Norstrand/Demeter

rickr · #1 10-11-2006, 07:43 AM

I did a search but................

I am quite interested in the new Nordstrand/Demeter configuration used on Roscoes. I have always loved Roscoe basses but was never crazy about the Bart/Bart thing or the Bart/dem or the Bart/ag

I would love to hear feedback on the Nord/dem combination from any of you that have them. Sound clips would be great.

I play in a 3 peice Fusion band and the basses that have seemed to work best for my applications so far have been Zon and Fodera.

I am crazy about the 6 string Roscoes and would love to put one in my arsenal.

J.Wolf · #2 10-11-2006, 08:10 PM

no bites........ OK!!

From my limited experience with Roscoes with both setups (read: taken with a grain of salt) I'd say the Demeter Nordstrand combo will yield a more natural open sound, less compression, less of that built in (almost muddy) low mid girth. Alot of this depends on wood choices too, so its hard to get more specific than that. I think its safe to say that if you heard Bart/Bart and wanted a less compressed more natural articulate dynamic sound, then the Nord/Dem combo is a good bet.

Does that help?

J.Wolf · #3 10-11-2006, 08:17 PM

Also, keep in mind that if Zons work well for you, chances are they have a bart/bart setup (unless you have a polyfusion preamp, but they still retain the bart sound IMO).

Zon's bart stuff is custom designed (OEM) and not off the shelf, and so is Roscoes, so all barts are definitely not created equal.

If you've tried a roscoe with all barts and didn't like it, rest assured a Nord/demeter combo makes for quite a difference.

maurilio · #4 11-09-2006, 10:56 PM

... just to resume this thread... what about Nordstrand pups with Bartolini pre? Someone has experience this combo?

Mo

Jeff Moote · #5 11-10-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

... just to resume this thread... what about Nordstrand pups with Bartolini pre? Someone has experience this combo?

Mo

Why? I think the Bart pre is great with Bart pickups, but it only exaggerates the character (re: coloured low mids, muted but crisp highs) of the pickups. Pairing that with Nordstrand pickups seems like a waste of Nordstrand pickups...

Maybe that sounds a little more harsh than I meant, but nonetheless I think the Nordstrands are best served by something a little more "open".

Gard · #6 11-10-2006, 11:08 AM

I've actually heard this combination, and it was pretty good. As weird as it sounds, I actually preferred it to the Nord/Demeter combo!

My FAVORITE so far is the Nord/Aggie (OBP-3).

Jeff Moote · #7 11-10-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

I've actually heard this combination, and it was pretty good. As weird as it sounds, I actually preferred it to the Nord/Demeter combo!

My FAVORITE so far is the Nord/Aggie (OBP-3).

From the man himself... so maybe Nord/Bart is a valid combo afterall

Dave · #8 11-10-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

I've actually heard this combination, and it was pretty good. As weird as it sounds, I actually preferred it to the Nord/Demeter combo!

My FAVORITE so far is the Nord/Aggie (OBP-3).

What was different from the Bart/Bart combo?

maurilio · #9 11-10-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

I've actually heard this combination, and it was pretty good. As weird as it sounds, I actually preferred it to the Nord/Demeter combo!

My FAVORITE so far is the Nord/Aggie (OBP-3).

Thanks guys!

Gard, yesterday we were talking about this, Carey and me and he thinks that the Bart pre is a good one and he likes how his pups sounds with it!!!
Now it would be nice to try this combo (Nord/Bart)
Gard, how would you describe the N/B vs. B/B?

Thanks much

M

bassjigga · #10 11-10-2006, 01:10 PM

What about Nord/Glock pre?

Strokey · #11 11-10-2006, 01:15 PM

I have the Nord/Bart combo in my fretless SKB 3005 and I love it. I have found that my favorite quality are the mids. The mids on my bass seem to sing in a way that I have not heard on other basses. The bass (overall) has a very "modern sound". The highs are very precise and the lows are very tight, but there is something about the mids that just have their own singing quality. I love the Nord/Bart combo, but I am not sure if any of these qualities would change on a fretted SKB 3005.

maurilio · #12 11-11-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

Why? I think the Bart pre is great with Bart pickups, but it only exaggerates the character (re: coloured low mids, muted but crisp highs) of the pickups. Pairing that with Nordstrand pickups seems like a waste of Nordstrand pickups...

