Nordstrand MM4.3 in a Sterling

[whitedk57]

I was wondering if anybody would share their experience in replacing their stock MM Sterling pickup with a Nordstrand MM4.3. If you have sound clips, do you have a link?

[Rodent]

hey D -

you looking for technical 'how to' info, of just sound clips from those who've done it before?

all the best,

R

[whitedk57]

Originally Posted by Rodent

hey D -

you looking for technical 'how to' info, of just sound clips from those who've done it before?

all the best,

R

Just sound clips from those who've done it. I'm already resolved to replacing it since I already bought it - I just want to feel good about it now. Seriously though, I always get nervous before doing surgery on a bass. It always turns out fine though.

BTW, I got the pickup yesterday - Thanks for the quick shipment! I just need to get to the Shack and get some heat shrink to do things right.

[Rodent]

cool - feel welcome to give me a ring or drop me a line if you get stuck during the process.

are you planning to splice to the wires connected to the 3-position switch, or totally remove them and solder the new pickup leads direct?

if you're doing the latter, be sure to also have a roll of the narrow soldering wick available so you can suck the solder off of those joints.

bummer I didn't know you'd be needing shrink tubing as I could have sent you a few peices in the appropriate colors


all the best,

R

[whitedk57]

Originally Posted by Rodent

cool - feel welcome to give me a ring or drop me a line if you get stuck during the process.

are you planning to splice to the wires connected to the 3-position switch, or totally remove them and solder the new pickup leads direct?

if you're doing the latter, be sure to also have a roll of the narrow soldering wick available so you can suck the solder off of those joints.

bummer I didn't know you'd be needing shrink tubing as I could have sent you a few peices in the appropriate colors


all the best,

R

I think splicing the wires and soldering them with the shrink tubing would be easiest for me. I noticed that some of the pictures on the web of the MM4.3 they use the soldering wick as a kind of strap for the 3rd pickup on the bottom. Was that just the way they did it to begin with, because I don't see that on the pup you sent me?

[Rodent]

yes - I believe this image is an early version of Carey's manufacturing, and is the only image of these I see on his website



all the best,

R

[whitedk57]

Well, soldering to the circuit board turned out to be the better option anyway, especially since I accidentally pulled a pickup wire out from the board trying to splice the wires. All in all, it was a better fix anyway with me doing a fairly good soldering job.

I also added some new strings (DR Lo-Riders) as well. I am pretty happy about the sound I get. Of course, I will have to keep tinkering to get the sound that I like the best. One thing I did notice was that there was a more distinct sound difference between the switch settings with this pickup versus the EBMM pickup. And, I like that the highs aren't so thin and tinny.

[cigi]

I have no experience at al with the nordstrand mm, but I like to listen to it on basstasters.

Maybe you can to:

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

There are soundfiles from a mm sr4 with the original pu and with the nordstrand. The nordstrand sounds very different to my ear. More mellow and warm, less agressive.

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by whitedk57

Well, soldering to the circuit board turned out to be the better option anyway

This I could have told you. Any pickup replacement in a Sterling would require this due to the small cavity and the limited space between the cavity and the pup route.

Originally Posted by cigi

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

There are soundfiles from a mm sr4 with the original pu and with the nordstrand. The nordstrand sounds very different to my ear. More mellow and warm, less agressive.

The Sterling uses a Ceramic magnet pup, which is ultra aggressive and crunchy sounding in the highs. The Stingray uses Alnico magnet pups, which are inheritable more mellow. I would think that the tone would sound more mellow than the Stingray with added lows, but significantly more mellow than the sterling, giving the bass a new color of tone.

Enjoy! Lets hear some soundclips!

[Rodent]

congrats D

I'm definitely wanting to hear how this works for you as you get all settled in with it.

all the best,

R

[whitedk57]

Originally Posted by joelb79

This I could have told you. Any pickup replacement in a Sterling would require this due to the small cavity and the limited space between the cavity and the pup route.

Where were you when I needed you?! - Just kidding... I adapted during the process, but not before some minor angst.

Originally Posted by joelb79

The Sterling uses a Ceramic magnet pup, which is ultra aggressive and crunchy sounding in the highs. The Stingray uses Alnico magnet pups, which are inheritable more mellow. I would think that the tone would sound more mellow than the Stingray with added lows, but significantly more mellow than the sterling, giving the bass a new color of tone.

Enjoy! Lets hear some soundclips!

I liked the Sterling tone, but I love the tone I'm getting now. About the clips - I don't have anything to record with. I'll try to use the sound recorder in Windows. Don't hold your breath - I am not the best player.

[ecufunk]

i really really prefeer the nordstrand 4.2 dual coil in my opinion the third coil takes output i tried them but the 4.2 gives me more power and to me is better sounding