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Nordstrand Zen Blade

#41
Maiden Bass said:
Here is a quick update with my thoughts about the new Nordstrand Zen Blades. First no hum when you have them on at different levels! :thumbsup: :smug:

I think the tone is really outstanding and has a very strong fingerstyle sound (sorry I don't play slap or pick so can't comment on those styles).

I have to say that I actually love the passive tone of these pickups, its so solid of a tone you actually don't really miss anything when switching from active to passive mode, which for me I find extremely rare, as most pickups are not this strong tonally. I would also describe the tone as better suited towards any style where you really need to cut through the mix because it does have a strong attack. Overall though it is very balanced between the lows, mids, and highs.

I think this pickup is a winner and probably suited best for basses with a flatter radius fingerboard, and if you have maybe a 7 to 10 inch radius then you might want to look at the Big Blades instead of the Zen Blades.

Also, if you love passive mode, or are wanting to make a switch from active to passive on a bass then I would definitely put these on the top of your list!

Hope this helps!

:bassist:

And FYI even though these are really great pickups, I am not 100% sure that they are the right sound for where I play now (a large church) so I may decide to try something else and could end up listing these for a great price in the classifieds, so if anyone is wanting the Bart BC size Zen Blades then shoot me a PM and if I decide to sell them you will be first in line. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Have you tried the Big Splits? Can you compare them to the Zen Blades?
 
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#45
micguy said:
I’ve got big splits an zen blades in basses. The big splits have a sharper attack - more zing, more single coil snap. The zen blades have high end, but it’s more subdued - more laid back.

The zen blades can growl and snarl some, but you gotta work for it. You gotta earn it.

The big splits beg you to let’em snarl. “C’mon, you know you want to...”
Click to expand...


Not completely accurate!

If you want more highs like a single coil then you wire them in parallel!

If you want a more even sound then you wire them in series!
 
#50
Maiden Bass said:
Here is a quick update with my thoughts about the new Nordstrand Zen Blades. First no hum when you have them on at different levels! :thumbsup: :smug:

I think the tone is really outstanding and has a very strong fingerstyle sound (sorry I don't play slap or pick so can't comment on those styles).

I have to say that I actually love the passive tone of these pickups, its so solid of a tone you actually don't really miss anything when switching from active to passive mode, which for me I find extremely rare, as most pickups are not this strong tonally. I would also describe the tone as better suited towards any style where you really need to cut through the mix because it does have a strong attack. Overall though it is very balanced between the lows, mids, and highs.

I think this pickup is a winner and probably suited best for basses with a flatter radius fingerboard, and if you have maybe a 7 to 10 inch radius then you might want to look at the Big Blades instead of the Zen Blades.

Also, if you love passive mode, or are wanting to make a switch from active to passive on a bass then I would definitely put these on the top of your list!

Hope this helps!

:bassist:

And FYI even though these are really great pickups, I am not 100% sure that they are the right sound for where I play now (a large church) so I may decide to try something else and could end up listing these for a great price in the classifieds, so if anyone is wanting the Bart BC size Zen Blades then shoot me a PM and if I decide to sell them you will be first in line. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
cool. sounds about like what I was expecting!

However, what sound do you think would be better for your churge? Annnnnd Have you played them with the band, yet?

One thing I loved about the Big Blades, which sounds true here, is that like my Lollar Thunderbird pickups: that strong tone jumps out with ease. No need to heavily dig in, to get the "real" tone from the pickups/bass. and no need for heavy EQ boosting. Gobs of power and gain, at the touch of a finger.
 
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#51
Toptube said:
cool. sounds about like what I was expecting!

However, what sound do you think would be better for your churge? Annnnnd Have you played them with the band, yet?

One thing I loved about the Big Blades, which sounds true here, is that like my Lollar Thunderbird pickups: that strong tone jumps out with ease. No need to heavily dig in, to get the "real" tone from the pickups/bass. and no need for heavy EQ boosting. Gobs of power and gain, at the touch of a finger.
Click to expand...


I just was able to try them out and they are fantastic, but unfortunately for me not the sound I need for where I play, so I am selling mine in the classifieds soon.

I am going back to Aguilar DCB's, they have a smoother tone and that's what I am looking for now.

If I was playing in almost any kind of rock band, I would use the Zen Blades, passive or active, series or parallel!


If anyone wants these brand new at a great price, send me a PM (before my ad goes up) - for 4-string Bart BC size!
 
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#52
Toptube said:
cool. sounds about like what I was expecting!

However, what sound do you think would be better for your churge? Annnnnd Have you played them with the band, yet?

One thing I loved about the Big Blades, which sounds true here, is that like my Lollar Thunderbird pickups: that strong tone jumps out with ease. No need to heavily dig in, to get the "real" tone from the pickups/bass. and no need for heavy EQ boosting. Gobs of power and gain, at the touch of a finger.
Click to expand...
Unsure what the radius is on a MIM J, anyone? thanx, p
 
#54
As this is my first post here let me say hello first! Just joined this thread as I'm still not sure which pickups to buy. I'm building my first bass atm which is kind of a mess because of the huge variety of possible fail decisions. All I know is that I will play a widely range of music styles (but mainly pop and rock, no slapping) and that I will therefor go with a Bridge Spacing about 16.5mm/17mm max. Are the Zen Blades suitable for this?
Thanks everyone for your supply!
 
#55
Jaykeys said:
As this is my first post here let me say hello first! Just joined this thread as I'm still not sure which pickups to buy. I'm building my first bass atm which is kind of a mess because of the huge variety of possible fail decisions. All I know is that I will play a widely range of music styles (but mainly pop and rock, no slapping) and that I will therefor go with a Bridge Spacing about 16.5mm/17mm max. Are the Zen Blades suitable for this?
Thanks everyone for your supply!
Click to expand...
Yes, Zen Blades will work for any spacing, 19mm or smaller.
 
#57
Toptube said:
cool. sounds about like what I was expecting!

However, what sound do you think would be better for your churge? Annnnnd Have you played them with the band, yet?

One thing I loved about the Big Blades, which sounds true here, is that like my Lollar Thunderbird pickups: that strong tone jumps out with ease. No need to heavily dig in, to get the "real" tone from the pickups/bass. and no need for heavy EQ boosting. Gobs of power and gain, at the touch of a finger.
Click to expand...
Thinking of trying the Zen Blades in my Ibanez Cerro SRSC805. I upgraded the MK1 with a better sounding pair of Bartolini dual coils which made the tone more even and solid, but this bass has a bright tone and passive mode doesn’t have much gain. I think the subdued highs, even mids, and high output might be a good fit.
 
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#58
5StringPocket said:
Thinking of trying the Zen Blades in my Ibanez Cerro SRSC805. I upgraded the MK1 with a better sounding pair of Bartolini dual coils which made the tone more even and solid, but this bass has a bright tone and passive mode doesn’t have much gain. I think the subdued highs, even mids, and high output might be a good fit.
Click to expand...
i saw where zen blades are good mainly for a 10" or larger radiused neck! dunno fer sure though.
 
#59
Toptube said:
cool. sounds about like what I was expecting!

However, what sound do you think would be better for your churge? Annnnnd Have you played them with the band, yet?

One thing I loved about the Big Blades, which sounds true here, is that like my Lollar Thunderbird pickups: that strong tone jumps out with ease. No need to heavily dig in, to get the "real" tone from the pickups/bass. and no need for heavy EQ boosting. Gobs of power and gain, at the touch of a finger.
Click to expand...

"Churge"?
 

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