Question about dingwall pickups dimensions (FD3n vs Dingstrand Nordwall usage)

[olko]

Hello,

I am thinking of buying a GOC Ilumina B 34-47 bass, but since it's dingwall sized i was wondering whether i could put either original dingwall FD3n pickups or Dingstrand Nordwall pickups in it.

I couldn't find dimensions for FD3n 5 string pickups anywhere, and chatGPT hallucinates the dimensions, so I'd like to ask any of the dingwall owners whether they could measure width and height of the FD3n pickup in 5 string variation?

Also if anyone has multiscale bass and tried either of the pickups (Dingwall FD3n or Dingstrand Nordwall) in them what are your experiences?

Thanks to all who reply

 

[sunbeast]

My understanding is that Dingwall pickups are using proprietary dimensions (so none of the common EMG or Bartolini "standards" that most soap bars are made in). The Nordwall pickups are made to get the "Dingwall tone" from normal-sized pickups. Probably you should just get the dimensions of the routes in the bass you are getting and go from there unless you really want to route them out. a multi scale does add some variable to keep in mind since the Dingwalls are often using a split-coil design internally. When you have the dimensions you can email or call Nordstrand and discuss with them about the best options (they do custom options too).

 

[olko]

My understanding is that Dingwall pickups are using proprietary dimensions (so none of the common EMG or Bartolini "standards" that most soap bars are made in). The Nordwall pickups are made to get the "Dingwall tone" from normal-sized pickups. Probably you should just get the dimensions of the routes in the bass you are getting and go from there unless you really want to route them out. a multi scale does add some variable to keep in mind since the Dingwalls are often using a split-coil design internally. When you have the dimensions you can email or call Nordstrand and discuss with them about the best options (they do custom options too).

Thank you for your reply!

Honestly i am looking more into FD3n pickups by themselves since Dingstrand Nordwall set costs 430 eur vs ~200 eur for set of Dingwall FD3n. So even when i apply what i'd pay luthier for changing pickup routing (50-100eur) its still much cheaper than dingstrand nordwall set, that's why im trying to get information about dimensions of FD3n (5 string version)

 

[sunbeast]

Thank you for your reply!

Honestly i am looking more into FD3n pickups by themselves since Dingstrand Nordwall set costs 430 eur vs ~200 eur for set of Dingwall FD3n. So even when i apply what i'd pay luthier for changing pickup routing (50-100eur) its still much cheaper than dingstrand nordwall set, that's why im trying to get information about dimensions of FD3n (5 string version)

Yeah that is a huge price difference! If you’re willing to route and assuming the string-spacing is similar, then there’s no reason the Dingwall pickups wouldn’t work just as well in your bass as in a Dingwall. If you’re need to know the dimensions beforehand for some reason, I’d go into a Dingwall thread and ask. Dingwall pickups aren’t rectangular like a typical pickup (the short sides are slightly curved), so that will make the measurements a little funkier.

 

[olko]

Yeah that is a huge price difference! If you’re willing to route and assuming the string-spacing is similar, then there’s no reason the Dingwall pickups wouldn’t work just as well in your bass as in a Dingwall. If you’re need to know the dimensions beforehand for some reason, I’d go into a Dingwall thread and ask. Dingwall pickups aren’t rectangular like a typical pickup (the short sides are slightly curved), so that will make the measurements a little funkier.

I just wanted to know so i can plan my finances for near future and band practices

For future reference, I remembered that bassist in band i joined as guitarist has 5 string combustion, so i was able to take measurements:
It seems the FD3n is slightly wider Bartolini P2 format ( 4.27″ x 1.27″ vs 4.47" x 1.27"), the pickup measured 113.57mm width and 32.25mm height, measurements between screws looks like 4.1" (i measured 103.09mm but was probably a little bit off center)

So it looks like only a little bit of routing will be needed, which is nice.

 

[olko]

I just wanted to know so i can plan my finances for near future and band practices

For future reference, I remembered that bassist in band i joined as guitarist has 5 string combustion, so i was able to take measurements:
It seems the FD3n is slightly wider Bartolini P2 format ( 4.27″ x 1.27″ vs 4.47" x 1.27"), the pickup measured 113.57mm width and 32.25mm height, measurements between screws looks like 4.1" (i measured 103.09mm but was probably a little bit off center)

So it looks like only a little bit of routing will be needed, which is nice.

Slight necrobump to anyone in the future that might come across this answer

GOC Illumina B 34-37 has 17mm spacing and it seems that Dingstrand nordwall is standard P -> it looks like it won't align with strings (wrote to nordstrand but didn't get any answer)

FD3n should be reverse P and hence possibly fit but am not comfortable routing cavity just to be disappointed if it won't work

 

[MisterUbu]

Slight necrobump to anyone in the future that might come across this answer

GOC Illumina B 34-37 has 17mm spacing and it seems that Dingstrand nordwall is standard P -> it looks like it won't align with strings (wrote to nordstrand but didn't get any answer)

FD3n should be reverse P and hence possibly fit but am not comfortable routing cavity just to be disappointed if it won't work

I'd like to make a correction, sorry another necro bump!

The pickups are a direct drop in fit (the Bartolini P2 housing), a tiny bit more snug than the originals but you just have to be mindful in threading the leads through the holes to the cavity.

(Picture is of the pickups being sized to fit, the leads from the previous pickups were in the way, but after inserting the ND pickup leads in the cavity they fit, just real snug!)

The pickups are reverse P, not regular P, the pictures of nordstrands website don't make it clear but they're reverse p and the pickup poles align with the string as the string spacing after measuring is 18mm, not 17mm.

 

[olko]

I'd like to make a correction, sorry another necro bump!

The pickups are a direct drop in fit (the Bartolini P2 housing), a tiny bit more snug than the originals but you just have to be mindful in threading the leads through the holes to the cavity.

View attachment 7512159
(Picture is of the pickups being sized to fit, the leads from the previous pickups were in the way, but after inserting the ND pickup leads in the cavity they fit, just real snug!)

The pickups are reverse P, not regular P, the pictures of nordstrands website don't make it clear but they're reverse p and the pickup poles align with the string as the string spacing after measuring is 18mm, not 17mm.
View attachment 7512162

well damn, if only i had knew it before having put MECs in the bass

how is the sound? Does it sound dingwallish? Do you have any sound clips of DI?

I really hope that they will make 6 string illumina Bass one day, because the bass is awesome i just miss the high C string


Also thank you for being brave enough ordering them and trying it out

 

[MisterUbu]

well damn, if only i had knew it before having put MECs in the bass

how is the sound? Does it sound dingwallish? Do you have any sound clips of DI?

I really hope that they will make 6 string illumina Bass one day, because the bass is awesome i just miss the high C string


Also thank you for being brave enough ordering them and trying it out

It sounds great honestly! Here's some quick soundcloud demos of how the bass sounds with the dingwall pickups + lusithand preamp.

GOC dingwall pickup demos

I'm gearing up to make a proper video of some sound demos as I've changed a decent amount of things on the bass since I got it