Fat Stacks vs. Big Splits???

jokerjkny · #1 02-15-2008, 03:07 AM

hey guys,

was wondering if anyone had experience with both, and how they differ and are similar?

i have a set of fatstacks in my valenti, and while i love their dark, full, sweet character, am wondering if the big splits in my upcoming sadowsky will be a good decision, and if i should go back to the fat stacks.

frankly, hum is overrated...

bgartist · #2 02-15-2008, 12:05 PM

I also want this info for my next build.

Marcus · #3 02-15-2008, 12:08 PM

Have you thought about Big Singles as well? I have them in my NYC 4. I'll record some stuff and upload it a bit later.

**Chef** · #4 02-15-2008, 12:54 PM

I went for the Big Single in my (all passive) "51 P5 reissue" build; I'm a big fan of the single coil's broad frequency response, and clearer top end response...
51P5 in the middle here:

FRom the Nord site:

"These pickups are all about huge, full, loud, aggressive single coil tone. They use the same magnet layout as the Fat Stack, and the resultantly big coil is about as much single coil pickup that can be packaged in a soap-bar cover. This is the ultimate pickup for the Jazz Bass®-on-steroids tone purist!"

Jim Carr · #5 02-15-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

I went for the Big Single in my (all passive) "51 P5 reissue" build; I'm a big fan of the single coil's broad frequency response, and clearer top end response...
51P5 in the middle here (great photo omitted here...)

"These pickups are all about huge, full, loud, aggressive single coil tone. They use the same magnet layout as the Fat Stack, and the resultantly big coil is about as much single coil pickup that can be packaged in a soap-bar cover. This is the ultimate pickup for the Jazz Bass®-on-steroids tone purist!"

Not sure where the quote within my quote of Chef is from. Nordy web
pages perhaps, which is cool---just kinda curious about the source.

But yup, it is prolly all true. Nordy pups...whew. Just gotta add a
word about Fatstacks. To me, they are like split-coils-on-steroids.
Mine are in the fretless (stealth) Valenti. Since this bass has an Ebony
FB, the Fatstacks move the "ebony/ash/flats tone world" a bit more in
the fretless P-bass (with TI flats) direction.

Mind you, it has dozens of different tones, but generally with the OBP-3
Aggie pre, it is mid-rich to mellow when run close to flat. I also
must admit I am a little conflicted about all the push/pull switches.
They all do something, and you can hear it, and they sound good.
But since I can live with most of them, I'm stumped as to how to deal
with all the subtle choices....

Yet, I must testify: I love the sounds it makes when stroked sweetly
and repeatedly....especially with TI flats in EADGC.

So, I guess it comes down to the single VS split coil THANG. Heck,
they are both great, no doubt. I don't have a clue about how to
help you choose. I just wish I had the same problem.

However, for what it's worth, when I ditch the old Barts in my 55-01, I
think it's gotta be Fatstacks and an OBP-3.

And yes, hum is so so so overrated!

Bassic83 · #6 02-15-2008, 07:47 PM

I'm curious about the sonic differences between the Fat Stacks and Big Splits as well...do the Big Splits have a P-bass vibe, or do they sound more like a slightly muffled Jazz? I'm thinking about Big Singles as well, I do a lot of slap as well as finger work, and most of my basses are J-equipped in some form. I like a bright, aggressive, full-range tone, which leads me to the Big Singles, but I also dislike hum (though a really thorough shielding job can almost eliminate that). So I'm torn. I was going to go with an Aggie OBP-3 pre in my Squier Deluxe Active 5, with the Big Singles or Fat Stacks.

Also, who has Big Singles in stock? I looked at most of the online dealers, they don't seem to have them in stock (though I must admit, I didn't call them all...)

grace & groove · #7 02-17-2008, 01:18 PM

I am also looking for a review on these Big Splits! Anybody?

**Chef** · #8 02-17-2008, 02:23 PM

see inserts....

[quote=Jim Carr;5315406]Not sure where the quote within my quote of Chef is from. Nordy web
pages perhaps, which is cool---just kinda curious about the source.

Yeah, from Nord; edited my post///

Yet, I must testify: I love the sounds it makes when stroked sweetly
and repeatedly....especially with TI flats in EADGC.

Dude!....I mean it...dude!!!

jokerjkny · #9 02-17-2008, 09:51 PM

thx guys,

bumpin' to the top for more info!

Marcus · #10 02-20-2008, 05:01 PM

Sorry for the late bump... but I got around to recording some clips of the big singles.

Info...

