I have a custom order for *3* sets of
Invalid Link Removed (1 five-string set, 2 five-string sets) on order from Nordstrand Pickups via BestBassGear.com: the custom properties = EMG-sized as opposed to Bartolini as well as 5% underwound for a bit more aggressiveness in the low-mids and slightly less "thickness" overall after a few conversations with Nino V., whose had the custom winding done for several of his builds. I haven't played them, but this came after
two years of considering different pickups & different pickup designs, then
multiple long phone conversations with Carey, Stew & Mike at Nordstrand about what pups would go best with my playing style and desired tone, basses and body woods, and preamp (mostly fingerstyle playing and going for an aggressive "J-Bass on 'roids" tone especially in the low-end and low-mids, going into Spector ReBop DLX 4-string EX Zebrawood & 5-string fretted & fretless FM Flamed Maple over Alder with a bolt-on Neck connection that brings out a combination of "Spector" meets "Jazz Bass" tone compared to the more typical neck-thru Spectors, thus my choosing single-coil Jazz-type pups into Aguilar OBP-3SK/PP preamps that are Vol/Vol/Stacked Treble & Bass/Push-Pull Mids pot for two user-specific midrange frequencies which are useful for cutting through a mix and working with a fretless).
They should be arriving within the next 10 days or so (4-6 weeks on a custom build
although after waiting
2 years "4 to 6 weeks" have moved awfully quickly
) and I'll certainly be posting samples as soon as they're wired up and playable, having spoken about this "Project" on TB the entire time and haven gotten extremely positive comments regarding the concept. It took a while to find a pickup/preamp combination that would sound good and enhance the "original" aspects of the basses as opposed to going the standard "EMG pickups and preamp for a Spector" route, although ironically that's something I
would like to try on a USA Bolt-On now that they're offering EMG-TW Dual/Single-Coil pickups standard and Aguilar OBP-3 preamps as an option. But my ReBops are going to be my
very unique "SpetorJazzes" (both PJ @ Spector and Carey & Stew @ Nordy are very interested in what the final outcome will sound like, as to the best of their knowledge no one has used Big Singles in this manner before) and with the amount of time I put into this Project *before* placing an order as well as speaking to Owners/High-End employees as well as players of their products at both companies and getting nothing but "this should really sound like
killer basses"
I suppose a
very gross generalization could be that if you're someone who has played more traditional Precision or Jazz-type basses, Carey's "Traditional" line like the NJ4 Jazz single-coil shaped pickups would work very well for you. On the other hand, if you've spent time playing basses with soapbar-shaped pickups and have no problem with the more modern style, the Big Singles, Big Splits, or Dual Coils might very well be right up your alley. I'd suggest either
emailing the shop or more helpfully giving the shop a call and speaking to Carey, Stew, or Mike on Tuesday after the holiday
(from the site: "I am also available by phone at (909) 790-2548. But, please try to call between 2 and 5PM pacific time so I can get some work done earlier in the day. Thanks!") when you'll be able to speak to the people who invented them / make them for a living and will certainly be able to help you get the tone you're looking for.
