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Nordstrand big singles... experiences?
- Thread starter Willem
- Start date
I just wanted to post an update and say I'm quite happy with how these pickups sound in the band mix. The versatility with the 3B-5b preamp is awesome and seems to be working very well for me.
The preamp is a little noisy, but it isn't anything noticeable with the band. The Blend at center detent, I can switch between Active and Passive mode, and the noise goes away in Passive mode. Boosting the Treble seems to add to the noise a bit, but I'm not having issues with lack of high end from the pickups.
Are others with the Nord pre noticing the same thing? Only curious. Like I said, it's only really noticeable when practicing alone at home, and, even then, it isn't bad.
The preamp is a little noisy, but it isn't anything noticeable with the band. The Blend at center detent, I can switch between Active and Passive mode, and the noise goes away in Passive mode. Boosting the Treble seems to add to the noise a bit, but I'm not having issues with lack of high end from the pickups.
Are others with the Nord pre noticing the same thing? Only curious. Like I said, it's only really noticeable when practicing alone at home, and, even then, it isn't bad.
Chef
In Memoriam
The only noise I have (same preamp) is the typical "single coil J hum" wehn biased one way or the other-neck or bridge.
Compared to "regular J pickups," these sound different in a way that's hard to quantify, and in a way that I don't care for, at home, solo'd. I tried various string on it, trying to "cure" this....It was to the point where I nearly sold Valenti #18, the Geddy Lee 5. I've been playing " straight J's" for some many months now, and this just didn't sound right anymore.
Then, I took it to work for two nights this week, where it ruled. Big, meaty, plenty of highs....I don't know how, but it sounds like a whole different bass in the mix. It'll be going back into regular rotation.
Compared to "regular J pickups," these sound different in a way that's hard to quantify, and in a way that I don't care for, at home, solo'd. I tried various string on it, trying to "cure" this....It was to the point where I nearly sold Valenti #18, the Geddy Lee 5. I've been playing " straight J's" for some many months now, and this just didn't sound right anymore.
Then, I took it to work for two nights this week, where it ruled. Big, meaty, plenty of highs....I don't know how, but it sounds like a whole different bass in the mix. It'll be going back into regular rotation.
poptart
Commercial User
I find the Nordstrand preamp be be one of the quietest I have used. I have had several basses (Nordys + many others for customers) and have not encountered any noise or hiss (except when boosting high up or some hum when soloing pickups with Big Singles).
You may want to check your installation and earthing again IMO.
Mark
I didn't install it. Phil Maneri at Fifth Avenue Fret Shop did... Maybe I'll mention something to him...
Two words, Quiet Versatility. I hve the big singles and 3b pre as well and I can go modern to old school p-bass even before touching the EQ!
I've got them in a 55-01 and am very pleased at the moment. I did however encounter this weird low rumbling noise but that was quickly solved with a new battery.
These are definitely top of my list of best pickups out there.
I've got them in a 55-01 and am very pleased at the moment. I did however encounter this weird low rumbling noise but that was quickly solved with a new battery.
These are definitely top of my list of best pickups out there.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,075
- 9,792
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I just picked up a bass with Big Singles and Carey's 2 band pre, and am amazed by how quiet the setup is. Honestly, as well as the preamp being very quiet when boosted, the pickups are dead quiet when panned in any direction. I've only taken it out to a few places and one studio, but its just dead quiet.
Most people tell me their big singles hum, has anyone else had theirs be so quiet?
Most people tell me their big singles hum, has anyone else had theirs be so quiet?
I've got mine paired with a Bartolini NTMB 3 band preamp and it is noisy as all get out. The pickups pick up every little electrical disturbance in the room including lights and computers. My experience has been relatively negative so far.
If I move my bass a certain way, the noise goes away. The electronics and pickup cavities are painted with shielding paint but it seems to make no difference. It's not a ground issue because the noise is there whether I touch the strings or not. These pickups are just noisy and pickup interferences.
I am going to go back to regular Bartolini soapbars as they are humcancelling and the poles aren't exposed which I think helps cut interference. I know they are going to be a different animal tone wise but I just can't take the noise anymore! I already placed an order on Perfect Bass.
If I move my bass a certain way, the noise goes away. The electronics and pickup cavities are painted with shielding paint but it seems to make no difference. It's not a ground issue because the noise is there whether I touch the strings or not. These pickups are just noisy and pickup interferences.
I am going to go back to regular Bartolini soapbars as they are humcancelling and the poles aren't exposed which I think helps cut interference. I know they are going to be a different animal tone wise but I just can't take the noise anymore! I already placed an order on Perfect Bass.
very strange!
