Anyone got a bass with Bartolini BC5 pickups? (or EMG-DC or EMG-TW?)

[Gruuve]

I've spotted a neck and bridge pickup slightly used for a good price, and I'm considering replacing the Mighty-Mite active pickups on my Conklin GT-5 with these barts, plus replacing the stock Migthy-Mite preamp with something with a mid-control (probably a Aguilar OBP-3). I really miss having a mid control, particularly on this bass (the stock preamp has only bass and treble controls). The Mighty-Mite pickups and preamp are surprisingly good for their meager price, but this bass just lacks some bite in the mids IMHO. Most of the Bart pups are known for bite...is that true of this particular model in your experience?

 

I haven't found any other source of commentary on these, so I'm hoping someone might have some in one of their basses already...post if you do. I had actually intended to replace the onboard preamp first, but hey, if the price is right...

 

Dave

[alexclaber]

Will real EMGs fit? Much nastier sounding!

 

Alex

[Gruuve]

Hmmm...not sure, I'll have to measure it. These barts are just a little smaller (like 1/4" smaller) than the Mighty-Mite's, so they'd leave a little space (a bit ugly, but not too bad).

 

Ya know, that is an idea...I do really like the EMG-HZ's that are in my fretless...not sure how they'd sound on a fretted bass though.

 

Dave

[alexclaber]

Originally posted by Dave Sisk:

Ya know, that is an idea...I do really like the EMG-HZ's that are in my fretless...not sure how they'd sound on a fretted bass though.

I don't think the HZ's sound that much like real EMGs, which have very extended highs and lows and tons of clarity due to their active design. Their P-pickup (which is available in a soapbar shape) is a particularly badass creature with tons of mids as well as highs and lows, and the J-pickup (also available in a soapbar) is exceedingly revealing. And they do normal large aperture dual coil (or triple coil) soapbars too.

 

It seems that EMGs have gone out of fashion but there are still a lot of great players whose sound features them, from Lee Sklar through Alex Al and Guy Pratt and Bob Glaub (all on vintage Fenders!) to Les Claypool and Victor Wooten (on CTs and Foderas).

 

Alex

[jcadmus]

Can't speak to the BC5 specifically, but the Bart pups and elex on my Pedulla are amazing.

[Gruuve]

I've been doing some reading on EMG's site. They do continue to impress me. I had forgotten about the EMG-BTC control...onboard preamp w/ 3-band EQ, selectable Hi center and sweepable mids...that might be an awefully good choice for this bass!

 

The EMG-HZ's would probably work well, but then I got to reading about the EMG-DC's...Alex, you're right, these probably would be a better choice, as they should have the maximum bite.

 

I also took a look at the EMG-TW pickups...these are active pickups that are switchable between dual-coil humbucker mode and single-coil J-mode. Hmmm...this might bring a whole new level of flexibility to this bass in the ability to switch the bridge and/or neck pickups between a humbucker sound and a J-sound. I'm liking the idea of this. I love flexibility, and this bass plays so well and is so comfortable to me that an upgrade like this might be well worth the expense.

 

I also read a blurp on the 'Net that said the EMG-HZ (the passive pups) can also be wired to switch between humbucking and J-style single-coil...I'd imagine that in single-coil config they might get noisy since they weren't actually designed for this.

 

Dave

[Gruuve]

OK, here's my current train of thought. EMG 40TW in the bridge position, and EMG 40DC in the neck position. The DC should be very bright and snarly, while the TW should be a little warmer and thicker sounding but still plenty of clarity, plus the TW can be switched from dual-coil humbucker to single-coil J-style. The TW in particular should be a big score on flexibility.

 

Given what I'd expect these two to sound like (given basses I've played with EMG pickups, descriptions on the web-site, and reviews), I think I might get close to an ideal of mine...being able to pan between the neck and bridge pickups without touching any EQ. For instance, now when I pan completely to the bridge pickup, I generally have to boost the lows just a bit because a lot of them drop out. When I pan completely to the neck pickup I often boost the highs a bit, since that's a thumpier sound. This might not hit the 100% mark, but it might get me closer to the panning changing the character while requiring little or no EQ adjustments.

 

What do you think? Am I setting my expectations too high along these lines?

 

UPDATE: After putting some new strings on this guy (DR Low-Riders, alledgedly known for their complex mids) and letting them de-zing for a week, I think I'll hold off on any pickup or preamp changes for a while. These strings seem to give it a bit more bite...I just need to see how it sounds next time I record and/or play bass with the worship band. I still miss having a mid control...but, I can pan toward the bridge for some extra mids. So this upgrade consideration is on hold for now.

 

Dave