My experience with Bart pre is not at all so. I had the Nord Dual coil in my Sadowsky with a Bart pre and it sounded great. What you describe, IME, sounds more like the traditonal (deep) Bartolini soabars.
The fact is when you place the pups in a different positions on a bass you change the all voice of the same... the closer you go to the bridge the more mids and highs you get. The traditional Bart pups has, like you say, a coloured mids and tigh lows with some kinda muted highs... it's interesting, on my new Roscoe Ash/Bubinga/Ebony the Bart don't satisfy me...kinda strange mid range, but on the Sadowsky they sound great!
So I'm going to put Nord DC on the Roscoe!

More later...

M

Bassmanbob · #13 11-11-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

I've actually heard this combination, and it was pretty good. As weird as it sounds, I actually preferred it to the Nord/Demeter combo!

My FAVORITE so far is the Nord/Aggie (OBP-3).

Gard. I know you are a monster for mids. When I get around to ordering my next 3005 in the spring I was looking for a more funk sounding Roscoe. You had recommended this combination (Nord/Aggie OBP-3). Is it going to give more of a fat funky, yet articulate sound?

Jeff Moote · #14 11-11-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

My experience with Bart pre is not at all so. I had the Nord Dual coil in my Sadowsky with a Bart pre and it sounded great. What you describe, IME, sounds more like the traditonal (deep) Bartolini soabars.
The fact is when you place the pups in a different positions on a bass you change the all voice of the same... the closer you go to the bridge the more mids and highs you get. The traditional Bart pups has, like you say, a coloured mids and tigh lows with some kinda muted highs... it's interesting, on my new Roscoe Ash/Bubinga/Ebony the Bart don't satisfy me...kinda strange mid range, but on the Sadowsky they sound great!
So I'm going to put Nord DC on the Roscoe!

More later...

M

I think you might be very correct about my opinion being based on the traditional Bart soapbars when combined with the Bart pre. The truth is I've never heard the Bart pre with other pickups, but I just assumed it was an extension of that sound.

You also make a good point on pickup placement having a major effect. It's hard to say whether you'll like one kind of electronics based on hearing it in another bass.

JOME77 · #15 11-11-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

My experience with Bart pre is not at all so. I had the Nord Dual coil in my Sadowsky with a Bart pre and it sounded great. What you describe, IME, sounds more like the traditonal (deep) Bartolini soabars.
The fact is when you place the pups in a different positions on a bass you change the all voice of the same... the closer you go to the bridge the more mids and highs you get. The traditional Bart pups has, like you say, a coloured mids and tigh lows with some kinda muted highs... it's interesting, on my new Roscoe Ash/Bubinga/Ebony the Bart don't satisfy me...kinda strange mid range, but on the Sadowsky they sound great!
So I'm going to put Nord DC on the Roscoe!

More later...

M

I've installed several Bart pre's with other brand p/u's and I've also installed the Demeter and Aggie OBP-3 with Barts on several different brand basses.
All of the combinations were acceptable but IMO the Bart pre does sound best when paired with the Bart p/u's.

Taking the Roscoe as an example, I was very surprised how the sound of a Roscoe loaded with Bart p/u's changed when the Demeter and Aggie pre's were installed. Both the Demeter and Aggie pre's made the basses sound so much more open. Smoother lows, no more honky mids (when you really boost the mid's) and harsh highs. Both pre's really smoothed up the sound.

Based on this, I came to two conclusions:

1) The Bart p/u is obviously more neutral sounding than I originally thought.
2) The Bart pre was contributing more to the sound than I originally thought.

I've no idea how the Nord p/u's paired with the Bart pre will sound in a Roscoe though. I know Gard's installed that combo in a couple Roscoe's. If he's steering your that direction I'm sure that you'll be fine.
Personally I think the Aggie OBP-3 is the way to go though....

Halftooth · #16 11-12-2006, 10:02 AM

Tonally, the Bart pre sounds good, a little wooly and colored, but what drives me crazy is the noticable bumb in DB when you hit "that spot." I wish it was a bit more fluid and gradual as you boost.

I would personally prefer the Aggie with the Nordstrand's myself, but I don't see why the Bart wouldn't be a good choice with the Nordies.