Nordstrand MM Pickups - close to the originals?

Dan Knowlton · #1 09-14-2009, 06:22 PM

I had this in the luthier's forum but this might be a better place.

I'm thinking of doing a Stingray 5 copy with a wider string spacing - like my Lakland. Do the Nordstrand MM5.2 and 5.3 pickups sound like the original ones? I really like the Stingray sound, but the string spacing is just too narrow for me. Even the Lakland is a bit narrow at 1.8 inches at the nut - I know it sounds nuts, but I can feel the difference between that bass and the rest of my 5's which are all 1.87".

Dan K.

pickles · #2 09-15-2009, 08:13 AM

If by original you mean like a stock, current EBMM bass ... absolutely not. Some people say they sound like old Music Mans, but I can't confirm or deny there ...

Basstasters has some clips:

http://www.basstasters.com/basses/Mu..._Stingray.html

Closest to a current stock EBMM is the Duncan as far as I can tell, but those also are not quite the same as that evil little EBMM pickup.

Dan Knowlton · #3 09-15-2009, 09:12 AM

I prefer the older sound to the new stuff - the "cheap" way for me to go is to use the pickup out of my Lakland but I don't want that Bartolini sound.

Even with decent speakers (KRK RP8+sub system) the basstasters clips are inconclusive. Great listening - yes, definitive - no.

Dan K.

depalm · #4 09-15-2009, 10:42 AM

In my opinion Nordstrand MM PUs are a bit better than the Duncans.
They sound exactly like a Sting Ray.

I helped a friend of mine to build an SR copy (Swamp Ash/Maple) with Nord and it sounds fantastic compared to my Anniversary 96 SR.

He first used a Duncan PU with Aguilar preamp, then we replaced it to a Nordstrand MM4.2 PU and then we found on e-bay an original used MM pre.

With the Duncan / Aguilar set his bass sounded really good but not enough comparing to my real Ray.

Then we changed to the Nord / Aguilar set up and it was noticeable better, warmer, very MM even with preamp bypassed.

With the Nord/ MM set it was just unbeatable!

Don't get me wrong, Duncan SMB-4A is a very nice sounding and well constructed PU, easier to find and a little cheaper but Nordstrand is way better if you're looking for a MM sound.

Just my opinion.

Ezbass · #5 09-15-2009, 12:36 PM

Some comparative samples here

depalm · #6 09-15-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

Even with decent speakers the basstasters clips are inconclusive. Great listening - yes, definitive - no.

Dan K.

Agree 100%

MikeBass · #7 09-15-2009, 01:32 PM

In a word yes.
The 5.3 I have in my Valenti combined with the Sadowsky pre-amp......old school MM IMO.

I really need to get some clips up of that bass.

Dan Knowlton · #8 09-16-2009, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the comments! One more thing off my "parts" list. Still looking for a great piece of wood for the body.

Dan K.

Poon · #9 09-16-2009, 01:40 PM

Just to add my 2 cents.

I loved the way the MM5.4 sounded in my 55-02, when I had it (the NJ5S sounded great too)

I've never owned a stingray 5 (owned a stingray 4) and more to the point, never owned an "old" or "vintage" stingray. But I can say that I was really happy with how it sounded. I thought it sounded like a stingray or at least how a stingray should.

Ezbass · #10 09-16-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poon

Off topic, but that is a lovely looking Lakland, black and tort is just soooo classy.

Poon · #11 09-16-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezbass

Off topic, but that is a lovely looking Lakland, black and tort is just soooo classy.

Thanks man. I definitely miss it a lot. It was a superb sounding bass, but I had to raise the money for my USA JO5 somehow.

Dan Knowlton · #12 09-16-2009, 07:01 PM

Ooooh, NICE BASS! I love my 55-94 but have been having preamp problems with it. I'm going to try an Audere pre with the Lakland/Hanson pickups.

Wow, I just derailed my own thread! VBG!

Dan K.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poon

Just to add my 2 cents.

I loved the way the MM5.4 sounded in my 55-02, when I had it (the NJ5S sounded great too)

I've never owned a stingray 5 (owned a stingray 4) and more to the point, never owned an "old" or "vintage" stingray. But I can say that I was really happy with how it sounded. I thought it sounded like a stingray or at least how a stingray should.

Ezbass · #13 09-17-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poon

Thanks man. I definitely miss it a lot. It was a superb sounding bass, but I had to raise the money for my USA JO5 somehow.

I feel your pain, I've lost count of the times I've sold gear to finance new purchases only to miss them once they've gone

. I know it drives Mrs Ezbass mad.