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Which bartolini Jazz Pickups


DanH71
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Hi, as the title says, I'm kinda lost on which ones to pick for a jazz bass (low end Tokai) as I'm not altogether up on the adjectives used for describing the sound and am generally confused.

I know there are other pups on the market but I like the bartolini look and have heard good things about them.

All I know is that they are to be passive, and to offer a warm sound (ala wal bass) whilst offering a middy bite to complement finger style over the bridge pup (think jaco without the extreme talent;).

Anyone offer up a suitable set from the list offered here by them?:

https://www.bartolin...-pickup/j-bass/

I'm not sure also of the original and classic demarcation bartolini give to aid me in my decision. I don't do rock with a plectrum or slap so I'm not after a super bright poppy sound rather its the warm and rich wal like /jaco bridge style sound I'm after but obviously what pups that can cut it in a loud electric trio (me/drums and loud guitarist).

Any experiences or knowledge with barts relating to my needs would be much appreciated..

Thanks
Dan

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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1499349606' post='3330921']...
Anyone offer up a suitable set from the list offered here by them?:...
[/quote]

[url="https://www.bartolini.net/product-category/bass-pickup/4-string-bass-pickup/j-bass/"]Bartolini link, corrected ...[/url]

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[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1499351558' post='3330939']
http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Bartolini_Pickups_J.html Gives a good description of each pickup. I had some 59J,s I put in a Maruszczyk Jazz and they sounded really nice. I would probably go for single coil Bartolini's now.
[/quote]

Thanks to both.

See .. here's the thing. I've looked on YouTube to try to get an idea of what these each sound like but there is only a couple of samples as far as I can see.

Also, the description on most pups state low mids but I was under the impression that if I want that Bridget jaco sound I would want a pup with med-strong mids? Maybe I'm getting confused but any direct recommendations would be appreciated.

@bubinga5; is there a particular single coil pickup that could help go some way to get the sound I'm after?

Thanks

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So to be more specific with the 'kind' of sound I'm after (and I know it's not just dependent on pups) here is a clip.
At around 3:05 is the sound I would like to lean towards.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S326s46zmjA

Any passive barts for j bass that someone can suggest?

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I've got some old (1980's) Barts in a Jazz bitser -they are humbuckers, and I'm guessing they are classic 9J's in the current line up. They do the J bass thing very nicely, but are a touch more refined than single coils with exposed poles. They are also pretty low output, without any internal preamp, so that is something to consider.

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[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1499357221' post='3331006']
I've got some old (1980's) Barts in a Jazz bitser -they are humbuckers, and I'm guessing they are classic 9J's in the current line up. They do the J bass thing very nicely, but are a touch more refined than single coils with exposed poles. They are also pretty low output, without any internal preamp, so that is something to consider.
[/quote]

This is the thing..
If the pups have low about can you not compensate for this fact by upping your amp?

So I'm guessing classic pups from bartolini will offer up a warmer/richer tone than the original series?

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Yes, the passive output is down a bit, so a gain increase at the preamp (assuming your amp has one) compensates perfectly well...I just notice it compared to my other passive basses. Most of the time I use a Sansamp or Sadowsky preamp anyway. I put the Barts in mainly because they don't hum, and were used, so a lot cheaper than any of the modern hum cancelling designs. I also rate the DiMarzio Model J humbuckers...not as refined as the Barts, but a great low mid honk - if I played in a loud setting often, they would be my first choice.

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[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1499358783' post='3331019']
Yes, the passive output is down a bit, so a gain increase at the preamp (assuming your amp has one) compensates perfectly well...I just notice it compared to my other passive basses. Most of the time I use a Sansamp or Sadowsky preamp anyway. I put the Barts in mainly because they don't hum, and were used, so a lot cheaper than any of the modern hum cancelling designs. I also rate the DiMarzio Model J humbuckers...not as refined as the Barts, but a great low mid honk - if I played in a loud setting often, they would be my first choice.
[/quote]

Cheers for the dimarzio tip Bassbod!

I have just bought a alguilar Tonehammer 350 which I believe has a preamp section:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/aguilar-tone-hammer-350-bass-amp-head

So as for the barts 9j set, I found this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/bartolini-9j1-jazz-bass-pickup-set

They do mention the 94j have a deeper (less bright bridge) so don't know if they would suit better..

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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1499356559' post='3330999']
So to be more specific with the 'kind' of sound I'm after...
[/quote]

It says in the clip that these are P46 p/ups. Isn't that close enough information for what you're after..? A search on the Bartolini site brings up all the variants of that p/up.

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[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1499361466' post='3331041']


It says in the clip that these are P46 p/ups. Isn't that close enough information for what you're after..? A search on the Bartolini site brings up all the variants of that p/up.
[/quote]

It's for a six sting. FYI a search of 'bartolini p46 4 string brings up the following result as a top hit in google (again it's for six string):

https://www.bartolini.net/product-tag/p46/

I see no 4-string equivalent (by name anyway) on the bartolini site, perhaps you would be kind enough to post that link?





