eq, no comp or anything

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new, better clip, with band-

Link Removed

 

[Davo-London]

Does the bass fundamentally generate the sound you want?

Should you perhaps sell it and buy a bass that does have the sound you like? Quite often you can go to this expensive and find you end up with basically the same sound.

Just trying to save you money.

Davo

 

[On The DL]

I've kind of already "got my feet in the water" after getting bart J replacements, which I love by the way. I got a good deal on the bass used, it's in great shape and I really like the way it plays etc. So, i definitely like the tone better than before and though I'm not planning on upgrading anymore, I am counting the cost and the "what if's" upgrading ideas.

it's always good to get a "reality check" from someone before spending more money on upgrades than a buying a more expensive, better quality bass in the first place.

thanks for your input
St