Can MEC MM Style Passive PUs be replaced with Bartolini MM Style Passive PUs?

Spyral

Spyral

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Hello,

I recently purchased a Corvette $$ LTD 2009, and I am loving it, it's just great.

However, this bass has MEC Music Man style passive pickups with exposed magnets. I have a very aggressive attack when I'm playing and this causes me to occasionally tap the strings (the E string usually) to the magnets on the PU, producing an awful pop or bang or sound.

I would like to replace them with Bartolini Music Man style passive pickups as they do not have exposed magnets, so I would not encounter this problem.

However I don't know much about this kind of thing, so I'm curious, what would be the effect on the basses tone were I to make this switch? Would the electronics still work the same? (ie: could each pickup still be set to series, parallel or single coil using the three way switches; same as the MECs?) and could these be installed without having to cut/sand/change the body in any way? Would this switch be an upgrade? a downgrade? just an even swap?

Thanks in advance for any help, I appreciate it.

S
 
This looks like a job for Jeff (Evolvebass)... He had then once installed in his LTD 2009, if he reads this, he might be able to answer all your questions. So, hopefully, he will read this thread and answer you. Or you could contact him through a PM.

I can say that the Bartolini MMs and MEC MMs for 4 string models are the same. The 5 string Bartolini and MEC are shaped different and you will have modding to fit in a Bartolini MM.
 
Cool thanks!

Hopefully he sees this, of not I'll shoot him a PM in a few days.

Cheers!
 
JSmith said:
How close is the pickup to your strings?
Click to expand...

Fairly close I guess, but no closer than the EMGs on my ESP.
I have considered getting the pickups lowered deeper into the body, does that make the instrument quieter than before?
 
When you press down the E string at the last fret what is the distance between the bottom of the string and the pickup pole? What is it for the G?
 
JSmith said:
When you press down the E string at the last fret what is the distance between the bottom of the string and the pickup pole? What is it for the G?
Click to expand...

Hmm, looks to be about half a centimeter or maybe a bit less for the E, G looks about the same, give or take a few millimeters.

That seems really close, is that really close? Maybe I should just get them lowered a bit.
 
the 5er is not the same, i change it and looks quite ugly with the gaping hole ;( sounds good tho, but going to change it back cos i am vain :)
 
Yes, it is a simple swap. Welcome to the forum :-)
Oh, be sure you buy a pickup with the same shape.
 
Factory setup is 2mm with the strings pressed down at the last fret. Most of us with MM style pickups set it at 4mm.
 
Factory setting is 2,5 mm with no pressed string - for bridge pickup, and 2,5 mm with string pressed at fret 24 for neck pickup :-)
 
Cool, thanks guys!

I'll start by getting them set to 4mm and see if that helps. Then I may try the switch to the Barts, I can always switch back if I don't like 'em.
 
I was going off of memory and wasn't anywhere near my basses. Thanks for the clarification Flo!
 
To OP: I did it and replaced MEC MM PU with Bart MM. Totally different class.
IMO MEC's MM is the best candidadte to be replaced of all MEC pickups. My FNA Jazzman with Barts and Bart preamp sounds exceptionally well and very different to Thumb and Streamer, what was my intention when buying it. Barts added wider, mellower, but very strong fundamental bass sound which totally lacked in original spec.
I also didn't like Basslines, although some are very happy with them.
 
GYang said:
................
I also didn't like Basslines, although some are very happy with them.
Click to expand...

Having a few StingRays, one of which has a BassLines set up, I can
say that the BassLines MM with its 3band EQ-pre is rather similar to
the EB MM with its 3band EQ-pre that comes with a StingRay. It's a
bit less aggressive, but not greatly different.


`
 
lasteffect said:
This looks like a job for Jeff (Evolvebass)...
Click to expand...

8:

Sorry, I haven't been around much lately. If you lowered those 'buckers, then chances are you're a much happier bass player. If it's still not what you're looking for tonally, I would definitely recommend the Bartolini's. I don't dislike the MEC's, they really snarl when you dig into them. But unfortunately, they are fairly lacking for definition. The Barts are well rounded and smooth, and have much better clarity. If you're happy now then leave 'em alone. But the LTD 2009 is far too good of a bass to be unhappy because of the pickups. By the way, I'd suggest leaving the 3-band EQ alone... ;)
 
Thanks for the response. I haven't yet had a chance to get the PUs lowered a bit, work is killing me right now ;)

That will be the first step, but I do so like Bartolini PUs, I may end up getting them regardless, I was really happy with the Barts I put on my P-Bass.

So the current electronics in the LTD 2009 will function the same with the Barts?
 
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