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The Mike Lull Club Part 4

#4,222
I am new in the ownership of a Mike Lull, M5V. I have a question; the bass currently have a Custom Lull/Seymour Duncan Jazz pickups and Bartolini preamp, I am going to swap the preamp, I originally was going to put in the Trickfish IPA but I when with the Flexcore, as Ryan told me they are very close to each other. Before I install it, I would like to know if the flexcore is a good match in sound. Does anyone have this combination that can give me a feed back.
 
#4,223
Killens84 said:
Hey everyone, it breaks my heart to do this, but I have to sell my two Mike Lull basses (P4 & M5V) for financial reasons. I wish I could keep them forever, but life happens sometimes. Here are the two threads…
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/mike-lull-p4.1646631/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/mike-lull-m5v.1646630/
Click to expand...


Sorry to hear of your difficulties, they are beautiful basses and I am sure that you will miss them a lot. I would be personally be offering up a kidney before I sold my V5, but I am stupid like that!
 
#4,225
otto B said:
Does anyone have Fralin pickups install in their M5V bass? if so, how does it compare with the Custom Lull/Seymour Duncan
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Yes, I have the Fralin single-coil pickups in my M5V. It's been quite a while since I had the OEM Duncan pups in it. I hate to admit it, but I don't really remember how the Duncans sounded now.

I went from the Duncans to Nordstrand NJ5S single coils. Rocked along with those for a couple of years, but still wanted a little different. A tad more scooped, a little sweeter highs.

The thing with the Lull pickups, as explained to me by Lindy himself, is that the Duncan 5-string pups are a little shorter than the Fender-sized 5-string pups that are made for the M5Vs. Fralin doesn't have a pickup form in in that size, but he was able to take my Nordstrand pups (which DO offer that size) and rewind them to his specs.

I dropped the newly-wound Fralins into my M5V and I was smiling within 30 seconds. They sounded positively wonderful with the John East J Retro Deluxe preamp.

A little later, I was feeling the urge to move away from the baked-in warm tone of the J Retro to a more transparent, but still with character-type preamp. I went with the Trickfish IPA preamp. Once again, I'm smiling. Nice clear highs, not as heavy-sounding with the lows, but still enough fullness and body in the tone. Just a more "open" tone to my ears.

While the M5V sounds great as it comes OEM (Bart preamp, Lull/Duncan pups), which is what drew me to the M5V in the first place, I was looking for a tone that I could play go fingerstyle, then go right to a slap style if necessary without changing tone settings.

I was being kinda picky, but after 3 sets of pups and 3 preamps, I'm finally happy with the combinationIt was a little trip around the world getting there, but it was worth it. Now when o pick up the M5V, it's all me and what I like for tone, for better or worse. I get the "I didn't have to touch the EQ" from most sound guys.

(I think my Summit Audio tube DI is part of that equation, too….:D).
 
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#4,226
Geri O said:
Yes, I have the Fralin single-coil pickups in my M5V. It's been quite a while since I had the OEM Duncan pups in it. I hate to admit it, but I don't really remember how the Duncans sounded now.

I went from the Duncans to Nordstrand NJ5S single coils. Rocked along with those for a couple of years, but still wanted a little different. A tad more scooped, a little sweeter highs.

The thing with the Lull pickups, as explained to me by Lindy himself, is that the Duncan 5-string pups are a little shorter than the Fender-sized 5-string pups that are made for the M5Vs. Fralin doesn't have a pickup form in in that size, but he was able to take my Nordstrand pups (which DO offer that size) and rewind them to his specs.

I dropped the newly-wound Fralins into my M5V and I was smiling within 30 seconds. They sounded positively wonderful with the John East J Retro Deluxe preamp.

A little later, I was feeling the urge to move away from the baked-in warm tone of the J Retro to a more transparent, but still with character-type preamp. I went with the Trickfish IPA preamp. Once again, I'm smiling. Nice clear highs, not as heavy-sounding with the lows, but still enough fullness and body in the tone. Just a more "open" tone to my ears.

While the M5V sounds great as it comes OEM (Bart preamp, Lull/Duncan pups), which is what drew me to the M5V in the first place, I was looking for a tone that I could play go fingerstyle, then go right to a slap style if necessary without changing tone settings.

