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Nordstrand Poly Vox

#121
hey guys I haven't been on here for a long while but thought I should Chime in seeming I've probably had more play time with these than most. I've probably played these for almost a year now and they definitely have their own voice. I got these custom fitted into a Yamaha TRB at Carey's shop in Redlands and I have only great things to say about them. Yes there is one coil per string on the 4 and 5 models. They are ceramic so the clarity is unparalleled imo. They have a very thick and clear voice and the bottom end is crystal clear and sits in the track like almost nothing I've played. The sound has tasteful weight. You can hear everything so your articulation needs to be tight on these. Going from finger to slap is seamless and dynamic. Here's a couple clips of these in action and you can scroll through my page to check out more. These are well worth the price tag as the engineering that went into these is extensive. They are versatile and can be sculpted with eq to get most tones. I can compare it to having a U87 on vocals. The low mids are strong and have a dominant voice. Let me know if you guys have any questions about these. I'm probably not as technical as most in this thread but i work off results and my ears. These sound great in many different applications and shine in a mix.

Sample Clips:





 
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#124
smeet said:
How do you think the PolyVox 5s would sound in the Sadowsky Modern positions? Would they get that midrange growl?
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I have couple basses with ceramic pickups in them. You could even refer to EMG's as reference. Their makeup is "usually" crisp highs and punchy midrange. I honestly think that they would sound just and good if not "better". Those Yamahas aren't expensive basses at all and from the stock to the upgrade was infananly better. It tightened up the low & mid frequencies dramatically. Almost as if i put a high end compressor and eq on the bass. The highs are crisp and controlled. They make you play very intentionally. More times than not I'm almost always going for a jazz bass when i play live. That combo would be a dream imo. Also depends on the preamp but I'd definitely give it a try. I have more basses than I'd like to admit but that Yamaha just hits Different than anything i own especially with the upgrade. They cut through a mix like a knife. If that's what you're looking for I'd give them a try.
 
#126
5StringPocket said:
Nice playing and great tone. Your description seems spot on. I've been curious about these for a while.
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I'm here to help I've been playing their products for 16 years now and I always say I'll play anything Carey makes because he's a Bass Players Bass Player. I always leave his shop blown away. His attention to frequencies is apparent. There's something for everyone "Stylistically".
 
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#129
edwinhurwitz said:
Has anyone put these in a Modulus? I have a '91 TBX 6 with Barts and I'm not really enjoying the pickups.
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I've got a G.Gould with the Big Blades in it, but I'd be curious about the Poly Vox for that bass as well.

Just to clarify, I LOVE the Big Blades on that instrument. I"m just always ready to try new things too.
 
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#131
This bass is going to head my way tomorrow. PolyVox 5 pickups and an Underhill Cali Dub filter preamp. I'll post some thoughts when it arrives and I've had a chance to get to know it.

MulitcoilFiver.jpg
 
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#134
emjazz said:
Chris keeps upping his game with each of your builds…incredible!!
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I'm really excited for this one. Just like a fretless he built me a few years ago this one is combining my favorite elements from a few basses I've owned or played over the years. The PolyVox pickups are a wildcard since I've never tried them. My thought was that if I didn't like them, there are a ton of other pickups in that P2 size. But I think I'm going to really like them.
emjazz said:
Here’s a fretless A Bass with a single passive PolyVox in the bridge position.

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That's a fantastic tone. I know Carey wasn't trying to copy Wal pickups and the PolyVox definitely has its own vibe, but there's some Wal flavor to it for sure.
 
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#135
Jared Lash said:
I'm really excited for this one. Just like a fretless he built me a few years ago this one is combining my favorite elements from a few basses I've owned or played over the years. The PolyVox pickups are a wildcard since I've never tried them. My thought was that if I didn't like them, there are a ton of other pickups in that P2 size. But I think I'm going to really like them.

That's a fantastic tone. I know Carey wasn't trying to copy Wal pickups and the PolyVox definitely has its own vibe, but there's some Wal flavor to it for sure.
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That’s interesting about having some Wal similarities….I wouldn’t know what a Wal sounds like beyond Mick Karn’s sound…and that just sounds like an active fretless bass played by a musician from another planet…so good
 
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#136
emjazz said:
That’s interesting about having some Wal similarities….I wouldn’t know what a Wal sounds like beyond Mick Karn’s sound…and that just sounds like an active fretless bass played by a musician from another planet…so good
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True. And I think a lot of other guys that play fretless Wals are influenced by Mick Karn. So tough to get a real sense of the sound. But I'd say this video is a very good representation of the fretless Wal sound:

 
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#137
Jared Lash said:
I'm really excited for this one. Just like a fretless he built me a few years ago this one is combining my favorite elements from a few basses I've owned or played over the years. The PolyVox pickups are a wildcard since I've never tried them. My thought was that if I didn't like them, there are a ton of other pickups in that P2 size. But I think I'm going to really like them.

That's a fantastic tone. I know Carey wasn't trying to copy Wal pickups and the PolyVox definitely has its own vibe, but there's some Wal flavor to it for sure.
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I would describe it as "inspired by the concept of the Wal" but also not like a Wal.
 
#138
That fretless sounded fantastic with the Polyvox, very present but also very full and not at all nasally. I am now curious to hear how it sounds neck position on fretless.

I am kind of curious as to why it has phasing issues with the Big Rig. Is it because the magnets are diagonal in opposite directions? Maybe it works better with the ceramic blade models?

Final dumb question but also how does it sound dufferent to the Big Blade Man, which is also described as Wal-inspired? (since both have EMG shape soapbar options)
 
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#140
Zazie Moondust said:
That fretless sounded fantastic with the Polyvox, very present but also very full and not at all nasally. I am now curious to hear how it sounds neck position on fretless.

I am kind of curious as to why it has phasing issues with the Big Rig. Is it because the magnets are diagonal in opposite directions? Maybe it works better with the ceramic blade models?

Final dumb question but also how does it sound dufferent to the Big Blade Man, which is also described as Wal-inspired? (since both have EMG shape soapbar options)
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The complexity of that pickup makes them generally incompatible with other pups. I wish I could explain why better but even Carey said "hmmph. complicated"

Polyvox have a ton of midrange, more retro and warm. Bigblademan are a beefier music man sound and have scooped tone. So nothing alike.
 
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