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Big Splits vs Fat Stacks: Who's tried both? Or either?

#61
Yeah, in SC mode, FatStacks are definitely not dark. I agree with the P-90 comment for hb mode, which I also dig. I owned a bass with Big Singles and I prefer the sound of FatStacks in SC mode...but I didn't own both basses at the same time, so there is some conjecture in there. Both don't sound as lean as true narrow jazz single coils, but they do sound like souped-up (modern) SCs : Big bottom and glassy highs. In this mode, I agree with the F-Bass similarity. Big Singles had a little more growl and a little less "sheen" but they are more similar than different in sc mode.

If my bass only had FatStacks in hb mode, I'd probably be disappointed that they weren't more jazz-like. With both modes available, I love these pickups. jmo.

I still haven't played a bass with Big Splits. Would love to, since I dig Nordstrand pickups so much.
 
#63
I didn't do back-to-back switch (and I no longer own a bass with Big Singles), so take this with a big grain of salt:

I thought both were similar in the lows, but the Big Singles have more upper midrange (or maybe it was lower midrange, sorry...) while the FatStacks in SC mode seem to have more of a high "sheen"...in other words, FS sound to me slightly scooped and pretty compared to the more muscular Big Singles...but they were more similar than different in being bigger sounding jazz pickups.

Someone else probably has done a better comparison; just posting this in case no one else chimes in.
 
#65
smperry said:
I didn't do back-to-back switch (and I no longer own a bass with Big Singles), so take this with a big grain of salt:

I thought both were similar in the lows, but the Big Singles have more upper midrange (or maybe it was lower midrange, sorry...) while the FatStacks in SC mode seem to have more of a high "sheen"...in other words, FS sound to me slightly scooped and pretty compared to the more muscular Big Singles...but they were more similar than different in being bigger sounding jazz pickups.

Someone else probably has done a better comparison; just posting this in case no one else chimes in.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I think the "muscular tone and lower midrange" of the Big Singles is what I did not like and the "scoop and more hi sheen" is what I'm looking for.This leads me in the right direction.
 
#66
can somebody that has experience with the big singles, tell us if the hum is really audible when both pick ups are on centered, or is it noticeable when neck or bridge are soloe'd.
I just had my existing Bartolini four conductor pick ups wired single coil, and the hum is present regardless of which pick up is selected, but I do enjoy the sound of it very much..
 
#67
BS are single coils, like all the sc they hum when soloed. balanced, they are hum-canceling.
What Bart do you have? still, if wired right, in sc balanced they hun can (it sounds like you have something wired wrong -?-)

M
 
#68
maurilio said:
BS are single coils, like all the sc they hum when soloed. balanced, they are hum-canceling.
What Bart do you have? still, if wired right, in sc balanced they hun can (it sounds like you have something wired wrong -?-)

M
Click to expand...

thanks bud!
I am not sure exactly what kind of Bartolinis they are. they were already in the bass when i got it. and its a four conductor pick ups. I see some resistors added to the toggle swith (wiring was done at a local music shop). the hum is not too loud, but I do remember on previous bass (F bass) with single coils, that the hum goes away when centered. these ones, the tiny hum is the same whichever pick up I use.
the overall sound compared to previous, its a bit of volume drop but brighter and clearer, with that single coil tone to it. So I end up booting volume and bass. I have an Aguilar OBP-3.
I will try to find that wiring schematic. and review.
thanks
 
#70
Let me resurrect this thread! ;)

I'm looking to buy a jazz bass, with a let's say... jazz bass sound or active like a Sadowsky, Lull or Lakland sound. Anyway, I came across a mike Lull TC4 with Nordstrand Fatstacks in it, with an OBP-3 preamp. Haven't tried it yet but I would like to know, how would the Fatstacks in single-coil mode compare to some more traditionnal jazz bass pickups, like Fender JB territory?

The way I see it is that this bass could give me a nice active "in your face'' sound but also a more traditionnal jazz bass, jaco-type sound with the SC mode. Anyone ever had a TC4? Also, when you guys are talking about switching modes in the Fatstack, would I need to add an onboard switch or I just need to reconnect a wire in the diagram?

Thanks!:bassist:
 
#71
MAFbass1992 said:
Let me resurrect this thread! ;)

I'm looking to buy a jazz bass, with a let's say... jazz bass sound or active like a Sadowsky, Lull or Lakland sound. Anyway, I came across a mike Lull TC4 with Nordstrand Fatstacks in it, with an OBP-3 preamp. Haven't tried it yet but I would like to know, how would the Fatstacks in single-coil mode compare to some more traditionnal jazz bass pickups, like Fender JB territory?

The way I see it is that this bass could give me a nice active "in your face'' sound but also a more traditionnal jazz bass, jaco-type sound with the SC mode. Anyone ever had a TC4? Also, when you guys are talking about switching modes in the Fatstack, would I need to add an onboard switch or I just need to reconnect a wire in the diagram?

Thanks!:bassist:
Click to expand...

 

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