Warwick pickup replacement?

[Ejtibbetts]

Hey gang,

I have a 1994 Fortress One. I feel like the pickups are lacking a little and I think it’s time to replace, maybe. I’ve never bought, upgraded or replaced pickups so I don’t have much to go on here. I like keeping it passive - except I am going to change it from vol/pup blend/tone/tone to just vol/vol/tone/tone - similar to jazz basses I’ve had before.

What pickups suggestions do you have? Replace MEC’s with MEC’s? keep passive pickups? Put in active pickups?

I’m open to hear any advice or suggestions or shared experiences! Thanks!

 

[gruvit]

Seymour Duncan actives or Bartolini passives have always been my go to replacements in Warwicks. The only MECs I have ever actually liked in a Warwick were in a Katana NT5 I had picked up. I don’t know if it was the wood combo with those pickups or what. All other Warwicks I’ve owned I’ve greatly preferred Seymour Duncan or Bartolini.

 

[funkinbottom]

Agree, Bartolini.

 

[eddododo]

Barts do seem like a great match for a Warwick

If you feel like what you’re missing is some aggression or a little… oomph, I also feel like nordstrand’s flavor would fit well, on the punchier side

 

[Ejtibbetts]

Barts do seem like a great match for a Warwick

If you feel like what you’re missing is some aggression or a little… oomph, I also feel like nordstrand’s flavor would fit well, on the punchier side

I feel like I’m missing just a little bit of punch and clarity on the low end. It’s a little muddy there.

 

[Klangfarbe]

I feel like I’m missing just a little bit of punch and clarity on the low end. It’s a little muddy there.

Sounds a little strange to me. MECs are well known for especially their punch and clarity, since they have a little bit of a low end roll off and are more focused on the low mids.

However if you are interested in Barts, here is a nice comparison between MECs and Bartos.

 

[Ejtibbetts]

Sounds a little strange to me. MECs are well known for especially their punch and clarity, since they have a little bit of a low end roll off and are more focused on the low mids.

However if you are interested in Barts, here is a nice comparison between MECs and Bartos.

It's 30 years old and it just seems like the lower end of the split P is not as clear as the higher side of the pickup. The bridge pickup seems okay.