55-01 with Nordstrand Dual Coils

[kraigo]

The original owner had Lakland put in the NTMB-L pre and a switch for the mid's frequency center. Six holes. I'm going to use them for V/V/T/B with two coil splitters. Since I'll have a bass cut, the series being too boomy shouldn't be a problem. Since "series" is only going to be series in the low end, but single coil on the high end, "dark shouldn't be an issue either. If I do this right, I'll be able to run them both SCwBB and still have them hum cancel. The bass roll off will be handy then.

I'm putting a G&L MFD pickup in the bridge position of my Yamaha BB300. It'll be a P-Bass in front and G&L in back. I haven't decided whether to drop in a bass cut in that bass yet.

Hey Bill Bern: Thanks for the post that started me looking at the DC's for my 55-01!

KO

 

[Chef]

The G&L L1000 is the best passive bass electronics package ever.

 

[kraigo]

I had an L-1000 for 14 or so years. I'm building up the controls the way I wished G&L had done my L2500.

FWIW, I switched from the G&L L-1000 to P-Basses because I could get exactly the sound I needed from a P-Bass without tweaking. I'm pursuing the G&L inspired controls again because I'm hoping I know a little more about bass tone than I did then and I'll be able to deal with it. I still really like the fact that I get exactly what I want from a P-Bass without tweaking. I end up doing so many things before I play that quite often I forget to mess with the tone. I can get away with that with a P-Bass and I'm pretty happy with the P-Bass tone.

KO

 

[LM Bass]

I did a little work on the nut of a 55-01 for TB Member Kerry G, and I found it to be a very well-made bass for the money. He is installing a set of Big Singles I sold him as well, and I hope to hear a status report soon. . .

 

[Chef]

My 5501 went to the factory for fitment of the Nord DC5's, Hansen LH3 preamp, and dual single coil/parallel, series mini switches.
It was there three days, and leaves to come back home today.

More later.

 

[jshilgebass]

I finally found this thread! I'd heard about it for a while...

I have two Lakland 55-01 basses, and one of them is Inca silver with the rosewood board. I bought this one in particular to do mods on it, and I want to thank billbern for showing me that I'm on the right track.

I'm thinking of doing the Nordstrand dual coils for the same reasons already mentioned (options, options, options!). As for the preamp, I have three basses with preamps from John East that I absolutely love. But...I already have three of those, so I may want to try a different one. The Audere and the new ACG filter-based preamp (designed with help from John East) are of great interest to me.

Keep this discussion going, gentlemen...I'll be watching carefully.


Joe Hilgeman

 

[psychotiger]

My 5501 went to the factory for fitment of the Nord DC5's, Hansen LH3 preamp, and dual single coil/parallel, series mini switches.
It was there three days, and leaves to come back home today.

What factory are you referring to, Chef? Lakland?

Any clips would be appreciated!

I have a 55-02 coming. Surely I wouldn't try to find Nord pups for that, would I? I really like the sound of Bill's mod. I could live with that for a long time.

 

[Chef]

Lakland factory, yes.
There are Nord drop ins for the 5502, but I've grown to like the Barts in mine...

I'm not clip ready; sorry.

 

[Chef]

"on vehicle for delivery"

I love those words

 

[Chef]

Used 5501: $550
Used DC5's: $200
Lakland preamp+ shop time: $250

MBABOTP (Most Bad A** Bass On The Planet):
Priceless!

I'll put this up against whatever you got.
The three way coil taps give you an entire plethora-yep!-of great tones, and the LH3 preamp is beautifully quiet, and usable all the way thru it's sweeps. As an extra added bonus, the move to lighter knobs shaved nearly a full pound, she now scales in at...8.02!!!!
The DC5's are not as shiny on top as a pure single coil, but there's plenty there...plenty of deep clear piano tones to be had.
I can't wait to take it to work tomorrow.

Bill Bern: bless you for leading the way.

Lakland and Nordstrand: what a great bunch of guys.
Think Fender or G&L would do this for you?
I don't.

SNAP:

 

[PilbaraBass]

Used 5501: $550
Used DC5's: $200
Lakland preamp+ shop time: $250

MBABOTP (Most Bad A** Bass On The Planet):
Priceless!

