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The Nordy Club

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#121
Big String said:
Does anyone else find the Nordy VJ4 to have a very small neck? I've tried one and was blown away by the bass, but it felt a little cramped to me and I have smaller hands. It's very nice but compared to my NYC Sadwosky's it was noticably thinner on the back of the neck as well as the width at the nut. It was lightening fast though and the bass sounded phenomenal. It's neck style reminded me of the Sad Metro I once owned as it was not as hefty as the NYC's. The Nordy head stock is about the same thickness as the Metro's too. The NYC's headstock and neck are heftier.

I've played the Nordy VJ5 twice. Great bass but too much neck for me. I'm really a four stringer.

I am totally blown away by the Nordy pickups for sure. I'm pretty sure I'm going to convert my Sad pups to Nordy's.
Click to expand...


Yup, same experience with the VJ4 neck feeling really small and just couldn't get used to it. I'm just to used to the profile on my Modulus VJ jazz neck. I'm still getting a Nordy but now going with a VJ5 with Alder/Rosewood combo and Big Splits. Can't wait!
 
#122
Great. I'm still very interestied in going for one inspite of the small neck profile. Maybe Carey can beef one up for me..... I think possibly a thicker finger board might even do the trick. :hmm: I seriously doubt that he will make me a special neck or modify his design. That may be the deal breaker though. It's a shame because his instruments are fantastic. I really want one that's "just right" for me. Honestly, the small neck profile is one of the reasons I sold the Metro. It was way too bright too. The Nordy ash/maple is perfect sounding to me.
 
#123
Big String said:
Great. I think the white bass I played may have been your intial order. Very nice bass. I'm still very interestied in going for one inspite of the small neck profile. Maybe Carey can beef one up for me..... I think possibly a thicker finger board might even do the trick. :hmm: I seriously doubt that he will make me a special neck or modify his design. That may be the deal breaker though. It's a shame because his instruments are fantastic. I really want one that's "just right" for me. Honestly, the small neck profile is one of the reasons I sold the Metro. It was way too bright too. The Nordy ash/maple is perfect sounding to me.
Click to expand...

Carey won't do a different neck shape on the VJ4 (I already attempted that) which is why I decided to go with the VJ5 instead. The VJ4 is a great bass though for those who like a really fast/smaller neck. I'm just not used to it is all.
 
#124
Thanks for that info.. I won't bother to ask about a beefed up neck. I actually just got off the line with Mr. Jay Lewis of Blueberry Hill and purchased some single coil NJ4 pups for my Sad. I'll let everyone know how that goes. Jay is a great guy and took a lot of time with me to sort out my direction. I'm pretty sure I will eventually go with a VJ4 and it will have Big Singles. I'll get used to the neck. Jay explained there was a lot of research in coming up with the vintage dimensions for the design. Carey takes a little off the shoulder to make it lightening fast. I guess I'm just used the typical C style necks. As I said there was a slight transition going from Lakland's excellent profile to the equally but different profile of the Sadowsky.

edit: Just wanted to mention that Scott has been my go to guy for all my Epifani needs and now the Nordy. Scott has taken good care of me going the extra mile all the way. That said Scott directed me to Jay to get my Nordy pickups since he does not market them. Class act. I highly recommend either of these fine gentlemen to the bass community.
 
#125
Hey Dean, Thanks for the awesome review! How different sounding was the Alder/Rosewood compared to Scott's Ash/Maple. They were both passive. Did they have the same PU's? Or was the Vj4 a standard single size PU?

I am still thinking about a second Nordy, Passive. Since I have an Ash/Maple/Audere on order, I was leaning toward a more vintage vibe, and passive at that. I've gotten some great reports about the passive tone on the Nordy's. In fact, someone whom I trust implicitly tells me once I play the passive Nordy, I may wind up choosing that one as my 'go-to' bass. Hmm. Either way, it's a win-win!

I use the B string all the time, so I am thrilled about getting a Nordy VJ5.

By the way, the case is closed: I am NOT getting a matching headstock on my Trans-Coral Blue/Ash/Birdseye maple bass.

