Nordstrand Big Singles... I'm not digging the tone

[SpeakerBoxxx]

Is it the pickups... is it the pre-amp... or do my preferences lie outside the norm?
I had some Nordstrand Big Singles installed on a custom bass along with an Aguilar OBP3. I did my research and based on many positive reviews, I went with the Big Singles. I couldn't find a negative review anywhere on those pickups. So once I got my bass with the Big Singles and once I got over the "Honeymoon Phase" of having a new bass, I started to notice that the bass really didn't sound all that pleasing. I would describe it as detached and unnatural with a touch of reverb. I've tried different approaches to try and minimize the nuances that offended my ear... adjust preamp settings, preamp on/off, adjust pick-up height, different strings, different amps & cabs, but that tone is always there. I contacted Aguilar and the rep told me that when the OBP3 is in the "off" setting, it is a true bypass and it shouldn't affect the sound in any way. I tried getting in touch with Nordstrand, but I never got a response.

At this point, I'm not sure what to do, but my beautiful bass doesn't hardly get any play and I'd love to figure out a solution. I have a lot of ideas on what I could do, but I would like to hear other people's opinions on Big Singles and just open up a conversation on what you would do in this situation.

 

[Jett Litt]

The EQ centers for the ODP3 are not the greatest. Too low and too high. Had one for a few years and was eventually glad to be rid of it.

I suggest Audere, John East etc. Or one of the recent filter preamps Lustihand and others ( look into those).

Regarding the Big Singles, I preferred the Big Blade Warm&Wooly after comparing both for a period.

Good luck

 

[SpeakerBoxxx]

Yeah, warm is the direction I'd like to move closer towards. I've read good things about the Big Blades, but I'm a little put off by Nordstrand at the moment. I tried to contact them a couple of times over the past year and not once did they ever respond.
Also, I was wondering if Nordstrand pickups have some inherent tone that is present across their whole line. Kinda like how some artists have their own style and you can tell that any one piece is theirs just by looking at it.

 

[Jett Litt]

I've always called them instead of Email, they've consistently answered the phone, and with a helpful, insightful attitude. I know with Email, Nordstrand has seemed to have problems with their emails being flat out rejected or sent to the spam folder of certain emails providers.

You might be able to say much of their pickup line has an inherent "voice". My reply would be that the Big Blade could definitely be the exception.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Could you elaborate on the "reverb"? Is there even a remote chance the pickup / preamp harness was installed incorrectly? You're at an advantage as there any number of competent techs in SoCal. It would be worth the bench fee to have a looksie. Is this something you can duplicate for the tech? Hate to see you deep-6 what should be some perfectly stellar gear.

Riis

 

[Tanner5382]

I'm in the minority, but I've never been knocked out by Nordstrand's pickups. I've tried a handful. Nothing wowed me, and some I flat out disliked.

 

[SpeakerBoxxx]

@Zooberwerx - I have often wondered about the possibility that things could be installed incorrectly. The reverb tone is very slight, and it gets more noticeable when the volume and tone are all the way up. I opened the control cavity and looked inside, the builder did a great job in making everything look neat and organized. There is a local tech that gets praise from a buddy of mine. I think inevitably, my bass will end up on his workbench.

@Tanner5382 You and me both, but my only experience is with the Big Singles in this bass. So many positive reviews about Nordstrand products and the Big Singles, I really expected something magical. Like every single YouTube video I see regarding these pickups, they sound great but just not in my hands.

 

[Zooberwerx]

@Zooberwerx - I have often wondered about the possibility that things could be installed incorrectly. The reverb tone is very slight, and it gets more noticeable when the volume and tone are all the way up. I opened the control cavity and looked inside, the builder did a great job in making everything look neat and organized. There is a local tech that gets praise from a buddy of mine. I think inevitably, my bass will end up on his workbench.

@Tanner5382 You and me both, but my only experience is with the Big Singles in this bass. So many positive reviews about Nordstrand products and the Big Singles, I really expected something magical. Like every single YouTube video I see regarding these pickups, they sound great but just not in my hands.

When you mention "reverb" and "detached", the first two things that come to mind:

*Reverb - string(s) is twisted or the pickup is too close. Actually, this is more of a chorusing affect but your perception may differ from mine.

*Detached - this almost sounds as if the pickups are wired out-of-phase.

I guess something could be broken but let your man rule-out the stupid stuff first. These are some of the more popular components so he should have no trouble navigating the landscape.

Riis

 

[Tanner5382]

@Zooberwerx - I have often wondered about the possibility that things could be installed incorrectly. The reverb tone is very slight, and it gets more noticeable when the volume and tone are all the way up. I opened the control cavity and looked inside, the builder did a great job in making everything look neat and organized. There is a local tech that gets praise from a buddy of mine. I think inevitably, my bass will end up on his workbench.

@Tanner5382 You and me both, but my only experience is with the Big Singles in this bass. So many positive reviews about Nordstrand products and the Big Singles, I really expected something magical. Like every single YouTube video I see regarding these pickups, they sound great but just not in my hands.

I know what you mean. It's a shame, but sometimes we have those pickups or basses that just don't work for us. Is the size of the Big Singles the same as any other pickups you might like that you could swap them out? I bet you could sell the Big Singles easily.

 

[Killing Floor]

I’m all in for going on a pickup replacement bender.
But Nordy pickups are really good. I think I’d check the preamp and experiment with settings as well before replacing the pickups. Reason is the difference between pickups is really subtle. The position won’t change.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I love my Big Singles. They are paired with an Audere custom 4 band pre. Have used Jazz Bar pups as well. Customer service with Nordstrand had been phenomenal. Have never had a problem communicating with them. Love their pups!

