Ceramic blade cores

[douglasbass]

Does anyone here use ceramic blade core pickups in their J-Bass?

Curious about their sound. I have only used the traditional pole piece pickups.

 

[MonetBass]

Nordstrand does with the J-blade pickups. Others may as well.

 

[douglasbass]

Nordstrand does with the J-blade pickups. Others may as well.

I've never tried Nordstrands, thanks. Also, Bartolini makes a set, the 9ST. (I've only used stock Squier pickups).

 

[markanini]

I know EMG J use ceramic cores without any steel loading parts. Rob Trujillo uses them.

 

[Jefus]

Nordstrand does with the J-blade pickups. Others may as well.

I'm a fan boy. I've got their Big Blades in a couple of basses, Big Singles in another bass, and have a custom on order that will have two Big Blademans and a Zen Blade. The custom was ordered because i have a similar bass from the same builder that has Bartolinis in it and, unless it's a fretless, i will do anything i can to avoid Bartolinis.

That being said, i think Bartolini is an outstanding company that makes a high quality product. But i haven't played any Bartolinis that had a voicing i appreciated on any instruments besides fretless basses. YMMV.

But the Nordstands are truly outstanding pickups. They will sound more open and airy than Barts, in my experience.