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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1499367556' post='3331125']
It's for a six sting. ...
[/quote]

This ...

[url="https://www.bartolini.net/product/m44s-bt/"]Bartolini M44S-B/T ...[/url]

... seems to be the equivalent (it's a 'Singularity' design, like the P46...), but it's 100 mm long. What p/up cavity do you have, and what p/ups are presently in there..? Would routing pose a problem to you..?

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Yes it would.

Here are the dims of my existing pups (fender jazz single cool types in lowline Chinese Tokai)

http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/DanH1971/media/IMG_2006_zpsp300zzoa.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

And a pair of fitting bartolini pups that I 1st looked at that seem to fit:

http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/DanH1971/media/IMG_2008_zps6qokzczx.png.html?sort=3&o=1

Not sure on whether the 9j can offer me the wal'esque and jaco bridge bite that I have previously mentioned.?

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Yes, they'll fit OK, it seems. As to a 'Jaco' sound, any Jazz will get somewhere there with adequate strings, a nice amp and reasonably competent playing. A 'Wal' sound would be a different kettle of fish; I don't think that there's much short of a Wal for that, but could be wrong. :blush:
Not sure if any of this helps much; the real answer's a lemon: suck it and see. :mellow:

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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1499356559' post='3330999']
So to be more specific with the 'kind' of sound I'm after (and I know it's not just dependent on pups) here is a clip.
At around 3:05 is the sound I would like to lean towards.

[url="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S326s46zmjA"]https://m.youtube.co...h?v=S326s46zmjA[/url]

Any passive barts for j bass that someone can suggest?
[/quote] Do you just want a Jaco tone.?

Edited by bubinga5
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[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1499372744' post='3331175']
Do you just want a Jaco tone.?
[/quote]

No in time I would like my own..however for now I would like a set of passive pups
That will give me the closest match to his (amp,neck,fingertips and strings aside;)

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Sounds to me you would like the 9CBJS for the single coil option. Or for the split coil 9J1's. Both are from Bartolini's CB (Classic Bass) series of pickups. They are overwound for punchy low/mid/less highs. You can adjust your highs from the Aguilar. No glassy highs. I would say most good pickups will give you that tone, some better than others. I would also say that putting in a drop straight in Audere preamp will accentuate the pickups amazingly. Ive put one in a Fender and it was quite an amazing tone

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[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1499372255' post='3331172']
Yes, they'll fit OK, it seems. As to a 'Jaco' sound, any Jazz will get somewhere there with adequate strings, a nice amp and reasonably competent playing. A 'Wal' sound would be a different kettle of fish; I don't think that there's much short of a Wal for that, but could be wrong. :blush:
Not sure if any of this helps much; the real answer's a lemon: suck it and see. :mellow:
[/quote]

Thanks.

Appreciate that it's to some large degree trying stuff out, but pups ain't cheap and I'm not rich so doing as much research as possible is favourite for me. Dissapointed in fact that the Bart website does not iffwr some kind of audio clip for their jazz replacement pups. Also get the Wal sound being the fact that it's the sum of its parts but that aside I would like the warmth and richness of those pups , obviously filtered through my guitars wood, hardware and body etc..

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[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1499373574' post='3331183']
Without wanting to get too patronising, that tone is probably already available in your jazz. String it with some SS rounds, back off the neck pup and play over the bridge pickup.
[/quote]I do agree to an extent but great pickups will bring out a greater tone.

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[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1499373574' post='3331183']
Without wanting to get too patronising, that tone is probably already available in your jazz. String it with some SS rounds, back off the neck pup and play over the bridge pickup.
[/quote]

No, I get that, but was looking for a pup that did that and added the potential warmth and richness of a wal 'type' sound minus the expensive exotic woods and expensive hardware and name;)

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Just get the 9J1's. You really wont be dissapointed. Bartolini pickups are favoured by the the best bass makers in the world. Ive had 7 sets in various jazz basses and in basses that take there soap bar pickups. All have sounded amazing.

Edited by bubinga5
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[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1499373967' post='3331187']
Sounds to me you would like the 9CBJS for the single coil option. Or for the split coil 9J1's. Both are from Bartolini's CB (Classic Bass) series of pickups. They are overwound for punchy low/mid/less highs. You can adjust your highs from the Aguilar. No glassy highs. I would say most good pickups will give you that tone, some better than others. I would also say that putting in a drop straight in Audere preamp will accentuate the pickups amazingly. Ive put one in a Fender and it was quite an amazing tone
[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will check them out.

Not really at the diy stage with installing preamps etc but will keep it in mind. I just wouldn't know where to begin..

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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1499374311' post='3331193']


Thanks for the suggestion. Will check them out.

Not really at the diy stage with installing preamps etc but will keep it in mind. I just wouldn't know where to begin..
[/quote]

So you think the NJ1's above the original suggestion of 9cbjs /or 9j1s?

Thanks for the help guys! Will check out the NJ1s now.

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