Hi, I just acquired a Fender precision that has a Nordstrand NP4V split coil and a Nordstrand Dual Coil 4 wired as active. My question is: Can I wire these pickups as passive or am I stuck using it as an active bass?
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Nordstrand pickups
- Thread starter joshbassistct
- Start date
Yes, you can wire everything up passive.
Those are passive pickups that can be used with or without an active preamp.
Those are passive pickups that can be used with or without an active preamp.
... and they will sound AMAZING passive. 
Almost every bass I've built, I have Nordys with a preamp with passive bypass mode and often find myself in passive mode because they are stellar on their own.
Almost every bass I've built, I have Nordys with a preamp with passive bypass mode and often find myself in passive mode because they are stellar on their own.
Hi there,
since the Topic title has been kept very neutral, do i post on my matter here:
i want to order some Nordstrand pickups for my Ibby HBE1005sms. A shortscale/multiscale.
I´d had to bespoke some things with Nordstrand, since its not all so clear to me vs. stringspacing and what i need. (i´m +- clear on my pickup choice)
But they do not respond to me. I allready mailed thru their online form two times.
Whats usually their lead times to respond ?........they care for customers, right ?
But maybe you folks could help me out:
1. when they talk Stringspacing, thats meant to be measured directly at the bridge, right ? and i would measure my one on the multiscale inbetween two strings at the bridge ?
2. but, and here the problem comes in: its a multiscale, the pickups are placed non-perpendicular to the strings.
And: i will change the angle of my Neck pickup vs. the original placing.
Maybe the bridge pickup too, but less so.
3. so, how should i order when they don´t respond to me ?
i would like to tell them the string spacing that is on the thought pickup position, taking the mounting angle also into account. .....ideally, i send them also a picture with a paper placed on the bass as a dummy pickup, to make things clear
4. maybe somebody here has a direct eMail and would be willing to share it ?.........by PM for example
the original Barts is not what i need on my new Bass. Dull is not what a super modern shortscale/multiscale needs, lol ( doing electronic music myself)
hope somebody can help
since the Topic title has been kept very neutral, do i post on my matter here:
i want to order some Nordstrand pickups for my Ibby HBE1005sms. A shortscale/multiscale.
I´d had to bespoke some things with Nordstrand, since its not all so clear to me vs. stringspacing and what i need. (i´m +- clear on my pickup choice)
But they do not respond to me. I allready mailed thru their online form two times.
Whats usually their lead times to respond ?........they care for customers, right ?
But maybe you folks could help me out:
1. when they talk Stringspacing, thats meant to be measured directly at the bridge, right ? and i would measure my one on the multiscale inbetween two strings at the bridge ?
2. but, and here the problem comes in: its a multiscale, the pickups are placed non-perpendicular to the strings.
And: i will change the angle of my Neck pickup vs. the original placing.
Maybe the bridge pickup too, but less so.
3. so, how should i order when they don´t respond to me ?
i would like to tell them the string spacing that is on the thought pickup position, taking the mounting angle also into account. .....ideally, i send them also a picture with a paper placed on the bass as a dummy pickup, to make things clear
4. maybe somebody here has a direct eMail and would be willing to share it ?.........by PM for example
the original Barts is not what i need on my new Bass. Dull is not what a super modern shortscale/multiscale needs, lol ( doing electronic music myself)
hope somebody can help
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... and they will sound AMAZING passive.
Almost every bass I've built, I have Nordys with a preamp with passive bypass mode and often find myself in passive mode because they are stellar on their own.
what preamps have you successfully paired with the Nordys?
I’m sure I could pair them with anything. Personally though, I’ve done Nordy, East, EMG, Status, Spector, Aguilar... I’m probably forgetting some, but they should work with anything.
Do you mean EHB1005SMS? If you want Big Splits like the 1505 model has, perhaps Ibanez would sell you a pair. Getting them from Nordstrand is a custom order and the string spacing is measured on each pickup where the strings intersect the lengthwise midline. Low to high string (in mm) gives the total, then divide by 4 to get the string spacing on a fiver. I’d contact them by phone to tell them what you want then follow up with an email request for the pickup type, size, and measurements for both neck and bridge pickups. Figure around 3 months for a custom order. An easier solution would be to order a set of P4 size Zen Blade pickups. They are well balanced, have excellent tone, and can be used with any string spacing. The other Bart pickup replacement for this bass that has been well received is a P4 size set of Aguilar DCB’s. Check Lowendlobster videos on Youtube and the EHB headless bass thread here on Talkbass.
