Bass Blackouts

[Demanic]

Thinking about getting new pickups for my Jackson five string. I picked up an Ibanez 4 string a few months ago and it sounds fantastic. Compared to it, my Jackson sounds dull. I figured that I would put a new set of strings on and see if that made a difference. While it now sounds better, not good enough. So, I went into the pickup section of the website and saw that Duncan is now offering bass soap bars under the Blackout moniker. I figure that if they are anything like the guitar Blackouts, then they should suit me just fine. On the odd chance that someone has had some experience with them, do you think that they would be a significant improvement over the stock Jackson pickups?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Well, combining them with a Blackout preamp would get you a bass and treble control, which, to me, is an improvement over a passive tone control. Providing there is room for your battery.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Well, combining them with a Blackout preamp would get you a bass and treble control, which, to me, is an improvement over a passive tone control. Providing there is room for your battery.

The Jackson is active with dual volumes and TMB controls. I'm hoping that the Blackouts would be a straight swap for the Jackson oems.

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[Mincer]

Re: Bass Blackouts

The Jackson is active with dual volumes and TMB controls. I'm hoping that the Blackouts would be a straight swap for the Jackson oems.

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Well, that, I don't know. If you go through with it, let me know. It should be fine, as you can use the Blackouts with any preamp (apparently). I haven't tried every one.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Duncan has had EMG shaped soapbar bass pickups for years. Since the Basslines days.


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[ehdwuld]

Re: Bass Blackouts

if I liked the Ibanez
I would look at Ibanez pickups

my 500 has the Bartolini MK pickups
I wonder who owns those?

 

[dystrust]

Re: Bass Blackouts

if I liked the Ibanez
I would look at Ibanez pickups

my 500 has the Bartolini MK pickups
I wonder who owns those?

Those Bartolini mkIs are the Bartolini equivalent of Duncan Designed. They used to be made in Korea, but I don't know if that's still the case. That being the case they're not available after market, though Bartolini will sell you pickups made in the US that will fit those routs.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Bass Blackouts

used on ebay $40
https://www.ebay.com/i/313088467448...88467448&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2386202&algv=Default#

these should sound more like the Ibanez

these are new from Pitbull Audio

https://www.pitbullaudio.com/bartol...s-mk-soapbar-pickup-mk4cbc-neck-position.html

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Not sure exactly what model the ones in the Ibanez are. Here's a photo.

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[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Apparently Ibanez calls them PFR's.

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[ehdwuld]

Re: Bass Blackouts

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Ibanez-PFR-4-Pickup-For-Bass-Guitars/253210963733

those wont fit the Jackson though will they?

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Ibanez-PFR-4-Pickup-For-Bass-Guitars/253210963733

those wont fit the Jackson though will they?

Nope. I checked out the five string version and they have three mounting screws, the Jackson's have only two.
The Bass Blackouts also have two. It looks like they also have the same wiring.

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[ehdwuld]

Re: Bass Blackouts

I thought of putting Carvin pickups in my Ibanez basses
but then I played them and thought

Nah

 

[dystrust]

Re: Bass Blackouts

used on ebay $40
https://www.ebay.com/i/313088467448...88467448&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2386202&algv=Default#

these should sound more like the Ibanez

these are new from Pitbull Audio

https://www.pitbullaudio.com/bartol...s-mk-soapbar-pickup-mk4cbc-neck-position.html

Those aren't the same pickups; the eBay set are MkIs pulled from an import bass while the set from Pitbull are real, MIA Bartolinis.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Bass Blackouts

hmm

is the Ibanez not an import bass

MK1 is whats in mine

same same

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

I'm pretty much settled on the Blackouts unless someone can convince me otherwise.

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[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Bass Blackouts

I've had mixed-luck with bass pickup swaps so far.

Put Antiquity Ps in my P bass and PJ. Ultimately didn't think they sounded enough different from the stock pickups to keep them. Replaced the Ant with an old school EMG P in the P bass, nuked the tone knob, and I love it.

Put DiMarzio Model Js in my Warwick. Love them.

My Meyers has a Delano ceramic MM pickup, with a 2-band John East preamp. If I put stainless steel strings on it, it's a little zingy and hi-fi. Right now, it has EB Cobalt Slinkies, and the tone is divine. Still modern, but full in all the right places, with no offending frequencies. I really want to put a bypass switch for the preamp on it, so I can hear the Delano by itself. Switching between different types of strings on that bass has given me more results than pickup swaps did in many guitars.

Just curious (not trying to talk you out of anything), did you replace the strings on your Jackson with the same, or try something radically different?

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

I put a set of strings from these guys.
They cryogenically treat them. They sound good, but the stock pickups just sound meh. I'm considering the Blackouts based on what I have heard about the guitar version.

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[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Are you familiar with Jeff Hughell? He’s in Six Feet Under, and records solo stuff. He uses Blackouts in his 7 string Warwicks. Sounds muy aggressive.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bass Blackouts

Works for me. I'm a bid fan of DD Vernie and Dave Ellefson.