Lakland LH-3 vs. Nordstrand MM5.x & NJ5FS

[Poon]

Tired of the Bart sound in the 55-02. I want to get something closer to the Musicanman SR5 tone. I did use the search function and found lots of comparisons on the LH-3 with the Barts, the LH-3 with the Duncans, and some vague references to comparisons between some variety of the pickups, but i couldn't find a direct comparison between the LH-3 and the Nordies. I have the Bart pickups and NTMB in there. I find them dark like everyone else and want something a bit more growly and aggressive with rock in mind.

I talked to Brian @ Lakland and he said the price would be $250 for the LH-3 Pickups. The Nordstrand in either variety MM5.3 or MM5.4 + NJ5FS would be $260-269 (according ot best bass gear). Pricewise that's spitting distance between the two.

So I have a few questions
1. I want to hear opinions from people whom have tried both the LH-3 and the Nordstrand MM5.3 or 5.4 systems, and tell me which they prefer. Which do you think I would prefer given my tone desires?
2. Out of the Nordstrand MM5.3 and MM5.4 systems, what have people found to be the tonal difference between these two? Which do people prefer? Which is the optimal configuration for a 55-02?

I'm going to keep the bart pre-amp. I've tended to like the NTMB in the past.

[pickles]

I'm using the LH-3 in my 55-94, and have had a sterling with a carey's MM pickup. If you're looking for something more brash and in your face I'd go for the LH-3. The Nordstrand is wound to sound like an old MM, but to me it really sounds a lot like a great Fender pickup. Warm/fat/thick. It was much mellower than the stock pickup.

You can hear the nord/stock Ray comparison on basstasters, BTW.

[Poon]

Originally Posted by pickles

I'm using the LH-3 in my 55-94, and have had a sterling with a carey's MM pickup. If you're looking for something more brash and in your face I'd go for the LH-3. The Nordstrand is wound to sound like an old MM, but to me it really sounds a lot like a great Fender pickup. Warm/fat/thick. It was much mellower than the stock pickup.

You can hear the nord/stock Ray comparison on basstasters, BTW.

It was mellower compared to the MM Sterling pickup or compared to the Barts in your old 55-94?

Thanks Pickles.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by Poon

It was mellower compared to the MM Sterling pickup or compared to the Barts in your old 55-94?

Thanks Pickles.

Compared to the stock sterling pickup. Nothing is mellower than barts

Hey did you notice there's a nord loaded 55-02 in the classifieds right now?