Norstrand Big Splits or Fat Stacks?

fourstringbliss · #1 07-31-2008, 11:04 PM

I've got a Lakland 55-01 that I plan on upgrading. I know I'm installing an Audere 6ZB preamp but am debating about the pickups.

I'm down to deciding between Norstrand Big Splits and Fat Stacks.

What are the relative pros and cons of each?

How do you coil tap the fat stacks?

Bobster · #2 07-31-2008, 11:21 PM

4string,

I've got Big Splits in my 55-01 and an NTMB Bartolini preamp. Excellent tone, very close to singlecoil sound w/o noise. It was a tremendous upgrade.

Here's a link to Nordstrand's wiring diagram for tapped dual coils.

http://x.nordstrandpickups.com/viewtopic.php?t=276

Bob

maurilio · #3 07-31-2008, 11:37 PM

What kind of sound are you looking for?
What's your style of music?

The FS have a third wire to tap the coil. Grounding that wire you have only the top coil working as a single coil.

Do a search..... there's tons of threads on this.

M

fourstringbliss · #4 08-01-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobster

4string,

I've got Big Splits in my 55-01 and an NTMB Bartolini preamp. Excellent tone, very close to singlecoil sound w/o noise. It was a tremendous upgrade.

That's what I wanted to hear! I didn't want to pay all that money to have it sound similarly bland.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobster

Here's a link to Nordstrand's wiring diagram for tapped dual coils.

http://x.nordstrandpickups.com/viewtopic.php?t=276

Bob

I had thought of going with tapped DC's but I'd end up using the single coil mode all the time. I might as well go with a single coil type sound.

fourstringbliss · #5 08-01-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

What kind of sound are you looking for?
What's your style of music?

The FS have a third wire to tap the coil. Grounding that wire you have only the top coil working as a single coil.

Do a search..... there's tons of threads on this.

M

I'm looking for clear and growly but versatile.

It's surprisingly difficult to find out how to coil tap a Fat Stack. I have just read that coil tapping a Fat Stack makes it into a Big Single, so I'm leaning that direction.

I'm sure the folks at Norstrand could email me a wiring diagram for a coil tap switch.

maurilio · #6 08-01-2008, 12:35 AM

(I'm one of the folk at Nordstrand....)

you'll need a switch DPDT on on (PP or toggle) and wire the Red lead to the center position. One of the outside position to ground.

----open -> | | <- open
Red wire-> | | <- Red (the other pup)
-Ground -> | | <- Ground

When Reds are grounded you have the top coil (single coil) only.

M

maurilio · #7 08-01-2008, 12:41 AM

I'm divided:

I like both Big Split and FS.....

FS are fatter sounding and less bright than BSp.

Jim Carr · #8 08-01-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

I'm divided:

I like both Big Split and FS.....

FS are fatter sounding and less bright than BSp.

+1

Fatstacks are very very versatile, but lean toward big, full, and warm.
Add a good preamp, and your BANGIN' --> Aggie OBP-3!

Ask Nino Valenti. He build this wonderful instrument with FS and an OBP-3.
I am so happy to play it whenever I can.

4Mal · #9 08-01-2008, 09:02 AM

I put the Big Splits in my 55-01. I like them a lot. They retain single coil punch and edge. They have virtually no noise - and that is always the rub with single coils. Currently I have the stock Bart MK1 pre in there and just the pickup was a huge upgrade.

Big Punch from Big Splits.

The neck pu is somewhere bewtween a P-Bass but bigger and a Dark Star. it's not as over the top *WOW* as a Dark Star - nothing else really is - but it leans that way.

Roll the treble back a little and you get the J burpy, Jaco thing going - but bigger.

What are you guys stringing your 55-01's with ? I think I'm going to try Elixer's next. Something with a little bite but a laid back hi end. and something different thatthe TI Super Alloy - that is my fav round and I have them on 2 other basses. So this one needs to be a little different flavor...

stoopidcooper · #10 08-01-2008, 09:04 AM

Hi, Mike here, also from Nordstrand.

