Bartolini PBF-55

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 4-Conductor Wiring

Model of guitar or bass: Washburn J-6S
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Stock
Artists using this pickup: Many
You musical style(s): Jazz
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups were not as focused as I like.

Perceived output level: Major level increase compared to stock
Tone: Balanced and Clear as bell
Sonic evaluation: I currently have 12 guitars and I'm constanly making changes to them, yet this is the first change that's prompted me to write a review here. That statement should give some indication of how much I like this pickup. I use my guitars primarily for recording, and my Washburn J-6S is my primary jazz axe. When I purchased the guitar, I thought that the stock pickups were great. They had a nice jazzy round tone, and I was in Wes Montgomery heaven, but after the honeymoon, I realized that something was missing, and I found that something in the Bartolini PBF-55 (Neck) pickup. What was missing was clarity and focus, and the Bartolini has both in abundance. After replacing the stock neck pickup with the PBF-55, single note lines now jump out of the guitar. I play fingerstyle jazz, and the Bartolini pickup, seems to compliment that style perfectly. Dynamics with this pickup is also a major improvement over sthe stock pickup. I can go from light harmonics to octaves to full on chords, and the PBF-55 is clear and accurate every step of way. Another thing that I've found is that when the treble is rolled off, the pickup just seems to get jazzier, not muddy like the stock pickup. I currently use Chrome 12 strings on the guitar, and playing in the lower registers has always made what could only be described as a rumble previously, but that has completely vanished with this pickup. Now, even the lowest notes are as clear as a bell. I'll probably move up to 13's now, maybe even 14's. The only downside is that the neck pickup now highlights the shortcomings of the stock bridge pickup, which will soon be replaced with another Bartolini.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The Bartolini PBF-55 is a perfect pickup for any style which requires maximum clarity and superior dynamics. The PBF-55 is recommended for the neck position.

Comments: I have been playing for over 20 years, and If this pickup were lost or stolen, I would run out and find another one. There is nothing about this pickup that I dislike. The price puts it in the Antiquity, Seth Lover, Lindy Fralin range, but I don't regret spending the bucks at all. I have found that elusive jazz tone.