Nordstrand Big Singles or Big Splits for Sadowsky Metro 24-5?

[basadam]

I am trying to move the sound of my Metro 24-5 towards a more traditional tone so I am thinking of orderig a set of Big Singles or Big Splits - this will be a custom order. I know Sadowsky puts Big Singles in some of his NYC basses, but I haven't heard Big Splits.

I am assuming Big Splits will have more lower-midrange and some muted high-end. If this is the case Splits may be exactly what I am looking for since because of 24-5's pickup placement and Sadowsy pre there is more than enough high-mids and highs already available and the idea is to tame 24-5's ultra-modern sound a bit. I know it won't be a J-bass and I am not trying to do that. I am rather looking for something in between.

So what do you - especially those who had a chance to compare the two pickups - think?

[jzbass6]

I have a Valenti 5 with Big Singles and Roscoe SKB3006 with DC 6's, disappointed, I think not. However I did change out the Aero pu's on a Lakland DJ5 for Fralins, the Aero's were great pu's but not suited to my taste, disappointed not really, just wanted a little more edge.

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by basadam

I am trying to move the sound of my Metro 24-5 towards a more traditional tone so I am thinking of orderig a set of Big Singles or Big Splits - this will be a custom order. I know Sadowsky puts Big Singles in some of his NYC basses, but I haven't heard Big Splits.

I am assuming Big Splits will have more lower-midrange and some muted high-end. If this is the case Splits may be exactly what I am looking for since because of 24-5's pickup placement and Sadowsy pre there is more than enough high-mids and highs already available and the idea is to tame 24-5's ultra-modern sound a bit. I know it won't be a J-bass and I am not trying to do that. I am rather looking for something in between.

So what do you - especially those who had a chance to compare the two pickups - think?

Sorry fella, me are neglecting you

Big splits are my favourite (over big single) first because of the humcancelling. BSp are somewhat more polite on the mids and a smoother sound all around (vs the BS). compared to the Seymour Duncan (in your Sadowsky) they are more organic and "flatter" (less high mids and highs).
In the end the only way to be sure is to install them and find out from yourself... It's what I do, always

M

[basadam]

Thanks everyone,

I just ordered a set of Big Splits from Brian at bestbassgear.com; very helpful guy. As Carey said, they are not "custom" so the price is the same, but still I need to wait up to 7 weeks

This is not my first Nordy pickup. My Sadowsky MV5 has Nordstrand single coils and my Lakland 5501 has Fat Stacks. I like them all. I also like Aeros on my DJ5. We'll see what Big Splits will do to my Sadowsky.

[basadam]

Originally Posted by Carey

BTW, Big Splits for a Sadowsky would not be a custom pickup. It's simply a Big Split 5 set in a 4" by 1.5" cover (EMG 40 size) with standard 19mm spacing.

Carey,
Thanks for responding. I'm curoius though, since you're already providing these pickups to Sadowsky... The placement of the pickups in that bass is different from traditional J-basses, so I'm guessing spacing in that position would be a tad wider. Is it insignificant? Not questioning, just wondering.

[ganga]

Wouldn't trade my nordies for anything in the world. They gave me just what I needed from my bass.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by basadam

I am trying to move the sound of my Metro 24-5 towards a more traditional tone so I am thinking of orderig a set of Big Singles or Big Splits - this will be a custom order. I know Sadowsky puts Big Singles in some of his NYC basses, but I haven't heard Big Splits.

I am assuming Big Splits will have more lower-midrange and some muted high-end. If this is the case Splits may be exactly what I am looking for since because of 24-5's pickup placement and Sadowsy pre there is more than enough high-mids and highs already available and the idea is to tame 24-5's ultra-modern sound a bit. I know it won't be a J-bass and I am not trying to do that. I am rather looking for something in between.

So what do you - especially those who had a chance to compare the two pickups - think?

