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Nordstrand BigRig Pickups
- Thread starter 3rdcurve
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- nordstrand pickups
I just put a set of these into a build that started last year. The first bass I built with them, I loved that sound (it was P2, in my sig below). So I decided to do that on this one, too. And man, do I love it! The Big Rigs are awesome.
This bass has the ability to switch Series/Parallel on each one, as well as both together (a master S/P switch). There's a significant difference in output between series (loud) and parallel (not as loud), but both are great sounds.
These are on my list of favorite pickups ever, for sure.
This bass has the ability to switch Series/Parallel on each one, as well as both together (a master S/P switch). There's a significant difference in output between series (loud) and parallel (not as loud), but both are great sounds.
These are on my list of favorite pickups ever, for sure.
No. I have been real tight on money. My bass strings have been very dead for like 3 months....
I would also like to get some pre-wired switches from nordstrand. For choice between single/parallel/series.
And when I am ohat with cash again, I may go ahead and get one of their pre-amps, and a tonestyler, as well.
Just put a set of BigRig 5's in an old Heartfield 5 I've had for years. Its a really fun bass to play. 2 octave neck, easy access to every note, well balanced, plays like a (cheap) dream, etc, etc. The problem is its always sounded like dog poop. I've tried everything in this bass to make it come alive. Spent much more than the bass is worth on pickups. A learned friend of my recommended The BigRigs and a 2 band Nordy preamp. WOW! What a freakin difference! Many tonal options with a series/parallel switch, and all usable.
I couldn't be happier. I would never have sold my Tyler 5 if these pickups had been available then. A great compliment to my other "Fender" type basses. I've used it for about a month. It killed in every situation.
I couldn't be happier. I would never have sold my Tyler 5 if these pickups had been available then. A great compliment to my other "Fender" type basses. I've used it for about a month. It killed in every situation.
Big Rigs are the best. So much texture and detail. Glad they are becoming a word of mouth pickup.
For those who have experience with both: how do you like them with an active preamp vs passive?
The passive and flat active sound were pretty much the same aside from the passive being lower volume. I decided to use the active/passive switch for series/parallel, and leave it active all the time. More usable for me.
They sound fantastic in both. You get a nice defined clarity and volume in passive that only gets nicer when you have the ability to shape it when active. They don't lack anything when there is no preamp, they have tons of presence.
If you want anything specific, my bass is set up with a "kitchen sink" preamp. I can get you some specific noises: active, passive, series, parallel, you name it!
If you want anything specific, my bass is set up with a "kitchen sink" preamp. I can get you some specific noises: active, passive, series, parallel, you name it!
i have a sr600 that i upgraded the preamp in but left the mk1 pups it came with. that upgrade did not get me to the place i was hoping.
i decided to take the plunge and get the mk4 pups. the mk4s with the bart hr5.4ap/918 preamp sounds so good. this set up gets me to that warm and creamy place i was looking for.
a new preamp might help your mk4s.
Would love to hear some more actual users chime in on these pickups. I have a Custom Devon almost finished and getting excited. So far my favorite 2 pickups are Nordstrand DC’s or Aguilar DCB’s. Would like to hear more feedback.
I find they are a nice balance between the Nordy Big Singles and DCs. It is hard to describe the tone, although the "complex" descriptor works well. I have 3 May custom basses that are Nordy equipped. For my 6 strings, I have the Nordy 3 band with the DC pickups, with 3 way switching (Series/Single/Parallel) for each pickup. For the fretless, I love the bridge pup in Series mode. For my fretted 6, I often split the coils into single coil mode, though it is pretty thin sounding in comparison to the Big Singles in my Lakland. The BigRigs give more of the single coil clarity, maintaining a fuller than the DCs in single coil mode, but not quite as punchy as the big singles. I think they are a good all around pickup, and sound great digging in fingerstyle. For slapping, I still prefer the Big Singles, or maybe even just some standard J-bass singles. But I definitely like the Big Rigs. You made a good choice. Congrats on your upcoming bass! 
Here are my Nordy equipped basses. The Mappa Burl 5 string has the Big Rigs.
Here are my Nordy equipped basses. The Mappa Burl 5 string has the Big Rigs.
I find they are a nice balance between the Nordy Big Singles and DCs. It is hard to describe the tone, although the "complex" descriptor works well. I have 3 May custom basses that are Nordy equipped. For my 6 strings, I have the Nordy 3 band with the DC pickups, with 3 way switching (Series/Single/Parallel) for each pickup. For the fretless, I love the bridge pup in Series mode. For my fretted 6, I often split the coils into single coil mode, though it is pretty thin sounding in comparison to the Big Singles in my Lakland. The BigRigs give more of the single coil clarity, maintaining a fuller than the DCs in single coil mode, but not quite as punchy as the big singles. I think they are a good all around pickup, and sound great digging in fingerstyle. For slapping, I still prefer the Big Singles, or maybe even just some standard J-bass singles. But I definitely like the Big Rigs. You made a good choice. Congrats on your upcoming bass!
Here are my Nordy equipped basses. The Mappa Burl 5 string has the Big Rigs.
View attachment 3306532
So I see you are the guy that’s been buying all the May basses he posts on Facebook lol. Beautiful basses by the way. Are they all 34’?
I am one of them! lol. There are a couple of us that ended up being repeat offenders. Truth be told, I would love a 4th one someday. He does amazing work. They are all 34'. Maybe it is the woods I chose, but my absolute only complaint on any of them is with the 5 string one, the B feels a little weak. However, most of my 5+ string basses are 35, such as my MTD535. And of course there is no comparison to the B on my Dingwall. For whatever reason I do not notice it as bad on the 6 stringers, but the B on the 5 just feels a little thinner sounding than I am used to. Otherwise though, absolutely superb instruments. I would like to do another 5 string in one of his more modern shapes if I ever get another one. It would be similar to another customer's, with Ebony top and purpleheart accents. They did a purpleheart board. I would do maple board with purpleheart blocks. But that's a long way off.
And thank you! Here I got talking about future basses and forgot my decorum. I appreciate it. I am thankful that I connected with him on my first project, which was the walnut burl one. I quickly fell in love, so I couldn't stop at one.
I like your Big Rig setup and was wondering how each pickup in parallel but series with each other would sound? Series would restore some beef to the overall signal and not be mid-scooped. My Dingwall has a 4-position selector that provides this alignment and it’s a beast.
I have a Spector Rebop with a Bigrig in the neck and a Big Single in the bridge with a series/single/parallel switch for the BR. I'm thinking about getting another Bigrig for the bridge but was wondering if anyone has wired up two pickups using one switch for both? Just trying to keep from drilling an extra hole.
