Bartolini 9J Jazz Pickups

Mine are the single coil 9J1 L/S.They are wired active with the Bartolini NTBT 918 3.3 A/P PRE AMP MUDULE.The controls are One volume,with one blend control,and active bass and treble stack.The volume has active/passive, push/pull on volume.

I purchased the system already installed in an American fender jazz bass.I like the sound of the neck and bridge combined.

The sound is fantastic.I always loved the sound of an American fender jazz.But I must say,this is just about the best system I have ever heard.The sound is well balanced,not harsh or mid sounding.But very powerful and solid notes. To me it sounds like a bass should sound.You dont have to try to doctor up the sound.Plug it into a descent amp and you are ready to go.Now of course I do not like the sound of the neck or bridge pickup by them selves.They sound best combined in my opinion.I use it through a fender bass amp.For my taste ,no need for effects.The sound of the bass and a nice amp and you are ready to role.

If something happened to the bass,I would want it again just like I bought it.I have been playing for several years.I have played in session work since a child and made my living as a musician also.In my opinion these pickups with the preamp mentioned,it sounds like a fender jazz should and then some.I am satisfied with my setup.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking Jazz replacements
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Std Jazz Bass
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Stock Neck and Bridge Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Jazz Rock Blues
Reason for pickup change: I love rear pickup Jazz Bass sound but noise is annoying with single coils. Also, I liked that they don't have exposed pole pieces.

Perceived output level: About the same as stock fenders
Tone: Clear and well balanced
Sonic evaluation: Fender Jazz into SWR Baby Blue Combo or Rocktron preamp -> Mackie M1400 power amp -> SWR 2x10 and 1x18.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a wide range of music and this pickup is very versitile

Comments: I want to replace all my pickups with Bartolini pickups. The guy who gave this pickup a 1 on tone rating had one simple problem. The 9J is voiced for 4 string bass, and he had them on a 4 string. Bartolini makes 5 string specific pickups.

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs: 250K ohms

Model of guitar or bass: Fender MIM Jazz Bass (black)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Both
Other pickups on guitar: Standard Fender Single Coil
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Pop-punk, funk, alternative, rock
Reason for pickup change: The standard Fender's hum alot and the response and the out put weren't what I was looking for.

Perceived output level: Pretty Hot in comparison the the Fenders
Tone: Very balanced and warm
Sonic evaluation: To be quite honest i use a little combo amp for now (Peavey Basic 112). However I am saving for Gallien-Krueger 700RB and 410 RBH cab. Through the combo it sounds suprisingly good the response sounds good on the lows and clear on the highs.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For any style of music these pickups are great replacements!

Comments: I have been playin a little over a year and have done countless research on the bass gear to match the sound I am looking for. This is the second addition to the bass, I also added a Leo Quan Badass Bass II. I highly suggest the Leo Quan-Bartolini combo. I also use GHS bass boomers 100-45's which give it a nice brite tone. I hae found the sound I am looking for and am very happy.

Pickup features: Single coil with no exposed polepieces
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 5 string Sei Bass Jazz model
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: n/a
Other pickups on guitar: both jazz pickups were Bartolini
Artists using this pickup: Paul Turner (Boyzone, B*Witched, 911, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart), Rufus Philpot, Frank Felix, Andrew Smith (Lauryn Hill, Rod Stewart)
You musical style(s): Rock, Pop, Blues, Folk
Reason for pickup change: Newly built custom bass. I was recommended to try out the Bartolini's. The original set were 9W's. I was unhappy with the sound and changed them for 9J's instead.

