• 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.

Bartolini BH2 and Ibanez bass

#41
I dropped two Zen Blades into my SRMS805 and i found that it made the sound a lot more balanced and ear. It gor rid of the thick, dark, compressed sound of the BH2. Actually, i quite liked the sound of the BH2 in isolation but they didn't have much tonal variety. Did cop a reasonable P bass sound on the neck pickup though.

The Nordstrand Zen Blade is a much more open balanced and clear pickup - it give the tone controls more to work with - was originally going to drop in a 3 band pre, but dont feel the need now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5StringPocket, Funky40 and Winton
#42
Alex Masters said:
I dropped two Zen Blades into my SRMS805 and i found that it made the sound a lot more balanced and ear. It gor rid of the thick, dark, compressed sound of the BH2. Actually, i quite liked the sound of the BH2 in isolation but they didn't have much tonal variety. Did cop a reasonable P bass sound on the neck pickup though.

The Nordstrand Zen Blade is a much more open balanced and clear pickup - it give the tone controls more to work with - was originally going to drop in a 3 band pre, but dont feel the need now.
Click to expand...
I put Zen Blades in my SRMS805 as well and much prefer the tone for the same reason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Funky40, Winton and Alex Masters
#45
krovx said:
Curious if anyone can confirm the dimensions of the EHB BH2 5 string pickups? I know some come with the Nordstrands
Click to expand...
Aidil said:
They are Bartolini P4 sized:

NBD: Ibanez EHB1005MS Headless Multi-scale Bass
Click to expand...
Oops, I just reread your question that you didn't mention multi-scale.

The P4 size is for the 5 string multi-scale EHB1005MS whereas the 5 string (normal/parallel fret) EHB1005 might have smaller size pickups, which usually conform to Bartolini MK size, which usually could also be replaced with Bartolini P2 size pickups.
 
#46
Just bought a BTB 846v with the BH-2's. Love the feel of it, but noticed a similar lack of presence going direct, but sounds great though my Eden rig. That said, this thing is humming like crazy, constantly, nothing makes it go away, so not grounding, and doesn't go away when I play, so maybe not shielding either. Any one else have this? Suggestions?
 
#48
ProfPreston said:
That said, this thing is humming like crazy, constantly, nothing makes it go away, so not grounding, and doesn't go away when I play, so maybe not shielding either. Any one else have this? Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Mine is silent. If it's new, take it back and get them to fix it, or swap it in the unlikely chance they have another.
 
#50
ProfPreston said:
Just bought a BTB 846v with the BH-2's. Love the feel of it, but noticed a similar lack of presence going direct, but sounds great though my Eden rig. That said, this thing is humming like crazy, constantly, nothing makes it go away, so not grounding, and doesn't go away when I play, so maybe not shielding either. Any one else have this? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

Pretty basic question, but is your battery dying? In my experience, pres get noisier with a near-dead battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aidil and sonojono
#51
ProfPreston said:
Just bought a BTB 846v with the BH-2's. Love the feel of it, but noticed a similar lack of presence going direct, but sounds great though my Eden rig. That said, this thing is humming like crazy, constantly, nothing makes it go away, so not grounding, and doesn't go away when I play, so maybe not shielding either. Any one else have this? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I bought an SR506e with the BH-2s from MusiciansFriend and it came with a hum in the bridge pickup, not the neck. With light tapping of a screw driver I was able to hear that one of the coils on the bridge pickup was not working. Pan neck, no hum. Pan bridge, big hum because it was now a single coil pickup. I returned it and got another that is completely quiet.
 
#52
5StringPocket said:
I was in a similar situation where I really liked the woods, appearance, acoustic response, and playability of my SRMS805 but felt the tone was a bit dark and bland with the Bartolini BH-2 and electronics. I searched around and ended up replacing the BH-2 pickups and electronics with a P4 size set of Nordstrand Zen Blades and a Dark Glass Tone Capsule. I find the Zen Blades have a more open tone with better clarity - really nice and well balanced pickups. The Dark Glass preamp has well voiced EQ points and adds a lot of dynamic to the sound. It certainly does not get lost in a mix. Here is a picture of mine and a link to the thread with my custom wiring diagram and the experience of others.
View attachment 4051021
The active/passive switch in my bass is in the 50k low mid pot equipped with push/pull switch. To keep things simple, a first step might be to connect the Zen Blades wired series with the existing MK-1 preamp and see if it takes your tone in the right direction. See Post#114 in the thread link below.
Nordstrand Zen Blade
Click to expand...

Resurrecting and old thread again... but I see you put a Darkglass Tone Capsule in your SRMS805. I am looking at buying an SRMS806 and was wanting to slap one of those in there as well. The Nords you used in yours... would they fit in the 6 string version? Any upgrade advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
#55
Question, i've seen several people advising NordStrand Zen Blade as a replacement for the Barts on these SR basses but what about Big Split ? Nordstrand say it's Precision or PJ sound, which is kind of my flavor overall.

Any thoughts ?
 
#56
jefbyos said:
Question, i've seen several people advising NordStrand Zen Blade as a replacement for the Barts on these SR basses but what about Big Split ? Nordstrand say it's Precision or PJ sound, which is kind of my flavor overall.

Any thoughts ?
Click to expand...
Should work in the P4 size, but check the dimensions against the big split for your bass

I think it would sound great but maybe a bit less bright than the Zen blade. Don't Ibanez fit the big split to high end SRs? Could be a good option and you'll get an idea if you can find a demo. Let us know what you find out.
 
#57
Thanks Alex, indeed I listened some SR with those pups (couldn't try though i believe what i hear), and it looks very much what i look for - less brightness than blades, bit more mid grit. I wrote NordStrand to ask if the Splits could work with multi-scale due to strings spacing and pups having a different angle too. Wait&see!
 
#59
zacharybass76 said:
Resurrecting and old thread again... but I see you put a Darkglass Tone Capsule in your SRMS805. I am looking at buying an SRMS806 and was wanting to slap one of those in there as well. The Nords you used in yours... would they fit in the 6 string version? Any upgrade advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
The P4 size Nords fit both 5 and 6-string versions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nanbanpapa and zacharybass76
#60
jefbyos said:
Thanks Alex, indeed I listened some SR with those pups (couldn't try though i believe what i hear), and it looks very much what i look for - less brightness than blades, bit more mid grit. I wrote NordStrand to ask if the Splits could work with multi-scale due to strings spacing and pups having a different angle too. Wait&see!
Click to expand...
Don't forget - you need a six string-suze P4 in a 5 string. The pole pieces won't line up with the strings, which may be a problem with interstring balance - that's the main reason I went with the Zen blade due to its bar magnet and wife sensing. I spoke to Cary Nordstrand when I had some queries and he couldn't have been more helpful.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back