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Elrick Owners Only!

Zooberwerx

Zooberwerx

Gold Supporting Member
Dec 21, 2002
23,307
28,091
68
Virginia Beach, VA
#1
Naaah...that's okay. I'll let anybody play.

I have a really nice NJS 5 (thanks grooveguru!) which sports a single Bartolini P/U and Aggie OBP-3 preamp. The tone is fairly decent but dark and lacks any discernible focus (?). I think there's some real spark buried in her somewhere.

I'm considering swapping out the Bart P/U while retaining the Aggie preamp. Any suggestions as to which makes / models might improve this situation? My only experiences have been with Barts and EMGs. Let me know what you think!

Riis
 
#2
Most of mine have the stock setup: Bart J style pickups with 3 band Bart preamp. Serious focus among other things. I didn't care for the OBP-3 in the Elricks I've heard it it in.

Yours of course skews things by being a one pickup bass. All bets are off;). I have a one pickup NJS 5 but it's fretless, semi-hollow, passive and has a piezo bridge. Not much in common with yours.

It's focused too.
 
#3
Thanks Brad!

I had a similar problem with my David King 5er. The active Bart P/Us didn't quite do justice so I swapped 'em out for an EMG P/U and preamp which I happend to have on hand. Definitely an improvement but I won't assume they'll have the same effect with the Elrick.

Riis
 
#5
All my Elricks have Barts in them.

I did get a custom pair of Nords 6s made which I'm waiting for covers. I'm going to try them out in one of my basses. One thing I thought I had nailed was the strings that I use. I thought for sure I knew my brand and that's what I used. I tried a set of DRs last year, and really loved them. I find that nickel strings on Elricks sound much darker than on other basses. Conversely SS strings tend to sound brighter. What sort of strings do you have on your bass, and have you tried stainless steel strings?
 
#6
Tumbao said:
Pls Don't... well at least call Rob or Nordstrand.
Click to expand...

Been there, dun that. Rob is definitely not a big fan of either EMGs or SD / Basslines. I'm not really familar with the Nords but I'll keep an open mind.

I think my strings are Ken Smiths (NOS back-up set that I kept in my gig bag). Not sure if they're nickel or SS.

Riis
 
#7
Zooberwerx said:
Been there, dun that. Rob is definitely not a big fan of either EMGs or SD / Basslines. I'm not really familar with the Nords but I'll keep an open mind.

I think my strings are Ken Smiths (NOS back-up set that I kept in my gig bag). Not sure if they're nickel or SS.

Riis
Click to expand...

I'd try a new set of SS strings first before you go and order a new pickup. Strings will run you $40. A new Nord pup will be a bit more than that. ;) Try DR Hi-beams/Fatbeams if you're looking for SS lower tension (ie: more flexible), or DR Low's stainless steel, for a tighter feeling string.

I think Brad mentioned that he uses DRs in the string forum, and also Bryan R Tyler who owns just as many Els also strung his new bass with DRs.
 
#10
I don't believe that the DRs have tapered Bs. I also use Fodera Diamond stainless steels on my fretted 5 and nickels on my (just sold) fretless 5 Elricks. Both DRs and Foderas are great strings.

There's one thing about all of my Elricks no matter how different they are that I've noticed; they're all very sensitive to adjustments. They'll sound like you do, and they'll pick up on physical changes pretty easily. Adjusting the pickup heights makes a big difference in their sound, as does changing string type and gauge, truss rod adjustments, etc.

Play around with all of these elements before considering switching to EMGs. Most Elricks are farily bright as it is- I imagine putting EMGs in there would make your amp explode every time you popped the G string ;)
 
#12
Bryan R. Tyler said:
I don't believe that the DRs have tapered Bs. I also use Fodera Diamond stainless steels on my fretted 5 and nickels on my (just sold) fretless 5 Elricks. Both DRs and Foderas are great strings.

There's one thing about all of my Elricks no matter how different they are that I've noticed; they're all very sensitive to adjustments. They'll sound like you do, and they'll pick up on physical changes pretty easily. Adjusting the pickup heights makes a big difference in their sound, as does changing string type and gauge, truss rod adjustments, etc.

Play around with all of these elements before considering switching to EMGs. Most Elricks are farily bright as it is- I imagine putting EMGs in there would make your amp explode every time you popped the G string ;)
Click to expand...

+1 on the pickup height.

When I got my first Elrick, the B/E string side was really boomy. I raised the C string side by less than 1/2 turn of the screw, to even it out. What a difference.
 
#14
Do people still post here? I am a new Elrick owner and in the Fall of 2010, I welcomed my first Elrick Evo 5 Gold Series Lefty with an amazing Spalted Maple Burl Top.

Just today I bought the only Lefty Evo Singlecut that Rob Elrick has ever built! I can't wait to pick it up in Austin next week at Bass Emporium!
 

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