I'll put this up against whatever you got.
The three way coil taps give you an entire plethora-yep!-of great tones, and the LH3 preamp is beautifully quiet, and usable all the way thru it's sweeps. As an extra added bonus, the move to lighter knobs shaved nearly a full pound, she now scales in at...8.02!!!!
The DC5's are not as shiny on top as a pure single coil, but there's plenty there...plenty of deep clear piano tones to be had.
I can't wait to take it to work tomorrow.

Bill Bern: bless you for leading the way.

Lakland and Nordstrand: what a great bunch of guys.
Think Fender or G&L would do this for you?
I don't.

SNAP:

Wow! for $1000 you've done VERY well! Congrats...What is encouraging is the fact that even brand new, one could have this for around $1500. Looks like a fantastic combination...must try it ...send it to queensland for a holiday

I've seriously considered a 55-01 in the past, and now I'm GASing that way again...thanks GAS really IS a good thing

 

[MAJOR METAL]

The Nordie dual coils have got me hot. Hows the single coil tone ?

 

[Chef]

Well, the dual coil/preamp'd thing is just never gonna sound as open as a real single coil passive Jazz, I don't think. It sounds a little more compressed, as nearly all active basses do, to me.
I've not messed with passive yet, but I will...

 

[Chef]

OK, got some time to single coil it up, and do a General Passive (salute!) run down.

I set the eq set flat and shifted to passive mode...set both pups single coil'd, it really a pretty decent J tone. I was surprised! Using just the mini switches to run it thru the 6 variations of single/para/series really provides a lot of voices.

With the addition of a passive tone control-or just in a passive bass with passive tone-I could be happy with the DC5's like that.

The switch from passive to "active set flat" really eilds no big tonal change, tho it does provide a big boost in gain.

Dunno if there's a trim pot on the LH3 for gain, but it's kinda neat that the preamp seems to color things not so very much.

 

[Supertanker]

Dunno if there's a trim pot on the LH3 for gain, but it's kinda neat that the preamp seems to color things not so very much.

It's just boost with a little grit thrown in.

Nice...

 

[Phantopeth]

subscribed, and a little swerve:
I looove Nord pups, and the several incarnations of "big J pups" are killer:

I have the feeling that I've said this already, maybe even within the past week or so, but absolutely adore this bass. I couldn't help myself, and I imagine you don't mind, but this picture is now my desktop background at work

We need emoticons for drooling.

 

[4Mal]

The big single is just so 'bizness' like looking ... it just sort of yells - Hot Rod. The dc looks sort of busy like a mini q-tuner - abso^lootly not the way these things should be decided I know ...

 

[Chef]

Well go Big singles then mate; it sure won't suck!
I had that already with the Valenti Geddy Vee, so I wanted something different here.

 

[NorCal Dog]

Used 5501: $550
Used DC5's: $200
Lakland preamp+ shop time: $250

MBABOTP (Most Bad A** Bass On The Planet):
Priceless!

I'll put this up against whatever you got.
The three way coil taps give you an entire plethora-yep!-of great tones, and the LH3 preamp is beautifully quiet, and usable all the way thru it's sweeps. As an extra added bonus, the move to lighter knobs shaved nearly a full pound, she now scales in at...8.02!!!!
The DC5's are not as shiny on top as a pure single coil, but there's plenty there...plenty of deep clear piano tones to be had.
I can't wait to take it to work tomorrow.

Bill Bern: bless you for leading the way.

Lakland and Nordstrand: what a great bunch of guys.
Think Fender or G&L would do this for you?
I don't.

SNAP:

that 55-01 looks incredible chef,, & i'm sure it sounds even better

i just picked up a 55-01 deluxe today, http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447636
& i'm sure it has a set of Dual Coils in it's immediate future, ( as i've already got a mm4.2, fat stacks/coiltap, & big singles in others )

Carey makes killer pickups

thanks for the great photos & ideas, both alan & bill

 

[kraigo]

I set the eq set flat and shifted to passive mode...set both pups single coil'd, it really a pretty decent J tone. I was surprised! Using just the mini switches to run it thru the 6 variations of single/para/series really provides a lot of voices.

There are a lot more than six variations. 15 variations with the switches and volumes/blend pot:

(3) Series/parallel/single for bridge pickup soloed
(3) Series/parallel/single for neck pickup soloed
(9) for the pickups blended evenly with the combinations of switches

Very cool looking bass, Chef.

Must...Finish...Mine - or at least post photos with the DCs, which are already installed.

What knobs did you take off? The knobs you have now look like what came stock on mine with the Bart NTMB-L preamp - all rubbery.

KO