And I may just lean toward the Big Splits for their simplicity, single coil vibe, but always hum cancelled. Mmmm. I've pretty much ruled out Big Singles.

Would you say the tone of the Nordy is more versatile than the Sadowsky? How would you describe the tone differences? Can you get a Jaco Tone or Marcus tone on the Nordy easy enough? ( I think I know the answer, but I just love satiating my idle time with Nordy talk while I await mine) It's going to be a long hot summer waiting. But fun too knowing I have something special in the works!

Gary
 
#126
Roscoe5 said:
Hey Dean, Thanks for the awesome review! How different sounding was the Alder/Rosewood compared to Scott's Ash/Maple. They were both passive. Did they have the same PU's? Or was the Vj4 a standard single size PU?

I am still thinking about a second Nordy, Passive. Since I have an Ash/Maple/Audere on order, I was leaning toward a more vintage vibe, and passive at that. I've gotten some great reports about the passive tone on the Nordy's. In fact, someone whom I trust implicitly tells me once I play the passive Nordy, I may wind up choosing that one as my 'go-to' bass. Hmm. Either way, it's a win-win!

I use the B string all the time, so I am thrilled about getting a Nordy VJ5.

By the way, the case is closed: I am NOT getting a matching headstock on my Trans-Coral Blue/Ash/Birdseye maple bass.

And I may just lean toward the Big Splits for their simplicity, single coil vibe, but always hum cancelled. Mmmm. I've pretty much ruled out Big Singles.

Would you say the tone of the Nordy is more versatile than the Sadowsky? How would you describe the tone differences? Can you get a Jaco Tone or Marcus tone on the Nordy easy enough? ( I think I know the answer, but I just love satiating my idle time with Nordy talk while I await mine) It's going to be a long hot summer waiting. But fun too knowing I have something special in the works!

Gary
Click to expand...


The four string was the standard J pups. vol/vol/tone passive.
I didn't a/b them at the same time. Scott's VJ5 ash/maple has me rethinking my usual alder/rw taste. I'm pretty sure I will go for a ash/BEM for my first Nordy VJ4 when I'm ready. The alder/rw I tried was passive and sound fantastic. It's really hard to say about the subtle differences, I would ask Scott for a better answer as he's played the VJ5 extensively. Also, your comparing a 4 with a 5 and the extended scale probably makes a difference too. I find 34" tighter, but the open E on the 34.5" five is the best I've ever heard. Could be the pickups too.
Hope that helps.
Gotta go to a blues fest .
 
#127
Big String said:
Thanks for that info.. I won't bother to ask about a beefed up neck. I actually just got off the line with Mr. Jay Lewis of Blueberry Hill and purchased some single coil NJ4 pups for my Sad. I'll let everyone know how that goes. Jay is a great guy and took a lot of time with me to sort out my direction. I'm pretty sure I will eventually go with a VJ4 and it will have Big Singles. I'll get used to the neck. Jay explained there was a lot of research in coming up with the vintage dimensions for the design. Carey takes a little off the shoulder to make it lightening fast. I guess I'm just used the typical C style necks. As I said there was a slight transition going from Lakland's excellent profile to the equally but different profile of the Sadowsky.
Click to expand...

Sounds like we are looking for the same thing in a Jazz neck. I did WAYYYY notice that Carey shaped the neck different on the shoulders and then Scott confirmed it for me. I'm going to be really bummed if he changes the neck shape on the VJ4 after getting my VJ5....well it would give me a reason to save up more money:smug: I absolutely love the NJ4SV pups (the white VJ 4 that Scott has). KILLER! My VJ 5 will have BIG SPLITS in it and no pre, all passive. Now I'm anxious..
 
