Nordy nj4 vs Fralin singles

[Thwing]

Im faced with a decision here fellas. i've been looking at buying some pup and this is what its come to (Nordy nj4 or fralin singles). any suggestions???

[mbw82]

I'm a big fralin supporter, but after trying out some of nordstrand's pups recently, its a no brainer. do yourself a favor and drop in big singles instead. monsterous.

[maurilio]

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

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by maurilio

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

He wrote:

While Fralins are handwound, Nordstrands are "simulated hand wound".

Is he kidding?

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by mbw82

I'm a big fralin supporter, but after trying out some of nordstrand's pups recently, its a no brainer. do yourself a favor and drop in big singles instead. monsterous.

I have a bass with Fralin Single-Coils and another one with Nord Big Singles and the Fralins sound MUCH better...

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I have a bass with Fralin Single-Coils and another one with Nord Big Singles and the Fralins sound MUCH better...

comparing sc and bs it's like comparing milk and scotch

what's better, what's worse? why?

M

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by maurilio

comparing sc and bs it's like comparing milk and scotch

what's better, what's worse? why?

M

I would never do it... If you look again, my post was a reply...

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

He wrote:

While Fralins are handwound, Nordstrands are "simulated hand wound".

Is he kidding?

if you read carefully he explain very well the difference:

<< In the case of Nordstrand pickups, the master pickup for each model was handwound by Carey and then the process by which that pickup was made was coded into a winding machine that reprocess the handwound pattern >>

M

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by maurilio

if you read carefully he explain very well the difference:

<< In the case of Nordstrand pickups, the master pickup for each model was handwound by Carey and then the process by which that pickup was made was coded into a winding machine that reprocess the handwound pattern >>

M

I got that, that's why the bold part in my post is about Fralins... Fralins are NOT handwound...

8000 turns per pickup by hand? No way...

You awake?

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I would never do it... If you look again, my post was a reply...

I know, what's better for what sound/style/instrument/personal touch/rig.....?

it's so subjective!

M

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by maurilio

it's so subjective!

Agreed. Still don't get your point, though...

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I got that, that's why the bold part in my post is about Fralins... Fralins are NOT handwound...

8000 turns per pickup by hand? No way...

You awake?

...you definitely have no idea how handwound pups are made!

Now I'm going to sleep. I have basses to build today

M

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by maurilio

Now I'm going to sleep.

Night...

[maurilio]

This are examples just to give an idea of the difference:

handwound (you control each wind by hand):

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...up_Winder.html

simulated handwound (once a pattern is handwound programmed, each pups is wound exactly the same by a computer):

http://www.steamcomusic.com/nordstrand/puconstr.html

Now I'm going to sleep for real!

M

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by maurilio

This are examples just to give an idea of the difference:

Thanks for the info. I just happen to know a guy who actually handwinds his pickups (no electricity involved) and I got confused in the terminology.

[gtxtom]

NJ4 clips: http://basstasters.com/pickups/Nordstrand_NJ4_Jazz.html
Fralin (I guess this is the P-pickup based on the name): http://basstasters.com/pickups/Lindy_Fralin_P.html

I really didn't like the way the Fralins sounded when slapped compared to the NJ4. Maybe that's because it's the P-style pickups and not J, but that was a real turnoff for me. That and I found a set of NJ4s on here from jdicebassist for cheap.

[Chef]

I have Fralins in my Lakland JO5.
I have the Nord NJ4's in a G&L JB2.

To my ear, the Fralins have more, and grindier top end, while the NJ4's are smoother, and more true to a "vintage J sound."

Fralin= Geddy Lee, kinda
NJ4's= John Paul Jones, kinda.

hopefully, that's helpful, and not confusing.

[bonkks]

You should check out the NJ4SE. I have tried both of those other PU's and thought they were lacking a bit in the low end. I just put a set of NJ4SE's in my warwick corvette fretless with a audere 3ZB 4 band and I love them. they have a really percussive attack and a ton of bark from the bridge pickup.

[Valerus]

I have nothing but praise for Nordstrand pups. My NJ4SV's are amazing

[JRBrown]

Originally Posted by Valerus

I have nothing but praise for Nordstrand pups. My NJ4SV's are amazing

+1