MEC vs. Bartolini

[bachlover]

I'm noticing quite a difference in sound qualities between my 6 string equipped with Bartolini pickups and my 5 that has MECs. They're both Thumbs. I put new strings on the 5 a couple months back, replaced the 6 with new ones yesterday, so strings aren't an issue, same gauge, nickel wound. The 5 is much growlier and brighter, whereas the 6 is quite muted in comparison. I'm thinking that maybe it's the pickups. Anyone out there have experience with both and can tell me what their impressions of the sound quality of the 2 are? Many thanks!

 

[schlobodan]

barts are passive thus they are not as crisp as,the active mecs. Barts sound darker and should have more pronounced mids.

imo thumb benefits from mec or emg if they are single Js. Not sure about soapbars. I have barts in my broadneck strumb and they sound just killer

 

[bachlover]

barts are passive thus they are not as crisp as,the active mecs. Barts sound darker and should have more pronounced mids.

imo thumb benefits from mec or emg if they are single Js. Not sure about soapbars. I have barts in my broadneck strumb and they sound just killer

Thanks for the input, I'll have to start paying attention to the difference in midrange.

 

[thefitz]

I don't know if this helps at all, but I out of all the pickups I've ever tried, I find MEC pickups to be the most sensitive to how fresh your strings are. The long and the short of it is that I think MEC pickups need brand new strings, because they sound breathtaking... if that's your kinda thing. Bartolinis didn't have that type of range in the sound with regards to string life.

 

[bachlover]

When I bought the 6 the seller assured me that he'd put new strings on it. The money had exchanged hands so he had no reason to lie. It didn't sound like it, especially compared to the 5 so I went out and put new ones on it - no difference, they were new after all. I was very surprised how flat new strings sound on the Barts, but I can live with it! Your assessment is right on, I think.

 

[herb vibes]

well i guess the 5er has j-pickups and can't be compared like that. i have 3 almost identical basses stageI streamers in 5&6 strings with mec, barts and basslines.

as schlobo said the barts are darker and have more mids, pure gold coming naked out of a d.i. if you ask me. but out of the amp i prefer an active sound of a warwick and tend to use barts equipped warwick mostly passive to get a real fine tone.
my fretless dolphin is mostly passive anyway for fretless and the barts are making it even better

 

[golem]

`





I much prefer Barts, and NOBODY likes what
I like, so that oughta tell you everything you
need to know, but are glad you never asked.

 

[sprocket]

I prefer the Bartos also . It s also a great choice for a fretless bass .

 

[SimonQwerty]

Here's my experience
[video=youtube_share;e7YM2nVRecg]http://youtu.be/e7YM2nVRecg[/video]

Hope that might help

 

[SimonQwerty]

Yeah, this one too
[video=youtube_share;Nb_VqQ2X8OQ]http://youtu.be/Nb_VqQ2X8OQ[/video]

 

[DiMarco]

Barts on a fretless = win.
But yeah each pickup model/brand has its pros and cons. I celebrate this fact as it makes it okay to own many many basses.

 

[flipper_gv]

Barts low mids sound boxy to me.

 

[sprocket]

The never ending things about which is best , good , crap , it s a question of personal tastes on my end .

 

[golem]

`

Barts low mids sound boxy to me.

I gots no clue what "boxy" means,
but I'll bet thaz why I lIke them

If it means "sounds like an empty,
hollow box" then thaz for sure why
I dig Barts ! What meaning "boxy" ?

 

[bachlover]

The never ending things about which is best , good , crap , it s a question of personal tastes on my end .

Yep, audio's answer to "beauty lies in the eye of the eye of the beholder."

 

[sprocket]

lol , always like that .

 

[flipper_gv]

`




I gots no clue what "boxy" means,
but I'll bet thaz why I lIke them

If it means "sounds like an empty,
hollow box" then thaz for sure why
I dig Barts ! What meaning "boxy" ?

They accentuate quite a lot the 800 Hz frequency and they have quite a significant roll off after 2k Hz. People say they sound woodier and more organic, I call it "round". No edge and the impact is smooth. Good for acoustic stuff. But, I prefer something with more impact, so I prefer the std MEC pickups.

Boxy, well it was to say they sound more like an acoustic instrument to my ears. The low mids sound airy and without the impact that I'm looking for.

 

[Florin]

My CS Warwick had MEC, but I switched to Bartolini, for a tighter punchier sound. No I need the MEC or EMG back for a growlier more aggressive sound

 

[schlobodan]

My CS Warwick had MEC, but I switched to Bartolini, for a tighter punchier sound. No I need the MEC or EMG back for a growlier more aggressive sound

when you have them - make vid pls

 

[BassFingers]

I had a 3band Bart in my Ibanez BTB that I'm just not impressed with, been looking for a new preamp that's on the bright side, Barts are just too mellow for my taste. I like some "bite" in my finger playing. On the other hand I don't think my Corvette 5 has enough bite with only a 2band, so I'm thinking about getting an Aguilar 3band for that one.