Nordstrand Dual Coil soaps - good sounding?

fourstringbliss · #1 05-26-2010, 09:45 AM

I bought an Ibanez BTB510E 4-string on Ebay and it's a really nice bass, I just wasn't bonkers over the tone. The stock USA Bart dual coil pups were hardwired in series and were too aggressive to my ears.

I replaced them with a set of Nordstrand Big Singles and swapped out the stock Bart NTMB preamp for an Audere Classic 4-Band. After all the hype about the Big Singles being the "best sounding pickups I've ever heard" I expected the sky to open and the sun to shine forth, but I wasn't that impressed. I didn't get the rich detail that people spoke of - maybe that's because my BTB has a mahogany body, I don't know. They were good sounding pickups

I replaced them with Big Splits which are also good sounding pickups, but again - not all that.

Now I'm considering replacing those with Nordy Dual Coil pickups. Are they good sounding pickups??

miner49er11 · #2 05-26-2010, 02:29 PM

I was seriously thinking of doing the same to my BTB455 5-string (not sure about the big split, big single, fat stack or dual coil issues myself), but I didn't think that the Nordstrand 'signature bass pickups' dimensions would fit correctly into the Bartolini MK-shape pickup cavities. Did you do any routing to make them fit properly?

fourstringbliss · #3 05-26-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miner49er11

I was seriously thinking of doing the same to my BTB455 5-string (not sure about the big split, big single, fat stack or dual coil issues myself), but I didn't think that the Nordstrand 'signature bass pickups' dimensions would fit correctly into the Bartolini MK-shape pickup cavities. Did you do any routing to make them fit properly?

My BTB came with USA Bartolini's stock, so the routes are the correct size. It's my understanding that MK's are a little bigger than Bartolini BC (4-string) or Bartolini PS (5-string) pickup shapes, so if you installed Nordy's you'd have a small gap around your pickups. If that's a problem you might consider replacing your MK-1's with Bartolini MK5's.

EricF · #4 05-26-2010, 03:27 PM

If you didn't get the sound you were looking for with Big Singles or Big Splits, I'd consider moving on to a different manufactuer. I suspect that you don't care too much for the sound of Nordstrands. Then again, it could very well be your bass, and no matter what pups you put in it, you won't get the sound you're looking for.

maurilio · #5 05-31-2010, 09:54 AM

can you describe what you didn't like and what sound are you looking for?
The preamp has a lot to do, too

M

Lorenzini · #6 05-31-2010, 08:54 PM

What sound do you want eventually? I'm sure that'll help narrow this down.

Also there's always the chance that you just don't have a bass that is capable of said sound in your head.

fourstringbliss · #7 06-01-2010, 12:44 PM

I definitely think it's the bass. I'm experiencing some buyers remorse. It's actually a very good sounding bass with these pickups - it's just not the sound I hear in my head. I've owned three G&L L2xxx basses and that's the sound - I shouldn't have sold the last one I had!

How do Nordy DC's compare with G&L MFD pups tonally?

BigOldHarry · #8 06-01-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I bought an Ibanez BTB510E 4-string on Ebay and it's a really nice bass, I just wasn't bonkers over the tone. The stock USA Bart dual coil pups were hardwired in series and were too aggressive to my ears.

I replaced them with a set of Nordstrand Big Singles and swapped out the stock Bart NTMB preamp for an Audere Classic 4-Band. After all the hype about the Big Singles being the "best sounding pickups I've ever heard" I expected the sky to open and the sun to shine forth, but I wasn't that impressed. I didn't get the rich detail that people spoke of - maybe that's because my BTB has a mahogany body, I don't know. They were good sounding pickups

I replaced them with Big Splits which are also good sounding pickups, but again - not all that.

Now I'm considering replacing those with Nordy Dual Coil pickups. Are they good sounding pickups??

This could be the bass itself or the strings....

BigOldHarry · #9 06-01-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I definitely think it's the bass. I'm experiencing some buyers remorse. It's actually a very good sounding bass with these pickups - it's just not the sound I hear in my head. I've owned three G&L L2xxx basses and that's the sound - I shouldn't have sold the last one I had!

How do Nordy DC's compare with G&L MFD pups tonally?

Ah - I see we've already cut to the "bass= bad" thing.

Did you buy this bass on-line or did you play before you paid?

fourstringbliss · #10 06-01-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Ah - I see we've already cut to the "bass= bad" thing.

Did you buy this bass on-line or did you play before you paid?

I bought it online without playing it. It was a good sounding bass when it came but just not "the sound I hear" so I replaced the preamp and pickups. It's still not the SIH but it is a good sounding bass - it just doesn't seem to be what anybody wants to buy with what I've done to it. The BTB body style is a love it or hate it thing, I think. I think I just need to sell it for what I can and then get into another L2000 Tribute. Bummer.