Ordering Nordstrand Pickups for the SKB3005 and SKB3006

[Alphaman]

Ok, the time has come for me to order some Nordy Big Singles or the Fat Stacks for my SKB3006 and possibly for my SKB3005. I have searched high and low to determine if I can just go to a website and buy them so that they fit my Roscoe basses. It seems that most who have done this have ended up ordering new pickup covers after realizing there were gaps between the pickups and the bass routing. What's the best and most economical...(gotta do everything with economics in mind as there's not a surplus of dollar bills in the wallet these days) way to order the correct pickups that fit correctly the 1st time? Can I just jump on bestbassgear.com and select the Big Singles and expect them to work? It doesn't sound that simple...I'd like to hear some experiences.... It sounds like whatever fits the 6 string will also fit the 5 string from what I've read.

[dee rob]

I think the issues have mostly been with LG's because of the slanted pickups. I can't recall anyone having issues with the SKB's. In any event, when I ordered Big Singles for my LG, I placed my order at Bass Emporium, then the guys at Nordstrand called me to get the measurements of the stock Barts in relation to the B and G strings. Everything worked out fine. Hope this helps.

dee

[maurilio]

Roscoe uses P4 Bartolini size pups for 5 and 6 strings basses and a non standard string spacing. You'll need a Roscoe "custom" set. Any dealer should be able to custom order them.

M

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by maurilio

Roscoe uses P4 Bartolini size pups for 5 and 6 strings basses and a non standard string spacing. You'll need a Roscoe "custom" set. Any dealer should be able to custom order them.

M

+1

Jerome,
If you talk real nice to Gard he might just sell you a set of Nord's at a decent price! They take real good care of the Roscoeheads!

As previously stated most of the more serious issues with the Nord's are related to the slanted LG model p/u's.

P.S. Your preamps are boxed up and will ship today. Either one should work well with the Nord's but I really like the Audere paired with them.

[CrashClint]

Measure you string spacing from the top of your pickup to the center of the A and D string then make sure your spacing is 18.3mm (6 string & 18.5mm 5 string) string to string. This will ensure your pickup post will line up exactly with your strings. If you can snap a picture of where you are measuring with the tape laid out, that will be even better.

[Gard]

Everyone needs to listen to Mo up there (I believe he works for Nordstrand! )....he's got the big knowledge on this stuff.

We don't stock anything but the Dual Coils at the shop, and typically we only have enough to fill orders, so you get no time advantage ordering from us, as I will need to custom order them as would any dealer. Price wise, we will be similar to any dealer on them, and since it's kind of outside of what we "do", I usually suggest that they be ordered either direct from Nordstrand or from a dealer instead of through us, if at all possible.

Also, I believe that Nordstrand has all of the relevant measurements, so you just need to specify it is for one of our basses, and they can take it from there (Mo, straighten me out if I'm off target!).

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Gard

Everyone needs to listen to Mo up there (I believe he works for Nordstrand! )....he's got the big knowledge on this stuff.

Mo knows Nordstrand!

[CactusmanDoug]

Originally Posted by maurilio

Roscoe uses P4 Bartolini size pups for 5 and 6 strings basses and a non standard string spacing. You'll need a Roscoe "custom" set. Any dealer should be able to custom order them.

M

This is true...I did the same thing regarding some Big Splits for my LG3005. Nordstrand is familiar with Roscoe spacing so you don't need to do any string measuring regardless of model (LG or SKB).

However you MUST absolutely measure the router cuts on your pickups BEFORE you order and MAKE SURE they are perfectly centered or you can end up with some nice new Nordstrands that have all the pole magnets off center from each string and will then have to hand cut your spools and call Nordstrand and have them custom build some new covers so everything works as it should. I know...I lived this.

Many Roscoes (like yours) come equipped with Bartolinis which are a "bar magnet" design that don't require perfect router centering as do "pole magnet" pickups. So when retrofitting with Nordstrands (or any pole magnet pickup), you need to pay close attention to your pickup router cut location or you could have twice the work to get what you want.

NEVER order pole design pickups without doing this first, and if they are off center, make sure you talk directly with Nordstrand regarding your dealer order so they know exactly what to build for YOUR bass.

[JPJ]

The problem with "just ordering online" is that you never know what the fit and installation issues will be unless you discuss things first (which is why I don't offer a click and buy option on my site...I'd be dealing with WAY too many returns). Regardless of who you buy your pickups from, please call/e-mail to discuss before to ensure that you get what you need the first time.

