Nordstrand Big Single Opinions

jzbass6 · #1 03-14-2007, 09:38 AM

I'm looking for opinions on Nordstrands Big Single pickups, I've heard some great things about them but haven't had the opportunity to try them. Is it versatile pickup? does it have the inherent single coil hum? What onboard preamp if any are you using with it. I'm mainly a Funk, RnB and Jazz player, alot of slapping and finger funk stuff, anyone doing similar stuff using these.
Thanks

kris pung · #2 03-14-2007, 10:04 AM

Love them, I’ve actually got the Fat Stacks but I leave them tapped into the Big Singles mode 100% of the time. They’ve got a little hum but that quickly disappears in a live band setting. I don’t do much slapping but when I do the Big Singles seemed to respond very will to that style. I’m have them pared up w/ an AC filter base pre and couldn’t be happier.

chunkstyle · #3 03-14-2007, 10:19 AM

do they snarl? i love single coils for the snarl. if it sounds like it will bite your head off, i can deal with hum.

kris pung · #4 03-14-2007, 11:24 AM

These suckers have snarl to spare, if you dig in over the bridge pup you'll send the guitarist running for their lives.

ibz · #5 03-15-2007, 10:41 AM

Yeah they've got snarl when you dig in on the bridge. In fact, the BS have a little bit more agressive edge than the FS coil tapped. The hum is part of any single coil design, but it's very minimal. The BS has a bit bigger sounding J type tone that works well for about anything. I really enjoy 'em.

Also, the big splits coming out soon too. Just another thing to ponder.

mgmadian · #6 03-16-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibz

In fact, the BS have a little bit more agressive edge than the FS coil tapped. The hum is part of any single coil design, but it's very minimal. The BS has a bit bigger sounding J type tone that works well for about anything. I really enjoy 'em.

Also, the big splits coming out soon too. Just another thing to ponder.

Interesting... anyone else have this experience, i.e. that the BS sounds a bit more aggressive than the FS tapped? I seem to recall hearing that before, and noth sound like great pickups... and am particularly interested in the Big Splits.

jzbass6 · #7 03-16-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibz

Also, the big splits coming out soon too. Just another thing to ponder.

I've heard about them also, if they sound close to the Big Singles I may go that route, can't take the hum.

emjazz · #8 03-16-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzbass6

I've heard about them also, if they sound close to the Big Singles I may go that route, can't take the hum.

Carey makes a pickup called Big Splits now. It's the hum canceling version of his big singles. Might be the route to go for you.

bikeplate · #9 03-16-2007, 03:13 PM

HI

Ive got a Sadowsky 24/4 on order with them. Looks like I'm gonna get a 24/5 with them very soon, also. They sound very big for singles. Awesome tone. They hum but if you have your bass shielded well, shouldnt be very noticeable. Roger Sadowsky is the one who turned me on to them. Carey Nordstrand is doing great things

My only concern is recording with them. I might change them out for the latest Nord's if i'm not happy. I dont anticipate being unhappy, though

Rob

ibz · #10 03-17-2007, 05:37 PM

I think we'll have to wait a little while for the Big Splits to be acclimated into the market as I'm sure very few people have tried 'em yet.

Actually your best bet is to probably talk to the man himself. Great guy to talk to, and he'd know his own work best IMO.

murphy · #11 03-19-2007, 07:07 AM

I use Fat Stacks and prefer them in that mode to the single mode....They sound.....umm.........Fatter!!?

Rolle2k · #12 03-19-2007, 10:33 AM

I have put a set of Big Splits with EMG40 sized covers on order about three weeks ago.. the problem is that they said build time was 6-8 weeks when i ordered them. And i also live in Sweden so it will probably take over a month before i get them.
Can't wait to put them in my bass together with a Aguilar OBP-3 and a new Hipshot bridge that both have been laying here and waiting for the PU's.

poptart · #13 04-02-2007, 10:34 AM

Time to resurect this thread- I am thinking of putting either Big Singles or Big Splits into a Roscoe with the Agiie OBP3 in it - do they sound they same but with no hum on the Splits?

I am looking for a Jazz style sound with bite and clarity, punchy mid range and good bottom.

Thanks.

