Nordstrand Pickups for a MTD Z5 and other custom

[alexofc69]

It looks like I may pick up a barely used Z5 for silly cheap and am planning a custom MPG Level5 JJ in the future.
I am interested in using Nordstrand pickups with either an Audere or Aguilar preamp.
Any Suggestions which way I should go?
I play alot of fingerstyle, slap and on occasion pick. Heavy Rock & funk.

Im looking at the Dual Coils, Big Splits, Big Singles and Fat Stacks. I will be getting them made with covered poles since I am not a fan of exposed pole pieces. Anybody have any suggestions for the way I should go????

[rc_1manband]

I'm doing the same thing and I spoke with David at Audere, the best ever.

Definitely Audere with the 4 band eq for the most tone control. The Z mode switch will provide all the thud you need to rumble speakers when you're rocking out when it's in Low-Z mode.

Fat Stacks are quieter J-type pickups and the Big Singles are J pickups in a bigger body and. Of course, not too familiar with the subtle differences of all three. All we have is the details on Nordstrand's page or Best Bass Gear's site.

I'm going with the Nordy DCs wired split (series/parallel) and eventually Audere 3 band w/ frequency switch.

[alexofc69]

Originally Posted by rc_1manband

I'm doing the same thing and I spoke with David at Audere, the best ever.

Definitely Audere with the 4 band eq for the most tone control. The Z mode switch will provide all the thud you need to rumble speakers when you're rocking out when it's in Low-Z mode.

Fat Stacks are quieter J-type pickups and the Big Singles are J pickups in a bigger body and. Of course, not too familiar with the subtle differences of all three. All we have is the details on Nordstrand's page or Best Bass Gear's site.

I'm going with the Nordy DCs wired split (series/parallel) and eventually Audere 3 band w/ frequency switch.

cool, post some pics and clips when you are done.

[rc_1manband]

Hey,

I'm loving the bass with one more addition to go.






The bass features:

Hipshot B style bridge
Hipshot Ultralite tuners
Aguilar OBP-3 preamps
Nordstrand Pickups w/ Series/Single/Parallel tap switches

No sound clips just yet.

[alexofc69]

Originally Posted by rc_1manband

Hey,

I'm loving the bass with one more addition to go.






The bass features:

Hipshot B style bridge
Hipshot Ultralite tuners
Aguilar OBP-3 preamps
Nordstrand Pickups w/ Series/Single/Parallel tap switches

No sound clips just yet.

very cool. sound clips soon please.

[1kinal]

Originally Posted by rc_1manband

Hey,

I'm loving the bass with one more addition to go.


The bass features:

Hipshot B style bridge
Hipshot Ultralite tuners
Aguilar OBP-3 preamps
Nordstrand Pickups w/ Series/Single/Parallel tap switches

No sound clips just yet.

Did the Hipshot B-style was a perfect retrofit from the stock bridge? Did you heard a significant improvement over the stock sound? (maybe hard to know if you performed your mods all at the same time...)

[rc_1manband]

Well,

The sad thing is that you get used to a sound and then when it changes all you have is the memory.

I think the composite material on the stock bridge gave the bass a deeper tone. But the aluminum B-style bridge was clear. You really hear the tone of the wood.

It's an improvement.

[daveze]

Rather than starting a new thread, I thought I'd bump this slightly older thread. I'm essentially in the same boat as the original poster, except that I actually just bought a Z5.

I actually have both an OBP-3 and a 4 band Audere with 5-pos Z mode switch, so I can fairly comprehensively test my two most preferred preamps (I like the Audere so much that I'm inclined to just get another...)

rc:
- How do you find the modifications, now that you're 3 months down the track?
- Do you find yourself favouring a particular combination of series/parallel/single?
- Was the Hipshot B a simple drop-in?

Everybody else:
- Has anybody tried a set of Nordstrands that aren't DC's in their Z5?

[Steve K]

Originally Posted by rc_1manband

Hey,

I'm loving the bass with one more addition to go.

The bass features:

Hipshot B style bridge
Hipshot Ultralite tuners
Aguilar OBP-3 preamps
Nordstrand Pickups w/ Series/Single/Parallel tap switches

No sound clips just yet.

I'm thinking about doing the same thing. Do you find the upgrades were worth all the money? How much did the mods cost all together? Also, was the new bridge a perfect retrofit? Where did you get the new knobs for the bass?

[phunku]

BUMP BUMP! plz people comment on this kl bass!

[daveze]

I've since done a bit of work on my Z5:
- A strip of copper the width of the pickup and slightly longer, used to be a bit of a spring to lift the pickups. There was a definite change in tone but whether it is because of the copper reflecting the magnetic field (oops off I go again with my crazy magnetic theory), because the pickups were in a better spot, or a combination. I liked it, it gained a bit more bite and growl but I'm fairly certain some of that was clipping of the preamp, if so, the stock preamp overdrives more gracefully than others...Unfortunately I still had to much about with the tone controls a fair bit to get a tone I liked, which is a pet hate of mine. I like to have them to tweak a little bit but significant cuts and boosts annoy me.
- Replaced the stock preamp with the OBP-3. The stock preamp is thin thin thin sounding. I was a little dubious when I heard a few people claim it was just the preamp but I'd say 70-80% of the suckiness is because of the preamp. I'm still getting used to the Aggy, only got it to practice for the first time tonight and it was a little bit of a teething experience...I'm playing Sunday, so remind me on Monday and I'll post a few more thoughts.

I've been GAS'n for a set of Fat Stacks since I bought the bass...just gotta try and divert some coins away from my other pursuits.

Also, I really love this bass. Its a dream to play and I reckon with the right pickup/preamp combo the thing will sound like the duck's nuts.

[98mtd]

I prefer Bartolini's in my Z...

and pups. It's the MTD sound.

Hey RC_1manband, great mod on your Z. Those knobs make the Z look like an MIA MTD.

[Lorenzini]

Lol, funny.

Anyhow, I think it's time for some sound clips from all you Z modders! Personally, I'm trying to figure out what my next mid-level bass will be, a Cirrus 5/6 or Z5/6. Sound clips would greatly aid my search!

[fretman4god]

heeelllllooooooooo!!!! soundclips and reviews are excellent ways to share knowledge of gear that many people are interested in!
I'm dying to hear a Z5, especially with upgrades...

[fretman4god]

hi