I was being kinda picky, but after 3 sets of pups and 3 preamps, I'm finally happy with the combinationIt was a little trip around the world getting there, but it was worth it. Now when o pick up the M5V, it's all me and what I like for tone, for better or worse. I get the "I didn't have to touch the EQ" from most sound guys.

(I think my Summit Audio tube DI is part of that equation, too….:D).
Click to expand...


Brother, I really appreciate the feedback. I just got the M5V, it had the Bartolini and the Mike Lull SD pick-ups. The sound was ok for my taste. I was lookign for acleaner punchier sound. so first I wanted to change the preamp. I wanted to install a Trickfish IPA, I like the sound out my old New York Bass Works, but when I order it, I end up with a Flexcore. I was told by Ryan it's very close, it just easier to install. The sound got better, but I want a little bit more punch bit and fuller sound. I wasn't aware how trouble is to be able to find a direct replacement pick up for this bass due to its size. I contacted Fralin and he just sent me a link on his page, unfortunately they don't fit, and he didn't offer to do the same as he did with you. So, I got a feeling the only option is the Nordstrand NJ5S. The question how are those pick-ups? Also, what winding would give me the most punchy and fuller sound; the 70's or the 60's Winding? I am just unsure how those sound.
 
#4,227
otto B said:
Brother, I really appreciate the feedback. I just got the M5V, it had the Bartolini and the Mike Lull SD pick-ups. The sound was ok for my taste. I was lookign for acleaner punchier sound. so first I wanted to change the preamp. I wanted to install a Trickfish IPA, I like the sound out my old New York Bass Works, but when I order it, I end up with a Flexcore. I was told by Ryan it's very close, it just easier to install. The sound got better, but I want a little bit more punch bit and fuller sound. I wasn't aware how trouble is to be able to find a direct replacement pick up for this bass due to its size. I contacted Fralin and he just sent me a link on his page, unfortunately they don't fit, and he didn't offer to do the same as he did with you. So, I got a feeling the only option is the Nordstrand NJ5S. The question how are those pick-ups? Also, what winding would give me the most punchy and fuller sound; the 70's or the 60's Winding? I am just unsure how those sound.
Click to expand...
My experience is only with the 70s Vintage Wind and I liked them a lot. However...

From what I've heard about the differences in the 60s Wind and 70s Wind, you may find the 60s Wind to be more to your liking. The 70s are a little scooped and a little brighter sounding, based on the descriptions I've heard and read about only. So I think the 60s would fit your tone needs.

And hey, if you don't like the Nords, just ask Fralin to rewind them like I did with my Nord 70s Wind. I realize that's a good bit of money to spend on a set of pickup formers if you don't like the Nords, but hey, at least they aren't wasted. And his rewinding service is second to none. I called Fralin and he was surprised I didn't like Nords, but he said he's be glad to rewind them. And that did the trick for me.

That's pretty odd about the mixup with the Trickfish preamps.

Hey, I just thought of something....

I'm about to install the 3Leaf Anima preamp in a friend's M5V. I had planned on him keeping his OEM preamp as a kit (control plate instact, using new pots) just in case he wasn't happy with the 3Leaf. Spencer Lull tells me that the 3Leaf is VERY agressive and not everyone likes its very punchy and forward tone. If you can wait a week, I'll let you know how the 3Leaf sounds. I realize you already have the Flexcore and I'd say go ahead with the Nord Vintage 60s Wind. But if that doesn't work out, I can let you know how the 3Leaf works out.

Swapping pups and preamps can get expensive, but in the end, I found what I wanted. Thankfully, I can do the install work. And I've sold the preamps I didn't use.
 
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#4,228
Geri O said:
My experience is only with the 70s Vintage Wind and I liked them a lot. However...

From what I've heard about the differences in the 60s Wind and 70s Wind, you may find the 60s Wind to be more to your liking. The 70s are a little scooped and a little brighter sounding, based on the descriptions I've heard and read about only. So I think the 60s would fit your tone needs.

