Nordstrand MM5.4 for 5 string fretless stingray.

malabito · #1 08-23-2006, 03:18 PM

Hi, right now I found myself with a 5 string fretless stingray dilema, I love the feel of the bass, but not that much the sound. I was thinking of maybe changing the electronics. As a preamp I was thinking of getting the aguilar obp3 or a bartollini preamp and for the pickup a Nordstrand MM5.4. Have any of you tried this pickup, also what does a quad coil means? I am looking for a more low mid growl sound, almost like a jazz but with the bottom end of the stingray. Also will I still be able to use the coil selector on my stingray.

Thanks.

James Hart · #2 08-23-2006, 03:48 PM

Best pickups I've ever used!!!

http://www.delano.de/english/index-eng.html

Great frequency range... deep and clear. Killer mid growl in parallel mode, very "J like" in single coil mode.

BigMikeW · #3 08-23-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malabito

Hi, right now I found myself with a 5 string fretless stingray dilema, I love the feel of the bass, but not that much the sound. I was thinking of maybe changing the electronics. As a preamp I was thinking of getting the aguilar obp3 or a bartollini preamp and for the pickup a Nordstrand MM5.4. Have any of you tried this pickup, also what does a quad coil means? I am looking for a more low mid growl sound, almost like a jazz but with the bottom end of the stingray. Also will I still be able to use the coil selector on my stingray.

Thanks.

If you want the reeal MM tone but just over the top kickarse... get the Nordy MM 5.3 Call Stew about this.

**Rodent** · #4 08-23-2006, 06:12 PM

malabito,

Before making a recommendation between the MM5.3 and MM5.4, may I ask if you have removed your current pickup and viewed the cavity? I ask because I want to make a suggestion that won't require too much work on your part ...

If your current pickup is a flat bottom flavor that is about the depth of a typical Jazz style pickup, then you should go the way of the MM5.4. If instead you have an extra coil attached to the bottom of your current pickup, you may be able to install the MM5.3 without any undue modifications to your pickup cavity route.

Here's the bottom of a typical MM5.2/MM5.4

and the bottom of a typical MM5.3

Both pickups are excellent choices IMO, but the MM5.3 will sound more authentic vs the MM5.4 due to it's construction method. You really can't go wrong either way

all the best,

R

malabito · #5 08-23-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

Best pickups I've ever used!!!

http://www.delano.de/english/index-eng.html

Great frequency range... deep and clear. Killer mid growl in parallel mode, very "J like" in single coil mode.

thanks for the recomendation, but from what I saw on the web page all my possible options had the small ears, were the screws go, to the side of the mic, so I will have to route the bass if I wanted to use one of dose mics.

malabito · #6 08-23-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeW

If you want the reeal MM tone but just over the top kickarse... get the Nordy MM 5.3 Call Stew about this.

To be completly honest, I wont really mind if the sound changes, while it changes to a better one. I already email them this morning, I will give them a call, after I have recieved their answer if I still have more questions.

Thanks.

malabito · #7 08-23-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodent

malabito,

Before making a recommendation between the MM5.3 and MM5.4, may I ask if you have removed your current pickup and viewed the cavity? I ask because I want to make a suggestion that won't require too much work on your part ...

If your current pickup is a flat bottom flavor that is about the depth of a typical Jazz style pickup, then you should go the way of the MM5.4. If instead you have an extra coil attached to the bottom of your current pickup, you may be able to install the MM5.3 without any undue modifications to your pickup cavity route.

Here's the bottom of a typical MM5.2/MM5.4

and the bottom of a typical MM5.3

Both pickups are excellent choices IMO, but the MM5.3 will sound more authentic vs the MM5.4 due to it's construction method. You really can't go wrong either way

all the best,

R

I just removed the pickup to look under it, and it has a third coil.

So i guess I can use any of the two options. What do you mean by authentic? And also whats the advantage of a quad coil, as in the 5.4?

Thanks.

**Rodent** · #8 08-23-2006, 07:54 PM

the MM5.4 quad coil has two split-coil pickups stacked next to each other, while the MM5.3 utilizes single-coils. While not an exact sound example, think of the difference between a P-bass split pickup and a J-bass single coil

Since the 5.4 utilizes split coils, you get a little more of tha mid-range grind than the open sound of a single-coil

the difference between the two pickups is not HUGE by any means, but there is a sublte difference you should be aware of

all the best,

R

malabito · #9 08-23-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodent

the MM5.4 quad coil has two split-coil pickups stacked next to each other, while the MM5.3 utilizes single-coils. While not an exact sound example, think of the difference between a P-bass split pickup and a J-bass single coil

Since the 5.4 utilizes split coils, you get a little more of tha mid-range grind than the open sound of a single-coil

the difference between the two pickups is not HUGE by any means, but there is a sublte difference you should be aware of

all the best,

R

So if I get the 5.4 and set the mic on single coil or even parallel, I will have more low mid pronounce bass, with less highs, then with the 5.3. I want the sound to be less harsh, more sweeter.But no precision kind, more of a jazz growl kind but with more bottm.

Thanks...