HazBeen Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 They're brilliant pickups. Used by pretty much all of the top boutique bass builders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 Interesting, thanks folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 (edited) [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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 This is the P I had with a Bartolini in it. Loads of life... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEyjx9sUyYQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 [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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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