Big Singles + Nordy 3-band Pre = ???

I originally received my Hanewinckel 5-string in July. It was passive with handwound dual-coil pickups and an In/Out switch. Ultimately, I just couldn't get into the tone.

Knowing how much I love my Yamaha BB3000MA with single-coil P/J pickups, and reading all the good reviews of the Big Singles, I decided I wanted some Big Singles installed in my bass. At the same time, I wanted a good preamp with an active/passive option, and it only seemed logical to go with a Nordy 3-band pre.

Phil Maneri at Fifth Avenue Fret Shop took some measurements for the Big Singles to go into my bass to make sure the pole pieces are perfectly spaced for my bass. I guess Nordstrand doesn't charge extra for that service, which I think is really cool. Phil has also had the opportunity to hear the Nordy preamp in a couple basses, and he thought it was a great choice for me. The preamp will also include a Passive Tone control, so the bass will be very useful in both passive and active modes.

Phil ordered the pickups and pre last week, so now the wait... I can hardly wait! I'll be sure to post some pics and a review. Maybe someday I'll get something I can use to record audio clips too...

Well, I hope this thread will eventually be interesting to somebody other than me...

Anyway, my pickups and pre have arrived at the shop, so I'll be dropping my bass off tomorrow (I live an hour away from work, and the shop is closer to work).

jeremyr said:

I don't have big Singles, but I have dual coils with the nordy 3 band.

heres a Clip I did of my stanknasty.

Click to expand...

I'll have to check that out when I get home.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to hearing it. I can hardly wait to drop my bass off tomorrow...

I realized I didn't mention which version of the 3-band pre I'm getting. It's the 3B-5b.

Controls
Volume (pull passive)
Blend
Passive Tone
Mid (pull frequency selector - 400Hz and 1kHz)
Bass/Treble Stack

jeremyr said:

I don't have big Singles, but I have dual coils with the nordy 3 band.

heres a Clip I did of my stanknasty.

Click to expand...

First, I just gotta say my internet connection at home is freakin' slow.... Thanks a lot for posting that link. Nice bass. Your playing style is definitely a bit different that mine. I didn't get to watch the whole video.

I did a search for Nordstrand Big Singles on YouTube to hear some Big Single goodness. Purdy kewl.

The pickups and pre are in, but, unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to play my bass except a little bit in the shop. I look forward to hearing it through my amp.

I need to get a few chrome knobs as well. The shop wasn't fully stocked.

Will report back...

Okay, here's some impressions so far.

First of all, the Nordy 3-band pre (3B-5b) is very neutral with all frequencies at their center detents. The Passive Tone also works with the preamp engaged. As for the frequencies, I'd say they're very well chosen, which is what I expected. Plus, you can boost all the way, and the sounds are still usable IMO. My mid frequencies are 400Hz and 1kHz. 400Hz is a great choice. Boosted it adds some nice low-mid grind and presence. Cut it makes for a nicer modern Slap tone. In fact, for a good Modern Slap tone, cutting the 400Hz all the way and slightly boosting the Bass and Treble sounds great to my ears. Overall, I'm really digging this preamp so far.

The Big Singles were also a good choice for me. They seemed to have opened up the tone a bit while still not being overly bright. Plus, they have good, high output which should closely match the output of my Yamaha. Using just the Blend knob yields plenty of great tones. Throw in some Passive Tone tweaking and different plucking positions, and there's a lot you can do. The neck pickup soloed is a great P-like sound. The bridge pickup soloed is kinda like a slightly beefed up Jaco-esque sound.

So, yeah, so far I'm diggin' it. Someday I'll get one of those portable recorders and post some clips...

mstott25 said:

This is similar to how I'd describe the Big Singles in my Nordy. I have the Audere preamp, I'll probably get the Nordstrand preamp eventually just because I know the kind of work that went behind voicing that preamp to the Nordstrand pickups in particular and I'm sure it would work. But right now, I'm very happy with the tone from my bass, I love those pickups.

Click to expand...

Good to know I'm not completely crazy then... I'm looking forward to hearing how these sound with my band.

I really like the Blend control with these pickups too. It seems like there are lots of great tones "in between" if you know what I mean.

Here are a couple pics of my Hane now equipped with Nordy electronics...

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I compared my Hane with my Yammy a bit today. In passive mode, the Big Singles have lower output than the pickups in my Yammy. Of course, I can adjust the output on the Nordy preamp, so that's not a huge deal, and that isn't to say the Big Singles have low output.

As for tone, I'd say there are definitely similarities, but the Big Singles seem to have more clarity and a bit less pronounced Mids. Again, with the Nordy preamp and a Blend control (the Yammy only has a 3-position pickup selector switch), there is a LOT of versatility.

In short, I'm really diggin' my Hane now. I can't wait to play it with my band, and I also look forward to hearing how it sounds recorded.