Question about Nordstrand and 6 string basses

[Sauron_]

Hi there!

If you were building a 6 string PASSIVE bass guitar and you had to choose a Nordstrand model for it, which one would you choose?

(other brands allowed )

EDIT:
I'm going on 54mm nut and 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge, will any Nordstrand fit that? any other brand fits that string spacing? (not EMG, it fits but I already have an active 6 stringer with active EMG's, I'm looking for a passive, more organic, sound-of-the-wood...)

[LM Bass]

Big Singles.

Got 'em.
Love 'em.

[maurilio]

Originally Posted by Sauron_

Hi there!

If you were building a 6 string PASSIVE bass guitar and you had to choose a Nordstrand model for it, which one would you choose?

(other brands allowed )

what sound you're looking for..... woods? pups placement? ......

[slaerts]

I'm planning my first custom, once I get the cash of course, I am looking at a 6 string passive bass as well. I'm after a slight musicman growl so I will be looking for MM pickups, I'll be very interested in the oppinions of others in this thread too.

[Blues Cat]

Originally Posted by LM Bass

Big Singles.

Got 'em.
Love 'em.

Huge +1

[3506string]

I guess it depends on what sound your after. They do a good job describing the different tone of the Dual coils, Fat Stacks, and the Big Singles on the product page. If your going nordstrand, because of the exposed poles pieces I think you have to stay close to the 18mm spacing. As far as other 6 string passives there are
Delano Dual Coils
EMG Hz
Bartolini Split, Dual, and Quad Coils
Kent Armstrong
Ken Smith
Q tuner

[Stealth]

I'd probably ask for a custom NJ6SV and MM6.2 - they've been known to custom-build those, albeit you'd probably have to get your own covers.

Alternatively, a set of Double Coils would work awesome, because with a bit of wiring know-how you would be able to switch between a lot of options:

• single neck - single bridge
• single neck - humbucker bridge
• humbucking neck - humbucking bridge
• humbucking neck - single bridge

If you want versatility, making a "switch city" could let you really create a bass with plenty of variety.
If you want a simple, yet good tone - well, my sixer is J-neck/HB-bridge and I absolutely LOVE the tone.

[slaerts]

Originally Posted by 3506string

I guess it depends on what sound your after. They do a good job describing the different tone of the Dual coils, Fat Stacks, and the Big Singles on the product page. If your going nordstrand, because of the exposed poles pieces I think you have to stay close to the 18mm spacing. As far as other 6 string passives there are
Delano Dual Coils
EMG Hz
Bartolini Split, Dual, and Quad Coils
Kent Armstrong
Ken Smith
Q tuner

I have the Bart quads in my peavey VI and love them, each pickup with a series/single coil/parallel toggle. I have just pulled the obp-3 out and they sound much better without them. I'll prob end up with a J bridge and a mm for my custom.

[Sauron_]

Originally Posted by LM Bass

Big Singles.

Got 'em.
Love 'em.

Ummm...I would use a 54mm nut and 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge...those Big Singles will fit that?

Thank you!

[lamarjones]

Originally Posted by Sauron_

Ummm...I would use a 54mm nut and 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge...those Big Singles will fit that?

Thank you!

The spacing is a pretty huge fact you didn't disclose when you said you were considering Nordstrands.

You could try the Roscoe LG route and slant them.

[Sauron_]

Originally Posted by lamarjones

The spacing is a pretty huge fact you didn't disclose when you said you were considering Nordstrands.

You could try the Roscoe LG route and slant them.

Yeah, you're right...
I think I should change the post...

[3506string]

Well nordstrand's description say they are made for standard spaced 6 strings with 18mm center to center at the bridge which would be a span of 90mm total. With 16.5 you will only have a span of 82.5 mm at the bridge and of course they narrow a little over the pickups so they will probably be off enough to affect the performance. Because the norstrands use pole pieces instead of blades the spacing needs to be close to the recommended string spacing to get optimum performance.

[Sauron_]

Originally Posted by 3506string

Well nordstrand's description say they are made for standard spaced 6 strings with 18mm center to center at the bridge which would be a span of 90mm total. With 16.5 you will only have a span of 82.5 mm at the bridge and of course they narrow a little over the pickups so they will probably be off enough to affect the performance. Because the norstrands use pole pieces instead of blades the spacing needs to be close to the recommended string spacing to get optimum performance.

Yeah, it seems I should look after other brands...

Any suggestion?

[fuNKmaster83]

i have heard and played and serviced a few custom 6 with nordstand in them...

the pickups are so good that active preamps do them harm... at least to my ear... they sound awsome by themselfs

[Gard]

Originally Posted by Sauron_

Yeah, it seems I should look after other brands...

Any suggestion?

Actually, you might want to contact Nordstrand, they may be able to custom make a set with the correct spacing.

[Sauron_]

Originally Posted by Gard

Actually, you might want to contact Nordstrand, they may be able to custom make a set with the correct spacing.

As I'm still making the bass on a paper, I think I will remake all the widths to put that Big Single pickups, they sound awesome (Saw one vid on youtube).

[maurilio]

On single coils you can have any string spacing you want (15mm and up). With splits it is more delicate...

contact the shop.

M

[hippiesandwich]

Definitely contact the shop. I ordered some dual coils for my David King custom 6 and Carey's shop did a wonderful job mating them to my bass, including making custom wenge covers (to match the neck/fingerboard).