Nordstrand or Basslines for 55-02?

opium89 · #1 08-27-2006, 08:37 PM

All,

What do you think? I am looking to make a 55-02 growly and naughty sounding..Which of these two are the better option?
Would be really cool of anyone has some sound samples of either of these.

Marcus · #2 08-27-2006, 09:05 PM

Nordstrands, all the way. They just... add soo much to the sound, it's really something. I was a little worried at first about the nature of their humbucker/single setup, but I installed a set into my Carvin fretless... and words cannot describe how pleased I am with the tone. It can really go from balls-out gritty, to the nasal Jaco tone, and back to a really deep, mellow "bass" tone. I will try to get some clips in the coming days, but my basses are back home and I just moved into my apartment.

reptilia · #3 08-27-2006, 09:15 PM

nordys all the way, basslines are over rated IMO (though they are very good pickups). Nordys have more growl than seymours. for nordstrand clips, http://www.nordstrandguitars.com/new.htm they are at the very bottom.

opium89 · #4 08-28-2006, 05:32 PM

MM5.2 or MM5.3 and what jazz pickup would be the best match in the Nordies? Also, what pre are you guys using? Should I (can I?) use the Bart pre or should I go with something else? (Aguilar perhaps?)

James Hart · #5 08-28-2006, 05:44 PM

I've tried both plus the stock barts....

Delano pickups smoke all of them!

http://www.delano.de/english/index-eng.html

look at the MC5-FE/J... a MM plus neck J setup.
The one in my Bee is a MC7-FE

ElBajista · #6 08-28-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I've tried both plus the stock barts....

Delano pickups smoke all of them!

http://www.delano.de/english/index-eng.html

look at the MC5-FE/J... a MM plus neck J setup.
The one in my Bee is a MC7-FE

Can you please elaborate?

ElBajista · #7 08-28-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opium89

MM5.2 or MM5.3 and what jazz pickup would be the best match in the Nordies? Also, what pre are you guys using? Should I (can I?) use the Bart pre or should I go with something else? (Aguilar perhaps?)

The only difference between the 5.2 and 5.3 is the fact that the 5.3 will be humcancelling in single-coil mode. If you don't plan on using Single Coil mode, I'd save $30 and go for the 5.3. Personally, I would spend the extra money just to have the added tonal versatility of SC mode along with Series/Parallel options.

The best match for the Nordstrand MM pickup would be a Nordstrand J pickup. I would recommend the humcancelling NJ5FS unless you don't mind a bit of hum from the lower-priced Single-Coil pickup.

If I were you, I'd get an Audere 4 band preamp. The only problem with that is you'd either have to sacrifice the Z-switch or the MM coil-selector, or drill another hole to have both. Really, though, I wouldn't change out the Bart preamp unless you find the tone to not be what you're looking for.

James Hart · #8 08-28-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

Can you please elaborate?

Sure...

I've played basses with Nordstrands, Basslines and Bartolinis like in the 55-02.

IMO/E the Delano in my Bee is the better pickup... no contest. Much more range of tones and dynamics... especially the "growly and naughty" kind like opium89 is asking about.

MikeT · #9 08-28-2006, 09:00 PM

How do the delanos compare in clarity to the nordstrands, and will they fit in a 5502?

opium89 · #10 08-28-2006, 09:23 PM

Am I mistaken or are these Delanos the same pups that Warwick uses?

James Hart · #11 08-28-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opium89

Am I mistaken or are these Delanos the same pups that Warwick uses?

no... Warwicks use MEC or some such. Delano are top shelf stuff.

As far as clarity... the bass I played with the Nordstrands was Alder with maple & rosewood... my Bee is Acrylized Maple with ash and Wenge. My Bee with the Delano MC7-FE is way clearer. Much more of what I do comes through.... every little detail.

ElBajista · #12 08-29-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

Sure...

I've played basses with Nordstrands, Basslines and Bartolinis like in the 55-02.

IMO/E the Delano in my Bee is the better pickup... no contest. Much more range of tones and dynamics... especially the "growly and naughty" kind like opium89 is asking about.

Have you played 55-02s with all three different brands? If you did, what was the preamp in each?

Can you provide a link to the actual pickups you're refering to?

opium89 · #13 08-29-2006, 05:06 PM

I've been emailing Stew @ Nordie and he recommends the MM5.4 w/ a NJ5FS. He also recommended the Audere pre but said that the Aggie and Bart pres work just grand too. I guess the only question now is if I want to mod my current beauty or buy a beater to gut like a fish =) I'm kind of opting for the later as my 55-02 is such a Beaut! I don't think I can bring myself to tear in to it.

You know what I might do is post some before and after sound samples or something when I get around to it.

Lorenzini · #14 08-29-2006, 07:49 PM

Nords! Best pickups ever

msquared · #15 08-29-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opium89

I guess the only question now is if I want to mod my current beauty or buy a beater to gut like a fish =) I'm kind of opting for the later as my 55-02 is such a Beaut! I don't think I can bring myself to tear in to it.

Before I spent the money on a beater bass to monkey with I'd just have a professional do the pickup swap in the 55-02. It'll cost less, the result will sound much better, and even if you aren't wowed by it you can put the originals back in without any trouble. It's not the kind of mod that's irreversible after all.

jmain · #16 09-30-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opium89

I've been emailing Stew @ Nordie and he recommends the MM5.4 w/ a NJ5FS. He also recommended the Audere pre but said that the Aggie and Bart pres work just grand too. I guess the only question now is if I want to mod my current beauty or buy a beater to gut like a fish =) I'm kind of opting for the later as my 55-02 is such a Beaut! I don't think I can bring myself to tear in to it.

You know what I might do is post some before and after sound samples or something when I get around to it.

What pickups did you end up going with? I've been reading the reviews on the new pups/pre and it's sounding impressive.

I want the bass to be versatile, but doesn't have to nail the J vibe b/c I already have a 5string J. I'm looking for something with nice low end that can get some glassy highs if need. I love the sound of the jazz slap/pop for sure, just want another flavor to go with that. Wondering if the Nordies will get that done with the Barts. Don't know if I want to go all out for shipping boths ways and the retrofit for the new Lakland pre/pups.

malabito · #17 09-30-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opium89

I've been emailing Stew @ Nordie and he recommends the MM5.4 w/ a NJ5FS. He also recommended the Audere pre but said that the Aggie and Bart pres work just grand too. I guess the only question now is if I want to mod my current beauty or buy a beater to gut like a fish =) I'm kind of opting for the later as my 55-02 is such a Beaut! I don't think I can bring myself to tear in to it.

You know what I might do is post some before and after sound samples or something when I get around to it.

I installed a Nordstrand mm5.4 pickup with a 4 band audere pre amp on a stingray 5 fretless. I highly recommend it, much better to me then the stingray original configuration. It has a more darker sound with everything flat. If you want highs they are still their, but with everything flat is a little bit more darker sounding. You can go from a smooth sound to a more growlier one or a nassal one.

If you are happy with how your bass sounds I think it will be better to leave it like that. Why fix something that hasn't broken.