Nordstrand PJ: J = NJ4SE, NJ4SV or big split? In 60's or 70's position?

Willem · #1 08-01-2007, 02:58 AM

Everything I want to know is in the title...
The P will be the NP4 of course.
I play thrash metal with a pick (www.myspace.com/withholdmetal).

I don't need lots of blending possibilities, I just want to add the J for the bridge J tone and the Full on PJ tone (probably gonna go with a three way switch). Which J in which position adds the most to the NP4. What are the tonal differences between those pups in those positions? Why would you pick that pup in that position?

luknfur · #2 08-01-2007, 07:32 PM

FWIW:

pretty much takes me 3/4 of an inch movement to tell difference in tone, even at the bridge. So 3/8" isn't going to make any difference, at least not to my ear. The given J will make a lot more difference. I don't know whether Fender was retooling or just wanted to generate some interest.

Willem · #3 08-02-2007, 03:18 AM

Thanks luknfur!

I will go for a 70's placing than:
- it looks better to me
- from talking this through with remo, the J can be setup as loud as the P

Can anyone please chime in on the J pup choices ??
Thanks

remo · #4 08-02-2007, 03:27 AM

Hi Willem.. check out my thread for soundclips of my Nord PJ setup.

Nordstrand NP4 and NJ4SE Fender Hwy1 PJ -=with soundclips=-

I also thought about putting the big split in but I went with the standard sized NJ4SE in the end and I'm really happy with the result. I definitely recommend you get the split coil J pickup to keep hum to a minimum.

I went for the 70's spacing (mine is slightly further closer to the bridge than the normal 70's position because I really wanted the bite and growl you get back there).

The 3 way switch is a good idea. I went VOL/VOL/TONE. Even though VOL/VOL does give me many blending options in the real world I feel the bass still only has 3 sounds, P, Bridge J and PJ.

If you have any more specific questions please ask.

Willem · #5 08-02-2007, 06:29 AM

Hey

yeah the 3 way switch is actually your idea I'm gonna use

(remember our PM?)
I really liked your clips...

Maybe the NJ4SE is the best choice... on the Nordstrand it says: 'The natural character of this design is to have a more pronounced lower midrange, and a slightly muted high end. This makes them exceptionally suited to fingerstyle players who are going for a solo bridge pickup sound with good "bark" and "heft".'

Since I want the J because I find the bridge J the best of the Jazzbass world, that seems like the more logical choice.

The big split also doesn't look that good in a PJ setup... I know I know, I shouldn't base this on looks, but if nobody's gonna chime in on how the sound differs...

**bassybill** · #6 08-02-2007, 06:36 AM

I just posted a clip of my Jazz with NJ4SEs, FWIW. This is through a J-Retro set flat, pickup blend 50:50 and DI'd straight into the PC.

http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder...m%20010807.mp3

It's starts off with some slap, but there's some fingerstyle a bit later on. No pick playing in this clip I'm afraid.

Nedmundo · #7 08-02-2007, 08:33 AM

I would go for the NJ4SE, and put it in the 70's position. The closer you get to the bridge, the more inherent fatness you want in the pickup, and I think the typical Nordstrand P/J set includes the NJ4SE. I'd go with the 70's position because Mike Lull places his J pickups close to the bridge due to his belief that it interacts better with the P pickup there. (See review of Lull's P4: http://mikelull.com/welcome%20frames.htm) This makes sense to me, especially if the J pickup is viewed primarily as a companion to the P pickup, and not as a pickup to be soloed. That would be my approach.

By the way, why not have two volume knobs AND a three way selector? I think that would be cool, although I agree with you that P/J basses tend to have the three tones you mention.

Willem · #8 08-02-2007, 09:57 AM

Thanks Bassybill sounds good!

Thanks nedmundo for the link and the insights. About the electronics, I want a P bass with a little more... just a little

.

Willem · #9 08-05-2007, 12:47 PM

bump

any opinions on these three pickups?

JimK · #10 08-05-2007, 05:13 PM

http://blueberryhillbass.blogspot.co...1_archive.html

Scroll down a bit...JPJ has some nice info.

FWIW, I have a set of SE sin my 'gig' bass & love them.
I'm about to pull the trigger & try a set of SVs in A FEnder Jazz(w/ an Audere preamp kit).

I also have an NP4 in my rebuilt '64 P-bass.