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Just how "PBass" does a Nordstrand Big Split sound?

lowfreqgeek

lowfreqgeek

Mar 15, 2010
6,540
8,622
Tijeras, NM
#1
I'm contemplating putting a Nordstrand Big Split in the general location of a P-bass pickup into my Fender Jazz V in order to get the placement I want with a standard jazz pickguard shape. Trying to keep the mod reversible in case I want to put the original guard and Jazz pickup back in...

I'm curious just how "Pbass" can a Big Split sound if it's in the general location of a normal P-bass pickup? I'm not looking for dead on, really. Just close. Closer than a jazz neck pickup - which doesn't sound anything like a Pbass to my ears (and I play Ps and Js, among others).

I'd also consider a Dual Coil in series mode if that was as good, or better, than the Big Split.
 
#3
Cool. Thanks.

I LOVE the pickups in my bass now (Lakland/Hanson single coils) for everything "jazz bass", but I'm playing a lot of music where a general Pbass sound actually fits better for much of it. I may try a series switch on my Jazz to start with.

My fretless G&L L2500 has everything I need, except frets... Or maybe I don't need frets.
 
#5
I have an NJ5 with Big Singles. Passive with the neck pickup (very close to the P-position) soloed, it doesn't sound *that* much like a P alone. But in the mix it seems to find the same place, in that it is fat and I can clearly hear the pitch without the need for any highs. It is more defined and "tight" sounding than a P, but I was really surprised (in a good way) at how close it gets.

I assume a Big Split will do almost the same thing.
 
#7
I'm contemplating the same question.... I'm wondering if the Big Splits coils are wired series or parallel. Series would be like a P Bass pickup (may be wound this way to make them humbucker) and (I believe) parallel would sound more like a Jazz or regular single coil pickup. The width of the coils is so much closer to the P size that the sound should be very close to the P sound though.

Again Carey (or someone at Nordstrands) should be able to clarify.
 
#8
"I have an NJ5 with Big Singles. Passive with the neck pickup (very close to the P-position) soloed, it doesn't sound *that* much like a P alone. But in the mix it seems to find the same place, in that it is fat and I can clearly hear the pitch without the need for any highs. It is more defined and "tight" sounding than a P, but I was really surprised (in a good way) at how close it gets.

I assume a Big Split will do almost the same thing."


+1 on this. I have Big Singles and love them for exactly this reason and/but from all accounts the character of the Big Split is similar, just hum-canceling, so if you want a really vintage-type P-sound then you should probably go with a vintage-type P pickup.
 
#9
I just got off the phone with Nordstrands and was told that because of the fact that the pole pieces are taller than a P Bass pickup, the Big Splits have a wider tonal range and are more sensitive to right hand technique, all the way from a "very good P-like sound" to an almost "Jack Cassidy" type sound if you really "dig in". The big split is a pickup that works well with other models.
 
#11
I put a set in my Washburn T24, They are much hotter then the G&B single coils that came in the bass, I can attest to the right hand sensitivity. I didn't like the sound but I think that had more to do with the pickup spacing then the pickups them selves.
 

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