Nordstrand in a Musicman

wishbon7 · #1 04-16-2009, 10:08 AM

Has anyone put a Nordstrand 2.5 in your MM Stingray 5. is there a big differance between stock pup and the Nord?

RPIcka · #2 04-16-2009, 10:14 AM

sorry, no such thing as a Nordstrand MM 2.5.

Stealth · #3 04-16-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIcka

sorry, no such thing as a Nordstrand MM 2.5.

I believe he meant the 5.2

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 04-16-2009, 10:22 AM

Is it a newer or an older Stingray 5 you have?

They used to have ceramic magnets in the pickups, now they have AlNiCo (like the standard stingray).

The MM5.2 is a clone of the pre-EB MM (4) pickups. So it will sound different either way, but it will be a much bigger difference if you have a ceramic pickup currently.

RPIcka · #5 04-16-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth

I believe he meant the 5.2

I believe your most likely correct.

wishbon7 · #6 04-16-2009, 10:26 AM

yea sorry 5.2

wishbon7 · #7 04-16-2009, 10:29 AM

about year of MM. that bring up another Question. how do u tell the year of a MM. I bought it used but i feel like it is probably 04 to 08. can u tell with the serial number?

barbe-et-hache · #8 04-16-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishbon7

about year of MM. that bring up another Question. how do u tell the year of a MM. I bought it used but i feel like it is probably 04 to 08. can u tell with the serial number?

That's not really in the subject and you could have found this by yourself but here you are :

http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/TOWN8019...ompage0028.htm

wishbon7 · #9 04-16-2009, 11:47 AM

Hey Barbe, I knew there was some reason why i stop post here. Way to be a jerk. Thanks. Ill go back to just reading and not posting.

Valerus · #10 04-16-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishbon7

Hey Barbe, I knew there was some reason why i stop post here. Way to be a jerk. Thanks. Ill go back to just reading and not posting.

don't listen to the occasional TB 'douche of the week'.

(not saying barbe is one but the thread reflects otherwise)

PSPookie · #11 04-16-2009, 12:00 PM

I haven't tried that specific pup but the Nordstrand pups I have tried were very impressive.

barbe-et-hache · #12 04-16-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishbon7

Hey Barbe, I knew there was some reason why i stop post here. Way to be a jerk. Thanks. Ill go back to just reading and not posting.

Maybe you could start by keeping around the subject when posting. When the thread starts with putting a particular pickup in a particular bass, it's weird to end up with a talk about serial number.

wishbon7 · #13 04-16-2009, 12:27 PM

polsab78 · #14 04-16-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishbon7

Has anyone put a Nordstrand 2.5 in your MM Stingray 5. is there a big differance between stock pup and the Nord?

maybe this would help? http://basstasters.com/basses/MusicMan_Stingray.html

I have a pre-eb stingray, and I must say the Nordstrand pretty much nails it.

wishbon7 · #15 04-16-2009, 07:13 PM

Hey thanks that was a great site. cool!

depalm · #16 04-16-2009, 11:30 PM

Nordstrand Pickups are great and a huge replacement over the anemic ceramic pickups.

bdgotoh · #17 04-16-2009, 11:48 PM

You might want to try the MM5.3 instead, it'll give you the humcancelling coil too. I had a Nordy MM4.3 in my Sterling bass that has the same switching as the Stingray 5 and it sounded very good. Not drastically different but sweeter and more like a Stingray alnico pickup.

**TheMutt** · #18 04-17-2009, 12:09 AM

Why oh why did I have to read this post? Now I want to replace the pup in my stock EBMM5.

quee · #19 04-17-2009, 04:01 AM

I replaced my stingray 5 pickup with a nordstrand MM5.4.
My bass was made in 1989, before they redesigned the pickup and preamp, so that was the best option for me, as it fits with no routing and I wanted a hum canceling single coil mode.
The nordstrand MM5.4 has a deeper bass response and a bit less top end than a ceramic pickup, which suits me. (the 5.3 is a tiny bit brighter than a 5.4)
If your bass was made after 1992 then you'll need a nordstrand MM5.3 as a replacement.
The easiest way to check is carefully unscrew the pickup and look underneath. If it has a third coil sticking out then you'll need a 5.3.
It all depends what kind of sound you want. If you like a really cutting top end, then stick with the ceramic.
You can get something similar to the alcino tone by turning the top and middle down a little and the low end up a bit on the eq. It's not exactly the same but it will give you a rough idea of what to expect.
Ernie Ball have started using alcino pickups again more recently, so if you have a very recent bass the difference between the stock and a nordstrand would be even more subtle.
If you can find someone who has made the switch already you might want to compare tones before buying a new pickup.

barbe-et-hache · #20 04-17-2009, 07:06 AM

There are also some interesting information about the different nordstrand MM pickup in the nordstrand faq.

http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/faq-support/faq/

here is the summary :

So, to sum up...
If you want the old school no compromise Music Man tone and don't place a priority on single coil mode- get the 4.2 or 5.2.
If you want the old school Music Man tone in your Sterling bass - get the 4.3 or 5.3.
If you need to have a silent single coil setting and don't mind or want the slight compromise in high end response (darker sound) - get the 4.4 or 5.4.