Which 4-string soapbar size - Bart BC or EMG35?

[Rodent]

Title says it all - what's your 4-string soapbar pickup SIZE preference (NOT brand or pickup model!)

The question could be rephrased - if you were having a custom 4-string bass built, and your pickup of choice came in both sizes, which SIZE pickup would you choose to use?


Working a bit of market research, and your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[line6man]

To me, it does not matter, but I would give a slight preference to the EMG35 casing, simply because the two hole mount seems more symmetrical and visually balanced than the three hole mount on the Bartolini BC casing.

 

[ctmullins]

EMG. I've never understood why the Bartolini dimensions are so much longer.

 

[JustForSport]

I think the Bart size looks better,
But it leaves way less options for the internals,
Plus there's far less options in that size/shape.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

Bart. I generally prefer the softer look and corner radii they have over the utilitarian "brick" of EMG. Though I admit, it really depends on the bass. I prefer the EMG shape on classic, Fenderesque designs, and the Bart on more modern body shapes. The exception being Spector- they look good with either.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

I think the Bart size looks better,
But it leaves way less options for the internals,
Plus there's far less options in that size/shape.

I'd say they're about even, with the slight nod going to the Bart size.

 

[Aidil]

EMG35 if getting the split-able dual coils (the TW or TWX series), since it has 3 coils inside, thus it could be operated as normal dual coil or stacked singles for even more tone variations.

 

[line6man]

EMG35 if getting the split-able dual coils (the TW or TWX series), since it has 3 coils inside, thus it could be operated as normal dual coil or stacked singles for even more tone variations.

He's talking about the shape of the casing. The coil configuration is not relevant here. You can put whatever you want inside the casing, as long as it fits.

 

[JustForSport]

You can put whatever you want inside the casing, as long as it fits.

Exactly.

That's why I stated the EMG35 has more potential for flexibility/configs inside.

It not possible to get short, fat coils (P config or wider dual-coils) inside a narrow casing.

 

[Rodent]

thanks for all the votes and commentary feedback so far - I really do appreciate it!