Each file alternates pickup positions during each pause from balanced, to bridge, to neck. The hum is noticeable but not overbearing when pickups are soloed. ]

Files 1 - 4 are a simple bass line. File 5 is simple slap.

File 1: Preamp disengaged, VTC on full.
File 2: Preamp disengaged, VTC completely cut.
File 3: Preamp engaged, VTC on full.
File 4: Preamp engaged, VTC completely cut.
File 5: Preamp engaged, VTC on full.

*note - the file names are wrong on putfile... sorry about that, my fault >_>

basslyon · #11 02-20-2008, 05:48 PM

From http://www.blueberryhillbass.com/Nor....htm#signature

Big Singles are the ultimate in tone for the single coil purist. A soapbar-sized single coil, these oversized pickups are huge, loud, aggressive, and down-right mean! The first time I heard a set of Big Singles I was absolutely blown away by their characteristic sound. I was blown away and a lot of other players have been too. Big Singles are the same size as the Fat Stacks and are great for players who are looking for the ultimate "single coil on steroids" tone. This set will make people sit up and listen!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW FOR 2007-The "Big Split" pickup is a split-coil, hum-canceling version of the Big Single. This pickup is similar to Carey's popular single-coil soapbar pickup in that it delivers a grindy, old-school muscular sound. However, unlike a "true" single coil design, it will never suffer from noise or 60 cycle hum. This soapbar was designed for 19mm string spacing and is perfect for the "Big Singles" fan who is gunshy about using a single coil pickup for live or studio work.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of Carey's original pickup designs, Fat Stacks were immediately popular with a wide range of players and their popularity has continued to grow with both bass players and bass builders. In fact, these might be one of Carey's greatest creations, as they sound huge, are incredibly versatile, and go a great job of satisfying both "modern" and "old school" fans alike. The Fat Stacks can also be tapped, converting them from a hum-canceling pickup to Big Singles...a true single coil.

Bassic83 · #12 02-20-2008, 05:49 PM

Thank you very much for that! Good sounding pups, for sure! What kind of pre, and how was it set?

Marcus · #13 02-20-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassic83

Thank you very much for that! Good sounding pups, for sure! What kind of pre, and how was it set?

For the recordings I made, it was a Sadowsky NYC with the Sadowsky preamp and the vintage tone control. I did not touch the active EQ and only used the vintage tone control in active and passive mode. The combination of VTC with the Sadowsky pre is deadly. You really get so much flexibility.

jokerjkny · #14 02-20-2008, 09:38 PM

awesome job marcus!!! but cmon man, no pics?!

but hey, anyone know how close do the fat stacks sound to the big singles when coil split?

Marcus · #15 02-20-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

awesome job marcus!!! but cmon man, no pics?!

but hey, anyone know how close do the fat stacks sound to the big singles when coil split?

Here you go! Sorry about that guy in the picture...

I had no idea this year's flu made my eyes red.

koobie · #16 02-20-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

I went for the Big Single in my (all passive) "51 P5 reissue" build; I'm a big fan of the single coil's broad frequency response, and clearer top end response...

Chef, do you think the Big Single would be a good choice in place of the single coil on your '51 RI? I just got a Sting (with a Duncan SCPB2) and am digging it but want to look at other pickup options. The noise is an issue, guess I'll have to shield it.

The Big Split pickup sounds pretty cool, too.

**Chef** · #17 02-21-2008, 08:13 AM

My 51 4 banger?
Yeah, the Big Single would be great there, and I may change mine eventually.
Since the P pup is single coil; there's always gonna be *some hum.*

sheepdog · #18 01-29-2010, 09:48 AM

sorry to dredge up a 2 year old post, but I have the same question. There is too much interference where I play to use single coil pickups. Based on the info so far, does the fat stack sound like a big single when coil tapped? Does anyone have any clips? The 2 year old clips linked above don't lead anywhere.

Thanks

Lincoln · #19 01-29-2010, 10:09 AM

I love my big splits - there is nothing muffled about them—AT ALL. They are as j-like as you can be, but bigger and fatter— though with an ebony/wenge/maple neck and a redwood over ash body - they sound of the bass is somewhere between Marcus and Victor rather than more toward Marcus...

MaHei · #20 01-29-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepdog

Based on the info so far, does the fat stack sound like a big single when coil tapped?

Thanks

You would have to install both pickups in the same bass to answer that. I have the FS (with coil tap) and BS but in completely different instruments, so here is my careful answer:

No, the FS in single-coil mode do not sound exactly like BS, but the definitely sound like single-coils: a bit more raw, aggressive, slightly more high mids and treble, and maybe 2db louder than in humbucking mode.

FS with coil-tap are a good sounding and flexible setup!