• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New Bass Build: Kinal MK5B Custom

What pickups for the new bass? I'm leaning toward a jazz bass with humcancelling pickups...

  • Nordstrand NJ5S split jazz

    Votes: 10 55.6%

  • Norstrand Neo Blades

    Votes: 3 16.7%

  • Nordstrand PJ configuration

    Votes: 3 16.7%

  • Something else...please post what you think and why

    Votes: 2 11.1%
  • Total voters
    18
  • Poll closed .
#23
I'd have to go J/MM, as I'm not a big fan of the thin sound of a J pickup at the bridge. Use a quad coil MM and a split coil J and you'll have hum cancelling in all possible positions. That way you'll also have opitons at the bridge...dual coil, neck coil, and bridge coil. I can't think of a single good reason NOT to go J/MM.
 
  • Like
Reactions: natw42
#24
mmbongo said:
I'd have to go J/MM, as I'm not a big fan of the thin sound of a J pickup at the bridge. Use a quad coil MM and a split coil J and you'll have hum cancelling in all possible positions. That way you'll also have opitons at the bridge...dual coil, neck coil, and bridge coil. I can't think of a single good reason NOT to go J/MM.
Click to expand...
How about this for a reason...I already have one!
 
#27
natw42 said:
In that case, I'd move for a PJ setup. That way, between the two basses you'll pretty much have all of the 'standard' tones available.
Click to expand...
Yup. Nordstrand NP5/NJ5S set with a custom John East "Flat Response" 5-knob U-Retro preamp. Top #5 on a chambered alder body. Roasted maple/wenge/roasted maple neck, flame maple fingerboard with ebony block inlays, luminlay side markers, Babicz bridge, and Hipshot tuning keys. 34" scale, 1.75" nut, 19mm bridge spacing, 24 frets. 5-string model.... Can't wait!
 
#29
natw42 said:
Sounds killer. Are you doing the black burst on the redwood?
Click to expand...

No. Top #5 is curly western maple. Harder than redwood, it will give more attack with the alder body. It will have a burst finish of some sort. Not sure if it will be teal burst, I'm leaning toward a classic sunburst with the PJ config.

I'm torn between black or chrome hardware. Any suggestions?
 
#31
DaveAceofBass said:
No. Top #5 is curly western maple. Harder than redwood, it will give more attack with the alder body. It will have a burst finish of some sort. Not sure if it will be teal burst, I'm leaning toward a classic sunburst with the PJ config.

I'm torn between black or chrome hardware. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I'd say chrome if you go teal burst a la that sadowsky you posted; Black if you go 3tsb so the quilting in the maple top really gets a chance to shine.
 
#32
natw42 said:
I'd say chrome if you go teal burst a la that sadowsky you posted; Black if you go 3tsb so the quilting in the maple top really gets a chance to shine.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking. Probably going to go with a vintage look. Colors like teal don't always look good, it kind of goes with mood. 3tsb is always classic looking. I'm thinking not as much yellow though, maybe a natural center fading to light sienna darkening to brownish then black on the edges. What do you guys think? Plenty of time to decide. But it looks like the build is moving into gear, maybe completed by Christmas.

DV
 
#34
Curly maple on chambered alder!
image(9).jpg
image(10).jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: emjazz
#35
DaveAceofBass said:
Reverse P would be cool but that would put the treble side of the pup very close to the end of the 24-fret fingerboard.
Click to expand...

Not if you move the bass side of the pickup nearer the bridge, instead of moving the treble side of the pickup nearer the neck. Or move them both to the plane of the other. (Know what I mean? Hard to describe....)
 
#36
ctmullins said:
Not if you move the bass side of the pickup nearer the bridge, instead of moving the treble side of the pickup nearer the neck. Or move them both to the plane of the other. (Know what I mean? Hard to describe....)
Click to expand...

Yes I know. But the traditional location puts the low side close to the fingerboard, which gives popping room on the treble strings. Still TBD
 
#37
... and that's why I just don't understand the appeal of the split-coil pickup. I don't claim to have golden ears, but if it were my build, I'd use a Big Split and call it a day. Does the NP5 really sound that different from the Big Split, enough that the preamp couldn't compensate?

Sorry, I know it's your build thread and you are calling all of the shots, and I'm really not trying to cast aspersions. But I just don't understand why that awkward split-coil form factor is still so popular after all these years...

Woods look great, by the way - I'm a huge fan of figured maple tops over chambered bodies!
 
#38
ctmullins said:
... and that's why I just don't understand the appeal of the split-coil pickup. I don't claim to have golden ears, but if it were my build, I'd use a Big Split and call it a day. Does the NP5 really sound that different from the Big Split, enough that the preamp couldn't compensate?

Sorry, I know it's your build thread and you are calling all of the shots, and I'm really not trying to cast aspersions. But I just don't understand why that awkward split-coil form factor is still so popular after all these years...

Woods look great, by the way - I'm a huge fan of figured maple tops over chambered bodies!
Click to expand...

I have Big Splits in my Sadowsky. They sound way different from a P. It's not the location, they're an entirely different design. P pickups are short and wide, flat like a pancake. Big Splits are like giant split J pickups. They do not have the same sound because the design is different. Sorry, but I have to have the sound in my head, and it's a P and a J. I just wish a PJ could also have a JJ sound, but that's impossible. I just love the P and J bridge sound so much I'm willing to sacrifice a JJ sound.
 
#40
ctmullins said:
Thanks - I forgot about the coil height being different. Carry on good sir!! :)
Click to expand...

I've had many conversations with Nordstrand about the choices. The fact is that every choice is a different design and a different sound. Big Splits are just different from P pickups. They can't build a straight P pickup unless it's in a MM shell, which takes up a lot of real estate.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back