From EMG to which Nordstrands (soapbar) ?

[azzyrazzy]

I decided to ask you guys for a little advice. I have no chance of hearing a Nordstrand before I buy, so I need some suggestions.

I got a bass with EMG40 CS (bridge) and 40J(neck). The bass sounds modern, but to me also a bit sterile. This bass also has swamp ash body, neck is wenge/maple with pau ferro board. Earlier I replaced the preamp with a Noll, which is awesome, but I got to give it another type signal for it to amplify, to get the sound I want. Enter the Nordstrand GAS!

I am looking to get away from sterile and into something else, something clear yet warm. Still, I am not even sure whether to go for the Big Singles, Big Splits, or even the Dual Coils (parallell). Need your Nordstrand experience here.

[JPJ]

Nordstrands will definately help eliminate the "sterile" nature of the EMGs. However, which pickup set you go with really depends on what you're looking to achieve tonally...and several of the models that you've listed are VERY different.

You might first want to check out my blog (see my signature below), as I have posted many articles about the differences between Nordstrand pickups models. I have also posed many comments on Carey's Pickups Forum and Carey has also posted his thoughts there as well, listing differences and similarities between the models.

In addition to that, you might ask yourself whether you want a vintage single coil tone or a noiseless, hum-canceling pickup. If you want a true single coil tone, then the Big Singles are an easy choice. If you want that same type of tone but in a noiseless pickup, then go with a set of Big Splits. If you're looking for a super-phat jazz bass tone with the added versatility of being able to tap the coil and use the pickup as a single coil, go wtih the Fat Stacks. Finally, if a humbucking pickup is what you want (wired either in series, parallel, or both), then the Dual Coil set will do the trick. The type of tones that you can get from a humbucking soapbar pickup vs. a single coil pickup are very different. Answering these fundamental questions should help you decide.

[billbern]

Originally Posted by JPJ

Nordstrands will definately help eliminate the "sterile" nature of the EMGs. However, which pickup set you go with really depends on what you're looking to achieve tonally...and several of the models that you've listed are VERY different.

You might first want to check out my blog (see my signature below), as I have posted many articles about the differences between Nordstrand pickups models. I have also posed many comments on Carey's Pickups Forum and Carey has also posted his thoughts there as well, listing differences and similarities between the models.

In addition to that, you might ask yourself whether you want a vintage single coil tone or a noiseless, hum-canceling pickup. If you want a true single coil tone, then the Big Singles are an easy choice. If you want that same type of tone but in a noiseless pickup, then go with a set of Big Splits. If you're looking for a super-phat jazz bass tone with the added versatility of being able to tap the coil and use the pickup as a single coil, go wtih the Fat Stacks. Finally, if a humbucking pickup is what you want (wired either in series, parallel, or both), then the Dual Coil set will do the trick. The type of tones that you can get from a humbucking soapbar pickup vs. a single coil pickup are very different. Answering these fundamental questions should help you decide.

Great info here and the blog has some really good stuff .

When trying to make this same decision for my 55-01, I went for versitility.
I wanted options and variety. I chose Nory Dual Coils wound parallel, with parallel/single coil/series switching. I've had them for six months now, gigging in a variety of situations and all I can say is that they're even more than I expected. Lots of character is the best I can describe them.The only problem I'm having is that they sound good with every option I've tried, Flats, Nickel rounds, stainless rounds. I'm having trouble narrowing the options down(I think this is a good problem).
Bill

[azzyrazzy]

Hey JPJ, I read your blog about the Dual Coils vs the Fat Stacks. Good writeup and helpful. I have another bass with single coils and it absolutely kills, but on this bass I am used to having a kind of modern sound.

I think maybe the in parallell Dual Coils will be what I am looking for here. But if the EMG's sound modern, and the Nordstrand dual coils also sound modern, what will the difference in sound be? This is the most important factor.

Can there be a switch that switches them both to single coils? Or one switch per coil?

Billbern, thanks for the reply, can you describe the "character" in any way?

[JPJ]

In my opinion, the Nordstands will sound more "full" than the EMGs....with more warmth, punch, and mids. Also, you can wire them up so that you have one series/parallel/singlecoil switch to control them both or you can have one switch per pickup...your choice.

[billbern]

Ya, I've got a single 4PDT on/on/on switch to select coils both pickups.
As for the "character" reference, it's hard to put into words. I notice two things more than anything else. "Tighter" lows, without boominess, but I think the real difference is the mids. Both in quantity and quality. My bass has a Bart NTMB-L in it, which seems to me to be naturally smooth and the Nordies can bring aggression if you want it. So this combination seems to be working for me.

Bill

[azzyrazzy]

Originally Posted by JPJ

In my opinion, the Nordstands will sound more "full" than the EMGs....with more warmth, punch, and mids. Also, you can wire them up so that you have one series/parallel/singlecoil switch to control them both or you can have one switch per pickup...your choice.

Excuse the noob questions, but can I still use the blend knob to blend between the two pickups regardless of series/parallel/singlecoil setting?

Edit: Yes you can, informant says.

[Lobster11]

Hey, can I persuade some of you Nordy experts to drop in at

Dark Star sound in a soapbar body?

and chime in on my question over there? I'd sure appreciate it.