[maurilio]

+1 Gard, Cactusmandoug and Jpj



....Uh? Nordstrand? .... what's that?












M

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by JPJ

The problem with "just ordering online" is that you never know what the fit and installation issues will be unless you discuss things first (which is why I don't offer a click and buy option on my site...I'd be dealing with WAY too many returns). Regardless of who you buy your pickups from, please call/e-mail to discuss before to ensure that you get what you need the first time.

Ah ha! Been to the site...no clicky clicky...was sorta baffled...hmmmm...but this explains it all, otherwise I might have been the next victim. Thanks for keeping those of us less informed individuals out of harms way.

And thanks to all who have replied! This confirms what I was thinking...that it's not as easy as point and click.

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

Ah ha! Been to the site...no clicky clicky...was sorta baffled...hmmmm...but this explains it all, otherwise I might have been the next victim. Thanks for keeping those of us less informed individuals out of harms way.

And thanks to all who have replied! This confirms what I was thinking...that it's not as easy as point and click.

Actually it is, sort of....

We have all the mesurement for Roscoe pups.
Just make sure the dealer order a ROSCOE set.

Cheers

M

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by maurilio

Actually it is, sort of....

We have all the mesurement for Roscoe pups.
Just make sure the dealer order a ROSCOE set.

Cheers

M

Made the call and got my Fat stacks on order this afternoon. I can't wait to get them. Thanks again guys for all the help!

[Gard]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

Made the call and got my Fat stacks on order this afternoon. I can't wait to get them. Thanks again guys for all the help!

I have a set of those in my fretted bass...you'll like 'em, I think.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Gard

I have a set of those in my fretted bass...you'll like 'em, I think.

I think I will like them. To give some specs, the bass is spanish cedar with maple top and maple fingerboard. It has an Audere pre with Nordy DC's. Right now it just seems way too open for me. It's just way too clean for me. If this doesn't work, I think I'll go to the standard Roscoe electronics because you definitely get the meat and potatoes with the standard electronics and not what I'm getting now...a bassline on a diet. I need to add some cholesterols and fats to it. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of people who would love this tone, so I definitely don't want to make it sound bad...just needs a little tweaking for me...that's all.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

It has an Audere pre with Nordy DC's. Right now it just seems way too open for me. It's just way too clean for me.

Jerome,
I felt the same about my Roscoe's with the Audere and Nord p/u's.
My solution was the Bart CB p/u's. IMO they are a nice compromise between the Roscoe Bart's and the Nord's. Not as compressed as the Roscoe Bart's and not as open as the Nord's.

Replacing the Audere pre with the Roscoe Demeter IMO completed the search for the perfect tone in my head.
That combo really pairs up nicely with the Thunderfunk head and Berg or Epi cabinets.

It even kills through SWR Jr. III's!

[Saluki]

Jerome had two Roscoe Basses from me with the Bart CBs and the Glock pre. For me, they were still not open enough. To each his own. If you are wanting less open sounding I agree the standard bart electronics will give you that.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Saluki

Jerome had two Roscoe Basses from me with the Bart CBs and the Glock pre. For me, they were still not open enough. To each his own. If you are wanting less open sounding I agree the standard bart electronics will give you that.

Hi Corey,

I still have the fretted Roscoe 5 string with the Glock pre and Bart CB's. It's a great bass with a great tone. Maybe I should clarify that this is Not the bass being modified. I'm much happier with that sound. This bass with the Audere and Nordstrand DC's is at the other end of the scale...extremely open. Corey, you might have liked the sound of this bass from what you're saying though. I would like to get this bass somewhere between the one Corey sold me and my current 6 string setup but much closer to the one with the Glock/ Bart CB's. I don't want it to have the same exact sound though, which is why I'm not going with the same exact setup. I definitely can't see the point of owning 2 basses with the same sound which is why I'm trying something different that I'm hoping I like on this newer bass. We will see what happens... I'll definitely report the results after the new pickups are installed.

[Saluki]

I hear ya on the owning multiple basses with the same tone. Maybe I should stop by next time I am in town to hear it. I was always trying for the open Roscoe sound.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Saluki

I hear ya on the owning multiple basses with the same tone. Maybe I should stop by next time I am in town to hear it. I was always trying for the open Roscoe sound.

You are welcome to stop by and play any of my instruments any time! Just let me know. !