Ibanez BTB20TH5 with Nordstrand Big Singles

[PabloFdezHer]

Hi guys

I come to you with a doubt. I'm about to purchase an Ibanez BTB20TH5 that I found new in a online shop near my town. This bass comes standard with Nordstrand Big Singles. The thing is I usually play metal with my basses and I have never tried big singles. Are these good for metal? I've seen them on a lot of Ibanez SR basses. If not, which are the replacement pickups and preamp for this bass? Been hearing a lot about Aguilar soapbars, but I don't really know the exact measures and all that stuff. Thank you for your help!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Heavy Metal is a very broad genre but the Big Singles should suit any style:

 

[Real Soon]

I felt motivated to revive a thread and rave a bit.

The Big Singles on my SR1346B are assuredly unlike any other pickups I've played thru. The amount of high end they can generate + a flexible preamp for mids means this bass can run from driving, clanky hard rock to straight-up metal to some aggressive funk, and the pups are the reason.

I thought it was just string zing when I first got this bass a few months ago, but have been spending nearly all my time on it and those suckers are broken in now... but it's still laying out this huge sound and I'm unable to get enough of it.

 

[Pmaurer30]

I'm hijacking this thread to ask a possible bass noob question. I recently got a 2008 BTB 470 and went to swap in a set of Big Single 4s (replacing the stock Bartolini MK2s) and the pickup cavity seems JUST too small to accept the Big Singles. I haven't seen anyone else complaining about this - so what am I missing? Do I seriously need to route the cavity larger to accept these? I got them thinking since they were the Bartolini shape - they would fit without issue. Help!