#128
Big String said:
The four string was the standard J pups. vol/vol/tone passive.
I didn't a/b them at the same time. Scott's VJ5 ash/maple has me rethinking my usual alder/rw taste. I'm pretty sure I will go for a ash/BEM for my first Nordy VJ4 when I'm ready. The alder/rw I tried was passive and sound fantastic. It's really hard to say about the subtle differences, I would ask Scott for a better answer as he's played the VJ5 extensively. Also, your comparing a 4 with a 5 and the extended scale probably makes a difference too. I find 34" tighter, but the open E on the 34.5" five is the best I've ever heard. Could be the pickups too.
Hope that helps.
Gotta go to a blues fest .
Click to expand...

Thanks Dean. Scott's Ash/Maple vJ5 apparently made a believer out of me too! (on looks alone) I would never have thought to order that color had I not seen it. I'll bet it's awesome in person huh? I also trust Scott's opinion implicitly, and yours. He raves about the Nordy in Ash/Maple too. Have you heard Scott play? OMG, he is talented!

I am encouraged by your comment about the E string on the vJ5. I'm guessing the B string will be equally impressive. The more I think about it, the more I continue to lean toward Big Splits. I'm heading to Las Vegas in a couple weeks and will hopefully get a chance to hear Adrian Garcia's Nordy vj5 with Big Splits. I'll keep you posted. ...Meanwhile, I remain oh so tempted to order up another vJ5. Decisions, decisions. Gotta love Nordy GAS huh? Gary
 
#131
Roscoe5 said:
Hurry up and get your rig Bernie. You and I are in the opposite position. I have a rig, but no Nordy. You have a Nordy but need a new rig. Cosmic. LOL

If you were going to get another Nordy, what would you get?
Click to expand...

Very true, Gary! :D

It would line up something like this...

VJ5
Alder Body
Three Tone Burst
Tort Guard
Brazilian Rosewood Board
White Binding and Pearloid Blocks
Fatstacks
Vol/Blend/Tone w/ Coil Tap

But it could go a few different ways. I would also like that bass in an Aged Olympic White with matching headstock.

An Ash/Maple VJ5 with a Walnut finish like Fender used would be sweet as well. Walnut finish with a black guard and maple board and blocks. Pretty much like this beauty but in a fiver...

front-1.gif


So we'll see... I'd be happy with any of those... ;)
 
#132
Big String said:
Does anyone else find the Nordy VJ4 to have a very small neck? I've tried one and was blown away by the bass, but it felt a little cramped to me and I have smaller hands. It's very nice but compared to my NYC Sadwosky's it was noticably thinner on the back of the neck as well as the width at the nut. It was lightening fast though and the bass sounded phenomenal. It's neck style reminded me of the Sad Metro I once owned as it was not as hefty as the NYC's. The Nordy head stock is about the same thickness as the Metro's too. The NYC's headstock and neck are heftier.

I've played the Nordy VJ5 twice. Great bass but too much neck for me. I'm really a four stringer.

I am totally blown away by the Nordy pickups for sure. I'm pretty sure I'm going to convert my Sad pups to Nordy's.
Click to expand...

You know, it is funny. I picked up a Nordy VJ5 and immediately thought the string spacing was tighter. I grabbed a Sadowsky and I could SWEAR I could feel the difference. BUT, I seriously doubt I did. I think it was more in my head.

The Sadowsk 5er's are 1.875" at the nut; the Nordy VJ5's are 1.81". That is only 0.064 (a hair over a 16th of an inch). No way I could REALLY be feeling that tiny bit was tighter. Could I?

They both have 19mm (3/4") string spacing at the bridge. So why did I think that it felt tighter? I think it could be the profile of the neck.

They felt great don't get me wrong. But very different from the Sadowsky's I have. The Sadowsky's seem to have (IIRC) a bit more meat under the B and E strings where my thumb travels. It is a very fast neck and I don't think it would take long to adapt (not sure that is the right word as it sounds negative).

I was VERY impressed with the weight and tone. This thing was an alder body (NOT CHAMBERED) and it was a hair heavier than my two Sadowsky's that are chambered. That is also with a Full-Size Jazz body. I was very surprised.

The tone was awesome. I didn't care much for the Audere (only tried it for a couple minutes). Several folks have contacted me and said that if I liked the Sadowsky pre-amp tone that I probably wouldn't dig the Audere. That was correct.