Big singles are single coil, so they DO hum when not balanced. It's the nature of the beast.
I had every kind of Nordstrand pickups, with a bartolini pre, in one of my bass and never had a noise problem (beside the single coil hum, of course).
If requested, Nordstrand pups come with closed covers.
BTW, there is no difference, sound or noise wise, with closed cover or not.
M
Big singles are single coil, so they DO hum when not balanced. It's the nature of the beast.
I had every kind of Nordstrand pickups, with a bartolini pre, in one of my bass and never had a noise problem (beside the single coil hum, of course).
If requested, Nordstrand pups come with closed covers.
BTW, there is no difference, sound or noise wise, with closed cover or not.
M
It sounds like different pre's amplify the hum to one degree or another. I have Big Singles in my Lakland (passive VVT) and while there is some noise, it isn't bad at all. The control and pickup cavities are lined with copper foil, maybe that is better shielding than paint. Just my $.02.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,075
- 9,792
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
thats interesting, so what do you think is going on with my bass? I asked the builder to shield the pickup cavities as well as the preamp cavity, just to see if it would help with the noise. My first impression is, "Yes it worked!". My second is "shouldn't it be making some amount of noise, if it is a single coil?"
I'm 99% they're not big splits, so I wonder what gives.
Hey Mo! I hope you guys had a greats show, I was wishing I could be there, and the shots of your guys' booth are just incredible!
I'm 99% they're not big splits, so I wonder what gives.
Hey Mo! I hope you guys had a greats show, I was wishing I could be there, and the shots of your guys' booth are just incredible!
My preamp does add a little bit of noise, but it isn't bad in most cases, and it isn't noticeable when playing. There are some situations where it's louder, but I'm sure it has more to do with other factors (old electrical wiring in an old house, etc.). Of course, I do get some of that single coil hum when favoring a particular pickup, but that's expected. It helps when I'm not facing my amp or too close to it in general.
Ah, so THAT's why you sold it to me......
I'll post my thoughts and findings in the next couple days - bass should be in my hands tomorrow! I'm looking forward to it - I had a 55-01 before with the US Bart preamp, but wasn't very happy with the MK1 pu's - really looking forward to this one with the Nordstrands in it (Big Singles). And to be completely honest, when I used the previous bass right before I sold it, I was doing a musical downtown in the city (Buffalo), and was getting buzz and interference with those pu's too, depending on position of the bass. Sometimes it's just the area, or the environment.
I thought I'd throw my 2¢ in now that I'm an official Big Single owner. I just finished building a bass with the BS's and a Bart NTMB (wired 18v). I'm super impressed with this setup. My setup is relatively quiet - obviously the single coil hum, but panned center (where it pretty much stays for me) it's quiet.
My other basses have various flavors of Barts so for this one I wanted something different. I'm extremely happy with how it sounds. I'm running stainless strings, which were pretty zingy and had a lot of string/fret noise initially. But now that the strings have settled in, that seems to have gone away. These pickups have a lot of good punch and seem to sit really nice in the mix. The bottom end is real solid without being boomy - present without muddying up the mix.
My other basses have various flavors of Barts so for this one I wanted something different. I'm extremely happy with how it sounds. I'm running stainless strings, which were pretty zingy and had a lot of string/fret noise initially. But now that the strings have settled in, that seems to have gone away. These pickups have a lot of good punch and seem to sit really nice in the mix. The bottom end is real solid without being boomy - present without muddying up the mix.
I've been gigging with a Nordy with Big Singles for a couple years now. I am also blown away at how dead quiet they seem to be. I don't usually dial the balance too far from center/blend. But I do dial the balance to favor the Bridge PU often. Now that you mention it, I can't remember the last time I heard any noise to speak of. ... and I am 1000% positive this bass is loaded with Big Singles. Cool stuff Carey and crew!
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,075
- 9,792
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Yo Gary! Thats awesome, I'm glad to hear yours are noise free too. I'm a little confused why the results vary so much. I've heard a couple Nordy owners say theirs were somewhat noisy with big singles, and others like Gary and I, who have reported little to no noise whatsoever, not even the standard single coil 60 cycle hum.
I think it really depends on location. I had Singles in my bass and it was dead silent most places, but others were an RF nightmare!
Always true. But I've gigged at least twice a week if not more of less for a couple years. I never had noise issues that I can remember. I play at moderate band volumes. Not uber quiet or anything.
I'll have to check out your thread in the Luthier's Corner.
I'm still quite digging my Big Singles/Nordy 3-band pre setup. The other day I was playing some licks for "You Oughta Know" by Alanis, and I wanted some bite when I really dug in, and Popping was too much. I favored the bridge pickup a bit, and voila!!!
