Carvin Soapbar Replacement: Carvin vs Nordstrand vs Barts

[Handyman]

I just picked up this beautiful BB75 in the classifieds. Acoustically it sounds great, as do the piezo pickups, but I'm not sure how I feel about the magnetic pickups yet.

This bass has the Carvin ceramic soapbar pickups that are stock (or at least used to be) on the Icon basses. They're quite dark, with sort of nasally mids. They're humbucking, which is a plus, though.

If I swap these out, my choices for drop in replacements (these pickups are 4.25"x1.25") appear to be as follows, keeping in mind I really want to keep a noise canceling pickups in there:

- The Carvin H50AS, which in their new stacked noise canceling Alnico magnet J pickup in a soapbar casing. This would be the cheapest option at $140/set. These sound pretty similar to their J99A pickups, which is a reasonable take on a 70s Jazz pickup.

- One of the Nordstrand soapbar pickups. I don't know much about these, and would appreciate any sort of info about what these sound like. If I want to stay noise canceling. Their noise canceling options are
- Nordstrand Dual Coil. Know absolutly nothing about these, other than they cost $315/set. Ouch.

- Nordstrand Big Split. Their website describes them as " the ultimate pickup for the Jazz Bass®-on-steroids tone purist!". If anyone could tell me what that means tone wise, I'd appreciate it.

- Nordstrand Fat Stacks. Looks like their take on a stacked hum canceling J.

Then there's the Bartolini P25CBC. I've never tried this pickup, but the Barts I've used in the past were a bit dark for my taste, though I could be wrong about this one in particular. Any opinions?

So, what do you guys know about these pickups?

Oh, and here's the gratuitous photo.

 

[RedLeg]

I had a set of nordy dc's in my fretless. They're fantastic pickups. You can wire them in a myriad of ways with most of them soundng great. I loved them in parallel with a series option. Single coil was not really worth it to my ears. They're pricey, but well worth it. Now you might want to get into contact with david schwab over at SGD lutherie and inquire about a set of sidewinders or neobuckers if price is an option. Sgd's are fantastic pickups. I have a set of sidewinders in my carvin fretless and they deliver the goods!

 

[Handyman]

I had a set of nordy dc's in my fretless. They're fantastic pickups. You can wire them in a myriad of ways with most of them soundng great. I loved them in parallel with a series option. Single coil was not really worth it to my ears. They're pricey, but well worth it. Now you might want to get into contact with david schwab over at SGD lutherie and inquire about a set of sidewinders or neobuckers if price is an option. Sgd's are fantastic pickups. I have a set of sidewinders in my carvin fretless and they deliver the goods!

The SGD sound clips have me really interested, though all the aperture sizing options make for an awful lot to think over before hitting the "pay $200" button.

The Nordy DCs are temping, but a bit out of my price range right now.

 

[mmbongo]

Ahh yes, the BB75 I went to buy and was told somebody already beat me to it

You want a Jazz bass sound, only 10 times better? Big Splits.

You want a smoother, burpier, thicker bottom? Bart MK5's.

SGD are great too, but I did not compare them to these directly. I have them in my Brubaker though. I went with the MK5's in my Lakland, as the Big Splits were just too much for what I was wanting to do. But like I said, if you like a Jazz bass you won't do better than Nordy's.

 

[Handyman]

Thanks for the info, especially after I cruelly snatched the bass from under your nose.

It sounds like the Big Splits may be for me. I'll sleep on it before I do anything dangerous, though.

 

[Mystic Michael]

So, what do you guys know about these pickups?

You actually have more options than you've listed here. For example, there is also the Delano SBC 5 Driver HE/S. I haven't heard it, but I gather it's a very nice one. Or how about some Lane Poor Legacies (assuming they offer a model in P2 dimensions)?

As for the Bartolini P25CBC, if that's the "Classic Bass" series, I believe it's significantly brighter and livelier than the stereotypical Bartolini tone, although there must be some users here who could confirm that.

Of the makes/models you've listed, I have experience with the Nordstrand Dual Coils, and the SGD Neo humbuckers.

