Nordy or Bart for Carvin replacement?

Black Sheep · #1 11-30-2010, 05:09 AM

Thinking about pickup options for my LB75. The Carvin H50A(S) soapbars are actually pretty nice for most of what I do, but I'm wondering if I can get more versatility out of something else. One thing I'm looking for is being able to roll up to the neck p/u and get a little P-sound when needed. Right now that's not so great. Also a little more punch with slap would be good.

So I'm looking at either the (P2 shape) Bartolini XXP25M Split-Coil P2, or the Nordstrand Big-Splits. Any insight as to the capabilities and/or differences of these?? Might be nice to catch some clips if anyone has links. I'd like to find something used for $ reasons as it's a pricey upgrade, but if I can't it's worth it if it's right.

fokof · #2 11-30-2010, 08:18 AM

I really really dig the sound of the H50A , you think grass will greener on the other side ?

The J99A from Carvin is very good and sound differently than the H50A.

Black Sheep · #3 11-30-2010, 08:38 AM

HA -yes, that's probably part of it...
I do like these H50A's, too. They really work well in most of what I do, and the less color my rig gives the better, actually sounds pretty good in our PA mix, too. I think what it lacks is the ability to roll up to the neck p/u and get some smooth old school punch.
People are saying that the bass sounds great these days, but I may have aquired PTDS (possible tone deficiency syndrome).
(I'm using d'Addario nickles now, maybe a string change could help, too?)

fokof · #4 11-30-2010, 08:42 AM

Maybe try a J99A at the neck position ? They are available as Soap. But they have a lot more output than the H50A and are single coils (noisier)

Commreman · #5 11-30-2010, 09:05 AM

Here's my thread on my experience with that:

Just installed Nordstrand NJ5's in my Carvin

YMMV. Good luck!

Black Sheep · #6 11-30-2010, 12:26 PM

Most likely I will be staying away from single coils. I did put Barts in a fretless J project (classic duals), and they sound pretty good, but its a different flavor altogether.

tubby.twins · #7 11-30-2010, 09:40 PM

The H50AS are a nice pickup, but they are closer to a Jazz tone. I think the Big Splits are going to get you closer to a Precision sound than the Bartolini "deep tone", especially with the neck pickup. In my opinion, the neck pickup of the "deep tone" sounds flat and somewhat metallic, not warm or punchy.

Another good option is a pair of Villex passive soapbars, which can be made in the same shape (Bart P2) and really grab onto the fundamentals like few other pickup do. I've tried these in the neck position, and they really have a lot of the warm fundamentals like a Precision, but more extended on top. They have an extremely wide magnetic aperture but still have a lot of the clarity of a single coil. And the midrange is glorious.