Warmoth JB: Nordstrand NJ4 or NJ4SV?

Ian774 · #1 11-01-2011, 04:04 PM

Hello guys,

I plan on getting a Warmoth Jazz Bass assembled soon, with these specs:

Swamp Ash body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, passive.

I'd like to put Nordstrand pickups on it, but I'm hesitating between the "classic" NJ4 and the humbucking NJ4SV.

They're supposed to sound similar, but what's your experience with them? Which model would fit best with my wood choice?

Thanks in advance !

depalm · #2 11-01-2011, 06:22 PM

They are supposed to sound similar but they don't. Of course you wouldn't hear that difference while playing on a band.

NJ4SV sounds close to the single coil model and many people like it very much.
If you can't stand the 60Hz cycle hum, go for it.

I have a NJ4 on my black J and absolutely love it, but I always use both pickups, so 60Hz cycle hum is not a problem for me.

NJ4 is one of the best J pickups I ever played in my 30 years career.

Nordstrand also offers a 70's wiring model, I have no experience with this set but I guess it sounds a little more "open" than the original ones.
If your bass has the 70's PU positioning I'd suggest you to try it.

Ian774 · #3 11-02-2011, 08:30 AM

I also always use both pickups (90% of the time)... My bass will have the 60's PU positioning. Thanks !

4StringTheorist · #4 11-02-2011, 05:10 PM

If you use both pickups that much, save some $ and get the NJ4s. I've got the NJ4SVs on my warmoth J. They were quite an amazing overhaul compare to the pickups I had in there before.

Ian774 · #5 11-02-2011, 05:16 PM

The other 10%, it's when I like to pull out the pick and play on the neck pickup only to mimic the P-bass sound... but it's not that often, and in a band setting, the hum is not too embarassing.

I think I'll go for the NJ4s.