What do you guys think...stock vs bartolini

[armybass]

My very first SR5 was a used one that someone had replaced the stock pup with a Bart and although I really like Barts, I never felt that it cut through like a stock pup. I have had used basses MM with SD Basslines (hate them) and really did not like that. I think MM basses are the absolute best with stock pups. I am not into dinkin around with any stock instrument but that goes double for a EBMM.

 

[word]

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.

you're totally right, i forgot about that!

 

[mynan]

Had a J-bass with Barts...my SR5 sounds way better with the EBMM pups than the J with Barts.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Stock pups.

No competition.

 

[asianjeff]

you wouldn't buy a porche and put a viper transmission in it... the porche is already a fine tuned beast... leave it alone...

 

[rhythmCity944]

my opinion

If you are looking for the MM sound, don't install the bartolini!!! If the bass came with the bartolini installed...okay, do an A B test

I do have a 20 year old EBMM Stingray bass I bought up recently used with the Bartolini MMC pickup installed in it already...it is different...in comparison with my other Stingray, it doesn't have as much treble or is as bright but I do have to say it is much punchier in the bottom end than a stock Stingray pickup (at least with my set up)...it is also much fuller on the higher parts of my D and G strings and creates a bigger sound with a pick on those strings...and for the way I have my bass rig set up, the bartolini responds real well to it and makes for a super tight and agressive sound and does what I need it to do in the mix and that is where it counts for me...but as a stand alone tone, it is okay, the stock pickup is much better in that department...

Now I'm probably never gonna sell that bass with the bartolini in it nor modify it (or un-modify it)...it plays and looks too good, i was in love with in the first minute of playing it...nor will i ever sell my other stingray, same deal...I love both for what they are and I like the difference in tone both basses provide...

like I said before...if my bass came without the bartolini installed in it, i wouldn't even try to attempt to install it...if something ain't broke, don't fix it...

 

[rhythmCity944]

you wouldn't buy a porche and put a viper transmission in it... the porche is already a fine tuned beast... leave it alone...

I was racing my Porsche 944 at Road Atlanta this morning...wow, those Audi 016transmissions in those things are the smoothest shifting trannys I've ever driven...

I agree though...if my 2nd Stingray didn't have the Bartolini installed when I got it, why would I bother to change it from a stock MM pickup if I already liked it?