Bartolini pickups are really not for passive fenders

[ZSN624]

Well, I have not tried the B-axis yet.
I put a set of Classic Single-coil pickups on my Fender Custom Shop 70s jazz bass.
And I've already been regretting... Firstly the output is much lower than before. And the sound is too clean and gentle. I think there won't be too much difference between the split-coil or the original series version.
The Barts are described as restoring and detailed. I think that might be true because the sound is closer to the acoustic sound of the bass than with some Alnico pickups. But they just have much lower output. I think they might sound better pushed with on-board preamps than passive mod.

 

[ZSN624]

The original pickups of this bass were nothing bad, except that the E\G strings sound louder than the A\D strings. the reason should be that the pole pieces are not staggered.
In fact, they sound pretty right. But sadly I had sold them... Not calm for me.
They are not HW, right? I cannot recognize the writing on it.

 

[LowWay]

Does you amp not have a gain knob on the preamp stage? Why is the lower output such a problem?

 

[Jefenator]

If there's room to add one of their gain-boosting preamps, the results can be lovely in my experience.
Passive bypass would be for emergencies only but I've found that to be the case with regular strength pickups as well.

 

[kyral210]

Well, I have not tried the B-axis yet.
I put a set of Classic Single-coil pickups on my Fender Custom Shop 70s jazz bass.
And I've already been regretting... Firstly the output is much lower than before. And the sound is too clean and gentle. I think there won't be too much difference between the split-coil or the original series version.
The Barts are described as restoring and detailed. I think that might be true because the sound is closer to the acoustic sound of the bass than with some Alnico pickups. But they just have much lower output. I think they might sound better pushed with on-board preamps than passive mod.
View attachment 5304723

1. Try a preamp pedal such as the Darkglass Harmonic Booster first in your signal chain to boost and sculpt your signal. This DemonFX clone is super adffordable.
2. To even your tone, ensure the strings are equal heights above the fretboard (I do 5/64 at the 17th fret with a capo on the 1st fret) and then play with pickup heights. Also, have a compressor early/first in your signal chain to glue everything together. I’ve been using the Laney Custard Factory and I’m delighted so far.

 

[FatOwlBass]

I would sell the barts and try the B axis set. They sound fantastic and cancel hum.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

the original series version.

I have passive barts from the 80's on a Ibanez Roadster in a PJ configuration. My favorite sounding, all around bass. Especially DI'd. (DO'd?)

 

[ctmullins]

Resist the urge to generalize based on a single observation.

 

[mikeswals]

I dont like Barts as they all sound too polite and clean to me.

DiMarzio J set keeps the growly tone and higher output vs stock, and has adjustable poles if you need to dial in the radius balance. I've never tried their Ultra J set, but you can probably contact them asking about the A-D balance.

 

[WG Plum]

I love the original series Barts I have in my fretless FSO Jazz. The output is certainly lower, but that's what volume knobs are for. Our tonal goals are probably pretty different, though. Vive la difference!