Nordstrands vs Barts in a Roscoe

waytoodeep03 · #1 10-22-2009, 07:36 PM

I have a nord setup. The sound is bright and aggressive.

I need smooth lows with tons of mids. Will the barts give me that sound?

LightGroove · #2 10-22-2009, 09:04 PM

Yes...the standard Roscoe Barts sound like they'd fit the bill...

JOME77 · #3 10-23-2009, 04:26 AM

+1

I prefer the Bart's. The Roscoe Bart's are more compressed sounding and the Bart's CB's are more open. They probably fall somewhere between the Roscoe Bart and the Nord's.

CactusmanDoug · #4 10-23-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waytoodeep03

I need smooth lows with tons of mids. Will the barts give me that sound?

What pre amp are you currently using in conjunction with your Nords?

PacoJastoriusFr · #5 10-23-2009, 10:46 AM

i've removed the Roscoe Bart's (p4) on my skb-3006. she is now Delano equipped, but i would be interested in Nordstrands P.U... if you ever feel agree for a trade...then let me know...

waytoodeep03 · #6 10-23-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

What pre amp are you currently using in conjunction with your Nords?

I have an aguilar obp-3 preamp installed.

LightGroove · #7 10-24-2009, 06:36 AM

Its interesting to read the compressed comment about the Roscoe Barts. I did experienced the "compressed" thing but only in combination with Bart Pre. Ive got an Aggie in my LG and say to my ears its really opened up the standard Bart pickups. I just compared a bass equipped with CB's and then my bass . I found the Cb's more airy and transparent...and not my thing. I also had to coax the mids a bit to get the meat I hear with the standards...

CliffD · #8 11-02-2009, 08:00 PM

I've had custom wound Nord DCs and the Audere in my CSVI for a while now. While there are advantages to both, I'm now getting a new CSVI with Roscoe Barts and an Aggie OBP-3. Here are my thoughts:

-The DCs are cool for a more open sound indeed, but aren't as aggressive or focused as I would like.

-The Audere mids are killer, esp the high mid. But the highs are way too high and don't do enough when cutting or boosting. That and I NEVER use the z-switch.

Take it from me, and my wallet folks, stick with the Barts and Bart or Aggie preamps! Anyway, my two cents.

DannyV · #9 11-03-2009, 12:53 AM

This is the setup I have - Bartolini pickups, Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. Myrtle top, cedar body. I really like the sound of this instrument. Aside from the desire to tinker with things by getting an Audere or Demeter preamp, which is just to scratch that 'i wonder how *that* would sound' itch, I think it works well.

CrashClint · #10 11-03-2009, 05:41 AM

I am running the Nord DC and Demeter Preamp. This is probably one of the least aggressive setups out there. Depending on the rig I am playing through I will have to sometimes boost the mids. My church has Eden cabinets which produce lots of mids so I will roll off the mids whereas my rig is a Shuttle 6.0 with Epifani cabinets. I keep my mids flat and use the mid scoop switch on the amp when needed.

I am going to put Bart Classics in my bass this week, I am sending my Nords back to Carey. I have some of the original DCs and the magnets are super strong and cause intonation problems above the 12th fret.

The Roscoe Barts sound great with the Demeter as well, really produces that 70s tone with tons of punch. I have serious thoughts about running one Roscoe Bart and one Bart Classic to see what the tone would be like.

LightGroove · #11 11-03-2009, 06:02 AM

I will say that with the Aggie...a little goes a looong way. I do tend to boost the highs a bit but the lows very subtle unless I want to fill a room . One thing I really like about the aggie is the lows never get mushy/muddy until the very end. Minor boom factor but nothing like the Demeter. Our FOH hated when I used the Demeter loaded LG and made any onboard changes fwiw

Back on subject...I'm hoping to compare the CB's with the standards quite a bit when my new bass is complete.

One thing Ive noticed that these airy/open pickups tend to get washed out in any loud or rock setting. Probably perfect for solo or lead jazz type work.

VroomVroom · #12 11-03-2009, 09:43 AM

FWIW, I've got a Nord/Aggie instrument to go along with my Bart/Bart pride & joy. IMO, there is quite a bit of common ground, although there's no discounting the aggressiveness of the Nord/Aggie combo. That OBP-3 just SPEAKS in the upper mids, with a lot of bite. However, when I'm after more of what I think of as the Roscoe sound on that bass, I slightly boost the low mids, bias the bridge pickup just a bit, and keep everything else flat (or close to it).