In my A/Bing, they sounded virtually identical. Since they are so fat sounding, and VERY usable in the 'bridge only' position, it would be Big Splits all the way for me... no hum when solo'd.

Also, remember, part of the 'Modern' sound of your M-24 is that unusual 'tight to the bridge' pickup placement. New pickups aren't going to change that much, and the 'Big' pickups, while being a touch 'warmer' than the stock Seymours, do not really sound like single coil J pickups (or even split coil J pickups).

[Nino Valenti]

IMO, neither Nordstrand p/u you're interested in will sound traditional due to the p/u locations of the 24 fret basses. I've yet to hear Big Splits but I love the big Singles.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

IMO, either Nordstrand p/u you're interested in will sound traditional due to the p/u locations of the 24 fret basses. I've yet to hear Big Splits but I love the big Singles.

I assume you meant to say 'neither' versus 'either'

[Nino Valenti]

Originally Posted by KJung

I assume you meant to say 'neither' versus 'either'

You say Potato, I say French Fries.....

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

You say Potato, I say French Fries.....

You think the pickup location on the Modern 24 results in a traditional tone Wow. To me, the Modern 24 has one of the most unique tones out there (for better or worse) due to that very unusual 'tight to the bridge' pickup location. When you combine that with the quite modern and soapbar sounding 'Big' Nordstrand pickups, IMO you have a 'different' (a touch warmer and fatter than the stock Seymour) sounding VERY modern, non traditional/non vintage sounding instrument.

What is you logic behind extremely 'non traditional' pickup placements 'causing' a traditional tone

[basadam]

Originally Posted by KJung

In my A/Bing, they sounded virtually identical. Since they are so fat sounding, and VERY usable in the 'bridge only' position, it would be Big Splits all the way for me... no hum when solo'd.

Also, remember, part of the 'Modern' sound of your M-24 is that unusual 'tight to the bridge' pickup placement. New pickups aren't going to change that much, and the 'Big' pickups, while being a touch 'warmer' than the stock Seymours, do not really sound like single coil J pickups (or even split coil J pickups).

Thanks. I am aware of the pickup placement. My gripe with Seymours is that they are hardwired in parallel. I don't like that sound. I am hoping Big Splits/Singles will open things up a bit. I am not looking for a J sound, or a pure traditional sound, but something in between.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by basadam

Thanks. I am aware of the pickup placement. My gripe with Seymours is that they are hardwired in parallel. I don't like that sound. I am hoping Big Splits/Singles will open things up a bit. I am not looking for a J sound, or a pure traditional sound, but something in between.

I think you will be happy with the 'Big's in there given your above comment. The singles are cool, but they are so fat sounding, that it's a shame to not be able to solo the bridge pickup. The splits and singles are SO darn close to my ear that I don't see any downside to going with the Splits. Nice stuff, and they also really look great in that bass to me.

[Nino Valenti]

Originally Posted by KJung

You think the pickup location on the Modern 24 results in a traditional tone

No, I edited my orig post. I do not think that the Big Single or Big Split will sound Traditional due to the location.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

No, I edited my orig post. I do not think that the Big Single or Big Split will sound Traditional due to the location.

You scared me there for a moment!

[Davo-London]

I'm a big fan of big singles too and if correctly installed in a bass along with shielding etc, you won't get any hum.

Davo

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Davo-London

I'm a big fan of big singles too and if correctly installed in a bass along with shielding etc, you won't get any hum.

Davo

You won't get any hum with both pickups on (center blend), but no amount of shielding will eliminate, or even significantly reduce the hum from a single 'single coil' pickup.

[Nino Valenti]

Originally Posted by KJung

You won't get any hum with both pickups on (center blend), but no amount of shielding will eliminate, or even significantly reduce the hum from a single 'single coil' pickup.

+1

[Davo-London]

Well I don't agree, my Cliff Bordwell has a pair of big singles and they are really silent.

Davo

[maurilio]

even when you pan them? Are you sure they are Big Single and not Big Split?

M