I'm thinking bigsplits for you. Lots of folk install the fatstack and then use only the top coil... thats a bit of an inefficent use of the fs. The bigsplit is an easier install, no switching involved and is always hum-can. Just my 2 cents. Really the coolness of the fatstack is the very chubby fat, ineffiecent coil coupled with very large (.875") magnet mass. somewhat like a p bass coil shape.

azzyrazzy · #11 08-01-2008, 09:31 AM

I'm digging the FatStacks I got. I often use the single coiled sound at home, but then I switch to Normal FS on the gig. It's so smooth and nice with the band.

Jim Carr · #12 08-01-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

I put the Big Splits in my 55-01...Currently I
have the stock Bart MK1 pre in there and just the pickup was a huge
upgrade. Big Punch from Big Splits.

The neck pu is somewhere bewtween a P-Bass but bigger and a Dark
Star. it's not as over the top *WOW* as a Dark Star - nothing else
really is - but it leans that way.

Roll the treble back a little and you get the J burpy, Jaco thing going -
but bigger.

What are you guys stringing your 55-01's with ? I think I'm going to
try Elixer's next. Something with a little bite but a laid back hi end.
and something different thatthe TI Super Alloy - that is my fav round
and I have them on 2 other basses. So this one needs to be a little
different flavor...

I'd like to do something like that with my 55-01 Deluxe (3-tsb, quilt,
rosewood fb), but with Fat Stacks. BTW, mine still has the Korean Pre
(quite hot, but no internal trim), original Barts, and is strung with
Lakland rounds.

The Nordstrand Fat Stacks on my Valenti are definitely my cup of tea.
I hope to use the 9 volt the Aguilar OBP-3TK/PP for coil tap and mid
band switching.

The "single coil" mode is aggressive and quite useable, but I most
often stay in "Fat" mode.

Obvious links:

http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_preamps_obp3.htm
http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/bas...signature.html

4Mal · #13 08-01-2008, 10:44 AM

It's probably my root's rock, alt country, surf'a'billy background but I just can't be down with the sound of humbuckers. I really dig that they are noise cancelling. It's just that they also sound 'un-interesting'. So much detail is lost. My taste is no doubt, a result of being a passive J or P guy for years though so it's all relative. The Big Split really works for me as I lose the noise but retain the 'single coil' goodness.

When I change out the pre in the 55-01 - that is inevitable as I detest the Bart MK1 - I expect that the combination of the Nord and Audere will be a good one. The transparency of the Audere is what set's it apart for me. It's got a cool feature set but that it just disappears and let's my bass ring through is the real deal for me anyway ...

I have the 3ZB in my G&L L2500 and it rock's in there.

Jim Carr · #14 08-01-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

It's probably my root's rock, alt country, surf'a'billy background but I just can't be down with the sound of humbuckers. I really dig that they are noise cancelling. It's just that they also sound 'un-interesting'. So much detail is lost. My taste is no doubt, a result of being a passive J or P guy for years though so it's all relative. The Big Split really works for me as I lose the noise but retain the 'single coil' goodness...

Our stylistic preferences have a lot in common. 3 of my 4 current projects are classic country or bluegrass, and passive P's are my bread and butter.

I hate hum, but don't generally like humbuckers, either. Split coil P's and P/Js are for me, and even though I have 2 single coil P's, my Jazz has Fralin split coils.

Yet, I don't find Fat Stacks, which are technically "humbucking," to be overly mellow or muddy. They are very clear and flexible, especially in the mids.

Perhaps one of the Nordstrand folks can comment on how the stacked and twisted humbucking design affects tone.

PS. I guess what I am asking for is a somewhat more technical description.

fourstringbliss · #15 08-01-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

I put the Big Splits in my 55-01. I like them a lot. They retain single coil punch and edge. They have virtually no noise - and that is always the rub with single coils. Currently I have the stock Bart MK1 pre in there and just the pickup was a huge upgrade.

Big Punch from Big Splits.

The neck pu is somewhere bewtween a P-Bass but bigger and a Dark Star. it's not as over the top *WOW* as a Dark Star - nothing else really is - but it leans that way.

