Nordstrand MM5.3 and Seymour Duncan preamp issues.

JoshuaTSP · #1 02-07-2010, 03:05 PM

I recently replaced the Seymour Duncan 2 coil pickup with a Nordstrand MM5.3 3 coil pickup.

I was going to swap out the preamp for a stock SR4, but the control pot spacing didn't match my SR5 pickguard.

Anyway, I've followed the seymour duncan 3 way switch instructions.

Checked it at least 15 times, re-did the entire thing twice.
I noticed that the white and red wires were melted together.
Not sure if I did that or not?

I'm getting output in all 3 positions, but only one position is full volume(even in this position, only one coil is full output?). The other two positions are much quieter.

I'm also getting a slight buzz in all positions??

eastcoasteddie · #2 02-07-2010, 03:17 PM

So you are using the Seymour Duncan preamp? Not sure if this is here or there, but on the SD site, the page for the STC-3M3/3M4 preamp, it says:

basses
For Music Man® StingRay® basses and other basses with a single passive pickup. Will not work with 3-coil pickup.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...c3m3_stc3m4_f/

Also, I'm not sure how different the Nord pickup is from the SD 3-coil pickup, but on the SD site for their 3-coil pickup, it says:

For use with stock Music Man® pre-amp and selector switch intended for 3-coil system. Will not work with STC-3M3 or -3M4.

JoshuaTSP · #3 02-07-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoasteddie

So you are using the Seymour Duncan preamp? Not sure if this is here or there, but on the SD site, the page for the STC-3M3/3M4 preamp, it says:

basses
For Music Man® StingRay® basses and other basses with a single passive pickup. Will not work with 3-coil pickup.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...c3m3_stc3m4_f/

good call, I didn't see that.

I figured the three way switch and pickup would work with whatever preamp I used.

eastcoasteddie · #4 02-07-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

good call, I didn't see that.

I figured the three way switch and pickup would work with whatever preamp I used.

Try calling SD tech support. You might wind up sitting on hold for a while, but they'll eventually answer. They're usually pretty good with solving problems...maybe there is a way of getting it to work...you never know.

Tel: (805) 964-9610

Nino Valenti · #5 02-07-2010, 03:41 PM

You may want to call Carey. IIRC, the 5.3 can not be wired with a 3 way other than a MM preamp.

I remember I had to return it and get a 5.4 for 3 way switching. I don't recall if I wired it series/single coil/parallel or Single/Humbucking/single

JoshuaTSP · #6 02-07-2010, 03:42 PM

The bass came with the SD preamp, so I think I'll just sell it and the matching 2 coil SD pickup.

I'm thinking a John East preamp will be perfect.

JoshuaTSP · #7 02-07-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

You may want to call Carey. IIRC, the 5.3 can not be wired with a 3 way other than a MM preamp.

I remember I had to return it and get a 5.4 for 3 way switching. I don't recall if I wired it series/single coil/parallel or Single/Humbucking/single

Really!?

Will the 3 way work with the John East?

I really would prefer series/single/parallel.

JoshuaTSP · #8 02-08-2010, 10:14 AM

In fact the John East will work with the MM5.3, but it will not provide hum cancellation nor output unity.

The John East sounds like an awesome preamp that would work GREAT with the Nordstrand MM5.4 in strictly parallel or series.

eastcoasteddie · #9 02-08-2010, 01:53 PM

I just re-read your original post about 2 out of 3 coil configurations being much quieter than the 3rd.

When I was trying out Dual MM style pickups in a Jazz with series/parallel/split coil switches, I found that Series was SUPER loud compared to either parallel and split coil. There was such a tremendous volume difference that I did away with the Series wiring altogether and kept it Parallel/Split coil only. These 2 had the same volume.

So I think what you are experiencing is quite normal...But I'm not sure if the 3rd "phantom coil" is supposed to increase the output of the 2 quieter wiring options or if it is only there to cancel hum in single coil mode.

JoshuaTSP · #10 02-08-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoasteddie

I just re-read your original post about 2 out of 3 coil configurations being much quieter than the 3rd.

When I was trying out Dual MM style pickups in a Jazz with series/parallel/split coil switches, I found that Series was SUPER loud compared to either parallel and split coil. There was such a tremendous volume difference that I did away with the Series wiring altogether and kept it Parallel/Split coil only. These 2 had the same volume.

So I think what you are experiencing is quite normal...But I'm not sure if the 3rd "phantom coil" is supposed to increase the output of the 2 quieter wiring options or if it is only there to cancel hum in single coil mode.

Yeah, I noticed the volume difference when I added a series/parallel switch to my jazz.....but this was MUCH quieter.
Nearly unusable volumes.

I ended up just wiring it in parallel and said forget it to the 3 way switch for now.

The third coil is supposed to kill the hum.

As I'm finding out, only the EBMM stock preamp compensated for the output differences in single coil mode.
Not sure if it makes parallel mode match series though?