Nordstrand Big Singles Soapbars or Fat Stacks?

**NYCBass** · #1 12-30-2007, 12:48 PM

Okay I need a little

here.

I have a Walnut body and a Ebony fretless neck from Warmoth. I had the body routed for soapbars because I wanted to put a set of Nordstrand Big Singles in it. Now... I'm looking at the Fat Stacks.

Anyone using these pickups? Let me know what you think I would be better off with.

capnsandwich · #2 12-30-2007, 01:04 PM

I have a set of Big Singles I just put in my 55-01. I must say they sound like a pure single coil pickup but with a fatter tone and a fuller bottom end. I have no experience with the Fat Stacks but I've read on here and have been told by dealers that they have a warm, fuller tone and would be great for a fretless tone. Again, I have no first hand experience with the Fat Stacks. I can tell you that the Big Singles are BIG in sound, much bigger than the single coils in my Warwick and in any Fender Jazz I've ever played. They have an awesome slap tone, something you're probably not interested in with a fretless.

**NYCBass** · #3 12-30-2007, 02:29 PM

Thanks capnsandwich that first hand information on the big singles is helpful. Would you say that the mid's are bigger as well?

**smperry** · #4 12-30-2007, 02:51 PM

I have a custom bass with a walnut body, katalox board (like ebony, but a bit less bright) and fat stacks. I've also owned an ash bodied bass with big singles. It really depends on what you like, both pickups are great. I thought big singles were a little too harsh in the ash bass for my preferences, but I think they would work well in a walnut bass. I prefer fatstacks because you have the option of running them single coil (which is very similar to the big single sound) or humbucking (which is quieter than big singles when panning towards one pickup of course). If you go with fatstacks, a switch for single coil or humbucking operation really should be installed. Single coil operation sounds better when using both pickups, but when using one, I like humbucking with bass or treble added to taste. I get a good pseudo P sound when soloing the neck pickup in hb mode. That said, if you want simpler operation, and want something that will always punch through, go with big singles. I think they have a bit more upper midrange, but honestly both sound quite good. I like fatstacks in my fretted bass, but maybe in a fretless with growl, I'd go with big singles, unless versatility was more of an aim. I'm also neurotic about hum so that was another reason I went with fatstacks.

To muddy the water a bit more, there's also the option of big splits...but I don't know if those would be ideal for you. A bit darker than big singles as I understand, and less versatile than fatstacks (I'm guesing here). Maybe the humbucking mode sounds "better" than fatstacks humbucking mode, but I don't have any direct experience with those...lots of people dig them though.

Hope this rambling is helpful.

Marshall

capnsandwich · #5 12-30-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCBass

Thanks capnsandwich that first hand information on the big singles is helpful. Would you say that the mid's are bigger as well?

I'd say yes, and if you have an active 3 band preamp then that's fully adjustable. They are, by nature, bigger all the way around, bass, mid, and treble.

**NYCBass** · #6 12-30-2007, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the help on this one guys.

atrapp · #7 12-30-2007, 05:21 PM

Nordstrand big singles... experiences?

I have them in my Roscoe LG3K and I totally dig them.

I pulled the stock Bart pups and installed Big Singles in this Roscoe LG3000... it rocks! I have been buying and selling lots of basses in search of a righteous 4 banger to compliment my Benavente Vintage Vortex 5 and this bass does it!

The Big Singles brightened the dark Bart tone, fattened up the bottom, taut midrange growl on the bridge pup, warm full tone on the neck pup. The combo of Roscoe woods, Nordstrand pups and the Bart pre punch crazy hard.

Crank the volume on your amp, keep a light touch until you need some power, then dig in for an easy doubling of perceived volume and you'll love the Big Singles.

azzyrazzy · #8 12-30-2007, 07:01 PM

I have the fatstacks and think they're awesome. Tapping to single coil sounds really good too, like..single coils!

capnsandwich · #9 12-30-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzyrazzy

Tapping to single coil sounds really good too, like..single coils!

Now, it's been brought to my attention that coil tapping to single coil on the Fat Stacks and the actual Big Single pups sound different but I think this option would give you the best of both worlds.

elros · #10 12-31-2007, 03:04 AM

I'm in the same boat: I have a fretless Warmoth under construction bass that wants Nordstrand pickups. Probably it'll be Fat Stack pickups for me. I've been thinking that I should wire it so that there is one three-way switch: in the middle both pickups are on in single coil mode, and at either end the bridge or neck pickup is on alone in humbucking mode. But we'll see.

**NYCBass** · #11 01-02-2008, 01:18 PM

I looked at the Warmoth parts on your post. Looks really good. God luck with the project.

stedtale · #12 01-02-2008, 01:20 PM

I have Big Splits in my Ramirez. Awesome sound.

**NYCBass** · #13 01-04-2008, 06:21 PM

Thanks for all the input everyone. I went with the Big Splits after all. This the project bass they will be going into.

drnknmstr · #14 01-08-2011, 06:54 PM

I'm going to resurrect this old thread, but maybe someone can help out here.

Any know if the output of the Big Singles and Fat Stacks in single coil mode are the same?

I've had both but it's hard to A/B them since it's been a while. I've currently got the Big Singles right now but I'm trying to find a different voicing. Some with a little less upper mid peaking.