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I have bought a set of Nordstrand Dual Coils and am going to put them in my Ibanez BTB845V in a passive configuration. Probably wire it up vol vol tone.
yes, thats the one. (ahh, i see :lol: )
i´m in switzerland, .........thats here a whole different story
( i couldn´t find out how to add my location beneath my nickname)
yeah, i checked the videos and the threads here.
I find the Nordstrand pickups more appealing. and i would want to mix two different ones.,
yes, i had yesterday a look at the Zen blades. Could be an option for the bridge pickup.
ok, so you say i better should call them........i´m german speaking, but i will try
Thank you for the tipps !
Are you sure about the dimensions ? I'd have said that he needed P2, not P4, since the EHB1005SMS comes with Barto BH2, which according to these guys Bartolini BH2 and Ibanez bass have the same dimensions as the MK so 108x34 (P2 are 108x32). Am I missing something ?
The BH2 pickups come in different housings. If the BH2 in the short scale 1005SMS is the same (and I believe someone here confirmed they are) as the BH2 in the 1005MS, it's a P4 and not a P2.
Your English is much better than my German! If you choose Zen Blades you can just order from a distributor and don’t have to call Nordstrand.yes, thats the one. (ahh, i see :lol: )
i´m in switzerland, .........thats here a whole different story
( i couldn´t find out how to add my location beneath my nickname)
yeah, i checked the videos and the threads here.
I find the Nordstrand pickups more appealing. and i would want to mix two different ones.,
yes, i had yesterday a look at the Zen blades. Could be an option for the bridge pickup.
ok, so you say i better should call them........i´m german speaking, but i will try
Thank you for the tipps !
Just to be clear, the BH2 isn't the size of the pickup, it's the pickup family, kinda like saying Dimarzio Relentless, or Fender Noiseless. The BH2 is the pickup family that comes in multiple sizes, and 5StringPocket notes that it seems like all the Ibanez multiscale instruments come in a P4 sized housing.
....i begin to get the picture.
Guess, I had some confusion in my mind from the Ibanez EHB thread.
but: Nordstrand offers just the options: P2 or EMG40.
How´s that to handle then ?
First I would contact Nordstrand with an email, because I think the custom options used to be 10 USD and 20 USD, but now it seems the options have changed to 20 USD and 40 USD. Send them a simple email saying the following:
"Hello. I'd like to have a custom set of ZZZ 5 pickups made in a P4 size to fit my Ibanez EHB1005SMS with 18mm string spacing. Is this doable?" Replace ZZZ with the pickup of your choice.
Then someone will get back to you and explain how to order them. The way it went for me was to select the pickup I want and add it to my cart, then go to the custom options and select "Custom Option 2" which was 20 USD at the time. When both of those are in your cart, there is a spot to add a note, and in that field I typed what Nordstrand told me to type, which was "Ibanez spec for fanned fret - P4 covers - per Adrian".
I do believe that Nordstrand wants you to communicate with them before doing this so they are aware that this custom option is going to come through.
this is great info, thank you very much !
just: i mailed them allready twice, and got no answer so far.
and: when i measure on the middle line of the pickup, above the pickup, is it 18mm for the Bridge pup, but 17mm for Neck one.
Things get more complicated: since i want to change the angle of the Neck pup, then the Spacing above the pickup is 16mm..........huhhhuhh, maybe that was to complicated of a mail, that i sent out, haha.
i need to make a phone i guess.......
....the wait time is not a problem. I don´t see myself having a problem with a custom order.
Just to get that contact donne........
Just, i would not want to oder twice. there is no vidi 2nd hand market in my country.
I´d like to get it as much right the first time i order pups, as possible.
just, i can´t make out how much is hype and how much not , respectivly how much these Nordstrand pups really differ in real live.
The demos i hear sound like the strings make way more difference. lol.
But my barts really suck, -for my taste-, on my Ibanez EHB1005 Bass. Thats a given.......
The Nords own tonal rating would be within what i´m looking for i´d say.
Just, bestbassgear does not have the nords in stock. i´d still better order at Nordstrand anyway.
also giving them so a higher margin
Just to get that contact donne........
Just, i would not want to oder twice. there is no vidi 2nd hand market in my country.
I´d like to get it as much right the first time i order pups, as possible.
just, i can´t make out how much is hype and how much not , respectivly how much these Nordstrand pups really differ in real live.
The demos i hear sound like the strings make way more difference. lol.
But my barts really suck, -for my taste-, on my Ibanez EHB1005 Bass. Thats a given.......
do you know the Zen blades yourself ?
The Nords own tonal rating would be within what i´m looking for i´d say.
Just, bestbassgear does not have the nords in stock. i´d still better order at Nordstrand anyway.
also giving them so a higher margin
