Bartolini MK4CBC-T

Humbucking Dual coil. These pickups can be installed with series internal connections or paralell humbucking. They come standard in humbucking configuration.

Installed this in an Ibanez SR500 which comes with Bartolini's MK1 pickups. Mine were crap. The D string had low enough output that it would disappear in the mix. This was totally undectectable playing solo but a distinct problem playing with a band of any real volume. Sent it back to Ibanez and they did nothing except lower the action too much and call it OK. Actually talked to Mr. Bartolini. He fessed up that the Korean manufatured MK1 does not have the extra windings on the weaker output strings and the USA models pickups do.

Changed out the neck pickup first to see if it made a difference and it is like night and day. Strings are now far more balanced with dramatically higher output. The bridge pickup (MK1)is pale and weak in comparison. I have played on the new pup now for about 3 months and just ordered the bridge replacement. Kind of annoying to spend another $190 on pickups but I otherwise really like this bass, and with the upgraded pickups it will easily match a much more expensive axe (e.g. MTD!). Still doesn't have the fine adjustment of a pickup with indiviually tweakable pole pieces, but it if very near perfect balance now.

If this bass was stolen I would not go through this process again but would likely be looking at more expensive Ken Smith or Tobias basses. I have owned many Fenders, Hofner, Mosrite, Guild and played enough high end basses to know the difference. If you are on the fence about a Lakland, Cort or Ibanez with the MK1 pups, these are about the only drop in upgrade. They are worth it and will give you a new vastly improved bass.

Pickup features: Dual-Coil Passive Soapbar, 4-conductor wiring
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Lakland 44-01
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Bartolini Mk-1, Bridge
Other pickups on guitar: Bartolini Mk-1, Neck
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: Output on stock pickups seemed anemic; even with the internal preamp, they were barely clipping my amp's input, even with the gain turned up to 75%.

Perceived output level: 1.5 - 2 times the output of the stock pickups. Definitely not as hot as some active EMGs, but plenty loud throughout the entire tone spectrum.
Tone: Totally balanced tone. Deep lows, cutting mids, and airy highs. When compared to the neck pickup, it sounds like switching from mono to stereo.
Sonic evaluation: This pickup is installed in a Lakland 44-01, straight into an Ampeg B-2R with a Behringer MDX2200 Compressor and Aphex 204 Aural Exciter in the effects loop, running approx. 350 watts into a Dr. Bass 1x15 and a Dr. Bass 1x12. I also play a custom Warmoth Jazz Bass with active EMG-JVs and a BTC Preamp through this rig. Bottom line is that the Bartolini MK4CBC is an enormous improvement over the Bartlini Mk-1. The output on the Mk-1 is just too low and too muddy. The MK4CBC adds life to this bass that wasn't there before. In fact, the difference is so significant that it's going to be hard keeping the existing Mk-1 in the neck position (even though I rarely use it). Anyone with a Lakland 44/55-01 or an Ibanez or Cort with Mk-1 pickups...upgrade now! And if you don't mind drilling another hole in your bass, you can use a mini switch to split the coils on the MK4CBC.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup rocks! With the right pre-amp, this pickup could work for any style of music, as it covers the full range of tones.

Comments: Would immediately replace this pickup if something happened to it. The bass just wouldn't be useful anymore without it. I've been playing guitar and bass for 23 years, with semi-pro gigs on bass back in my college days. I own two other basses (Hill Custom 5-string and Warmoth Jazz), five electric guitars, and an acoustic. In addition, I've been building guitars and basses for about 5 years now, so I think I've run through the full spectrum of pickup and electronics options for guitar and bass. This pickup moves the entry-level Lakland Skyline 44-01 into the "real bass" category. If you own a bass with Bartolini Mk-1's in it, the U.S. made Bartolini MK series is your only replacement option...and I say go for it. Brian at Best Bass Gear (www.bestbassgear.com) can hook you up. He seems to have quick turn-around on orders from Bart, and actually has some MKs in stock right now.