The Nordy Club (Part XIII)

[nordyboy]

Originally Posted by LutherHeggs00

"Green grass and high tides foreverrrrrr..."

Love the white vj5, when I order my next one I think that colour is what I will be specifying, probably with blocks though to match my oly white vj4.

[Modern Growl]

Hey guys – so I’m hoping you can shed some light on the differences between these two pickups. I’ve read many threads… and I’ve talked to a few folks too, but I still don’t think I have a grasp of what Big Singles sound like – youtube clips included (as they don’t truly put the bass in your hands).

I hear good things & bad things. Here is what I’ve got thusfar, and I’m hoping some of you folks can chime in.

I hear they are overall more strong in the mids & fundamental compared to NJ4/5’s. I’ve also read comments that they sound “nothing like single coils” – Kjung’s who usually describes things in a way I hear too.

It seems the offset coils give the pickups a larger apreature of the string, yielding a thinker tone. Some call it an almost humbucker(dual coil) like tone. Wider & thicker is all good with me, but I don’t want to lose any of that “immediacy” I get from standard NJ4/5’s. Are Big Singles as “quick” and “fast” responding to little nuances in playing just like NJ4/5’s? Or are they really that “humbucker” like? More mids - here, upper, lower, etc... ?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I’m considering a build and don’t know what direction to go in and I have no way of playing them aside from “borrowing” a bass from a dealer which I really don’t like doing.

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

Hey guys – so I’m hoping you can shed some light on the differences between these two pickups. I’ve read many threads… and I’ve talked to a few folks too, but I still don’t think I have a grasp of what Big Singles sound like – youtube clips included (as they don’t truly put the bass in your hands).

I hear good things & bad things. Here is what I’ve got thusfar, and I’m hoping some of you folks can chime in.

I hear they are overall more strong in the mids & fundamental compared to NJ4/5’s. I’ve also read comments that they sound “nothing like single coils” – Kjung’s who usually describes things in a way I hear too.

It seems the offset coils give the pickups a larger apreature of the string, yielding a thinker tone. Some call it an almost humbucker(dual coil) like tone. Wider & thicker is all good with me, but I don’t want to lose any of that “immediacy” I get from standard NJ4/5’s. Are Big Singles as “quick” and “fast” responding to little nuances in playing just like NJ4/5’s? Or are they really that “humbucker” like? More mids - here, upper, lower, etc... ?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I’m considering a build and don’t know what direction to go in and I have no way of playing them aside from “borrowing” a bass from a dealer which I really don’t like doing.

I would call Carey, Adrian or Mo at the Nordstrand shop. They are amazing and more than helpful. I have Big Singles in my Alder/RW Vj5 and now I have NJ5's in my Ash/Maple VJ5c. The basses are so different I don't think it would be fair to draw a contrast that would be all that scientific since there are too many offsetting variables. That said, after I got my Nordy VJ5c (ash/maple) witg NJ5's, I was equally impressed. I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed with NJ5's. They are easily the nicest standard sized single coil bass PU I've played. The highs are incredibly sweet, the growl is what you would expect when you dial back to the bridge, the output and punch is so good you really don't need a preamp. Seriously! I could not be more impressed with the NJ5's.

That said, I LOVE my VJ5 with Big Singles and for my top40/rock band gigs, I use my Alder/RW Nordy with Big Singles. How they sound alone in a room side-by-side to my VJ5c with NJ5's is not what translates to the band mix. In the band mix? The Big Singles are pure magic.

To me, Humbuckers are usually a bit polite and lack midrange complexity, bite and grind. Big Singles have the complexity of a single coil in my opinion. My alder/rw Nordy VJ5 w/Big Singles does exhibit a strong midrange character, but I attribute much of that to the bass being Alder/RW as well. But that midrange character that is not nearly as sweet as my VJ5C (alone in a room or in a very sparse intimate music mix).

If I was spec'ding a new Alder/RW Nordy right now, I would try a VJ5C with NJ5's. But not to replace my Alder/RW VJ5 Modern w/big singles! That bass has never once left me wanting in a music mix. Hope that helps.

[Modern Growl]

^ Thanks, that does help. So you don't feel they have that "humbucker smoothness" ? Do you hear the midrange hump in the lower mids (400hz) or upper (around 1K) ?

Would love more input!!! Kjung, where you at?

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

^ Thanks, that does help. Do you hear the midrange hump in the lower mids (400hz) or upper (around 1K) ?

Would love more input!!! Kjung, where you at?

Overall my Alder/RW Nordy w/Big Singles has both. More low mid push and more upper mids. But where I notice it more is probably the upper mids. But that's because its a more pronounced frequency range. The strong upper mid hump is there. But I gotta say, what isn't as sweet alone in a room is pure magic in a music mix. very sweet sounding bass. I will also add that I have the Nordy Pre and usually play in passive mode. But when I go to active, I have a midrange knob so I can add or subract. I'd rather have that midrange frequency there and dial it down than not have it. It helps me cut in a busy band mix or helps give definition in a boomy room. I don't seem to play a lot of boomy rooms however. (thank God!)

