Nordies NJS5 vs Bart 59 J1 L/S

gimmeagig · #1 12-24-2006, 12:05 AM

Hi,
I have a set of the nordies and I love them.I have a new bass coming a KSD Proto J 705,and am considerering a set of bart 59 J 1 L/S because they are also split coil design and I dont want to spend another 220.- on pickups.
How are they compared to the nordies?I like the Marcus tone and that's what i'm shooting for with the KSD.

luknfur · #2 12-25-2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

Hi,
I have a set of the nordies and I love them.I have a new bass coming a KSD Proto J 705,and am considerering a set of bart 59 J 1 L/S because they are also split coil design and I dont want to spend another 220.- on pickups.
How are they compared to the nordies?I like the Marcus tone and that's what i'm shooting for with the KSD.

FWIW:

Have no clue as I've had neither. There have been Bart 59 J's on ebay lately so personally I would get the best price on either and try that first. The only way you can ever know is to have them both - and even then it may not be so easy. But if you're satisfied with the lessor price set, that's that. If you're not, then you've taken the least hit possible coin wise.

gimmeagig · #3 12-25-2006, 11:30 PM

That's why the Audere preamp appeals to me.Because you don't need to solder the pickups in.They are connecting with some sort of a mechanical gizzmo.
The Barts are supposed to be pretty dark sounding, but if my KSD ends up being super bright that might be the ticket.

jdombrow · #4 12-26-2006, 09:32 AM

Why are you buying a KSD Proto J 705 if you don't like the pickups? Or, do you think that any bass will sound better if you mod it instead of playing it stock?

Jay Terrien · #5 12-26-2006, 10:01 AM

Get the Nordies!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

Hi,
I have a set of the nordies and I love them.I have a new bass coming a KSD Proto J 705,and am considerering a set of bart 59 J 1 L/S because they are also split coil design and I dont want to spend another 220.- on pickups.
How are they compared to the nordies?I like the Marcus tone and that's what i'm shooting for with the KSD.

gimmeagig · #6 12-26-2006, 01:21 PM

I'm buying the Proto J for the the instrument itself.It is not expensive but I read the bass is very well made and sounds good.I also realize that they have to cut corners somewhere to be able to sell it at that price.So I figure it will be worth investing some extra money to make it even better.I'll probably go with the Nordies and see if the preamp in the bass is worth keeping.If not I might go with a Noll 2 band preamp.I don't have one of those yet.It'll be nice to try something new.

Jaycephas · #7 12-27-2006, 05:00 PM

I've heard that the Nordstram pickups don't fit the KSD 705 without mods. Can you let me know, as I am interested in trying these in mine.

FYI, I just installed the Audere preamp in my Lakland DJ5...that preamp with the Aero's is the absolute bomb!! I dealt with David Meadows personally on this as the standard control plate didn't fit the DJ5. David and his preamp are both top shelf.

I will likely install the Audere in my KSD soon. The original pre is good, but the Audere is a huge tone machine.

jdombrow · #8 12-27-2006, 05:13 PM

Jaycephas: So, how did you fit the Audere preamp in the DJ5? Were you able to fit it to the existing control plate?

Which version of the preamp did you install? I'd love to have a midrange control in my DJ5.

Jaycephas · #9 12-27-2006, 05:34 PM

I am sort of beta-testing the fit for David Meadows at Audere. He made a couple of mods to the standard preamp to fit the DJ5 control plate. I bought a control plate directly from Dan Lakin (didn't want to drill holes in the original) so I could leave the original controls intact (just clipped the wires). The controls fit perfect.

Right now, the Z-switch is sticking out the side until I drill a 1/4" hole and install. The battery indicator light will require a 3mm hole as well, but the mods are easy and worth the tone.

The controls are volume, mid/pan, treble/bass. The eq is excellent with the Aero pickups. The mid control lets me scoop for slap or boost for fingerstyle definition.

I am very pleased with this preamp - did I say it is DEAD quiet?

adrian garcia · #10 01-06-2007, 03:38 PM

Noting that I am a BIG fan of Carey's pickups, let me just say.. that Mrcus tone is already in those KSDs. That's where they shine, in my humble opinion.

gimmeagig · #11 01-06-2007, 05:01 PM

Hey Adrian,
I wish you were right about the Marcus tone being in the KSDs already.I'm totally into Marcus and know what his sound is.
Did you notice that the neck pickup is about 3/4" further towards the bridge than it is on a 70s Jazz bass? I think that alters the tone substantially.Right now the bass has sort of a Jimmy Haslip sound.Good, but not what I'm looking for.I'm going to move it forward and then I'm sure I'll be able to get the Marcus tone out of it.I just have to experiment with the exact location.The bridge pickup location iis just right.In the meantime I have the CSNs and the Noll preamp is on the way.I'm doing some other things to the bass to improve it and by the time I'm done it will be able to keep up with all the Celinders, Atelier Zs and Sadowskys out there I'm sure(I hope)
Anyway I'm spending quite a bit of extra money on my KSD but it has good bones and it will be worth it.

jmain · #12 01-07-2007, 04:33 PM

I have a NJ5F set in my Fender V w/Audere and it rocks. I just got a JO5 used and the prior owner changed the Fralins for Bartolini 57J1 L/S set.

The Barts are nice but I pretty much have that covered with my 55-02. I love the Nordies, but have that covered. So I'm thinking about getting the humcancelling set of Nordies.

Adrian, how close does yours get to a good single coil tone?

I also have the Fralins that come stock and might just put them back. But I really want to eliminate the hum in the JO5, so I'm not rushing to switch out the Barts just yet.

adrian garcia · #13 01-07-2007, 05:33 PM

I don't know about coming close to singlecoils, but I am perfectly happy with the way the Big Splits sound on my Nordy- here is a demo clip i recently did.
http://www.accessbass.com/nordy%20vj5%20demo.mp3

jmain · #14 01-07-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrian garcia

I don't know about coming close to singlecoils, but I am perfectly happy with the way the Big Splits sound on my Nordy- here is a demo clip i recently did.
http://www.accessbass.com/nordy%20vj5%20demo.mp3

Dern, that was sick man!! I'm not sure what "Big Splits" are. Are they the Dual Coils or something new?

adrian garcia · #15 01-07-2007, 05:43 PM

New pickups, I got the first full set on my Nordy. I really like them. I can eq somewhat of a Marcus tone, but the good thing is no hum! And they are really alive. Thanks, bro.

jmain · #16 01-07-2007, 05:48 PM

Have you tried the NJ5FS pickups?

What are the dimensions are the Big Splits? ...and availability?

lowfreq1 · #17 01-07-2007, 05:55 PM

IMO, go for the barts, they sound better, more bite, snap and growl !!

adrian garcia · #18 01-07-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmain

Have you tried the NJ5FS pickups?

What are the dimensions are the Big Splits? ...and availability?

they look like the Fat Stacks- you can check with Carey to be sure. I believe they are available now.

jmain · #19 01-07-2007, 06:08 PM

That is a gorgeous bass, Adrian!! I just saw it in another thread. Wow man.

I've got some DR Lo-Riders on the way and will switch the strings out first. Barts are good. Like Fralins, but don't want noise on this one.

I've listened to the clip a few times now. 'Preciate that!

adrian garcia · #20 01-07-2007, 06:14 PM

here are some clips i did of barts in a Lull:

http://www.accessbass.com/FINGERJ1.mp3

http://www.accessbass.com/SLAPJ2.mp3

so you can compare.
Lull: Bart 18 volt pre
Nordy: Audere pre