Nordstrand NP4 or Darkstar

[Doo Wop]

I am in the process of building a P Bass and at the point of deciding which pickup to route the body for.

Do I use the Dark Star or the Nordstrand NP4? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I play mostly Motown, old school R&B, and some jazz.

I have done alot of research on both and listened to sound clips, and the more research I do it seems to keep me on the fence, so to speak, on which one to go with.

Any ideas? other than building both

[Beefbass]

Hey there, I don't know about the darkstar, but I have a NP4 in my Pbass. IMHO it is an excellent pickup for the sounds you are looking for

[Rodent]

D W,

Congrats on arriving at what IMO are the best two 4-string pickups on the market today. Yes I am biased for both of these pickups, not only because I install these new in the basses I build ... but instead because I liked these two pickups so much that I sought out a relationship with both manufacturers. And after some time installing both, I can't consistently choose one over the other.

Some days the DS is all I could ever want ... and some days it's the NP-4. I solved this for myself by building a bass for each pickup so that I can always have both ready to roll

Both pickups will do you well for the styles you note playing. The NP-4 will give you a little initial edge with recording producers, as they will recognize the pickup configuration and be happy you brought that bass. But ... once you've layed a track or two - bring out the DS loaded bass and politely ask if you can see what they think about utilizing it on a track ... if your experience is like that of several of my clients, you just may find yourself re-tracking a song or two if you have the time to do so.

For me, it would all come down to the breadth you desire for your sound. Do you want that glorious P-bass midrange hump, or do you want something with a fuller spectrum that doesn't step on any toes? Answering this question should lead you in the right direction in selecting the pickup that's right for you

all the best,

R

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by Rodent

D W,

Congrats on arriving at what IMO are the best two 4-string pickups on the market today. Yes I am biased for both of these pickups, not only because I install these new in the basses I build ... but instead because I liked these two pickups so much that I sought out a relationship with both manufacturers. And after some time installing both, I can't consistently choose one over the other.

Some days the DS is all I could ever want ... and some days it's the NP-4. I solved this for myself by building a bass for each pickup so that I can always have both ready to roll

Both pickups will do you well for the styles you note playing. The NP-4 will give you a little initial edge with recording producers, as they will recognize the pickup configuration and be happy you brought that bass. But ... once you've layed a track or two - bring out the DS loaded bass and politely ask if you can see what they think about utilizing it on a track ... if your experience is like that of several of my clients, you just may find yourself re-tracking a song or two if you have the time to do so.

For me, it would all come down to the breadth you desire for your sound. Do you want that glorious P-bass midrange hump, or do you want something with a fuller spectrum that doesn't step on any toes? Answering this question should lead you in the right direction in selecting the pickup that's right for you

all the best,

R

Do you play your NP4 equipped bass with rounds, or flats? Either or sounds good to me, but I now use rounds, because IMHO they cut thru a bit better. Just wondered what you thought.

[Doo Wop]

"Some days the DS is all I could ever want ... and some days it's the NP-4. I solved this for myself by building a bass for each pickup so that I can always have both ready to roll "

Rodent...I thought you would say that and believe me, I have thuoght seriously about doing just that

"For me, it would all come down to the breadth you desire for your sound. Do you want that glorious P-bass midrange hump, or do you want something with a fuller spectrum that doesn't step on any toes? Answering this question should lead you in the right direction in selecting the pickup that's right for you"

I like the idea of the fuller spectrum, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds to me that I could get far more useful tones from the Darkstar but still keep that "Old School tone" also.

[Doo Wop]

By the way I use Flats exclusively on my P Basses if that would make a difference, which to me I don't think it would.
But I could be wrong, it wouldn't have been the first time

[Kenny Allyn]

I'm gonna go with what Rodent says on this one ...

I don't have "that" P bass pickup but do use a vintage 68 P bass and a DS equipped Lakland ... I gotta have both have always used the 68 to record with ... but not above trying the Lakland ... all my DS equipped basses sound great!

Attachment 59317 ... Lakland, LeCompte, 76 Jazz


... I do have Nordies in two other J style basses and they are killer!

[Rodent]

Originally Posted by Beefbass

Do you play your NP4 equipped bass with rounds, or flats? Either or sounds good to me, but I now use rounds, because IMHO they cut thru a bit better. Just wondered what you thought.

FWIW - I have NO association with any string supplier/manufacturer.

I've been installing a lot of D'Addario XL nickel steels (.100 - .04) lately, and really liking the sound/feel. They are what was used for the sound clip I posted in another DS pickup thread earlier this week.

I tried a set of GHS Boomers with both pickup types, but they didn't do it for me like the D'A's do. I can say the same thing for those 'handmade' strings

I have also used a set of TI chrome flats, and these sound quite nice with both pickups as well. I actually think the flats cut through better than the rounds do, but you won't ever play anything from 'Yes' with them

But in all of this YMMV significantly due to your sound preference, playing style, amp configuration, and deoderant ... so definitely don't take my word on strings as any kind of authority.

all the best,

R

[Rodent]

Originally Posted by Doo Wop

I like the idea of the fuller spectrum, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds to me that I could get far more useful tones from the Darkstar but still keep that "Old School tone" also.

A DS pickup with the pole pieces in the traditional P-bass position (I line mine up with the D/G string pickup poles) with a set of 250K pots and a .047uf cap ... and the tone rolled about 80% off ... this is that old school in droves - especially thru my Ampeg B-15N. Loads of phatness, but still totally defined - one place where I think the DS stands out above the NP-4 is right here ... when you roll off the tone your bass doesn't ever get lost

again ... just my opinion

all the best,

R

[Rodent]

a most excellent assortment of DS loaded basses, Kenny

all the best,

R

[Doo Wop]

Originally Posted by Rodent

A DS pickup with the pole pieces in the traditional P-bass position (I line mine up with the D/G string pickup poles) with a set of 250K pots and a .047uf cap ... and the tone rolled about 80% off ... this is that old school in droves - especially thru my Ampeg B-15N. Loads of phatness, but still totally defined - one place where I think the DS stands out above the NP-4 is right here ... when you roll off the tone your bass doesn't ever get lost

again ... just my opinion

all the best,

R

Rodent...Thanks for the information. That last statement just sold me, the first bass will have the Dark Star, and yes, like you and Kenny have said, I can see myself building another for the Nordstrand NP4.

[Rodent]

no prob, anytime

if I may offer a suggestion: when you route the pickup cavity for the DS, use Fred's 'swimming pool' cavity route. this will allow you to spin the pickup 180 degrees allowing the pole pieces to sense a subtly different area of the strings. between sensing this alternate area and the individual pole piece adjustments, you'll really have a lot of flexibility in getting the sound dialed in.

if you do this, also include about an extra inch of lead length to accommodate the 180 spin.

other things to be sure to do:

* cavity shielding
* twist the pickup wire leads
* ground the pickup trim ring
* order a P-bass pickguard without the P-bass pickup hole
* route your own pickup hole in the new pickguard

and most important .....

play it like you mean it


all the best,

R