Nordstrand Acinonyx v1 or v2?

[DudeManWhat]

Hey hey, so in March I am planning on finally ordering a Nordstrand acinonyx. I'm just hung up on what version I want. The v1 seems like a pretty much no brainer if I were a session cat, but honestly I do more experimental solo stuff with looping and chordal and melody stuff and the only other project that I have time for is a live drum and bass thing with alot of effects. I have been wanting to get a cat for a few years now, basically since it dropped, but honestly this is the first time in a while that my budget has permitted dropping a grand on an instrument. I already have a couple of other basses. One is a heavily modded bronco with a novak musicmaster pup, i run labella dtfs on that kinda has that hollow airy thump that sounds rad with a little bit of saturation. I also a cv jaguar with a novak pb90 and a novak h22 goldfoil in the bridge, I run chromes on that. It's more akin to being the choice for melodic work, but its heavier, and I'm not crazy about the concentric pot setup, so much twiddling. I will never get rid of either because I put so much work into them and really enjoy playing them, but I've been itching for something that I won't view as a mod platform out of the box.

V1 Pros:
• consistency of tones based on the switching system
• take effects really well
•huge dubby tones on tap
•seems to be the one that most people have gotten on well with
• less fiddling to dial in usable tones

V1 Possible cons:
•not enough clarity in high end information for solo applications?(I run flats, i don't like rounds and i don't particularly like the feel of halfs)



V2 pros:
•based on what examples I have heard, it has more upper end information on tap
•a dedicated tone pot
•more pickup configurations available
• seems to take effects well
V2 possible cons:
• low end not quite as robust
•a dedicated tone pot and more pickup configurations makes me think that I'm going to be fiddling alot more to dial things in, and it is kind of the antithesis of the appeal of the original design

I'm curious to hear what those who own or spent time with one or both have to say about what their experiences have been. What worked for you, and what didn't. Also if you were in my shoes and both wasn't financially an option, which would you choose based on my use case? Your advice and input as always is appreciated. Thanks

 

[smeet]

I would call the Nordstrand shop and ask for their advice. Either Carey or Adrian would be good to talk to.

 

[Ric Vice]

From all the many youtube videos comparing the Acinonyx v1 to the v2. I like the expanded tone palate and warmth of the v1. The v2 with it's 3 single coil pickups, just doesn't
have the variety of sounds. Just my take however. I like the switching system for tone versus a single control.

 

[Green Knight]

Sounds like you prefer single coils! I say V2!

 

[DudeManWhat]

Sounds like you prefer single coils! I say V2!

Both versions are single coils though

 

[Green Knight]

Oh! Never mind!
EDIT: One day I'll get the V2 in fretless.

 

[T McClure]

I have both and think you can get a greater variety of sounds out of the V2.

 

[Katoosie]

@monsterthompson
You've had them both, correct? What do you think?

 

[monsterthompson]

@monsterthompson
You've had them both, correct? What do you think?

For @DudeManWhat I’m not instantly sure. My preference has been for the v2 but I’m not a flats person. I’ve been happy with each version, though I favor the v2 for what I do because it’s got more definition in the top and that plays well with distortions, delays, and reverbs. Not that the v1 doesn’t work with those effects, but I like the added top end and/or the conventional single coil sound it has vs the rounder mellower sounds of the v1. I find the v2 has plenty of range for going from bright to dark and don’t feel it is particularly lean in the low end, though the v1 might be beefier in the lows using the same EQ settings on an amp.

I get the impression he’s looking for a plug & play machine that’s more of a lows/flats machine which would make the v1 more appealing. I don’t find the v2 particularly fiddly for finding sounds but if a tone knob is a “con” along with the added pickup combos, then by all means go with the simpler instrument that allows the player to play instead of thinking about settings.

For reference here’s a track I did on the v1 with a bright octave fuzz. I didn’t use a dark tone setting or flats but it shows you can coax some top end out of it depending on what else is in your chain.
Sielulin2

 

[DudeManWhat]

For @DudeManWhat I’m not instantly sure. My preference has been for the v2 but I’m not a flats person. I’ve been happy with each version, though I favor the v2 for what I do because it’s got more definition in the top and that plays well with distortions, delays, and reverbs. Not that the v1 doesn’t work with those effects, but I like the added top end and/or the conventional single coil sound it has vs the rounder mellower sounds of the v1. I find the v2 has plenty of range for going from bright to dark and don’t feel it is particularly lean in the low end, though the v1 might be beefier in the lows using the same EQ settings on an amp.

I get the impression he’s looking for a plug & play machine that’s more of a lows/flats machine which would make the v1 more appealing. I don’t find the v2 particularly fiddly for finding sounds but if a tone knob is a “con” along with the added pickup combos, then by all means go with the simpler instrument that allows the player to play instead of thinking about settings.

