Nordstrand big singles replacements

[JGR]

I'd highly recommend the Big Rig pickups from Nordstrand; rounder and more complex than the Big Single, very "vintage" sounding wired in series and also hum cancelling

Nice, I've been contemplating them for an upcoming build! Are you referring to each pickup being wired series (with the pair in parallel), or running the pair wired series?

 

[MDBass]

Nice, I've been contemplating them for an upcoming build! Are you referring to each pickup being wired series (with the pair in parallel), or running the pair wired series?

Each pickup wired in series internally, together in parallel.

 

[JGR]

Each pickup wired in series internally, together in parallel.

Thanks, I figured as much but wanted to be sure. The pair full on in parallel seem to have a nice balanced sound with very little scoop from the clips I've heard, which leads me to believe running them in series would be a bit thick.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I played a similar Ibanez and it sounds aggressive, more than anything else with BigSingles I've heard. So wood/construction probably has something to do with it.

It might also be due to the choice of pots. I see Nordstrand has been recommending 250K Ohm to users here, but Ibanez uses 500K Ohm.
If other manufacturers are using 250K Ohm, that would take away some of that aggressiveness.

 

[maurilio]

all good suggestions, I would add that for those who like the big singles but wants humcan, the big splits are a very good replacement. Not the exact same sound, but close enough (the BSp are my favorite).
killed_by_death has a very good suggestion and I agree, swap those 500k pots (especially the blend) for a more "traditional" sound, less edgy.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

For less loading, use Volume/Volume instead of a balance/blend, not to mention it's more versatile.

 

[Grapevine921]

Thanks for the reply

I thought construction had something to do, the fact is that for playing funky/dance the bass is really a killer, it deliver an immediate punch that everybody like.

As for the lowering the pickups, yes i tried and made some experiments lowering and rising, both or one at a time, lowering the G string or rising the E, but the sound lost definition and it was worse, as for the strings i use D'Addario.

Regarding the pickups i'm quite afraid to buy some nordstrand or aguilar, because in Italy they are rare to find used, and they are quite expensive,and if there will be no improvement i'll have wasted money; i would look for some seymour duncan (if they can fit) o bartolini, although i'm not a fan of their sound because i find them quite dark, but maybe that darkening the sound will improve the global response.

You have some of the greatest pickups out there. I think you'd have a better chance getting the tone you want with different strings instead. Otherwise you'll just get a bunch of replies with people advertising their most recent purchase or what's in the dream journal. I vote experimenting with other strings before buying new pickups.

 

[taosword]

Right. Try different strings, different gauges, tweek the preamp, and stage amp and preamp, and change where you play with right plucking fingers before you invest in major change in pickups.

 

[Bassworship1]

Hi everybody

I play an ibanez sr 1200 with nordstrand big singles and flat strings, great bass, very well made and very versatile if i play "modern", meaning that the sound is great mids and some lack of "vintage" bass frequencies.
I play everything from funky-dance to blues-ballads, and would like that the ibanez could fit it all (obviously i don't expect to turn it into a precision, just a little more versatility).

I thought to replace the big singles with something more vintage and less crisp, and i'm asking your opinion: could this be an option (and in this case which pickup would be useful) or the sound of the ibanez is due to wood, weight ecc, so that changing the pups would be worthless?

I play also a jazz and a precision, but would like to bring just one bass, and in the band i play now the ibanez is the most suitable option in terms of sound.

Thanks in advance

I've owned more Premium and Prestige basses than about anyone on here and have experimented with various preamps and pickup swaps on a few. The absolute best I've found for direct replacements for the big singles is a set of Nordstrand DC pickups. They made a good bass absolutely phenomenal. They are some of the most diverse pickups I've used as they can be coil tapped and split for even more tonal variety. This is one of the BTB premiums I swapped to them and also upgraded the preamp to Aguilar OBP-3. Bass was as good as my Boutique basses 3-4 times the money.

 

[Matt Wilkerson]

Hi everybody

I play an ibanez sr 1200 with nordstrand big singles and flat strings, great bass, very well made and very versatile if i play "modern", meaning that the sound is great mids and some lack of "vintage" bass frequencies.
I play everything from funky-dance to blues-ballads, and would like that the ibanez could fit it all (obviously i don't expect to turn it into a precision, just a little more versatility).

