I am after a fuller, richer, rounder - jazzier? sound. I have looked at all of them, and yes, I can buy the EQ and the pups, but not as a "box set". That is what I am really after here. The |East kit makes me drool, I will admit to that - and if the EQ alone can do the trick, I will look closer there... I am considering replacing the pots that are in there now actually - I've no doubt that Yamaha skimped on them, being the "entry level" bass that it really is.
Box sets usually mean less £s leaving my tiny bank account LOL.
So yeah, EMG seems to be the win - both as a package and as a price point. Aguilar, while absolutely awesome, is absolutely out of my price range - wow, and wow again!
I would opt for Barts m'self - I know them very well (from an age when I had more £ than sense I guess)....
Now you see, it's the mix and match part that I am not sure of AT ALL... it is a very costly road to mess up on, isn't it?