Nordstrand BigRig Pickups

[emjazz]

What does the Big Split in the bridge bring that the BigRig didn't?

For me and my setup it brings a quicker response. I use flatwounds on a warmer sounding bass. The BigRig in the bridge, in my bass, was just too even. I think my experience was ver bass specific.

 

[BunchyMutt]

For me and my setup it brings a quicker response. I use flatwounds on a warmer sounding bass. The BigRig in the bridge, in my bass, was just too even. I think my experience was ver bass specific.

perfect, I can completely imagine what you mean. @J.Wolf did you have a similar experience?

 

[J.Wolf]

The caveat for me is that I had them in a pretty unconventional instrument, a set neck six string that is all ash and maple. But, FWIW, the Big Rig in the bridge position wasnt as full blooded and big sounding as it was in the neck position, so it sounded a little out of balance, tonally and volume wise. The Big Split had a bit more bite and forward voicing which meshed with the bridge position better, and gave it an equally full sound to the Big Rig in the neck which made the instrument balance better overall. It was actually a killer bridge pickup, with lots of burp and Jaco mids. And with the Big Rig in the Neck, as this huge beautiful P type tone, it was super versatile. I didnt run them blended too much, preferring either one or the other solo'd. I also had a 3 way switch for the big rig (series/parallel,single coil) which really expanded the tones even further. I ultimately went back to the stock pups in that bass for different reasons but would do that BR/BS setup again in a heartbeat.

 

[emjazz]

The caveat for me is that I had them in a pretty unconventional instrument, a set neck six string that is all ash and maple. But, FWIW, the Big Rig in the bridge position wasnt as full blooded and big sounding as it was in the neck position, so it sounded a little out of balance, tonally and volume wise. The Big Split had a bit more bite and forward voicing which meshed with the bridge position better, and gave it an equally full sound to the Big Rig in the neck which made the instrument balance better overall. It was actually a killer bridge pickup, with lots of burp and Jaco mids. And with the Big Rig in the Neck, as this huge beautiful P type tone, it was super versatile. I didnt run them blended too much, preferring either one or the other solo'd. I also had a 3 way switch for the big rig (series/parallel,single coil) which really expanded the tones even further. I ultimately went back to the stock pups in that bass for different reasons but would do that BR/BS setup again in a heartbeat.

Aaaand that's why Jake writes for a gear magazine. Perfectly said!

 

[BunchyMutt]

The caveat for me is that I had them in a pretty unconventional instrument, a set neck six string that is all ash and maple. But, FWIW, the Big Rig in the bridge position wasnt as full blooded and big sounding as it was in the neck position, so it sounded a little out of balance, tonally and volume wise. The Big Split had a bit more bite and forward voicing which meshed with the bridge position better, and gave it an equally full sound to the Big Rig in the neck which made the instrument balance better overall. It was actually a killer bridge pickup, with lots of burp and Jaco mids. And with the Big Rig in the Neck, as this huge beautiful P type tone, it was super versatile. I didnt run them blended too much, preferring either one or the other solo'd. I also had a 3 way switch for the big rig (series/parallel,single coil) which really expanded the tones even further. I ultimately went back to the stock pups in that bass for different reasons but would do that BR/BS setup again in a heartbeat.

excellent, maaaany thanks

 

[BunchyMutt]

The caveat for me is that I had them in a pretty unconventional instrument, a set neck six string that is all ash and maple. But, FWIW, the Big Rig in the bridge position wasnt as full blooded and big sounding as it was in the neck position, so it sounded a little out of balance, tonally and volume wise. The Big Split had a bit more bite and forward voicing which meshed with the bridge position better, and gave it an equally full sound to the Big Rig in the neck which made the instrument balance better overall. It was actually a killer bridge pickup, with lots of burp and Jaco mids. And with the Big Rig in the Neck, as this huge beautiful P type tone, it was super versatile. I didnt run them blended too much, preferring either one or the other solo'd. I also had a 3 way switch for the big rig (series/parallel,single coil) which really expanded the tones even further. I ultimately went back to the stock pups in that bass for different reasons but would do that BR/BS setup again in a heartbeat.

one more question - did you have the alnico III or V?

 

[emjazz]

I have the standard V myself.

