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Nordstrand big singles... experiences?

#223
fourstringbliss said:
If you ever want more tonal control (or want something to plug up those holes) you might consider an Audere Classic 4-Band. It's a very transparent preamp, and your tone will be virtually the same as passive with controls set flat.
Click to expand...

After 20+ years of playing, it finally dawned on me that I'm a set it and forget it type...litterally. When I had active systems I would dial in a tone to start the set, change it for a particular song, and then totally forget to put it back to the original setting. In fact I still forget when I roll off one pickup or the other. I must get preoccupied with other things.:smug:

I loathe harsh finger noise/brittleness, which IMHO the MK-1's have in abundance. (Do I need to comment MK-1 preamp?) Hence the switch to the Nordies, which (again IMHO) have much more dynamic range and a more pleasing tone overall.

I now rely on my amp settings to get a tone that sits well in the mix. To clarify, I use a Markbass LMII with Bergantino HT112 & EX112 cabs.

Thanks for the suggestions!

BTW, the empty holes now have plugs in them.
 
#225
jb63 said:
I loathe harsh finger noise/brittleness, which IMHO the MK-1's have in abundance. (Do I need to comment MK-1 preamp?) Hence the switch to the Nordies, which (again IMHO) have much more dynamic range and a more pleasing tone overall.
Click to expand...

I totally know what you mean about the MK-1 pickups and preamp - harsh tone to my ears. I've owned two 55-01's and ended up selling both because of the electronics. I should have just been patient with one of them (because the body figuring was amazing) but I'm pretty happy with my current bass - especially with the Big Singles and Audere pre.
 
#226
fourstringbliss said:
I totally know what you mean about the MK-1 pickups and preamp - harsh tone to my ears. I've owned two 55-01's and ended up selling both because of the electronics. I should have just been patient with one of them (because the body figuring was amazing) but I'm pretty happy with my current bass - especially with the Big Singles and Audere pre.
Click to expand...

I bought my 55-01 in '02 and loved the way it played, great neck and outstading B string. I can't believe I tolerated the original electronics for 7 years :rollno: but now I'm really glad I held on to it.
 
#227
jb63 said:
I bought my 55-01 in '02 and loved the way it played, great neck and outstading B string. I can't believe I tolerated the original electronics for 7 years :rollno: but now I'm really glad I held on to it.
Click to expand...

Yeah...

I regret selling/trading a lot of the basses I've sold or traded. I'm blessed to have the bass I've got right now. Ibanez BTB510E made in Japan with all of their "prestige" line stuff. The Bartolini soapbars and EQ that were in it before were good stuff but it just wasn't the sound I was looking for. I think I'll own a 55-01 again someday and definitely replace the electronics when I do.
 
#229
bassman74 said:
A question for you big singles owner,

did some of you experience any muted highs with the big singles???

thanks for your help!!!
Click to expand...

I have Big Singles in my Lakland 55-01 wired passive V-V-T. They definetly aren't agressive in the high-end department, but sound good to my ears. Maybe you you could go with an Audere or Sadowsky preamp to put a little zing in the tone. There are quite a few people here using that setup.
 
#231
jb63 said:
I have Big Singles in my Lakland 55-01 wired passive V-V-T. They definetly aren't agressive in the high-end department, but sound good to my ears. Maybe you you could go with an Audere or Sadowsky preamp to put a little zing in the tone. There are quite a few people here using that setup.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Audere preamp. The treble EQ point is set in such a way that even diming the control only adds clarity - no harshness or icepickiness.
 
#232
fourstringbliss said:
Yeah...

I regret selling/trading a lot of the basses I've sold or traded. I'm blessed to have the bass I've got right now. Ibanez BTB510E made in Japan with all of their "prestige" line stuff. The Bartolini soapbars and EQ that were in it before were good stuff but it just wasn't the sound I was looking for. I think I'll own a 55-01 again someday and definitely replace the electronics when I do.
Click to expand...

I see you're selling your Big Singles or trading for Fat Stacks. Care to share why?
 
#234
bassman74 said:
A question for you big singles owner,

did some of you experience any muted highs with the big singles???

thanks for your help!!!
Click to expand...

I don't think the highs are as cutty sounding as a J pickup but I feel they are there in more fuller sense (if that makes any sense).

I do did the Big Singles with the Audere.
Its a great graphite neck combo.
 
#237
I'm now a Big Splits convert. I had Big Singles in my Ibanez BTB510E and they were a bit harsh - definitely an assertive pickup. I traded them for a set of Big Splits (an older set, from the lack of Nordstrand logo on the shell) and it's almost like night and day. The sound is smoother and more open - more detailed and complex.

I really think it depends on what bass they're installed in, though. People here on TB say that there's virtually no difference between the Splits and Singles in terms of tone, but it's very evident in my bass. I love the tone I'm getting from this bass now!
 

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