Nordstrand DC vs Delano 4 FE/M2

1960LesPaul · #1 02-18-2009, 09:59 PM

OK my Jazz on Steroids is done and now my favorite bass. I installed some really cool high end, modern stuff on it. But what really done it for me was having the body routed to accept 2 EMG 40 DC's. Man does it sound wicked. My other Jazz had the EMG single coil pups with the BTC preamp. I robbed that preamp for my newest one and bought an Audere to replace it. Can't use EMG's with that pre which I knew so I was intent on the Delanos and call it a day. But the whole full size soapbar DC would be cool and the Nords look great too. So what would sound more modern? The Delanos or the Nord paired with the 3band Audere EQ.

1960LesPaul · #2 02-19-2009, 07:29 PM

LOL I know I am not apart of some click on here but sometimes I feel like my posts have the cooties or something.

smeet · #3 02-19-2009, 07:41 PM

Not sure I understand...

You already have the EMGs in there and you trying to decide between Nordstrand DCs and Delanos?

Not a lot of people have tried all those things, that's why you haven't gotten any replies. I have a 4-band Audere with Big Singles, and I use the Nordstrand NJ5's with a Sadowsky preamp.

The Sadowsky pre is much more "modern-sounding" than the Audere to my ears. Whatever that means I guess. Nordstrands in general sound amazing, but they are not voiced to sound very "modern" (more warm and vintage), although the DCs would probably be the most modern-sounding thing they do. Your choice of preamp could influence that too. I don't know anything about Delanos.

Hope that helps...

1960LesPaul · #4 02-20-2009, 06:55 AM

Yeah I didn't explain it very well. Let me start over. I have a black MIM jazz that has the EMG single coil style replacement pups installed with the EMG BTC preamp. I decided to build another more modern Jazz with a bunch of aftermarket parts including having the new body routed to accept EMG 40DC's. I robbed the BTC pre from the black Jazz and installed them in the modern Jazz.

Now that the modern Jazz is done I have to turn my attention back to the black Jazz. It still has the EMG singles but no pre. I want to go a little different route on this one and I bought an Audere 3-band drop in pre for it. The single EMG's are being scrapped because they cannot be used with the Audere. Now I have the pre but need a really modern pup. If I went with the Delanos I can just drop them in and go but I fear these will still retain that single coil characteristic that I am not that big a fan of.

I was hoping the Nordstrand DC's would be the way to go and just route the bass for them but now I am worried that that may not be the way to go. I really like the look of a soapbar style pup in a Jazz and I really like the look of the Nords but the Delanos are the easier option and if they sound everybit as modern and have the DC tone then maybe thats what I should do.

smeet · #5 02-20-2009, 12:55 PM

This is too subjective to rely much on other peoples' advice, case in point I love the single coil sound.

Not sure about Delano, but I would give Carey Nordstrand a call and ask him about sound and pickups. He knows a LOT about how both electronics and construction affect the tone and feel of a bass. Here's the contact: http://www.nordstrandguitars.com/contact.htm

He can advise you on off-the-shelf pickups, or make you a custom wind based on your tonal preferences. He also has a killer preamp, although you already have the Audere.