• 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.

Nordstrand Big Single Opinions

#43
I bought a set of Big Singles to retrofit a Peavey Foundation I bought that did not come with the SuperFerrite pickups. Before, the bass was ok but when you dug in, you didn't get more out of the sound. With the Big Singles, this bass is just enormous, live or in the mix. Whats even more amazing is that the tone control actually lives up to its name now and actually does something.
 
#46
Man, I have a Nordy vJ5 on order through Scott Pazera. I've been on the fence about which PU's; FatStacks, BigSingles (BS) or Big Splits (BSS).

I've been leaning toward Big Splits for my Ash/Maple Nordy, But after reading this thread, maybe I want Big Singles after all. I don't really record much. Not that it won't happen, but I always play my F Bass in Single Coil mode. ALWAYS. That single coil clarity, growl, punch and growl is just too seductive.

So ....Maybe I want BigSingles after all? I heard some sound clips from Adrian Garcia's Nordy with Big Splits and it was awesome. But who knows? Big Singles might be even more compelling? There are always Fatstacks too.

I am totally confused now. :rollno: Help!
Gary
 
#47
Roscoe5 said:
Man, I have a Nordy vJ5 on order through Scott Pazera. I've been on the fence about which PU's; FatStacks, BigSingles (BS) or Big Splits (BSS).

I've been leaning toward Big Splits for my Ash/Maple Nordy, But after reading this thread, maybe I want Big Singles after all. I don't really record much. Not that it won't happen, but I always play my F Bass in Single Coil mode. ALWAYS. That single coil clarity, growl, punch and growl is just too seductive.

So ....Maybe I want BigSingles after all? I heard some sound clips from Adrian Garcia's Nordy with Big Splits and it was awesome. But who knows? Big Singles might be even more compelling? There are always Fatstacks too.

I am totally confused now. :rollno: Help!
Gary
Click to expand...
I feel for you - I wanted something between and single and a dual coil sound, so I ended up going for the big splits. They should arrive in a couple of weeks (I have a pair or DCs on order too) I will be posting my impressions and I hope this helps others.

Carey has too many great pups and it is hard to pick - my feeling is that they will all sound great and are tuned differently and the big splits are so new that there is little or no consumer feedback on them yet. You have to go with your gut;) :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#48
This may be a silly question. I pretty sure I'm going with the Big Singles on my Nordy VJ4 when I place the order. Are most of you with Big Singles using them as passive or do most have a pre amp active bass ?

Also, if passive what are is the best arrangement for tone and volume. On my previously owned Lakland Jo I had Vol/Vol/tone. I think on the Nordy I like one volume one tone and a pan...

Thanks
 
#51
Anyone use just 1 Big Single in the neck position with a hollowbody bass?

Thanks

Robert VanLane
Click to expand...

No reason why you couldn't. However, if you're just going to use one and have issues with single coil 60 cycle hum, I'd recommend going with Big Split. This is a split-coil, hum-canceling version of the Big Single. Just something to think about. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#52
I finally put in the big splits in my bass this weekend, together with a Aguilar OBP-3, and active/passive switch.
Havent had alot of time to try it out yet, but my first thought was that these pickups are really clear. I've mostly played with humbuckers, and i really like the clearity these pickups give me at higher frequencies. But i have to take some time finding the best settings for my amp also, its always hard to get the sound you look for with new pickups i think.
Anyway, so far i'm really satisfied.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#53
Rolle2k said:
I finally put in the big splits in my bass this weekend, together with a Aguilar OBP-3, and active/passive switch.
Havent had alot of time to try it out yet, but my first thought was that these pickups are really clear. I've mostly played with humbuckers, and i really like the clearity these pickups give me at higher frequencies. But i have to take some time finding the best settings for my amp also, its always hard to get the sound you look for with new pickups i think.
Anyway, so far i'm really satisfied.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update! Can't wait to hear more about them. How is the 60 cycle hum when you dial back to the bridge PU? How about growl and punch? What pick ups did you replace? Gary
 
#54
Roscoe5 said:
Thanks for the update! Can't wait to hear more about them. How is the 60 cycle hum when you dial back to the bridge PU? How about growl and punch? What pick ups did you replace? Gary
Click to expand...

Well, my bridge pickup had some trouble, half of the PU doesnt work sometimes, the part i have on the higher strings, it works sometimes if i push the cover at the side, so there is something wrong with it.. so i haven't had any chance to try it out any more..

Although i have to give big credits to Nordstrand as they started making a replacement directly when i mailed them about it (as i have 4-string EMG45 size they have to custom make it). So that is something i'm glad about.

As far as hum, i haven't noticed any hum when i have switched over 100% to the bridge. I have alu-screening in both the PU-holes and where the preamp is, and in a common ground point.

Regarding Growl and punch, i haven't tried the PU's enough yet to tell, and i recently bought a new amp (Traynor YBA200), so i can't give you any fair judgement there either, as i switched the PU's at the same time as i got the amp. And i these are also the first Single coil/split coils i own, have only used humbuckers earlier.
 
#56
bassman74 said:
Is everyone using an onboard preamp with the big singles? No one ever run them passive with a volume and a tone?
thanks
Francois
Click to expand...

I had them run passively with Volume/Blend/Tone in my NJ6. They're excellent if you want clean tone across the spectrum, but after a while, I felt they were too polite...at least how mine were wound. Carey offered to re-wind them with different coil so they had more low-mids, but I decided to get DC's wired in series for my 6-stringer.

-A
 
#57
Aram said:
I had them run passively with Volume/Blend/Tone in my NJ6. They're excellent if you want clean tone across the spectrum, but after a while, I felt they were too polite...at least how mine were wound. Carey offered to re-wind them with different coil so they had more low-mids, but I decided to get DC's wired in series for my 6-stringer.

-A
Click to expand...

Aram, how do you like the dual's compared to the big singles?
 
#58
Aram said:
I had them run passively with Volume/Blend/Tone in my NJ6. They're excellent if you want clean tone across the spectrum, but after a while, I felt they were too polite...at least how mine were wound. Carey offered to re-wind them with different coil so they had more low-mids, but I decided to get DC's wired in series for my 6-stringer.

-A
Click to expand...
and as I mentioned above: vol-vol-tone for me
 
#59
emjazz said:
Aram, how do you like the dual's compared to the big singles?
Click to expand...

I'll know next week, and let you know. Unfortunately, I don't think I have any sound clips of the BS, so I won't be able to make a perfect comparison. I'm hoping the DC's give me some more bark, and low-mids...they'll be wired in series, but can split to single coil.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back