Rolle2k · #14 04-04-2007, 03:57 PM

I really do not think many people have tried the "Big Splits" pickups.. as they are really new, and as you see on my other post, it takes some time to get them.
But i mailed about it, and the answer i got was pretty much yes, they should sound like Big Splits, but Hum cancelling and with a little less output.. thats why i choosed them. I'm really anxious to get them! especially since i'm also waiting for a Traynor YBA-200 and a Sunn 410H.

poptart · #15 04-04-2007, 04:04 PM

Have ordered a piar of the big splits now - am also looking forward to trying them out.

Rolle2k · #16 04-04-2007, 04:29 PM

where did you order mate?

**smperry** · #17 04-04-2007, 04:38 PM

I liked the Bigsingles a lot...but found them to be a bit too punchy sometimes, and I got some hum when I panned toward a pickup. Nothing that would be bad live, but I'm picky when it comes to that sort of thing...so I ordered a bass with Fatstacks and a hb/sc switch. If I were mostly a funk player, I wouldn't hesitate to get big singles. If the bass I had were better shielded, the hum probably would've been more of a non-issue.

Marshall

maurilio · #18 04-04-2007, 05:08 PM

Hello,
Bigsingle vs Bigsplit.... they are essentially the same. A tiny little less output the BSS than the BS (you can not even tell if you don't A/B them sbs) and the BS are a little more open, while the BSS are a little more contained (if this make sense). It is the same for all the single vs. split mod., it's just the way electromagnetism works!
The difference, still, is so little, but IMO the BSS are what I would go because of humcancelling....
I agree about the FS, I love them in humcan mode better... fatter and warmer!

As always IMO IME....

Cheers

M

BTW Poptart, let us know how you like them, I'm very curious!

poptart · #19 04-05-2007, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolle2k

where did you order mate?

I have ordered them through Low Sound

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

Hello,
Bigsingle vs Bigsplit.... they are essentially the same. A tiny little less output the BSS than the BS (you can not even tell if you don't A/B them sbs) and the BS are a little more open, while the BSS are a little more contained (if this make sense). It is the same for all the single vs. split mod., it's just the way electromagnetism works!
The difference, still, is so little, but IMO the BSS are what I would go because of humcancelling....
I agree about the FS, I love them in humcan mode better... fatter and warmer!

As always IMO IME....

Cheers

M

BTW Poptart, let us know how you like them, I'm very curious!

Mo thanks for the advice, I am going for a more agressive vibe on this new Roscoe that is coming soon (Ash body, Maple/Maple neck, Aggie OBP3 pre), and am putting some DCs in my other Roscoe for a more Modern vibe.

It will be a couple of months before I get them I guess, but I will report back when they are in.

M

kevin_lindsay · #20 04-05-2007, 03:51 AM

I have FatStacks in my Sei Singlecut fretted 5 (pic below), and the sound is really great for fingerstyle and getting a smooth rounded burp out of your pickups - just sits so well in the mix.

I have just tried out the Big Singles on Paul Turner's (Jamiroquai) Nordy VJ5 and I have to say they are AMAZING!!!!! Loads of "bark & bite" - slightly rounder sounding than traditional jazz pickups, so you don't get that nasal "honk" when either pickup is soloed. Rather, it is just a gloriously focussed and musical sounding noise they make - absolutely wonderful.

I chose the Fatstacks originally for my Singlecut as I reckoned the Big Singles would be prone to buzzing. I have to say that after trying them out, the Big Singles have FAR LESS hum than on a normal jazz bass, and I never usually find a trad jazz bass a problem, so the Nordstrand units definitely pass the test. As far as shielding goes, the control cavty on the Nordy VJ5 is fully copper coated, so that obviously helps with the interference issue.

There is a definite difference in the sound of the Big Singles versus the Fat Satcks. Fat Stacks sound a bit more refined in that the Big Singles are very much "in your face" pickups that just have a sound which jumps out at you as soon as you plug the instrument in to your amp. The Fat Stacks are more reserved but mean they have an inherent tone which fills the bass mix in an ensemble setting. the Big Singles are like the little brother who keeps shouting "me! me! me!" so that he can be heard!! Great fun and just brings a grin to your face as soon as you try them out!! hahahahaha