 

[SpeakerBoxxx]

When you mention "reverb" and "detached", the first two things that come to mind:

*Reverb - string(s) is twisted or the pickup is too close. Actually, this is more of a chorusing affect but your perception may differ from mine.

*Detached - this almost sounds as if the pickups are wired out-of-phase.

I guess something could be broken but let your man rule-out the stupid stuff first. These are some of the more popular components so he should have no trouble navigating the landscape.

Riis

thanks for the response, your thoughts on pickup being too close were my first thoughts too. I've got them screwed down pretty low, can possibly go lower, I'll check into that tonight when I get home. Also, the out-of-phase wiring has crossed my mind.

 

[micguy]

I'm thinking you want to try those pickups passive before you toss them. They are decently bright passive, with an active preamp, they might be a bit over the top. You can also try loading them with a loading capacitor on each pickup, which will tame them a bit - how much depends on the value of the capacitor. With half a dozen capacitor values (which won't cost much to buy), you can try out half a dozen new tones, and you know which way the sound will go with each change.

Swapping pickups is a complete crapshoot - a lot of money out the window, and it might be better, it might be worse, it might be about the same.

Nordstrand is about the easier=st company to do pickup business with. And extremely flexible in terms of getting the spacing, windings, and magnet flavor you want.

 

[darwin-bass]

I had Nordstrand hum cancelling dual-inline J pickups in a 5 Carvin bass a while ago. I found I just preferred the true single coil sound of the Carvins so I swapped them back in.

I put a Nordy MM pickup in my MM Warmoth build. It was fine. Years latter I swapped in a Seymour Duncan MM alnico pickup and it sounded just like the Nordy. Swapped in a ceramic version of the SD and it was brighter.

So my very limited experience with Nordstrand PUs is that they are well made but whether you like the sound or not is anybody's guess. And I've had stellar support from then when I've called on the phone.

 

[JuanB]

I’m also not at all a fan of the OBP3 which is surprising because of all the reviews I read about it led me to believe it would be a perfect fit for me. It sounded lifeless with no aggression whatsoever. I like an aggressive sound and that preamp just sucked in my bass. Replaced with a Bart NTMB and my bass sounds much better.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

I did my research and based on many positive reviews,

This seems to be a reoccurring theme around TB…
People go by what other people think or like. Its not a bad starting point but everyone’s opinion is different. Its not bad to try different things of course but if someone is wanting to experiment with different electronics, I would recommend working on soldering skills so one could change things themselves. Some of the fun is failing but learning what failed and what works and building up from that, the science of it will follow.
The last time I took my bass to someone else to get work done was about 12 years ago for a bridge swap and setup.
The bridge swap was fine but I ended up changing things with the setup to suit my playing better even though I tried to explain how I play and what I was looking for. Im not dogging the setup that was done, it just wasn’t what I needed…. so I changed it.
The same goes with electronics, if you don’t like it, change it but you should know why and how.
And it’ll save you $$$ doing it yourself.
That’s my 2 shots worth
(Or maybe 4 )

 

[InhumanResource]

When you mention "reverb" and "detached", the first two things that come to mind:

*Reverb - string(s) is twisted or the pickup is too close. Actually, this is more of a chorusing affect but your perception may differ from mine.

*Detached - this almost sounds as if the pickups are wired out-of-phase.

I guess something could be broken but let your man rule-out the stupid stuff first. These are some of the more popular components so he should have no trouble navigating the landscape.

Riis

Wouldn’t out of phase be super obvious? Like extreme nasal bridge pickup through a bell telephone kind of thing?

 

[Jefenator]

I've always wanted to try those big singles. You might be saving me some money! (It's not like worthy P2 test platforms are falling out of trees.)
I do recall now the Nordy single coil Js didn't last with me. I was impressed by the build quality (nice touch with the rounder cover edges) but some of that refinement seemed to have carried over to the sound. Search over for many, but apparently I'm more of an Aero & Lollar kind of guy. Total YMMV thing.
I wish there were some way to eliminate the crapshoot factor completely. The best remedy I've found is the classified section here.

 

[logdrum]

My luthier friend who knows Carey explained to me that the Fat Singles are like P-90s and you may just not be accustomed to the sound. Coupling that with an Aguilar which is also aggressive, probably explains why you are disappointed. But you seem experienced and tried everything already. It took me a while to like Nordstand pickups (I just started using them in 2021). A few weeks ago I used a bass with Big Splits on a gig and also listen to some recorded jams with it and wow they also sound good in a mix. Will not replace the basses I have with another Nordstand but will just stick with my first loves Bartolini's and EMGs

They were responsive with my emails. Call them maybe.
Possibly you have a defective product. Can you isolate which one.

I have the Fat Stacks on one bass where I also have John East. I am disappointed with the John East 5 knob that I have, too much coin for a noisy preamp and finicky with shielding. Years ago his first model the JTone was great. I mostly play that bass on passive and hardly use the almost 300$ pre-amp. It also uses batteries a lot.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

The EQ centers for the ODP3 are not the greatest. Too low and too high. Had one for a few years and was eventually glad to be rid of it.

I suggest Audere, John East etc. Or one of the recent filter preamps Lustihand and others ( look into those).

Regarding the Big Singles, I preferred the Big Blade Warm&Wooly after comparing both for a period.

Good luck

Huge advocate of the John East preamps. Audere are dang good too.