• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

$100 Bass Challenge - Nucifera (The Violent Squirrel)

#241
mapleglo said:
I really like the sound of that pickup. Has a nice growl to it.
Click to expand...
I am really pleased with the pickup, but the growl is all from the bass. These are REALLY transparent pickups and impart very little coloring to the sound. Unplugged the Nucifera sounds very similar to it's plugged in sound when jacked straight into a recording rig. Using my SansAmp or Ampeg colors the tone a bit.
 
Last edited:
#246
Thanks so much! I got the design from this thread, but modified it a bit after some experimentation. The basic parts list is as follows:

1. Two this thread current sensing transformers
2. One Calrad audio transformer
3. Five Invalid Link Removed neodymium cylinder magnets
4. About 6" or so of AWG 10 solid core wire for the main loop
5. Some short lengths of copper tubing to connect the AWG 10 wire to the primary of the CSE187L transformers

The design is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and very quiet from a noise perspective. The major down side for me is that the size of the transformers makes it challenging to create a pickup that fits in a standard J pup form factor. I have an alternate design I am working on that should fit in a standard 4" by 1.5" soapbar pickup cover, and I have an MM style on the drawing board as well. I wanted to see how this design worked out before investing too much time on it, but the soapbar pickup will be next on my list.

For anyone interested in this design, or other takes on low impedance designs from like minded TalkBass users, check Invalid Link Removed out. I am posting all of my experimentation there, and there are a couple of other designs that people are working on that make mine look silly. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: mapleglo
#248
After playing the Nucifera a couple of days I can report that she's fast become my favorite bass of all time. I know that some of the "newness" factor is in effect at least in part, but the 30" scale and tight string spacing is more comfortable that I have ever felt on a bass. She sounds really good both unplugged and amplified, and feels super solid. The pickup location I chose is a bit on the trebly side of things, and it suits her well. I can pull off nice clear piano like tones with some delicate finger picking, and I can get her to growl like an insane forvalaka stalking her prey.

I have a few small tasks to "clean up", but for the most part this build is done. I went ahead and dyed the bridge dark to match the color scheme, but still need to enamel the screws and fashion a string spacing retainer for the top of the neck.

The most unfortunate thing about this build is that I now have the desire to build another 30" strung with nylon flats in a six string configuration strung E to F, and my build docket is full until the start of 2016! Not a bad problem to have I guess....

DSC_0032.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kustom_Thunder and Rôckhewer
#258
This is just a quick follow up. The Nucifera has become my daily player, and I am VERY happy with her. With the low action I can get her to buzz and spit, but with some gentler plucking she plays smooth and clean. From a pure playability standpoint she's by far the nicest bass I have ever played.

The only negative I can relate is that she has a penchant for nesting in trees. Many mornings I have to go outside and climb the maple in the backyard to recover her from an old squirrel's nest high in the branches.

IMG_20150607_130742000_HDR.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Stefan Verbeeck, Imperfectly Spliced, Deep Cat and 7 others
#260
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: michaelwayneharwood, mapleglo and Deep Cat

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back