Nordstrand powerblade vs Dimarzo DP127

[DeepSouth]

Reading the specs these look very similar.

Both are split bade P bass pickups.

Ceramic magnets on both.

Both seem to have scooped mids.
The DP127 is described as having increased bottom and top end
While the Nordstrand lists increased bottom and a smooth stop.

I ask because I have a 31" scale Birdsong "C" bass arriving in the next few weeks. Due to the 17mm string spacing it comes with the split blade DP127.

I've had positive experiences with other Nordstrand pickups and and am curious if they would be an upgrade over the DP127 or just a different flavor of the same basic thing.

Most of the youtube clips with the DP127 sound pretty meh or outright terrible but they are also old clips and not very well done.

The Nordstrand clips I've seen from Andy Irvine sound nice, especially with flats on and using a pick, but Andy sounds good no matter what he's playing haha.

Feedback from those who have used both would be appreciated!

 

[iiipopes]

My experience years ago with a Split P was that it had more mids than advertised (unless they've taken some of the wire off of it in the last 20 years), had a "hard" tone, and was hot enough to easily overdrive a preamp, even when you didn't want it to.

With that experience, even though it was some years ago, if I were looking for a P-pickup for a narrow string instrument, I would go with the Nordstrand.

 

[ctmullins]

Is the narrow string spacing your only concern? If so, I think just about any P pickup will work, even if the poles don’t line up visually. The magnetic field extends much further than the visual pole pieces would suggest. I recommend the Wilde P-46.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If you don't like the DiMarzio, before you buy another pickup, try wiring the coils in parallel, which will drastically change how it sounds.
or you could even install a push/pull for series/parallel

It's one of few P-style pickups that still sounds good in parallel.

Nordstrand won't publish their output Voltage numbers like DiMarzio, so...

BTW, parallel will remove some bass response & add mids & high-end.

 

[DeepSouth]

Is the narrow string spacing your only concern? If so, I think just about any P pickup will work, even if the poles don’t line up visually. The magnetic field extends much further than the visual pole pieces would suggest. I recommend the Wilde P-46.

Interesting, I always assumed there would be issues with string output if the poles didn't line up.
I'll have to experiment. The EMG Geezer is my go to on my Fender P. And I just happen to have a spare set for a project that never got built.

 

[ctmullins]

Interesting, I always assumed there would be issues with string output if the poles didn't line up.
I'll have to experiment. The EMG Geezer is my go to on my Fender P. And I just happen to have a spare set for a project that never got built.

Good deal. It's a very common misconception to assume that the polepieces have to be under the strings.

 

[Big String]

Reading the specs these look very similar.

Both are split bade P bass pickups.

Ceramic magnets on both.

Both seem to have scooped mids.
The DP127 is described as having increased bottom and top end
While the Nordstrand lists increased bottom and a smooth stop.

I ask because I have a 31" scale Birdsong "C" bass arriving in the next few weeks. Due to the 17mm string spacing it comes with the split blade DP127.

I've had positive experiences with other Nordstrand pickups and and am curious if they would be an upgrade over the DP127 or just a different flavor of the same basic thing.

Most of the youtube clips with the DP127 sound pretty meh or outright terrible but they are also old clips and not very well done.

The Nordstrand clips I've seen from Andy Irvine sound nice, especially with flats on and using a pick, but Andy sounds good no matter what he's playing haha.

Feedback from those who have used both would be appreciated!

I’m thinking the same this for my C-bass. Any updates on what you ended up doing. My good friend and luthier Randy Dritz of SD Curlee fame does like Nordstrand the last time I spoke with him.

 

[Zazie Moondust]

I'm pretty sure the DP127 is quad coil if I understand the description correctly. The Power Blade seems like it's probably more similar to a Model P but with a blade instead of adjustable pole pieces, they sound kind of in similarish territory based on YouTube clips anyway.

 

[Jopelo]

I have DP127 on one of my p-basses. It's hot and bassy, but not at all aggressive like I first expected. It's sounds rather smooth and velvety. All that hotness seems to turn into nice soft bassy sound. I really like it and I think you should give it a chance before going for that Nordstrand you mentioned.

 

[Big String]

I have DP127 on one of my p-basses. It's hot and bassy, but not at all aggressive like I first expected. It's sounds rather smooth and velvety. All that hotness seems to turn into nice soft bassy sound. I really like it and I think you should give it a chance before going for that Nordstrand you mentioned.

Thanks for the replies. I have my C-bass since 2018 and love it. It’s Poplar/Rosewood which is very light 6.2# and resonates great. The reverse P is a very good for this short scale and does in fact make a more even string balance by design. Scott and Jake make superb instruments.

My other Cortobass is mahogany/maple board a bit heavier like 7.1#. The Corto has the original Lace humbucker bridge pup and I had the neck pup replaced with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails .. also I had my luthier change to a vol/pan/tone configuration that works well for me being able to blend quite easy. I pan to the bridge a bit and it growls nicely. For a big super fat old school tone I’ll pan to the neck a bit.