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Anyone ever tried Nordstrand electronics?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by truth0421, Apr 22, 2012.

  1. Apr 22, 2012 #1
    truth0421

    truth0421

    Apr 22, 2012
    Hey, newbie to the forums here!

    I'm interested in exchanging the pickups in a bass I have and ran across a specific brand - Nordstrand.

    I'd never heard of them and was just wondering if anyone had ever used them.

    If you're wondering what bass I'm thinking of customizing it's a Traben Array Limited, 5-string. Found the bass on craigslist relatively cheap and sprung on it. The look is cool ( I have the Spalt Red color ) with the bridge and everything.
    Sound wise it could be worse but that's just the thing, it could be worse; it could be better.

    Don't get me wrong I actually do believe that the larger bridge does add more sustain, I've held notes for roughly 30 seconds before (harmonics siiing too). But they boast the bigger bridge = bigger tone and several other things. Tone? I can make the bass sound looooow if that's what they mean. But I feel I'm skimped on highs and mids even though my Array model has an active three-band EQ.

    Anyways if anyone owns or has ever played a bass with Nordstrand pickups/electronics I'd like to know how they sound.
     
  2. Apr 23, 2012 #2
    Envincibal

    Envincibal Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 22, 2008
    Central Florida
    I've used Nordstrands in a couple different basses, and its all good. I replaced the anemic Carvin humbucking J pickups (from a '97 LB75) with hum cancelling J pickups from Nordy, and the growl and snarl from those pickups had my german sheppard cowering under the bed :)

    Recently, I put a set of dual coils (soap bars) in one of my Thunderbolts, and the tonal options I have with those pickups in very wide and vast (not as growly as the NJ5s I had in the Carvin), but lots of usable tonal options. If you are going with the DC I highly recommend you install a coil splitter on those pickups (Paralell/Sinlge Coil/Series) for a massive selections of tones. If you are looking for flat out in your face bass, go with the Big Splits (or Big Singles if you don't mind the hum when you solo a pickup).

    As for their electronics, I have never used them (I've used Audere preamps with their pickups and have no GAS for any other preamp - thankfully!)

    Hope that helps
    Jon
     
  3. Apr 23, 2012 #3
    Mystic Michael

    Mystic Michael Hip No Ties

    Apr 1, 2004
    New York, NY
    Oh, yes...

    Nordstrand is a very highly-regarded, high-end make, and you'll find no shortage of Nordstrand fans here on TalkBass.

    Since you apparently are almost entirely unfamiliar with Nordstrand as of yet, I suggest you take some time to first search the "Pickups & Electronics" forum, as you will find a wealth of information that may very well answer all your questions. It's time-consuming, yes. It's also very effective.

    Think about the form factor your bass requires. Think about your ideal tone. Think about what you want out of an upgrade. Then resume the dialogue, as necessary...

    Welcome to th' Hood...

    MM
     
  4. Apr 23, 2012 #4
    mmbongo

    mmbongo I have too many basses. Supporting Member

    Aug 5, 2009
    Upstate, South Carolina
    Who here HASN'T used Nordstrands at least once? Come on!
     
  5. Apr 23, 2012 #5
    tylerwylie

    tylerwylie

    Jan 5, 2008
    Dunwoody, GA
    I haven't! I have used Music Man, Fender, EMG, Bartolini, Seymour Duncan, and soon enough SGD Lutherie . Never tried Nordstrands. :-D I want to though.
     
  6. Apr 23, 2012 #6
    truth0421

    truth0421

    Apr 22, 2012
    It did help very much! Thank you.


    Thanks to you as well.
    I'm familiar with Forums and have browsed TalkBass before.
    I figured I'd start a thread about these pickups just to cut to the chase.
    But thank you!


    The farthest I've ever taken modifications on a bass is removing the knob for volume/tone and things of that sort.
    And as far as I know I've never played on Nordstrands, but I could be mistaken.

    Thanks for all the quick input people!

    But what I'm basically getting out of all of this is that people have used Nordstrand pickups but not necessarily their preamps?
    If I were to actually modify the bass I have I'd be going with the whole nine yards. So could anyone tell me about any experience with their preamps?
     
  7. Apr 24, 2012 #7
    maurilio

    maurilio Guest

    May 25, 2003
    I can not say much due to my position, but:

    advanced search ->
    <<nordstrand pre>> ->
    on title only ->

    Lots of info :D

    M
     
  8. Apr 24, 2012 #8
    73jbass

    73jbass Supporting Member

    Apr 17, 2004
    Ellenwood,Ga.
    Me.
     
  9. Apr 25, 2012 #9
    truth0421

    truth0421

    Apr 22, 2012
    Thanks, I did some more research here on the forums about the preamps.
    Gotta say I'm very interested.
    I'll be switching the pickups as well as the pre at the same time here in the future.
     
  10. Apr 25, 2012 #10
    Alivefor5

    Alivefor5 Supporting Member

    Jul 17, 2006
    Indiana
    Two items: First I picked up a Traben Phoenix 5 in a pawn shop deal, cheap because of
    a bad preamp. I put in a Demeter pre and find that the pickups, whatever they are, are excellent with the Demeter. So your blah sound may be the pre.

    Second I put a Nordstrand P5 pup in a blah sounding new AmStd P-5 and really opened it up sonically. Can't think of a bad review of a Nordstrand pup that I've ever read here.
    I've never tried his preamps.
     
  11. Apr 25, 2012 #11
    truth0421

    truth0421

    Apr 22, 2012
    The pickups in the Phoenix are probably standard Traben built pickups. Probably just like the pre.

    Thanks for the info, I think I'm definitely going with Nordstrand for both pickups and the pre.

    Thanks all!