Conference napalm::guitar

    I play a Gibson EB-0, and several decades ago I added a Hi-A bridge
    pickup - which I believe is made by Bartolini - to it, making it sort
    of a poor man's EB-3.  For many years I used this pickup almost to the 
    complete exclusion of the Gibson humbucker, and was pretty satisfied
    with it.  It hums a little more than the Gibson, but I don't know if
    means it's not a humbucking design; I think everything hums more than
    that Gibson - it's the Black Hole of Tone.  (Right, Edd? %^)  The Hi-A 
    is a passive design, BTW.
    
    Recently I replaced the neck pickup with a Dimarzio humbucker, and I
    think I like the sound of that pickup alone better than the Hi-A,
    either alone or with the Gibson.  For all I know, however, this could 
    be just because it's in the neck position, or it could be that my 
    tastes have changed.  Overall, though, the Hi-A served me well; I 
    think it's a good pickup: I like sound of it.
    
    On the other hand, my pickup is at least 15 years old, so its
    performance may not be an accurate indication of Bartolini's current
    products.  I can say they have been in the business for awhile, though.
    %^)
    
    As far as your situation, my guess is that the EMGs sound better to
    your ears because you like the active pickup tone.  I think both EMG
    and Bartolini make quality pickups, but ones personal preference is the
    most important factor in determining whether one likes an instrument's
    tone.  I bet you would like those EMGs on your bass.  Since I'm not
    spending the money, I say go for them.
    
    Dave

>A friend of mine owns a Guild Pilot 5-string (3 times as cheap) with EMG's,
>which sounds much better. Especially the low frequencies are much more defined.
    
    Pieter,
    
    does his bass sound better thru *your* amp with *your* tone settings?
    
    Control your comparison.........
    
    If so, you could change your pickups.........
    
    Steve

    Pieter, one thing to consider.  You said your friend has a Guild Pilot;
    I usually see these with a P-J pickup configuration as opposed to the
    two J pickups on your Lag.  If his is like this it could be part of the
    difference you hear.  Precision type pickups will pump out the low mids
    better than a Jazz type near the neck.
    
    That said, I do hear a characteristic difference in sound between EMG
    and Bartolini.  To me, EMGs have more of a 'in your face' sound; more
    presence in the mids and more edge.  I personally think they can sound
    kind of harsh.  Bartolini's have a more smooth sound and more even
    response over the tonal spectrum.  I think that the Bartolini's bring
    out more of the 'natural' sound of the instrument, which is why you see
    them used so often on high-end basses.  But many people do prefer the
    EMG sound, and it may be the right one for you.
    
    I've played an EMG J-type pair on a Moon 4-string; they definitely have
    that agressive, EMG type sound.
    
    /rick

    
    Try ALEMBEC Active j-bass pickups if you want that "active tone" like
    the EMG as well as the "natural tone" of the Bartolinis ...
    
    my 2 cents,
    
    Billy_K

>    To me, EMGs have more of a 'in your face' sound; more
>    presence in the mids and more edge.  I personally think they can sound
>    kind of harsh.  Bartolini's have a more smooth sound and more even
>    response over the tonal spectrum.  I think that the Bartolini's bring
>    out more of the 'natural' sound of the instrument, which is why you see
>    them used so often on high-end basses.

Yeah, that's right, the EMG's do produce this kind of 'in-your-face' sound.
But what I don't like with the Bartolini's is the fact that even a cheap squier
jazz bass sounds as good (or better) than my bass. 
I know that the reason for the sound lies in the pick-ups because I've played 
an identical bass with REFLEX active pick-ups. This bass sounded great and was
for me the reason to place an order for the bass I currently own.
I've consulted the manufacturer of the bass and they state that the difference
that I hear in the sound is purely a matter of taste.
My question: Does my taste differ from all the other bass players in the world?

Pieter

    RE: .4
    
    I agree with Bill, Alembic p/u's are the way to go. Very natural
    sounding pickups.
    
    
    	Fred (who bought Billy_K's PV fretless with Alembic's on it and
              LOVES the tone!)

    Fred,
    
    re: You're not from around here are U?
    
    How'd ya guess, y'all?
    
    8^}

    Hey Pieter, here are more ideas.  What does your bass sound like
    unamplified?  Is it bright?  Dark?  Resonant?  Dull?  Is the bass
    lightweight?  Heavy?  Perhaps the problem is just a mismatch between
    the pickups and the bass.  As I said, I think the Bartolini's
    bring out more of the 'natural' of the instrument; but this doesn't
    necessarily mean the best 'amplified' sound.  Your instrument may
    respond better to more voiced electronics.
    
    I've heard Bartolini's in some basses and didn't care for them, but
    I'll tell you what has been the best sounding bass I've played so far.
    It was a Fodera 5-string with a Bartolini J-bass pair.  Unamplified,
    the instrument had a rich, warm tone and it was loud; almost like an
    acoustic guitar.  Plugged in, this bass was pure heaven.
    
    Without knowing your bass firsthand, it's hard to offer more; these
    are just some ideas to kick around.  Ultimately, it may just be a
    matter of your own taste.  I don't think you're alone either.
    
    /rick

    Pieter,
    
    There's nothing wrong with having unique taste in musical sounds. 
    That's the kind of thing that keeps life interesting!
    
    Greg