Perceived output level: The output on my custom built bass ia determined by a trim-pot located on the active circuit boart employed in the construction of the instrument.
Tone: 9W's were "thuddy" - lots of botom end but very little top end "chink" when moving over the frets. The replacement 9J's fared little better as the sound had more top end, but this sounded thin and enaemic.
Sonic evaluation: I play via an Eden Navigatpr pre-amp, through an Eden WT-1000 power amp (1,000 watts), feeding two Eden D-410XLT cabinets.
The sound from these pickups is just awful!!! I was reduced to tears the first time I played the new bass in a live setting. Even audience members who aren't musicians, but who had heard my playing on previous occasions, commented that the bass sounded dull and wooly - one evne asked if there was something wrong with it?!!
I had the set changed to a 9J one. This proved no better. I was still completely dissatisfied with the sound when amplified. When playing the instrument acoustically at home, the inherent tone is great, these pickups completely negate this factor.
The current situation is that the instrument is once again at The Gallery in London to have the pickups and circuitry changed once again. The guys there have suggested for me to try out a set of EMG jazz type pickups and see how these fare compared to the Bartolini's. My reaction is that anything would be better, but let's see if they can produce a sound I am happy with!!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The Bartolini's were an embarassment to play with. The sound is dull, insipid and leaves the player thinking "where has my tone gone?". I would NEVER recommend any of the manufacturers jazz style pickups as I have no faith in their ability whatsoever.

Comments: PLease do not request these pickups without trying a set out first. I did that and have had months of trying out various curcuits and had the pickups changed twice already. I have now moved on from the Bartolini's and the experience I have had has ensured that I shall NEVER use a set in the future. Additionally, I cannot stress enough how adamant I am regarding their pathetic tone and sound colouration - beware!!!!!

Pickup features: passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: '98 Fender Jazz Bass (Mexico)
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Both neck and bridge
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Dunno
You musical style(s): Rock/pop/urban/etc.
Reason for pickup change: Fender mexican pick-ups are real weak and I knew when I
bought the bass I was gonna change them.

Perceived output level: Hotter than the stock pick-ups.
Tone: Beautiful bite and creamy low end.
Sonic evaluation: Mexican Fender Jazz bass and a Line6 POD going direct and/or through a Crown CE 2000 power amp. Multiple speaker set-ups depending on the sound: a 4 10" cab, a 1 12" cab and soon a 15" Hartke I got my eye on. The POD sounds great and is extremely versital, especially since I play guitar too.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock/pop/urban/R&B/whatever

Comments: If it was stolen, I would replace it with another set of Bartolini, the bass would probably be a secondary consideration. I love these pick-ups. I originally bought some Seymore-Duncan Basslines (Quarter Pounders) and was dissatisfied with the sound. They sounded like beefed up versions of the stock pick-ups. I switched to the Bartolinis on a recommendation from the guys at Univibe and found an excellent tone I would have to describe as kinda juicy and full. This was a secondary bass for me, but it now sounds better than my Ibanez 5 string. My advice is to just buy a set if your looking for a great bass sound.

Pickup features: Passive. Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 2.3K ohms. P bass type p/u in a single coil housing

Model of guitar or bass: Custom bass w/ Warmoth neck (maple/maple) and body(swamp ash)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: neck and bridge
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Do Not Know
You musical style(s): Contemporary Jazz, R & B, Blues and Gospel
Reason for pickup change: Just curious. I wanted to hear what my bass sounded like without any "buzz" or "hum" from single coils.

Perceived output level: The output was slightly more than stock Fender Jazz p/u's.
Tone: This pickup(Bartolini 9J) is the bass sounding jazz bass p/u I have ever heard. This p/u even sounds better than Bartolini's 94J. And believe me, the 94J is hard to find, but if you do they are worth buying. THe sweetest sound I have heard.
Sonic evaluation: My amp is very bassic. I use a Nemesis -210. It is lightweight, compact and has a GREAT sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My fllavor of music is contemporary jazz, R&B, blues and gospel. This p/u is great for all styles.

Comments: I've been plllaying bass guitar for 23 years. This is probably the BEST sounding Jazz Bass I have ever heard. I have an original '78 jazz, but those p/u's do not compare to the Bartolini's. Bartolini is the real Thang!