What do you guys think...stock vs bartolini

[TTG]

I'm new on here and a new convert from Fender. I now have a SUB Sterling (White) and a 96 stingray (Trans Teal). When I bought the Stingray, it had a brand new, still in the box bartolini in the case. I'm debating on selling the bartolini but haven't tried either of them with it. I don't want to try it since it's in perfect brand new, never used condition especially if I end up selling it. I figure you guys have experience using the stock pickups and the bart so what are your thoughts on this....

 

[Aussie Mark]

There's a good reason that Bart hasn't been taken out of the box. I'd suggest selling the Bart and using the cash for EB straplocks, wonder wipes, strings etc.

 

[asianjeff]

+1 on what he said...

 

[TTG]

Thanks for the quick response! I was thinking along those lines but never used a bart on any of my basses. It'll be on ebay this weekend!

 

[bovinehost]

I've had Barts on a few basses, and they were always way too polite. I never wanted a polite bass. I'm a company man, to be sure, but there are good reasons why the stock pickups are so amazingly popular.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it until it is!

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

What Mark said...Yeah!

 

[SquidLizard]

I'm sure there are good Bartolini pickups but I haven't run into them. Never have been happy with a bass that's had Barts. Jack's comment about polite is apt. The ones I had I'd go so far as to call MOR boring. I have to say, though, that I haven't tried all of their offerings. But eBay is a good call here.

 

[robobass13]

I think the good folks in SLO probably know a thing or two about mating woods, preamps and pickups in an instrument, they've been doing it for a couple of years now. seriously though, I've tried barts and duncans in a stingray back when I was young and foolish, but i always come back to the stock pickups.

 

[AnthonyD]

After market pick-ups are better suited for your Hondo...

 

[word]

don't listen to them. if you want to cut it in half and play it with a pitch fork, then by all means, do so. it's your bass, right? it's easy to swap out so if you want to do it then go for it.

personally, i've owned three musicmen that i tried barts in and i didn't like them in any of them. i prefer stock all the way on these basses... well, except for the new neck finish

 

[AnthonyD]

don't listen to them. if you want to cut it in half and play it with a pitch fork, then by all means, do so. it's your bass, right? it's easy to swap out so if you want to do it then go for it.

personally, i've owned three musicmen that i tried barts in and i didn't like them in any of them. i prefer stock all the way on these basses... well, except for the new neck finish

I completely agree - on both points - but the dude asked for opinions on installing the Bart...

In my experience, and in my opinion, aftermarket pick-ups are for "upgrading" an inferior product.

 

[TTG]

Guys I really do appreciate all your input. I know how to install pickups but I didn't want to waste my time putting in the bart just to find out that the stock pickups are better. I love the sound I'm getting from stock and that's what I'm sticking with.

Also, since I'm selling the bart, I know I can still say it's brand new and not used so a couple extra bucks will be better for me!!!

I still can't believe I stayed away from the musicman basses for so long! I've been playing for 25 years and always stuck by my fenders but I'm no longer convinced that is the path for me!

 

[bdgotoh]

it's easy to swap out so if you want to do it then go for it.

That's not always true. I've tried Bart MM pickups in two EB basses and both were too tall for the route and had to be modified to fit. I had to file down the soldering lugs on the back - pain in the butt and the pickup didn't sound good.

Not worth your time IMO.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Installing Bartolinis is like neutering your dog...the potency is gone! I can't stand Barts, they take away all the character the bass (any bass) had before. Indeed, way too tame. Yuk.

 

[saxnbass]

Most people don't mod their EBMMs..........for a reason (their great as is). The most frequent mods by us is pickguard and adding strap locks. Some also add a De-Tuner.

 

[Ken Baker]

The most frequent mods by us is pickguard and adding strap locks.

I'm done!

Ken...

 

[kompressaur]

I have a Bartolini MMC in a bass I've owned the last 10 years.
The Bart is paired with the Duncan Basslines 3 band EQ.
It sound great,it sounds warm and fat but it sounds generic & it doesnt have the same strident full on character of any musicman bass I've ever owned.for that reason alone I'd say stick with the original.
FWIW I also own an ash bodied fretless with the SD Basslines Ceramic MM p/up matched to the same basslines 3 band circuit and that doesnt sound like a Stingray or sterling full tilt either.Nearer than the Bart and close but still no cigar...
Komp

 

[Rano Bass]

Years ago i owned a tobias growler with a MM style pickup and it sounded very good by itself, and i mean very good. Problem is, once i played with a drummer and guitar player the bass disapeared completly!
Way to soft sounding for my taste.

 

[ekb16b]

u gotta keep the pickup authentic and stay true to mm

 

[adouglas]

In my experience, and in my opinion, aftermarket pick-ups are for "upgrading" an inferior product.

+1.

My last bass before I got a lethal dose of Bongo Mind Control Rays was a C*rv*n. It was lovely to look at...all quilty, with gold hardware (which cured me of most of my lust for quilt, and ALL of my desire for gold hardware).

But the electronics and pickups were...meh.

I put an Aguilar OBP3 and a pair of Barts in it, and was very happy indeed.

Until I tried a Bongo.

Leave that EBMM stock!