I have the Dual Coils installed in a Carvin LB75, default wired to parallel, with a parallel/single-coil/series switch for each pickup. Just a wonderful tone. It seems very responsive to playing technique (it growls when I dig in ). I have these mated with an 18-volt Delano Sonar preamp, in a maple/walnut instrument with ebony fretboard and stainless steel frets, and to me, it's just superb for any kind of modern rock.

I have two sets of SGD Neo humbuckers installed in my Carvin Icon 5s - one fretted, the other fretless. Each instrument also has an 18-volt Audere four-band preamp + 3-way "Z" switch, as well as the parallel/single-coil/series switch for each pickup. Let me tell you, the SGDs rule! Warm, deep & phat, yet also super clean & clear. Powerful, yet very hi-fi - in the best sense of that term. Just some of the best modern hi-fi soapbar tone I've heard. I love 'em!

That said, I'm still somewhat in the same boat as you, as I also have a pair of Carvin Bromberg 5s - one fretted, the other fretless - but these two are completely stock, with the Bromberg humbuckers + the Icon preamp. I'm still not sold on Carvin's stock electronic components, and may yet be in the hunt for some upgrades on my Brombergs. Currently am considering a couple sets of SGD Sidewinders, with more due diligence yet to conduct...

MM

 

[Handyman]

That said, I'm still somewhat in the same boat as you, as I also have a pair of Carvin Bromberg 5s - one fretted, the other fretless - but these two are completely stock, with the Bromberg humbuckers + the Icon preamp. I'm still not sold on Carvin's stock electronic components, and may yet be in the hunt for some upgrades on my Brombergs. Currently am considering a couple sets of SGD Sidewinders, with more due diligence yet to conduct...

MM

Interesting, how'd you get the Icon preamp in a Bromberg model? I thought those came with a new preamp with an active volume control and pan pot.

For what its worth, the Carvin J99A pickups sound awesome, and I have the in my SB5000. If I didn't want noise canceling pickups, I'd be considering the soapbar enclosure versions of those guys.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Interesting, how'd you get the Icon preamp in a Bromberg model? I thought those came with a new preamp with an active volume control and pan pot.

If you're referring to the Bromberg preamp, it's available only with the Bromberg single-coils - not available at all with humbuckers. Since I have the humbuckers, Carvin provides the Icon preamp instead. I really didn't even know it myself, until I stumbled across that information on one of the Carvin Bromberg threads in the "Basses" forum - well after I'd taken delivery of my Bromberg fretless.

MM

 

[Handyman]

When you dropped the SGDs into your Icons, how well did they fit into the existing pickup routes? According to the diagrams, they're ever so slightly larger than the Icon pickups.

I've got a set of the wide aperture Neobuckers on order, which sounded pretty great to me in the sound clips on the SGD web site.

I'm not sure if I want to add a switch to the already airplane-cockpit-like array of knobs on my BB75. What's your take on the various single/series/parallel settings available on these guys?

 

[Mystic Michael]

When you dropped the SGDs into your Icons, how well did they fit into the existing pickup routes? According to the diagrams, they're ever so slightly larger than the Icon pickups.

First of all, I never do that kind of work myself. I'm notoriously deficient in mechanical aptitude, so I always have my tech do it instead. From what I can see, there are no noticeable gaps. If you have the job done by someone who knows what he's doing, you should have no worries.

I've got a set of the wide aperture Neobuckers on order, which sounded pretty great to me in the sound clips on the SGD web site.

Great choice. If what you favor is refined, modern soapbar tone that is deep, phat, & powerful, but is also super-clean, balanced & hi-fi (in the best sense of that term), you can hardly do better. They're really superb.

I'm not sure if I want to add a switch to the already airplane-cockpit-like array of knobs on my BB75. What's your take on the various single/series/parallel settings available on these guys?

In my opinion, it's well worth it. Mind you, you're corresponding with a guy who is of the "more is more" persuasion when it comes to onboard electronics options. So the "airplane cockpit" layout is a welcome sight to me.

That said, we're talking about the addition of only two (2) DPDT micro-switches (unless you want to wire both pickups together) - which really doesn't take up that much more territory on the face of your instrument. And the extra range of tones has the potential to add noticeable musical value.

With pickups of this quality, you really don't want to scrimp on options or components - you want to be able to extract all they have to offer. In fact, your next upgrade on this instrument may very well be the stock preamp - especially if it's a previous-generation unit. In that case, I would recommend an Audere - which in my experience, makes an ideal combination.

