Nordstrand NP5

[jazzbass1967]

Hello,

I've been thinking of buying the Nordstrand NP5 pickup for my Am. Std. Fender P5. I'm a little reluctant because I replaced the original pickup in my Fender Road Worn P with a Duncan Antiquity and could hardly tell any difference at all. I'd like for this pickup to really make a difference. Do you think it will deliver the goods?

Thanks!

[bassfart]

I changed the pickup in my Am Std P bass to a NP4 and the difference was huge. Every note rings out a little clearer, and the tone is really balanced across the spectrum. I put Nordstrands in my Jazz bass as well and the difference is huge, way more output then the stock pickups. You won't be disappointed with the Nordstrands.

[chris lykins]

If you do, please pm with your impressions!

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by jazzbass1967

I'd like for this pickup to really make a difference.

What difference are you looking for? Something that doesn't sound like a P?

[flyingfinbar]

I LOVE the NP5 in my Lakland P5. I generally run mine through an all tube SVT IIpro, and they kill it. I find the Pup to be very responsive to touch and minor adjustments of the tone knob. With the tone knob fully open, it can get pretty gnarly, but through a slightly overdriven tube amp, it's definitely a usable sound.

I have some live band clips of this setup. I sorta dominate the mix as the camera is directly in front of my rig, haha/

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by jazzbass1967

Hello,

I've been thinking of buying the Nordstrand NP5 pickup for my Am. Std. Fender P5. I'm a little reluctant because I replaced the original pickup in my Fender Road Worn P with a Duncan Antiquity and could hardly tell any difference at all. I'd like for this pickup to really make a difference. Do you think it will deliver the goods?

Thanks!

I have done exactly what you are thinking about with my own Fender P5. I A/B'd back and forth several times between the Nordy and the stock pickup, before settling on the Nordy.

The stock pickup is a very "modern" sounding pickup to me. It has a lot of high-mid presence and its sizzle-y up top. I like it for those reasons, but I also wanted something a bit more traditional sounding.

The NP5 is more "polite" and not as hot as the stock Fender pup, but it is also more traditional sounding, and notes are extremely clear and well defined with it. It also has that nice hollow sound that you get out of a P bass, whereas I thought the Fender pickup did not.

So there are differences for sure, but they are subtle.