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

^ Thanks, that does help. Do you hear the midrange hump in the lower mids (400hz) or upper (around 1K) ?

Would love more input!!! Kjung, where you at?

To my ear, they are very 'soapbar' like, and have little if anything in common to a J single coil. They sound great, and to my ear have a bit more low mid push than the Sadowsky soapbars (I think they are Duncan's), and a less hi fi, more relaxed top end.

This is not a 'good thing or bad thing', my 'disappointment' with them in the Nordy I had was based on the description of a 'J Bass pickup on steriods' or whatever. So, I was expecting that single coil upper mid brightness/grind with a fatter low end. I didn't hear that at all.

Also, IMO here, but since I heard very little 'single coil' in those pickups, the Big Splits seem like a MUCH better option. When I was able to briefly compare them, they sounded virtually identical, and since they are wonderful fat compared to a J single coil, why not give yourself the option of 'no hum' when soloing the bridge pickup, which sounds killer with these pickups.

IMO and IME. Nice option for the Sadowsky Modern models if you want a bit more warmth and less hi fi up top. If I ever purchased another Sadowsky Modern, I'd put the Big Splits in there if available, the Big Singles if not, versus the stock Seymours.

[GRoberts]

I have to tell ya, I've been gigging my Big Singles for at least 5 years now. I have yet to have any SC Hum/noise issues, solo'd or not. I had a Nordy with Big Splits (Humbucking) and I think the Big Singles have a more complex midrange which I personally prefer. YMMV

[Modern Growl]

Originally Posted by KJung

To my ear, they are very 'soapbar' like, and have little if anything in common to a J single coil. They sound great, and to my ear have a bit more low mid push than the Sadowsky soapbars (I think they are Duncan's), and a less hi fi, more relaxed top end.

This is not a 'good thing or bad thing', my 'disappointment' with them in the Nordy I had was based on the description of a 'J Bass pickup on steriods' or whatever. So, I was expecting that single coil upper mid brightness/grind with a fatter low end. I didn't hear that at all.

Also, IMO here, but since I heard very little 'single coil' in those pickups, the Big Splits seem like a MUCH better option. When I was able to briefly compare them, they sounded virtually identical, and since they are wonderful fat compared to a J single coil, why not give yourself the option of 'no hum' when soloing the bridge pickup, which sounds killer with these pickups.

IMO and IME. Nice option for the Sadowsky Modern models if you want a bit more warmth and less hi fi up top. If I ever purchased another Sadowsky Modern, I'd put the Big Splits in there if available, the Big Singles if not, versus the stock Seymours.

Thanks Kjung – my build would be in an Ash/Maple 60’s style J tho… not a Modern.
I was hoping for the J like attack and immediacy, but a bit thicker/fatter with a more complex midrange. It seems by your words, your impression is they don’t have that classic J attack… but are more “polite” like a soapbar. Am I understanding you correctly?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by GRoberts

I have to tell ya, I've been gigging my Big Singles for at least 5 years now. I have yet to have any SC Hum/noise issues, solo'd or not. I had a Nordy with Big Splits (Humbucking) and I think the Big Singles have a more complex midrange which I personally prefer. YMMV

I actually found the Big Singles to be more impacted by hum when solo'd that traditional single coils (I was guessing due to the more wire or whatever). Very rare that any single coil can be solo'd without hum issues in most rooms.

What are you comparing these to when you say 'more low mid and more hi mid presence'?

Again, great pickps, but they surely won't give you ANY sort of classic J single coil tone (to my ears). Again, that is not 'good or bad', just depends what you want.

I again heard virtually no difference between the Big Splits and Big Singles in a couple of similar basses with the same strings that Brian had at a guitar show a while back, and both of those basses (passive) sounded quite (surprisingly) similar to the Nordy I had with the Audere preamp installed.

Anyway, IMO. I'm such a fanatic about 'single coil J' tone, that I might be a bit too 'picky' about this, but they REALLY didn't work for me, as a J bass lover.

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by KJung

I actually found the Big Singles to be more impacted by hum when solo'd that traditional single coils (I was guessing due to the more wire or whatever). Very rare that any single coil can be solo'd without hum issues in most rooms.

What are you comparing these to when you say 'more low mid and more hi mid presence'?

Again, great pickps, but they surely won't give you ANY sort of classic J single coil tone (to my ears). Again, that is not 'good or bad', just depends what you want.

I again heard virtually no difference between the Big Splits and Big Singles in a couple of similar basses with the same strings that Brian had at a guitar show a while back, and both of those basses (passive) sounded quite (surprisingly) similar to the Nordy I had with the Audere preamp installed.

Anyway, IMO. I'm such a fanatic about 'single coil J' tone, that I might be a bit too 'picky' about this, but they REALLY didn't work for me, as a J bass lover.

