Nordstrand Dual Coils - poor "B" string output?

[Tony G]

Problem resolved. See post #20.

I recently had Nordstrand Dual Coils (parallel) installed in my Nordy. In single coil mode (inner coils), the bass nails the tone I'm looking for. However, the DC's seem to choke the low "B", even in single coil mode. I've tried all different heights for the pickups, and a .130 and .125 low "B" string. I guess I should pick up a .120 low "B" string, but I honestly don't know if that is going to make a difference. I'm assuming the issue is the mass of the low "B" and the tremendous pull of the DC's is choking the vibration. Now, I don't have this problem with any other string on the bass, even the .105 "E" string. Does anyone make a low "B" string smaller than .120? Would a lighter low "B" make the difference here?

I really love the tone of this bass with these pickups in there. Please help me find a solution to my low "B" problem!

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Does anyone make a low "B" string smaller than .120? Would a lighter low "B" make the difference here?

I use a .110 B string made by SIT.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

I use a .110 B string made by SIT.

Wow, that sounds really light. Does it stay tight or is it kind of loose?

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Wow, that sounds really light. Does it stay tight or is it kind of loose?

Our feel may be different but the string is nice and pronounced. Every one that hears it can't believe that it's such a light gauge.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Tony G

I recently had Nordstrand Dual Coils (parallel) installed in my Nordy. In single coil mode (inner coils), the bass nails the tone I'm looking for. However, the DC's seem to choke the low "B", even in single coil mode. I've tried all different heights for the pickups, and a .130 and .125 low "B" string. I guess I should pick up a .120 low "B" string, but I honestly don't know if that is going to make a difference. I'm assuming the issue is the mass of the low "B" and the tremendous pull of the DC's is choking the vibration. Now, I don't have this problem with any other string on the bass, even the .105 "E" string. Does anyone make a low "B" string smaller than .120? Would a lighter low "B" make the difference here?

I really love the tone of this bass with these pickups in there. Please help me find a solution to my low "B" problem!

What brand strings are you using?

Some low B's just plain suck.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

What brand strings are you using?

Some low B's just plain suck.

One is a DR Hi-Beam, the other is a Dunlop (stainless steel I think?) that came on it when it came from the shop. When I had other pickups in this bass (Custom underwound single coils), the low B output is just fine, and the Dunlop strings sound great. However, with the DC's in the bass (in single coil mode), the tone goes to a whole new level, but the output of the low B diminishes.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Our feel may be different but the string is nice and pronounced. Every one that hears it can't believe that it's such a light gauge.

That's cool, but do you think it will help my situation?

[OriginalCrash]

Is it just on your low B note or the low B string period? I would think (and I could very well be wrong...?) that if it's being caused by the pull of the pickup magnet and the mass of the thicker string, it should be the case on all or most of the notes on that string...

Brian

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Tony G

That's cool, but do you think it will help my situation?

All I can do is suggest that you give it a try but there's a strong possibility that it's something else that's causing the problem.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by OriginalCrash

Is it just on your low B note or the low B string period? I would think (and I could very well be wrong...?) that if it's being caused by the pull of the pickup magnet and the mass of the thicker string, it should be the case on all or most of the notes on that string...

Brian

Mostly the entire string, fretted and open.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

...but there's a strong possibility that it's something else that's causing the problem.

Any thoughts as to what this "something else" could be? I really want to make this bass work with these pickups because the tone is so darn good (excluding the "B" string output of course.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Any thoughts as to what this "something else" could be? I really want to make this bass work with these pickups because the tone is so darn good (excluding the "B" string output of course.

There could possibly be a wire break in the pickup.

And before some one wants to say that I'm attempting to bash Nordstrand pickups, I'm not. Carey and I are kool and he makes killer pickups for discerning musicians

[JAUQO III-X]

Tony, have you contacted Carey about your problem?

[dmusic148]

Hey Tony-cab sounds great, thanks again.
Anyhoo-first thing to do is find out for sure if it's the pups or not.
Did it work OK with different pups?
Can you drastically lower the pups so there is no chance of them affecting the strings, then just play acoustically to see if it helped?
Or remove the pups entirely?
If you are able to do one or the other and it doesn't help, I suspect it's something else. Like maybe the bridge saddle isn't seated properly.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Tony, have you contacted Carey about your problem?

Yup, we've been back and forth, but I was hoping to hear from some owners of the Nordstrand DC's to see if they are having similar problems or not.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Hey Tony-cab sounds great, thanks again.
Anyhoo-first thing to do is find out for sure if it's the pups or not.
Did it work OK with different pups?
Can you drastically lower the pups so there is no chance of them affecting the strings, then just play acoustically to see if it helped?
Or remove the pups entirely?
If you are able to do one or the other and it doesn't help, I suspect it's something else. Like maybe the bridge saddle isn't seated properly.

Yes, I've had the Nordstrand "Big" pickups in my bass, as well as a custom set of underwound single coils. Both times the low B had plenty of authority. I've actually dropped the Dual Coils all the way down too, and while it helps balance the output a bit, it ends up making the rest of the bass sound weak.

It's funny you mentioned that a bridge saddle could be the problem. I've actually been in contact with Hipshot as the the saddles the Low B goes over is not in contact with the rest of the saddles. I thought this was weird, as there is a visible gab between the B and E saddles.

[SGD Lutherie]

A low output really has nothing to do with the magnets pulling the string.

If the pickup is too close you will hear a wolf tone or warbling of the pitch. I've never seen alnico magnets prevent a bass string from vibrating, and certainly not a big low B string.

I use very strong neodymium magnets in my pickups, and they don't stop the strings from vibrating, and my .130 D'Addario XL low B is loud and vibrant. Same for the nickel Dunlops on my other bass.

If you angle the pickup too far from the string that will cause low volume on the low strings.

So when you say the low B is "choked" is it the volume, or does the string's sustain die out soon?

First thing I would try is a fresh set of strings.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

So when you say the low B is "choked" is it the volume, or does the string's sustain die out soon?

First thing I would try is a fresh set of strings.

Kind of both. It doesn't seem to have the volume that the rest of the strings have, and the sustain definitely dies out quikly. The Dunlop B string was on the bass when Carey last got it too me, but I recently put the DR Hi Beam low B on there myself and it was the same deal. I'll try another low B I have lying around here to make sure.

[SGD Lutherie]

Also if the pickup is very close to the low B try lowering it a bit. If it's not that close, try raising it a bit.

And check the bridge saddle.

[Tony G]

Ok, this thread can be officially deleted. I tried a THIRD low B, brand new, just like the last two, yet this one sounds KILLER!!! It happens to be a tapered .128 from an unopened pack of Carvin stainless steel strings I had around.