MM

 

[Handyman]

That said, we're talking about the addition of only two (2) DPDT micro-switches (unless you want to wire both pickups together) - which really doesn't take up that much more territory on the face of your instrument. And the extra range of tones has the potential to add noticeable musical value.

I actually need to open up the control cavity and get a ruler. The bass its going into has the piezo bridge in there, so the preamp module takes up quite a bit more room than the non-piezo Icon preamp (extra knob + an array of 6 trim pots for per-string piezo volume balancing).

If I do stick a switch in there, I'll probably go for the 3 position 4PDT toggle switch used in G&Ls that have the K wiring. That would mean only having to drill one new hole.

Any opinions on the series vs parallel sound? I'm curious which wiring configuration was used in the sound clips.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Any opinions on the series vs parallel sound? I'm curious which wiring configuration was used in the sound clips.

It's really personal preference. I have much more experience with the parallel sound, so I tend to prefer its openness and clarity - as long as I have enough gain to drive it well. But there are circumstances in which it would be preferable to have that slightly hotter, thicker, blurrier series tone - so I'm glad I have that option. Haven't (yet) had much use for the single-coil sound though...

MM

 

[adam_Fenton123]

Resurrecting this thread looking for some advice. Would appreciate any help.

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/looking-for-electronics-advice-on-carvin-lb75-swap.1097074/

 

[Jared Lash]

Resurrecting this thread looking for some advice. Would appreciate any help.

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/looking-for-electronics-advice-on-carvin-lb75-swap.1097074/

As I mentioned in your other thread, the Carvin LB75 that you bought doesn't have soapbar routes. It has what appars to be a H50A jazz sized humucker and a Carvin HB5 which is their MM style humbucker.

You need a replacement J/MM set, not a soapbar set.

 

[metelmunkey]

I just picked up this beautiful BB75 in the classifieds. Acoustically it sounds great, as do the piezo pickups, but I'm not sure how I feel about the magnetic pickups yet.

This bass has the Carvin ceramic soapbar pickups that are stock (or at least used to be) on the Icon basses. They're quite dark, with sort of nasally mids. They're humbucking, which is a plus, though.

If I swap these out, my choices for drop in replacements (these pickups are 4.25"x1.25") appear to be as follows, keeping in mind I really want to keep a noise canceling pickups in there:

- The Carvin H50AS, which in their new stacked noise canceling Alnico magnet J pickup in a soapbar casing. This would be the cheapest option at $140/set. These sound pretty similar to their J99A pickups, which is a reasonable take on a 70s Jazz pickup.

- One of the Nordstrand soapbar pickups. I don't know much about these, and would appreciate any sort of info about what these sound like. If I want to stay noise canceling. Their noise canceling options are
- Nordstrand Dual Coil. Know absolutly nothing about these, other than they cost $315/set. Ouch.

- Nordstrand Big Split. Their website describes them as " the ultimate pickup for the Jazz Bass®-on-steroids tone purist!". If anyone could tell me what that means tone wise, I'd appreciate it.

- Nordstrand Fat Stacks. Looks like their take on a stacked hum canceling J.

Then there's the Bartolini P25CBC. I've never tried this pickup, but the Barts I've used in the past were a bit dark for my taste, though I could be wrong about this one in particular. Any opinions?

So, what do you guys know about these pickups?

Oh, and here's the gratuitous photo.

How's it going! I wanted to know what direction you ultimately went with your Carvin bass and it's pickups. I currently have a five string ICON I had built in 2010, so luckily have the piezo bridge pickups installed....however I am not completely satisfied with the tone I'm getting from the stock pups. I run it through a darkglass b7U and tech 21 vt bass deluxe into Ampeg svt4 amp. That gear should give me the tone of the gods...but it doesn't. I have spent hours tone shaping and cannot get the bass to growl. I have a 4 string schecter riot session with EMG DC40s in it that sounds way better, but I don't want to give up the Carvin because it is a beautiful instrument and plays well. My guitarist thinks I'm crazy and should stick with what I have because he thinks the pups sound great...but I suspect I can get more out of this bass with the correct upgrade. thoughts? and thank you