Agree, Big singles are not about classic J bass tone. For Modern Growls ash/maple 60's bass, I would heartily recommend standard NJ5's. They punch and have plenty of growl.

[Modern Growl]

Originally Posted by GRoberts

Agree, Big singles are not about classic J bass tone. For Modern Growls ash/maple 60's bass, I would heartily recommend standard NJ5's. They punch and have plenty of growl.

So for the tone I described - you think just going w/ standard SC's (Nordy NJ5's which I'm VERY familiar with and love) - are a better ticket vs. Big Singles ?

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

So for the tone I described - you think just going w/ standard SC's (Nordy NJ5's which I'm VERY familiar with and love) - are a better ticket vs. Big Singles ?

Yes. Definitely. the NJ5's will leave no questions as to getting a great J Bass type tone. They growl, they have tons of tone, punch, great lows. The 60's spacing will do the rest. And if you opt for an active/passive preamp, they will be impecabble passive and in active, you can carve whatever tones you want. Can't go wrong with the NJ5's. (and I personally LOVE my Big Singles) But for what you described, keep it classic and go for the NJ5's. Just my opinion.

[smeet]

How does the NJ5 compare to the NJ5S (hum-cancelling)?

[nordyboy]

Originally Posted by smeet

How does the NJ5 compare to the NJ5S (hum-cancelling)?

I had a set of standard nj4 pick ups taken out of my nordy and a set of sv's put in.
Any difference is very subtle, there is possibly a little more mid and slightly less top end from the sv but we really are splitting hairs here!
I do not miss the hum from the nj4 that was apparent when both volume controls were not at full.

[Modern Growl]

I’m a traditional Fender guy and have always played 34” scale basses. I have no issue going with a 34.5 as I’m sure it doesn’t affect tone too much, correct?
I wonder which direction to go in because I’ve played some brands that are 34” with a great B string. I’ve played some of that same brand with a B that wasn’t so great… In addition I'v played other basses with a 35” scale and the B string wasn’t great. So I’ve almost come to the conclustion that it’s a crapshoot.


I guess what I’m getting at is, what is your take on the 34.5 vs. 34? B-String & overall impact on “traditional tone” ?

[rictrose]

Just bought this off brian in the classifieds (great TB member)
Loving the single coils! I have had nordy hum cancelling pickups in my fender jazz for a year, but find the single coils to be much nicer... although, 2 different basses, its obviously not just the pickups......
Also, this particular nordy has a 34" scale and the B string is great. I strung it up with .130 B just to be safe, because I was coming from a Lakland 55-94 with a 35" scale. I cant notice too much difference, but my left hand does notice a difference in scale, making it a lot easier for me to fret. (small hands syndrome)
Thanks brian for passing the bass on to me....

[Chef]

Nice!
How did I miss that in classifieds?....

[GRoberts]

Originally Posted by Chef

Nice!
How did I miss that in classifieds?....

Ditto! Stunning Nordy! Love the color with Blocks and binding. Sweet!

[gillento]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

I’m a traditional Fender guy and have always played 34” scale basses. I have no issue going with a 34.5 as I’m sure it doesn’t affect tone too much, correct?
I wonder which direction to go in because I’ve played some brands that are 34” with a great B string. I’ve played some of that same brand with a B that wasn’t so great… In addition I'v played other basses with a 35” scale and the B string wasn’t great. So I’ve almost come to the conclustion that it’s a crapshoot.


I guess what I’m getting at is, what is your take on the 34.5 vs. 34? B-String & overall impact on “traditional tone” ?

The B on the Classic 34" series is perfect!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

Thanks Kjung – my build would be in an Ash/Maple 60’s style J tho… not a Modern.
I was hoping for the J like attack and immediacy, but a bit thicker/fatter with a more complex midrange. It seems by your words, your impression is they don’t have that classic J attack… but are more “polite” like a soapbar. Am I understanding you correctly?

IMO and IME, yes. I think you got the same feedback from Narud in your pickup thread. Again, NICE pickup, but little to do with any sort of 'classic' single coil sound.

The good news about that ash/maple 60's placement (the 'stock' Sadowsky spec with those woods) is that the movement of that bridge pickup a bit toward the neck tends to fatten it up a bit versus the stock 70's tone. I LOVE that spec. I think you have or had my Orange Sadowsky (bought from Vic) if I remember right, so you know what I'm talking about. The Nordy classic singles are a bit more relaxed than the very aggressive (IMO) Sadowsky Seymour single coils. I dig them.

Per your question about the 34.5" scale, I agree that half inch is trivial in every way. HOWEVER, unless you are doing something very custom with Carey, the 34" 'classic' necks feel way different than the 34.5" modern necks. The 34.5"ers have a bit more extreme radius (making them flatter and less 'Fender feeling') and the 34" classic necks with maple are 'one piece with skunk strip'. I'm sure there are neck profile differences also, but it was too long in between playing the classic and 34.5" scale necks to remember accurately. They are both great in their own way.