Pickup advice requested

[squarepeg]

Sometime in the not-too-distant future I'm going to build a bass. I have a J-bass neck, most of the hardware, and my son-in-law, a cabinet maker, will make a custom body for me.

It will be a 4-string. I already have a 5-string Jazz Bass, an old EB3, and a 5-string Lado bass. The Lado has a Bartolini P-J set, and the P is my favourite sounding pickup.

I'm considering putting a Bartolini in the new bass, and I'm curious about their soapbar pickups. I have no experience with any brand of soapbars.

Could someone who has played both types compare the Bartolini P and soapbar pickups?

Thanks!

 

[dwizum]

Bartolini makes many different soapbar models that sound different from each other, though I think there is a pretty identifiable "Bartolini voice" that they all share.

Check out the descriptions they have for the different voices, I find them to be pretty accurate:

Bass Soapbars - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

It's worth pointing out that they make their actual J and P pickups in their soapbar shells too, so if you really want a sound like the P you currently have from them, you can get that in a soabpar shape. This is a big reason why I'm a fan of soapbar shapes, you can get "traditional humbucker" soapbar pickups but you can also get J and P pickups in soapbar shells. It's highly versatile.

 

[GMC]

Bartolini makes many different soapbar models that sound different from each other, though I think there is a pretty identifiable "Bartolini voice" that they all share.

Check out the descriptions they have for the different voices, I find them to be pretty accurate:

Bass Soapbars - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

It's worth pointing out that they make their actual J and P pickups in their soapbar shells too, so if you really want a sound like the P you currently have from them, you can get that in a soabpar shape. This is a big reason why I'm a fan of soapbar shapes, you can get "traditional humbucker" soapbar pickups but you can also get J and P pickups in soapbar shells. It's highly versatile.

Also there's the added advantage to sticking with common soap bar shell sizes is that it makes it really easy to swap out pickups later if you have fancy to try something different. Personally really like the Bart P4/5/6 shells.

 

[iiipopes]

I have Bart CBC's in my Ibby BTB845V. Big, round tone; just enough presence to slot the mix without sounding burpy or grindy. They work great either passive or with a preamp. I have an EMG preamp in mine.

As above, Bart makes many pickup shapes. Even though the P2 is the standard for 5-strings, here is the link for all the shapes they make, including EMG 35 shape as well as their proprietary shapes. Click on "4 String Soapbars."

Bass Soapbars - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

 

[funkinbottom]

Bartolini makes many different soapbar models that sound different from each other, though I think there is a pretty identifiable "Bartolini voice" that they all share.

I totally agree. All unique to some degree, but definitely share a common voice.

Could someone who has played both types compare the Bartolini P and soapbar pickups?

I've used their J, P and a couple different soapbars. The Bart P sounds great, like a P should, only with more bottom end, which I prefer over a stock P. Right now I'm using a set of P2CBC dual coils in a short scale 5 string I built. I absolutely love these pickups. Compared to the P, I would say they have a bit bigger low side and a more crisp hi end without being at all harsh. They also do the mid-range growl/bark excellent. A good friend of mine perfers a P up front and a dual coil in bridge position. He uses a P24P split coil like a P in a soapbar cover, and a P24CBC at the bridge. He loves it.

As other have stated, their soaps come in various configurations under the cover. And, sound great passive and even better with a preamp.

All in all, you just can't go wrong with Barts. Of course my opinion.

 

[Jefus]

I agree that going with a standard shape (e.g. Bartolini BC, EMG 35, etc.) is a great idea and will keep "P" pickups available as an option; they just might look a little different. Later on, if you get the feeling that you need to try dual-coils or other signature layouts you can do so without routing out the bass again.

Advice has been given in other threads that Bartolinis really should have an active preamp with them to help them sound their best. I have never tried Bartolinis in a bass that didn't have an active preamp, so I can't really compare. However, you may want to make sure that you have room in your bass for the preamp and an idea how you want to lay out the controls before you start building it.

 

[dwizum]

For me, active vs passive is really just a preference thing. Most of the basses I've put Bartolinis in have had active preamps, but one of my all time favorites is the plain old 9J run passively. It's a hair thin in the low end but it's just a really sweet sounding pickup all on it's own (to my ears, at least!) At the end of the day, it's much better to have the space for a preamp and decide you don't need it, than the other way around!

 

[squarepeg]

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it!

My Lado bass (with the Barts) is passive, and it sounds fine. I also have an active Fender Jazz Bass V, but I use it in passive mode most of the time.

At the moment, I'm thinking of just using one pickup.