Bartolini9J1 L/S Original Dual Coil 4-string J-Bass Pickup Set

Ok. Just to be clear. I am not slamming these pickups by any means. Just giving my opinion as a bassist and a technician for over 40 years. They are quiet and for recording they would probably be great in the studio. That's about the only positive thing I have to say using them passive as I am. First, the mids, or lack there of. If you slap and pop, these might be for you. If you play rock, blues or funk, you're not going to be happy. Next the output is extremely low. I have a Ric 4003 and vintage Music Man Stingray (1st year '76), which have ample output to say the least. The Barts are a whisper compared to the passive Rickenbacker. The Barts may be better with an active circuit, but that's not what I'm after. I've had them in for a day but knew instantly when I played on them that they were coming out and the Seymour Duncan SBJ-2s were going back in my Jazz Bass. I've played Seymour Duncan and EMG for years and I've always been happy with them. I thought I'd try these out because I've heard good things about Bartolini pickups. These were not for me. The are quiet, have good definition but the mids are scooped and they don't have the output. Oh! One last thing. For the price you pay. You don't even get screws to mount them. A minor thing if you're replacing pickups, but if you're doing a build you're going to be disappointed.Update: Ok. I'm giving them 4 stars now. I pulled out my fretless Jazz Bass, which has an active circuit and the same pickups as my other Jazz bass that I wrote the review on. I installed these in that bass and my suspicions were correct. They are much better with the active circuit and I am leaving them in my fretless. The sound a lot better with the bit of boost the active circuit gives them and much better than the Seymour Duncan SJB-2's in the fretless (They are pretty hot pickups). If you haven't noticed, I'm more than a bit particular about my tone. These pickups are far from being "Flame Throwers" but with the help of an active circuit they are great and I love them in the fretless. Still 4 Stars because for the money they cost, they don't come with any screws, springs or foam for support and you basically need an active circuit with them. I'm really put off by the no hardware and almost wouldn't recommend them for that reason alone. Come on...no screws for almost $200!? So, in a nutshell. If you already have an active circuit in your bass, these might be for you. If you don't I'd look for a set of pickups that are a little hotter than these. I love the Seymour SJB-2's. Great tone and they have plenty of "Stank".

The sound of Bartolini bass pickups is rivaled by none. It’s perfectly balanced, super deep and punchy tone is immaculate and gives a whole new reason to appreciate how beautiful an instrument the bass guitar is.

Definite improvement to stock pickups.

I use these Barolinis and Nordstrand NJ4's. Once I installed them on my two basses, I never once had the thought or feeling that anything was lacking. These Bartolinis simply provide the sound I'm looking for. As for comparing the two it's hard to say since one is fretted and one is fretless. Everyone's setup and style is different so it's hard to suggest that you will for sure be pleased but they've done their best to make a quality product and for most people these should simply work well. The worst case is you have your #2 choice on hand and deal with the price or time of labor to swap to another set. Bartolini (or Nordstrand) are what I am sticking with.

All I can say is wow. These Bartolini pickups sound fantastic. A rich and nuanced tone, articulate and crystal clear. They are also humming canceling. so no hum or noise what so ever. They fit a standard JB route with no problems. Leads are pre-tined and are of a nice thicker gauge wire. (makes for easier routing). Could not be happier with the purchase, especially since they were a gift.

I had a luthier/repair tech with good credentials from a friend install them instead of doing it myself. Although his fees were an additional charge, the results were beautiful! I have beautiful, full fretless tones, and found that by rolling my tail volume back a little, I get a deep, resonant tone from the neck pickup. Well worth the investment!

Absolutely love these pickups! Best quality anywhere. No noise at all! Just the best pickups!

On my J bass, these sound like a $3K bass, such as OverOcean. Easy to install, no alterations to the body. The Fender J is already a great-sounding bass, but these take it into the stratosphere in terms of sound quality. I use black tapewound strings and play swing standards through a GK 250. These are the best $160 Ive ever spent on anything.