Nordstrand NP4 quick review

jenderfazz · #1 05-19-2007, 12:09 PM

My situation: I've got a ~73 P-bass with non-original pickups and wiring. I was looking for a good set of pickups to restore my P's intended sound.

Jay Lewis (JPJ on these forums) from Blueberry Hill Bass sent me a set of Nordstrand NP4s and they got here in less than a week. Lightning fast shipping all the way to Canada - good sign!

I went to a local tech (Stephane Denis at Atelier SD - great guy) and decided to redo the wiring completely, replacing the pots with CTS ones and putting in a better capacitor.

Initial impressions? Everything is so defined! These pickups definitely do a better job of picking up my bass' sound. Everything is less muddy, more expressive, and well-balanced. I think the wiring change was a good idea since my bass is now very quiet (pickups probably had something to do with it as well).

I didn't get a chance to jam with it, I just tested it through my rig (SVT + 8x10) for a few minutes. I'll have a full review tomorrow after practice.

I'd say that for the price, this is definitely worth it - P bass pickups aren't as expensive as, say, J pickups. I definitely see a huge difference!

Fender32 · #2 05-19-2007, 04:59 PM

Unbelievable (well, not really

)!

I've just done the same thing! Mine was a '75 P Bass and the Nordstrand replaced a Seymour Duncan Antiquity II (nice pickup, but a bit bass-heavy for what I wanted). It was also supplied by Jay at blueberryhillbass. What a nice guy (discount next time please, Jay

).

I agree, the NP4 does offer a good level of definition, right across the tonal spectrum. It's a great starting point for further EQ-ing (IMHO), even if it sounds a little "straight" with everything set flat.

Today, my StingRay got a Nordy too, but that's another story ....

Hope you continue to enjoy it, jenderfazz.

depalm · #3 05-20-2007, 12:11 AM

Yep, Jay is a really nice guy and Nordstrand PUs are just great!

I replaced the original PU for a NP4 on my 78 P-Bass and I must say it was a huge upgrade. The first thing I noticed was the balance from E to G. The Lows are smooth and the highs are much more even than the stock PU.

So welcome to the club jenderfazz

[[]]

remo · #4 05-20-2007, 08:12 AM

I'm about to drop some of these into my highway 1 p bass.. and also getting a route cut for a bridge J pickup in there as well.. I already have it.. it's a Nordy NJ4SV !! can't wait!!

jenderfazz · #5 05-20-2007, 08:50 PM

So I finally got to jam with my P today, and I'm blown away by the pickup!

The clarity is awesome. P's will always sound a bit "muddy" because they pack so much low end, but this is as good as it gets. In fact, I now have to work harder to avoid mistakes, because every note I play is well-defined and audible!

I did find the sound a bit flat through my at-home combo, but combined with a tubey Ampeg, which obviously has its own character and a lot of mids, the bass really came alive. I love picking my P but today I played mostly fingerstyle - just hearing that thumpy goodness felt good! The enhanced clarity/lack of mud is a big benefit in that respect.

I'm really happy with this pickup. Excellent stuff!

PilbaraBass · #6 05-20-2007, 09:25 PM

what's the DCR on an NP4?...just curious...

remo · #7 05-21-2007, 03:26 AM

PilbaraBass · #8 05-21-2007, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remo

DCR?

DC resistance...that's just putting an ohm-meter across the coil (disconnected, of course) and measuring the resistance...

this gives a good indication of the amount of wraps on the pickup...

jenderfazz · #9 05-21-2007, 04:07 PM

While I can't give you an exact figure, my tech said it's a lot like a vintage pickup but probably wound a little more for extra guts. You could probably take a standard Fender reading and add a bit of resistance to it. It's not a hot pickup, though.

PilbaraBass · #10 05-21-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

While I can't give you an exact figure, my tech said it's a lot like a vintage pickup but probably wound a little more for extra guts. You could probably take a standard Fender reading and add a bit of resistance to it. It's not a hot pickup, though.

hmmm...that's pretty ambiguous...especially, when taking the reading is a 10 second task prior to installation...

however, based on what you've said...my guess is the DCR is somewhere in the vicinity of 11k-ohms.

fredguy · #11 05-22-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remo

I'm about to drop some of these into my highway 1 p bass.. and also getting a route cut for a bridge J pickup in there as well.. I already have it.. it's a Nordy NJ4SV !! can't wait!!

That's what I've got in my '71 franken P. The NJ4SV actually pairs up really well with the NP4. Much better than the DiMarzo's I replaced.

Dave

remo · #12 05-22-2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredguy

That's what I've got in my '71 franken P. The NJ4SV actually pairs up really well with the NP4. Much better than the DiMarzo's I replaced.

Dave

good to hear!! did you go vol/vol or blend?

Mad Tango · #13 05-30-2007, 08:11 PM

I put a NP4 in my Fender 57 RI w/65 neck. It does sound balanced, clear, and smooth. It is has about a 90% true vintage tone. The rest is an added Nordy feature consisting of a nice controlled deep bottom end. Overall; I like it very much.

Mad Tango · #14 05-30-2007, 08:13 PM

I forgot to include that my NP4 measures 10.93 Kohms on my meter.

bgavin · #15 05-30-2007, 08:29 PM

Thanks. I added that to my spread sheet.