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Nordstrand BigRig Pickups

#381
porteous said:
You can order BigRigs with either Alnico V magnets (default) or Alnico III magnets, which the Nordy website describes as "warmer with a softer".. I was thinking it might be nice to have Alnico III for the next pickup and Alnico V for the bridge.. Has anyone uses BigRigs as a pair with different magnet types?
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I haven't tried mixing Alnicos on BigRigs, but I've tried it with single coil Jazz bass pickups. I prefer it the other way with an Alnico 2 for the bridge and an Alnico 5 for the neck. The bridge pickup is smoother with less treble, and the neck pickup has a more aggressive tone. The bridge pickup needs to be raised closer to the strings and the neck pickup lowered to even out the volumes. I have a 70's MIJ Jazz copy set up this way and it sounds great.
 
#382
sikamikanico said:
Does anyone know if the Big Rig bridge pickup is wound hotter for the bridge position like J pickups usually are, or is it mainly just designed for wider spacing?
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emjazz said:
Definitely a question for Nordstrand directly. They may even have that on their website
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For future reference, Nick said that yes, the bridge pickup is wound hotter.
 
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#384
TrevorOfDoom said:
Can anyone compare the BigRig in series mode with AlNiCoIII magnets to a vintage style split coil P?
Or is there a different Nordy pickup that gets closer to the split P sound?
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I can't answer for sure yet, but this is the reason I got BigRigs and switches in my Bordwell build that's currently underway.

Here is my Q&A with Nordstrand customer service on it;

Q. Hello, if I select a single coil in a BigRig 4 does it behave exactly like a single coil 51 P bass pickup? With the traditional growl etc.?

A. Growl yes, good tone, yes. But no two pickups "behave exactly alike" that'll be a no. You will get a full range single coil sound if you isolate the front or rear coil on a bigrig, but because it's still next to another coil, engaged or not the fields affect one another since field lines don't cross.

I can say they sound like they're in the same family.
 
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#385
TrevorOfDoom said:
Can anyone compare the BigRig in series mode with AlNiCoIII magnets to a vintage style split coil P?
Or is there a different Nordy pickup that gets closer to the split P sound?
Click to expand...
I believe you can order a custom pickup from them that is a hum canceling split P in a Soapbar. Just write to them. I used to have one in a hollowbody bass and it was great
 
#388
While a lot has been written about the BigRigs already, I want to add my 2 cents.

There are some who aren't getting what they are looking for from the bridge pickup. IMHO the BigRig bridge pickup is fantastic! If you are looking for the Jaco single coil burp, the BigRig will approximate that sound, but it is not what they were designed to do. The bridge pickup has these beautiful mids, almost a vocal quality - great for fretless.

And speaking of single coils: If you are considering switching options, I recommend including single coile mode. The difference to parallel is small but I actually prefer it. And volume is the same as in parallel, in case anyone is worrying about the offset polepieces.
 
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#389
MaHei said:
While a lot has been written about the BigRigs already, I want to add my 2 cents.

There are some who aren't getting what they are looking for from the bridge pickup. IMHO the BigRig bridge pickup is fantastic! If you are looking for the Jaco single coil burp, the BigRig will approximate that sound, but it is not what they were designed to do. The bridge pickup has these beautiful mids, almost a vocal quality - great for fretless.

And speaking of single coils: If you are considering switching options, I recommend including single coile mode. The difference to parallel is small but I actually prefer it. And volume is the same as in parallel, in case anyone is worrying about the offset polepieces.
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Love it. Got these coming in a build and it's great to hear reviews which match up with your expectations.
 
#390
MaHei said:
While a lot has been written about the BigRigs already, I want to add my 2 cents.

There are some who aren't getting what they are looking for from the bridge pickup. IMHO the BigRig bridge pickup is fantastic! If you are looking for the Jaco single coil burp, the BigRig will approximate that sound, but it is not what they were designed to do. The bridge pickup has these beautiful mids, almost a vocal quality - great for fretless.

And speaking of single coils: If you are considering switching options, I recommend including single coile mode. The difference to parallel is small but I actually prefer it. And volume is the same as in parallel, in case anyone is worrying about the offset polepieces.
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To this point, the reason why the standard BR wasn’t working for me in the bridge was because my bass is a chambered mahogany bass with a mostly wooden bridge. I’m just not going to get the same attack as a more traditional bass guitar. I have no doubt that the standard BR is outstanding in the bridge position in most cases
 
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#392
Bigrigs going in my new Cliff Bordwell. Excited now

JW7.jpg
 
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#394
Matt Power said:
Any report back on the Big Rigs?
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Absolutely love them. Very happy with the choice, and don't really see how I could need anything else.

Mostly sit in series mode, about 66-75% weighted towards the bridge pickup. Open the tone up a touch, and it's this rich modern Jaco like tone, but made of silk. Love it.

Also like having the front pickup in single coil mode, then dial in a little bridge pickup in parallel. That's like a full on aggressive tone.

Def recommend. And switches for sure.
 
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#396
nonohmic said:
Absolutely love them. Very happy with the choice, and don't really see how I could need anything else.

Mostly sit in series mode, about 66-75% weighted towards the bridge pickup. Open the tone up a touch, and it's this rich modern Jaco like tone, but made of silk. Love it.

Also like having the front pickup in single coil mode, then dial in a little bridge pickup in parallel. That's like a full on aggressive tone.

Def recommend. And switches for sure.
Click to expand...
Yes, 100% on switches! It adds a whole different palette of sounds to the table! They would be replacing Aguilar Super Doubles, which sound GREAT, but very much a 1-trick pony...but it's a GREAT pony!
They'll be going i to a Shawn May bass. If you know anything about them, you'll know why I am hesitant to change his formula, because it always works, whatever he chooses. The guy has the Golden Touch!
Thanks for the feedback...Imma get them!
 
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#397
Matt Power said:
Yes, 100% on switches! It adds a whole different palette of sounds to the table! They would be replacing Aguilar Super Doubles, which sound GREAT, but very much a 1-trick pony...but it's a GREAT pony!
They'll be going i to a Shawn May bass. If you know anything about them, you'll know why I am hesitant to change his formula, because it always works, whatever he chooses. The guy has the Golden Touch!
Thanks for the feedback...Imma get them!
Click to expand...

Rad. Yeah go for it man, you'll be stoked.

Yes, I know Shawn May his basses are beautiful. I actually considered one over the Bordwell, but I loved the SCB shape too much.
 

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