Nordstrands for my Pedulla or Bartolini CB's?

[Envincibal]

I am thinking of changing my pickups in one of my ThunderBolts to either classic Barts (P2 series) or Nordstrands (I imagine DC would be the way to go). From what I understand, the classic Bartolini P2 will open my tone up a bit (the Barts that come with the t-bolt are active and made just for Pedulla). So my question regarding the Nordstrands is, I’m looking for an aggressive tone, maybe along the lines of a Spector Euro (soapbar config - I really liked the tone of the ones I had, just couldn't get used to the 35" scale) - I’ve had the Nordy split J’s in my Carvin with an Audere pre, and it was just flat out mean – very aggressive, which really woke up that bass – it didn’t remind me of a Spector, but certainly had its own snarling flavor; would the Nordy DC soapbar give me that tone? Should it be wired series or parallel? How would a coil tap expand my tonal options (do I have that correct ‘coil tap’)?

Also, the T-bolt I’m looking to put them on has the 17.5mm spacing; would the Nordy’s work with the narrower spacing (according to their site, they are 19mm center to center)?

Thanks,
Jon

[tubby.twins]

In my experience, the Nordstrand DC soapbars are not going to be too snarly or aggressive. They have a good strong fundamental and an assertive upper midrange, with a modest scoop that gives it a more clean and modern feeling. It won't bring out the same tones you've noticed with your Carvin, but it will be a useful tone. If you want aggressive and snarly, you should look at Big Splits or Big Singles instead.

Nordstrand can make pickups with any string spacing. It would need to be a special order, but they've done this quite often.

[bgartist]

I replaced the stock pickups and pre to Bart CBs and a Glockenklang preamp. The difference is night and day! It really opened up the tone. I also have a series/single coil switch. I L-O-V-E the single coil tone. This Glockenklang also gives me the active/passive option.

[Envincibal]

Follow up... the other week I've replaced the stock Pedulla Barts in one of my t-bolts with CB barts (had to do a little routing to make it happen), installed a coil tap for each pickup (Series/Single/Parallel), and replaced the stock preamp with an audere and... WOW!! The tonal options are plentiful with this new combination - different sounding than the stock setup from Pedulla (I still have 2 other t-bolts: one will remain stock, and the other I'm going to put in some Nordy's with and Audere).

Would I say the CB Barts + Coil tap + Audere is better? Hmm, very, very different and much, much more versitile. I really do like the way the t-bolt sounds stock (I prefer the sound of the older preamps of Vol/Bal/Tone + Thunderguts over the newer preamps of Vol/Bal/Bass/Treb/Thunderguts - I think the older preamp sounds a little growlier and adds a little more edge; not as refined as the new ones).

The combination that I am liking the best on the new setup is both pickups set as single coil, panned in the center, and boosting the treble and bass (just a little on each, maybe 20-25%) and a boost on the upper mids (maybe halfway - adds some in-your-face bite, but not harsh at all) - this sounds in the same vein as my Pedulla Rapture (J/J configuration), but has some more umph.

When I make the changes to one of my other Thunderbolts I'll post my review (maybe some sound clips of each bass).

Hey, and if anyone wants to sell me a T-bolt, 19mm spacing prefered (and would love one with a maple board/flame-top on the body), send me a PM :-)