PlanetEarth · #13 11-03-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

FWIW, I've got a Nord/Aggie instrument to go along with my Bart/Bart pride & joy. IMO, there is quite a bit of common ground, although there's no discounting the aggressiveness of the Nord/Aggie combo. That OBP-3 just SPEAKS in the upper mids, with a lot of bite. However, when I'm after more of what I think of as the Roscoe sound on that bass, I slightly boost the low mids, bias the bridge pickup just a bit, and keep everything else flat (or close to it).

Could I talk ya into a couple side-by-side clips of those???

JOME77 · #14 11-03-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlanetEarth

Could I talk ya into a couple side-by-side clips of those???

That's like asking McDonalds or Burger King if you can super size a value meal!

@#%@$#$%^$#.....(the sound of Jerry opening his cases & firing up the recorder)........

VroomVroom · #15 11-03-2009, 10:52 AM

LOL @ Joe!

Youbetcha. Not quite a perfect A/B comparo, but here's each bass running through the same rig - Epifani UL502 & UL310 (early Series 2) cab:

Roscoe #5520: myrtle over ash, spalted purpleheart board on standard neck, Bart/Bart.
Blew Bossa
Buh Bye Blackie

Bass face (with hair, no less).

Roscoe #5705: maple over ash, maple board on wenge wedge neck, Nord/Aggie (pickups in single-coil mode).
Don't Get Around
Mercy x2

Boat gig.

PlanetEarth · #16 11-03-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Youbetcha. Not quite a perfect A/B comparo, but here's each bass running through the same rig - Epifani UL502 & UL310 (early Series 2) cab:

Ah, thanks man! Is that typically the basis on which bass you grab, i.e. sounds like you grab the nord/ag if your feelin` a poppin vibe on your solos.?

I've never played the nord/ag combo - I think you called it though, lots of cross-over, the biggest diff. I hear is in the mids, they sound more transparent to me. I think I'm still a bart fan just because I like the real focused, in-your-face, mids. Could totally see being happy with either set-up though. Hrmmm, guess that's as good an excuse as any to buy another bass...

VroomVroom · #17 11-03-2009, 12:24 PM

I'll use the Nord bass when I know I need to cut through...either a large band, slap, or other aggressive music. The Bart bass is definitely smoother, although it has those sweet punchy mids that speak so nicely. For me, nothing says "Roscoe" like my fertile myrtle bass. Although, to confuse things more...my fretless has the Bart pickups with the OBP-3. On that bass, it's an amazing combo. Incredible focus to the tone - the attack is amazing - and the upper mids really shape the overall sound.

Back to the Nord bass. This one has a humbucker/single coil switch, and talk about offering choices. Not quite Jeckyl/Hyde, but definitely different. I think the DC's really highlight what you referred to as transparent mids, but in single-coil mode, the 'Roscoeness' really shines.

CrashClint · #18 11-04-2009, 07:15 AM

I removed my Nord DCs last night and put the Bart Classics in my SKB with Demeter preamp. First thing I noticed was a Fly with a buzz... oops actually, the CB have a low mid bump whereas the Nords have a high mid bump. The highs on the CBs are a bit more tame especially when slapping.

Does anyone have a 5/6 string Roscoe Bart from the neck position they can send me so I can try an experiment?

I want to have a CB in the bridge and a Roscoe Bart in the neck position to see what the tone is like with the blend at zero.

CliffD · #19 11-06-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

I want to have a CB in the bridge and a Roscoe Bart in the neck position to see what the tone is like with the blend at zero.

Ooh, that might be cool.

waytoodeep03 · #20 11-07-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

LOL @ Joe!

Youbetcha. Not quite a perfect A/B comparo, but here's each bass running through the same rig - Epifani UL502 & UL310 (early Series 2) cab:

Roscoe #5520: myrtle over ash, spalted purpleheart board on standard neck, Bart/Bart.
Blew Bossa
Buh Bye Blackie

Bass face (with hair, no less).

Roscoe #5705: maple over ash, maple board on wenge wedge neck, Nord/Aggie (pickups in single-coil mode).
Don't Get Around
Mercy x2

Boat gig.

What strings are you using on your nord bass