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Nordstrand MM4.3 in a Sterling

#3
Rodent said:
hey D -

you looking for technical 'how to' info, of just sound clips from those who've done it before?

all the best,

R
Click to expand...

Just sound clips from those who've done it. I'm already resolved to replacing it since I already bought it - I just want to feel good about it now. :D Seriously though, I always get nervous before doing surgery on a bass. It always turns out fine though.

BTW, I got the pickup yesterday - Thanks for the quick shipment! I just need to get to the Shack and get some heat shrink to do things right.
 
#4
cool - feel welcome to give me a ring or drop me a line if you get stuck during the process.

are you planning to splice to the wires connected to the 3-position switch, or totally remove them and solder the new pickup leads direct?

if you're doing the latter, be sure to also have a roll of the narrow soldering wick available so you can suck the solder off of those joints.

bummer I didn't know you'd be needing shrink tubing as I could have sent you a few peices in the appropriate colors


all the best,

R
 
#5
Rodent said:
cool - feel welcome to give me a ring or drop me a line if you get stuck during the process.

are you planning to splice to the wires connected to the 3-position switch, or totally remove them and solder the new pickup leads direct?

if you're doing the latter, be sure to also have a roll of the narrow soldering wick available so you can suck the solder off of those joints.

bummer I didn't know you'd be needing shrink tubing as I could have sent you a few peices in the appropriate colors


all the best,

R
Click to expand...

I think splicing the wires and soldering them with the shrink tubing would be easiest for me. I noticed that some of the pictures on the web of the MM4.3 they use the soldering wick as a kind of strap for the 3rd pickup on the bottom. Was that just the way they did it to begin with, because I don't see that on the pup you sent me?
 
#6
yes - I believe this image is an early version of Carey's manufacturing, and is the only image of these I see on his website

b-mm43_back.jpg


all the best,

R
 
#7
Well, soldering to the circuit board turned out to be the better option anyway, especially since I accidentally pulled a pickup wire out from the board trying to splice the wires. All in all, it was a better fix anyway with me doing a fairly good soldering job. :smug:

I also added some new strings (DR Lo-Riders) as well. I am pretty happy about the sound I get. Of course, I will have to keep tinkering to get the sound that I like the best. One thing I did notice was that there was a more distinct sound difference between the switch settings with this pickup versus the EBMM pickup. And, I like that the highs aren't so thin and tinny.
 
#8
I have no experience at al with the nordstrand mm, but I like to listen to it on basstasters. :)

Maybe you can to:

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There are soundfiles from a mm sr4 with the original pu and with the nordstrand. The nordstrand sounds very different to my ear. More mellow and warm, less agressive.
 
#9
whitedk57 said:
Well, soldering to the circuit board turned out to be the better option anyway
Click to expand...

This I could have told you. Any pickup replacement in a Sterling would require this due to the small cavity and the limited space between the cavity and the pup route.

cigi said:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

There are soundfiles from a mm sr4 with the original pu and with the nordstrand. The nordstrand sounds very different to my ear. More mellow and warm, less agressive.
Click to expand...

The Sterling uses a Ceramic magnet pup, which is ultra aggressive and crunchy sounding in the highs. The Stingray uses Alnico magnet pups, which are inheritable more mellow. I would think that the tone would sound more mellow than the Stingray with added lows, but significantly more mellow than the sterling, giving the bass a new color of tone.

Enjoy! Lets hear some soundclips!
 
#11
joelb79 said:
This I could have told you. Any pickup replacement in a Sterling would require this due to the small cavity and the limited space between the cavity and the pup route.
Click to expand...

Where were you when I needed you?! - Just kidding... I adapted during the process, but not before some minor angst.


joelb79 said:
The Sterling uses a Ceramic magnet pup, which is ultra aggressive and crunchy sounding in the highs. The Stingray uses Alnico magnet pups, which are inheritable more mellow. I would think that the tone would sound more mellow than the Stingray with added lows, but significantly more mellow than the sterling, giving the bass a new color of tone.

Enjoy! Lets hear some soundclips!
Click to expand...

I liked the Sterling tone, but I love the tone I'm getting now. About the clips - I don't have anything to record with. I'll try to use the sound recorder in Windows. Don't hold your breath - I am not the best player. :hmm:
 
#13
I have just been sent a link to this thread by Akami.

I have a great playing but maybe not so great sounding Sterling 4H. I'm looking for a more rounded, fatter, lower mid forward, maybe even burpy tone.

As I understand things a Nordstrand will give me some or most of my wish list. Do I need the 4.2 and is it just a straight swap out with the MM one? Will I still get the three same options on the selector switch? Thanks, Bob
 
#14
MM4.3 sounds warmer than the original in my opinion. I don't think it sounds fatter than the original one. Sterlings preamp is very versatile and you can dial everything from reggae lows to piccolo style solo.

You can wire the MM4.2 to have the same options on the selector but, without the dummy coil it tends to hum a little on single coil position.
 

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