For reference here’s a track I did on the v1 with a bright octave fuzz. I didn’t use a dark tone setting or flats but it shows you can coax some top end out of it depending on what else is in your chain.
Sielulin2

Cool piece of music. I'm not necessarily going to say I want a plug and play flats machine. It's more about consistency than anything. I use alot of modulation and time based effects in both projects. For dirt It's usually a brighter overdrive like a Special Cranker, an aggressive octave fuzz like a brassmaster, or a ring mod/ bit crusher to add high end content to the flats. I also use synth pedals and pitch stuff. Being that I'm running and stacking alot of stuff being able to dial in a consistent base sound to build on the v1 interested me initially, and I started saving. Then I saw a video of Steve Lawson doing a a solo piece on his v2 and I was conflicted about which would suit me better. If there isn't really a compromise in low end with the v2 I'm even more conflicted.

 

[DuluthDank]

I just listened to the Nordsrand demo, really feeling excited about V2 based on the changed to the control layout. But I have to say the pickups in V1 just sound better to me, although I strongly prefer the control layout on V2. Bummer, i'm not sure I'd go with either, but it could be that I just don't like the way that guy recorded and EQ'd the V2.

As a general rule, I'd take a brighter bass over a darker one though, as it's easier to darken up a bright bass than the other way around. So maybe V2 is the best bet?

 

[DudeManWhat]

I just listened to the Nordsrand demo, really feeling excited about V2 based on the changed to the control layout. But I have to say the pickups in V1 just sound better to me, although I strongly prefer the control layout on V2. Bummer, i'm not sure I'd go with either, but it could be that I just don't like the way that guy recorded and EQ'd the V2. I want both now this is a problem lol.

As a general rule, I'd take a brighter bass over a darker one though, as it's easier to darken up a bright bass than the other way around. So maybe V2 is the best bet?

I was thinking that. Eq, and string choice can really help control the high end. The v2 seems a little brash and aggressive by comparison. the side by side, that I saw on nordstrand's YouTube channel was more neo soul slap stuff, not my style. I love what Tim Lefebvre and Juan Alderete are doing with the v1, but I honestly really dug Steve Lawson's video with the v2. All of those guys are in the wheelhouse of the way I approach the instrument, experimental melodic players that take risks, explore sounds, and use alot of different effects creatively. It almost seems like the v1 is the laid back 60s p and the v2 is the punchy 70's j but it's totally it's own thing.

 

[monsterthompson]

If there isn't really a compromise in low end with the v2 I'm even more conflicted.

I wouldn’t say there’s a compromise that’s significant enough that you can’t EQ around it. I’d look at it as - using just the controls on the bass, you can darken/mellow the v2 into v1 territory but you can’t brighten the v1 into v2 territory.

Obviously your amp, cab, strings, and signal chain including effects and EQ will be meaningful. Since I use a lot of delay and reverb I find having two humbucking settings on the v2 gives me an extra option for tones where the hum won’t build up in the reverb tails. For a conventional bass role that’s going to be less important.

Honestly, the solo mid pickup on the v2 is my favorite base tone to build on, or just to play as is. It has a good blend of thump and definition. I find the neck solo gets you into more traditional J-neck or P territory and the solo bridge is in J-bridge or Ric territory.

I also think that once you get either one you’ll be happy and it’s the shopping comparison thing which highlights the differences that will fade from your mind.

 

[monsterthompson]

…also, are you a finger or pick player? I found that as a pick player I was hitting the pickup cover on the v1 bridge which could be heard on some recording takes. The v2 seems to be a better layout for me. In either case it’s a technique adjustment that isn’t a deal breaker.

 

[DuluthDank]

I have both and think you can get a greater variety of sounds out of the V2.

Does the V2 have enough lows and low mids on tap for your taste? It seems like none of the demos currently available really showcase the tone of the V2 very well.

 

[halcyo]

I haven’t played either, but I definitely think the original v1 is cooler looking. I don’t like the 3 single coils, and the chromed pickup covers on the original fit the vintage vibe better.

 

[DudeManWhat]

…also, are you a finger or pick player? I found that as a pick player I was hitting the pickup cover on the v1 bridge which could be heard on some recording takes. The v2 seems to be a better layout for me. In either case it’s a technique adjustment that isn’t a deal breaker.

I play both depending on what sound seems appropriate at the time. I usually use fingers and thumb by default but I will use various picks for various effects sometimes felt, sometimes rubber, sometimes wood, sometimes nylon. When playing solo I use reverbs and delays for pads and modulated slapback for weird extreme chorus vibrato sounds (dba echo dream 2) I use phasers and flangers alot too for ambient movement. And with drum and bass stuff it's almost always a completely synthesized sound, unless it's a dub style thing then it's no tone with mild saturation deep modulation and lp /hp