I fixed my 12ver

[Moose]

So I finally got around to putting barts in my B12L. I went witht he M34Cs, though I couldn't find any with 2 holes, so they're the 3 hole model. It's now everything it used to be, but better. The top end isn't harsh like it used to be, but doesn't go away like when I used to EQ out the squeaks and rattles.

I ended up rigging it so I have actives with volume and bass on a concentric pot, a blend control, master volume with pull switch for passive mode, and a passive tone control that kicks out of the circuit when the volume pot is in (active mode). Took a little thinking on my part to get all that how I wanted it, but I'm happy with the results.

From a tone standpoint, whoever said to take out the EMGs, remove the actives, put the actives in the trash, and walk away from the trash bin has quite a point. Passively, these pickups sound as good as any bass I've ever played. The pop tone is phenominal and there's a rich, growly character on the bottom end that's remniscent of old Fender tones. However, I am happy I put in an active preamp as the active sounds are, in many ways, just like the EMGs, except a lot better to my ear. Subjectively, the passive tone pleases me more than the active. However, the active tone is excellent, and allows significantly more control if I just want to plug into a preamp to record or go straight into a board.

So, if anyone is getting driven nuts by the squeaks and rattles, or if they want a 12 string with all the richness of a jazz bass, I reccommend these bad boys. My only caution is to get extra mounting screws, extra springs, and I'd also suggest getting 1.5" mounting screws instead of the stock 1.25" jobbers that come with the EMGs, since the Bart's mounting hole is higher on the pickup. You can't get the pups close to the strings if you don't get the extra length.

[cmatthes]

Thanks, Moose - more choices for me! Actually, I am not thrilled with the EMGs in my 12'ver for some reason either. I've changed amps, tried all kinds of stuff in front and still find the stock EMGs a bit harsh/dark/brittle for my liking. I'm thinking of doing the Pitbull conversion like on Serial's 8 as a top contender, but you're the third person to mention Barts as a less-invasive switchout.

That's on my list of "to do" things, for sure.

[tomteriffic]

I've been real happy with a pair of Bartolini J's on my (non-Hamer) fretless 5-string. Similar setup: volume, blend pot, stacked bass and treble and a passive tone control that's in the circuit all the time.

Now, since it's fretless and has stainless ground-rounds on it, there isn't much to squeak or rattle anyway, so now and again I tweak the treble pot upwards to get some buzz off the fretboard. Trouble is, that things start to get a little hissy when I do that.

I'm told that running Barts on 18 volts improves their headroom and quiets them down. Any experience with that?

[mc2]

I have to agree that Bartolinis sound waaay better than the harsh active EMG setup in the Hamer basses. I have Barts in my main 4- and 5-string basses (with a puh/pull active/passive pot) and the very best-sounding pickup of any of my 8- or 12-string basses is that triple-coil Bart on the snakeskin Scepter. Overall the Barts are warmer and less harsh than the EMGs.

Even with the active/passive push/pull option, I play in passive 80% of the time.

[Moose]

I'm getting the feeling I'll be playing passive most of the time, too. I like the tone shaping I can do with my amp, and it's a simple line out thing to go into my MOTU unit, so there ya go.

However, I might have the chance to sit in with some folks where the bass amp is overkill and I'd bet I would use the actives going into their PA.

I haven't tried it 18volt yet because I don't have a pretty way to rig the second battery and I want to leave the bass externally stock. I could probably stow it inside the cavity and remove it when I need to change, but I am not sure I like that idea.

What intrigues me about this things is that they are so much nicer on the top end, but they slap and pop perfectly. Granted, I could NEVER perform slap on a 12ver, but it shows how nice the top end is. So, oddly, my 4 string is a better fingerstyle bass but the 12ver, which is pick or fingerstyle only for me, actually beats it in slap and pop tone!

I have a third bass on what's feeling like permament loan to someone and when it comes back I'm sure it'll be trashed or, at least, need some TLC. I'm tempted to put barts in it and then learn to play some slap lines. The sound of these things has me that inspired.

Actually, I am not thrilled with the EMGs in my 12'ver for some reason either. I've changed amps, tried all kinds of stuff in front and still find the stock EMGs a bit harsh/dark/brittle for my liking. I'm thinking of doing the Pitbull conversion like on Serial's 8 as a top contender, but you're the third person to mention Barts as a less-invasive switchout.

Which 12ver do you have? These are almost direct replacements for the soapbars in the B12L, but I was under the impression that the short scale basses with their bezels instead of soapbars don't have a bartolini equivalent, which is why the pitbulls are chosen. If it's a B12L, don't be afraid of the 3 hole. They're just screwed straight into the wood, so its nothing but a quick mark with a finish nail and then drilling two pilots deep enough to get threads started.

[tafkathundernotes]

I just replaced my EMG's with the new Duncan passive soapbars. I'd have to compare them side-by-side with the Bartolinis to say which sounds better. Whatever the case may be, I'm much happier with the EMG's gone. The tone is much better, but I'm not getting all the volume I was looking for. Maybe a height adjustment is needed. I'm still tweaking it.

[Stevieconlon]

I've got the Bartolini classic bass pickups in my Tbird custom 12. I love 'em! They just seem more hi-fi compared to the EMGs.

[serial]

Taking the EMGs out of my B08M was the best instrument alteration I've done in about 20 years. The Rio Pitbulls are exactly what I was wanting to hear.

[Dry]

Another one sees the light!

HEY HAMER, ARE YOU CATCHING THIS. EMG'S SUCK IN 12VER BASSES!

I've done both the Bartolini and the Pitbull conversions in my basses.

they are totally different instruments now.

[Tres Aardvarks]

Another one sees the light!

HEY HAMER, ARE YOU CATCHING THIS. EMG'S SUCK IN 12VER BASSES!

I've done both the Bartolini and the Pitbull conversions in my basses.

they are totally different instruments now.

so, can you compare the Barts to the Pitbull?

[Dry]

so, can you compare the Barts to the Pitbull?

It's apples and oranges because they are in 2 different style and scale basses.

My 32" scale has Pitbulls and my 34" has Barts.

The Barts in my opinion have more low-end and brighter in the high mids. It was a huge improvement over the EMG's

The Pitbulls are very flat. Some low end loss compaired to the original EMG's but no harsh high-end. I have to added a bit of lows on my preset for that bass. Overall about a 1000% improvement on that bass. Very smooth guitarish.

The main issue is I don't think you can find Barts to fit in your B12S and B12M scale basses and you can't put Pitbulls in your B12L basses.