Bartolini pickups, are they any good?

[HazBeen]

I am posting this to gather some intel.

Over the years I have had limited exposure to Barts but where I was exposed to be frank I was not too impressed thus far. They felt quite scooped, brittle and lacked character of sorts. However, a number of very reputable builders pretty much swear by them (Roscoe, Pedulla, MTD etc.).

Any opinions (clearly they have a range of pickups) pro or con?

Cheers.

[wateroftyne]

I picked up a '71 a while ago that had a Bart P pickup in it. It was scrumptious - so woody, with loads of character. I shouldn't have sold the bass, really.

[RhysP]

I wouldn't call them scooped by any means - I love Bartolini's & have always found them to be on the warmer, more mid range end of the spectrum.
I guess a lot will depend on what pre-amp/tone circuit you pair them with.

[chris_b]

Bartolini pickups and preamps seem to have been the first choice for a significant number of boutique bass manufacturers over the last 30 years.

I have the original Bart pickups and NTMB-L preamp in my Lakland and they sound fantastic. I replaced my P bass pickup with Barts and a Bart preamp, installed and modded by Charlie Chandler back in the 90's and that's the best that bass has ever sounded.

Scooped? Never. The ones I've heard have been full, fat and warm.

[ambient]

They're brilliant pickups.

Used by pretty much all of the top boutique bass builders.

[HazBeen]

Interesting, thanks folks.

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1455843016' post='2982981']
Interesting, thanks folks.
[/quote]

I've owned a bass with Bart soapbars and also tried another in a shop and thought they both sounded flat, dull and lifeless. I'm sure they're not all like that though!

Edited February 19, 2016 by dannybuoy

[keefbaker]

I have a custom with a Bartolini in it. When I strike the E string, horses keel over as if they've just been punched in the balls.

You could say they "feel scooped" compared to a P, but it's more accurate to say Ps have a massive lowmid hump. It's a different sound and it can be a real monster.

[wateroftyne]

This is the P I had with a Bartolini in it. Loads of life...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEyjx9sUyYQ

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1455843325' post='2982983']
I've owned a bass with Bart soapbars and also tried another in a shop and thought they both sounded flat, dull and lifeless. I'm sure they're not all like that though!
[/quote]

I have to agree I'm afraid based on my limited experience... very clinical... not a lot of life in there.

[HazBeen]

Must say that P sounds lovely, and a fair example as I also use the Mesas both Walkabout and MPulse. I very briefly had an Andre Gouche Kingston, great to play, hated the tone.....maybe it's some of the soapbar models...