I thought to replace the big singles with something more vintage and less crisp, and i'm asking your opinion: could this be an option (and in this case which pickup would be useful) or the sound of the ibanez is due to wood, weight ecc, so that changing the pups would be worthless?

I play also a jazz and a precision, but would like to bring just one bass, and in the band i play now the ibanez is the most suitable option in terms of sound.

Thanks in advance

If the Nordstrand's are not versatile enough, I put these in me customer Ibanez sr605. two EMG 40TWX dual/single pickups with the BQC System and man what a difference. Total and complete tone control with each pickup acting as a single coil or dual hummbucker. the possibillities are endless. I reccomment adding an on/off switch so batteries are not draining when left plugged in.

 

[DanGR]

Thanks everybody

I think i'm gonna try the jazz bars, the fact is that i really like the sound of big singles and the way it is produced, i mean the strong attack, and during gigs i really like (and so people who play with me) the strong mids, this bass really emerge by itself. I just would like a little more colour on the basses side, a little touch of vintage, just for the slow tunes where i need some colur.
Otherwise i've got to say that the ibanez sr 1200 is really a great bass (and i have a japanese jazz and an american precision)

How did the jazz bars work out for you? From what you described as lacking in the Big Singles and what you were after, I immediately thought of Bartolini P2 Originals. I have an Ibanez SR 1205e and I'm looking to replace my Big Singles with the P2 Classic for a little more high end and versatility.

 

[PawleeP]

I've owned more Premium and Prestige basses than about anyone on here and have experimented with various preamps and pickup swaps on a few. The absolute best I've found for direct replacements for the big singles is a set of Nordstrand DC pickups. They made a good bass absolutely phenomenal. They are some of the most diverse pickups I've used as they can be coil tapped and split for even more tonal variety. This is one of the BTB premiums I swapped to them and also upgraded the preamp to Aguilar OBP-3. Bass was as good as my Boutique basses 3-4 times the money.

what are DC pickups?

 

[ronald cardenas]

I've had several Ibanez Premium basses that had the Big Singles of course but the best pickup I've tried by far in them are the Nordstrand Dual Coils. They are a bit pricey but I couldn't believe the difference they made. I also had a set of USA Barts Classic series pups dual coil that sounded better. The Nordstrand DC5's are amazing though.

Hi, do you replace the BIG SINGLES in the ibanez premium for NORDSTRAND DC ?... They make match with the ibanez preamp?

 

[Bartrinsic]

Hi, do you replace the BIG SINGLES in the ibanez premium for NORDSTRAND DC ?... They make match with the ibanez preamp?

It should be fine. I haven't tried the DCs but I've used the Ibanez preamp with Nordstrand Big Splits and Aguilar DCBs. You can try any passive pickup that fits (e.g. not EMG active pickups that require a battery lead) with the existing preamp. You can try a different preamp later too, such as the OBP-3 mentioned above or a Nordstrand 3b, or many others.

 

[ronald cardenas]

It should be fine. I haven't tried the DCs but I've used the Ibanez preamp with Nordstrand Big Splits and Aguilar DCBs. You can try any passive pickup that fits (e.g. not EMG active pickups that require a battery lead) with the existing preamp. You can try a different preamp later too, such as the OBP-3 mentioned above or a Nordstrand 3b, or many others.

Thanks, i tried the DCB AGUILAR in my premium sr1306, but with these pickups i lost volume, the bright slap tone and sustain... I think the ibanez preamp and woods dont work very well with the dark tone of the Aguilar DCB

 

[pecBass]

I've owned more Premium and Prestige basses than about anyone on here and have experimented with various preamps and pickup swaps on a few. The absolute best I've found for direct replacements for the big singles is a set of Nordstrand DC pickups. They made a good bass absolutely phenomenal. They are some of the most diverse pickups I've used as they can be coil tapped and split for even more tonal variety. This is one of the BTB premiums I swapped to them and also upgraded the preamp to Aguilar OBP-3. Bass was as good as my Boutique basses 3-4 times the money.

I have a SR1200 with the Big Singles but incur lots of hum in some venues (60 cycle hum). What hum bucking pups would you recommend?

 

[Stuart Hmm]

Bassworship1, when you say Nordys DC, do you mean series or parallel wiring?