And hey, if you don't like the Nords, just ask Fralin to rewind them like I did with my Nord 70s Wind. I realize that's a good bit of money to spend on a set of pickup formers if you don't like the Nords, but hey, at least they aren't wasted. And his rewinding service is second to none. I called Fralin and he was surprised I didn't like Nords, but he said he's be glad to rewind them. And that did the trick for me.

That's pretty odd about the mixup with the Trickfish preamps.

Hey, I just thought of something....

I'm about to install the 3Leaf Anima preamp in a friend's M5V. I had planned on him keeping his OEM preamp as a kit (control plate instact, using new pots) just in case he wasn't happy with the 3Leaf. Spencer Lull tells me that the 3Leaf is VERY agressive and not everyone likes its very punchy and forward tone. If you can wait a week, I'll let you know how the 3Leaf sounds. I realize you already have the Flexcore and I'd say go ahead with the Nord Vintage 60s Wind. But if that doesn't work out, I can let you know how the 3Leaf works out.

Swapping pups and preamps can get expensive, but in the end, I found what I wanted. Thankfully, I can do the install work. And I've sold the preamps I didn't use.
Click to expand...
I have a 3 Leaf pre in my M5V and it sounds incredible, it's very powerful and versatile. It's like a greatest hits of Jazz Bass sounds and beyond.
 
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#4,230
Geri O said:
My experience is only with the 70s Vintage Wind and I liked them a lot. However...

From what I've heard about the differences in the 60s Wind and 70s Wind, you may find the 60s Wind to be more to your liking. The 70s are a little scooped and a little brighter sounding, based on the descriptions I've heard and read about only. So I think the 60s would fit your tone needs.

And hey, if you don't like the Nords, just ask Fralin to rewind them like I did with my Nord 70s Wind. I realize that's a good bit of money to spend on a set of pickup formers if you don't like the Nords, but hey, at least they aren't wasted. And his rewinding service is second to none. I called Fralin and he was surprised I didn't like Nords, but he said he's be glad to rewind them. And that did the trick for me.

That's pretty odd about the mixup with the Trickfish preamps.

Hey, I just thought of something....

I'm about to install the 3Leaf Anima preamp in a friend's M5V. I had planned on him keeping his OEM preamp as a kit (control plate instact, using new pots) just in case he wasn't happy with the 3Leaf. Spencer Lull tells me that the 3Leaf is VERY agressive and not everyone likes its very punchy and forward tone. If you can wait a week, I'll let you know how the 3Leaf sounds. I realize you already have the Flexcore and I'd say go ahead with the Nord Vintage 60s Wind. But if that doesn't work out, I can let you know how the 3Leaf works out.

Swapping pups and preamps can get expensive, but in the end, I found what I wanted. Thankfully, I can do the install work. And I've sold the preamps I didn't use.
Click to expand...


The Trickfish is sounds good, but I feel like I am missing something. I keep hearing about John East pre and saw some videos It sounds great. So, I just bought it.
 
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#4,231
I just installed the John East preamp. WoW I am really impressed with the sound of the bass now. I wonder If I have should keep the Seymour duncan, or should I replace them with Nordstrand? It sounds good with the SD, but I wonder if the sound improves even more with the Nordy. Anyone has this set up that can elaborate on the combination.
 
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#4,232
Love Spencer and Mike Lull basses but I've been waiting months for the chance to buy an IMA4. I won't lie, I'm bummed that the options are glossy black and glossy white. No fun colors like the first two batches. I guess they saved me $5700. I haven't seen one from the previous batch on Reverb or here on Talkbass, so I won't hold my breath.
 
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#4,233
MingusBass said:
Love Spencer and Mike Lull basses but I've been waiting months for the chance to buy an IMA4. I won't lie, I'm bummed that the options are glossy black and glossy white. No fun colors like the first two batches. I guess they saved me $5700. I haven't seen one from the previous batch on Reverb or here on Talkbass, so I won't hold my breath.
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I'm with you on the color choices. I will say that I love my JT4 so much that I've kind of lost GAS for the IMA4. The JT4 was more obtainable and I thought that would convince me to trying for an IMA4 but the JT4 is so good, I wouldn't consider letting it go.
 
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