 

[J.Wolf]

Can’t remember if mine were 3 or 5 but I didn’t specify so if these a “stock” magnet for the BR’s, it was that

 

[4StringTheorist]

The caveat for me is that I had them in a pretty unconventional instrument, a set neck six string that is all ash and maple. But, FWIW, the Big Rig in the bridge position wasnt as full blooded and big sounding as it was in the neck position, so it sounded a little out of balance, tonally and volume wise. The Big Split had a bit more bite and forward voicing which meshed with the bridge position better, and gave it an equally full sound to the Big Rig in the neck which made the instrument balance better overall. It was actually a killer bridge pickup, with lots of burp and Jaco mids. And with the Big Rig in the Neck, as this huge beautiful P type tone, it was super versatile. I didnt run them blended too much, preferring either one or the other solo'd. I also had a 3 way switch for the big rig (series/parallel,single coil) which really expanded the tones even further. I ultimately went back to the stock pups in that bass for different reasons but would do that BR/BS setup again in a heartbeat.

This is interesting for me to read. I've got a pair of Big Splits, and I've been wishing the bridge pickup were a bit darker and thicker sounding, so I'd been considering a Big Rig in series to replace the Big Split. Your commentary here has me wondering if I'd be barking up the wrong tree!

 

[mikezimmerman]

I'm re-reading this thread, since I've pretty much settled on a pair of BigRigs for the fretless Bordwell 5 that's slated to start in a few months. I'm really after a fairly broad, even sound and am not at all looking for the "Jaco burp" in the bridge position, but I think it's probably a good idea to go ahead with the series/parallel switches...

 

[emjazz]

I'm re-reading this thread, since I've pretty much settled on a pair of BigRigs for the fretless Bordwell 5 that's slated to start in a few months. I'm really after a fairly broad, even sound and am not at all looking for the "Jaco burp" in the bridge position, but I think it's probably a good idea to go ahead with the series/parallel switches...

Great call, Mike! I think that'll get you exactly what you're looking for.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Thanks, Andrew!

Great call, Mike! I think that'll get you exactly what you're looking for.

 

[rojo412]

The S/P switches help immensely. I’ve built a couple of basses with the Big Rigs and both had the switches, which helped out in tonal modification on the fly. Both modes sound great.

 

[MarkA]

The S/P switches help immensely. I’ve built a couple of basses with the Big Rigs and both had the switches, which helped out in tonal modification on the fly. Both modes sound great.

This is series/parallel switching between the coils of each pickup, not between the neck and bridge pickups -- is that correct?

 

[rojo412]

Yeah, individual switches for each of the pickups.
But I've done the "Global Series/Parallel" (for the pickups together) and that is pretty awesome, too. Talk about a passive boost!

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Well, after reading my first entire post on TB, I'm ready to roll with what I expect will turnout to be a very solid hard rock Bass machine to squeeze, grind, refine, mix and serve a better than classic tone!

Roasted Alder Jazz with EMG35 routes, with the centers being in the standard pickup pole positions and a 60's bridge location.

1/4 sawn Maple/Ebony P - 20 fret - Brass nut

2TEK 19mm

(A/B)EAD

Big Rig = Neck/Series/A-5

Big Single = Bridge/A-5

ToneStyler Bass 10 = Passive Tone

V-Bld-TS

I cannot imagine being unable to deliver!

 

[5StringPocket]

Looks like a killer spec. I’d recommend a hum cancelling Big Split instead of a Big Single at the bridge. The Big Rig is also hum cancelling. I’ve heard good things about this pairing.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Looks like a killer spec. I’d recommend a hum cancelling Big Split instead of a Big Single at the bridge.

If I were running V-V-TS perhaps, but with the blend, I expect noise-free operation. I never use a soloed bridge J in my real-world playing.

 

[J.Wolf]

Looks like a killer spec. I’d recommend a hum cancelling Big Split instead of a Big Single at the bridge. The Big Rig is also hum cancelling. I’ve heard good things about this pairing.

+1

Big Rig in the neck, Big Split in the bridge, full stop.

 

[J.Wolf]

I had this setup in my 6 for a while and it was outstandingly versatile and balanced. and no 60 cycle hum!