Roll the treble back a little and you get the J burpy, Jaco thing going - but bigger.

What are you guys stringing your 55-01's with ? I think I'm going to try Elixer's next. Something with a little bite but a laid back hi end. and something different thatthe TI Super Alloy - that is my fav round and I have them on 2 other basses. So this one needs to be a little different flavor...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

It's probably my root's rock, alt country, surf'a'billy background but I just can't be down with the sound of humbuckers. I really dig that they are noise cancelling. It's just that they also sound 'un-interesting'. So much detail is lost. My taste is no doubt, a result of being a passive J or P guy for years though so it's all relative. The Big Split really works for me as I lose the noise but retain the 'single coil' goodness.

When I change out the pre in the 55-01 - that is inevitable as I detest the Bart MK1 - I expect that the combination of the Nord and Audere will be a good one. The transparency of the Audere is what set's it apart for me. It's got a cool feature set but that it just disappears and let's my bass ring through is the real deal for me anyway ...

I have the 3ZB in my G&L L2500 and it rock's in there.

This all sounds like what I'm looking for. You know I put that inner coils/parallel/outer coils switch in my former L2500 Tribute - I pretty much kept it in single coil mode unless I was getting hum from soloing a pickup. I want clarity and growl while having detail and I want all of that without hum - the Big Splits sound just right. I had thought about putting Norstrand DC's or the Fat Stacks in there with coil taps, but the 6-way Z-mode switch (an upgrade from the standard 3-way switch) should allow me to simulate all that coil tap and series/parallel goodness with a turn of a rotary switch. Here's a link to it: 6ZB Switch

6ZB Z-Mode combinations: (Neck/Bridge)
Low, Low
Low, Mid
Low, High
Mid, Mid
Mid, High
High, High

I currently have my 55-01 strung with GHS Brite Flats and they sound really good. Eventually I want to put some Sadowsky flats on there (my string of choice) but they're $45 a set and I need the money for the Audere and the Nordy's.

Jim Carr · #16 08-01-2008, 05:50 PM

Chicken Heads, yeah! Actually, that looks like a good idea. The PP pot
combinations are a bit tricky to run on my OBP-3--but ah liiiiikke it.

fourstringbliss · #17 08-01-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Chicken Heads, yeah! Actually, that looks like a good idea. The PP pot
combinations are a bit tricky to run on my OBP-3--but ah liiiiikke it.

Apparently they're actually pretty easy to do with the Audere. I would just have a separate switch for each pickup and run the "hot out" from the switch to the appropriate Audere preamp wire. I just don't know if I want to mess with it and mess with drilling holes in my bass when I can potentially get the sounds I'd be looking for with the 6ZB switch.

**smperry** · #18 08-01-2008, 07:31 PM

I've never played through Big Splits, but I'm quite happy with the Fatstacks/Audere combination. The low-Z mode for example, is a bit too big with the SC mode for me...but it just kills in HB mode. I also like switching from HB to SC mode if I'm soloing. I bet you'll be happy either way...but if you go with fatstacks, definitely install a switch. I do find the Fatstacks to be a bit dark with the Audere (which is fine for my ears/playing/rig/music), so for a brighter tone preference, maybe BigSplits are the way to go.

Marshall

bassplayershane · #19 08-02-2008, 03:19 AM

Hi All! I just put Fat Stacks and Aggy OBP3 in my 5501 and it blows me away. Though I usually use SC mode, the humbucking option comes in handy for gigs in show bands and orchestra pits for theatre shows. PHAT AS!!!

fourstringbliss · #20 08-02-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smperry

I've never played through Big Splits, but I'm quite happy with the Fatstacks/Audere combination. The low-Z mode for example, is a bit too big with the SC mode for me...but it just kills in HB mode. I also like switching from HB to SC mode if I'm soloing. I bet you'll be happy either way...but if you go with fatstacks, definitely install a switch. I do find the Fatstacks to be a bit dark with the Audere (which is fine for my ears/playing/rig/music), so for a brighter tone preference, maybe BigSplits are the way to go.

Marshall

Would boosting treble a bit tame the darkness you mention?