I played it passive and the tone was thick and meaty but not loose or overly bottom heavy. Definitely not as birghter as a Sadowsky. Not better or worse; just different. Very nice.

I am VERY curious as to what Carey's P5 pickup sounds like compared to Rogers. I heard from one person that it had more midrange character ad from someone else who was told it had less midrange. :confused:

Anyone want to trade/loan their VJ5 for a month for one of my Sadowsky PJ5's? LOL I need more than an hour or so with one before I can make an informed decision.

I too thought th bridge was a little on the thin side. I am use to a meatier bridge (not as meaty as Adrian Baddass though).

Overall, I thought the construction and build were top notch. Depnding on tone variants or similarities I think I could easily be swayed to move into a coupel Nordy's. Especially for the price. I think they are price exactly right. Not inexpensive but not overly expensive either.
 
#133
Mike, wish we could figure a way for you to spend some time with a Nordy- I would be willing to let you check mine out but the only other thing I have to play is the MTD635 and I am just not comfy enough on it to have it be my only bass for any period of time.
I love the full size Jazzes so I will compare it to the Tokyo I had.
I find the Nordy neck to be more fitting to me than the Sad neck. My hands are medium sized at best, the Sad made me dig in a little more and play simpler some times, which is not a bad thing. I can do "boutique bass things " with my Nordy as well as play the ever important supporting role. The Audere preamp took a minute ( I am still learning ) to get used to. in fact, when I first took the bass, I took it passive, but realized I needed the flexibility to make it sound different in an instant for my needs. Now I really love it and where I think it suits me better than the Sad preamp is the controls over the mids ( also , I had no vtc on the Sad and the Audere does have it )
I find myself getting a tone that suits the gig, and then making small adjustments with the passive tone on the Audere. I really have to have this. Dave Meadows was kind enough to accomodate and that was it, I was sold. In fact, there is a Nordy in the works for me right now and I considered a Greengrove pre, or an East ( i like those pre's ) or even a Sad, but I will show my appreciation by remaining an Audere user. If it works...
Just got back from a gig in Utah and I have never done this before ( though everyone knows my love for F bass ) but I again texted Carey in the middle of soundcheck to tell him how wonderful the bass sounds. I have done this since I had the bass so it says a lot, humbly.
It has all the character I want in a bass. Sound is hard to describe in words, but I get the meaty tone, the growl, the definition. It is many basses in one. I am loving the bass and the relationship with the builder. But you see, given Carey's reputation and what I know of him, he would not have let anything but excellence leave his shop. I trust this wholeheartedly. It's a good feeling.
 
#134
BigMikeW said:
The tone was awesome. I didn't care much for the Audere (only tried it for a couple minutes). Several folks have contacted me and said that if I liked the Sadowsky pre-amp tone that I probably wouldn't dig the Audere. That was correct.

I played it passive and the tone was thick and meaty but not loose or overly bottom heavy. Definitely not as birghter as a Sadowsky. Not better or worse; just different. Very nice.
Click to expand...

Hey Mike, What is it about the Audere you didn't like? Would it have made a difference if you checked it out with the added passive tone option? A couple people have mentioned they didn't dig the Audere on the Nordy lately. That is what I have on order! But I've never heard one, so I'm buying it that way on faith. Things that make me go hmmm. Gary

PS: Adrian - What is the knob configuration layout on your Audere? The one I ordered is just like yours!
 
#135
I don't have anything to add regarding tone. I do love
the Fatstack/Audere combo. I wish I could have gotten
the VTC though.

I took some pics for Jay so he could post them on
his web site. I thought I would post a couple more
here. :smug: :D
Dan

256978154.jpg


256978170.jpg


257015212.jpg
 
#138
Okay, see what happens? I miss a few days and now I cannot remember everything I want to say.

Terrien, have you been drinking again? Who am I kidding, of course you have? I just sent a couple of Pomeranians your way.....

Gary, I honestly think a large part of the Nordstrand sound is the pickups. As I have said to Adrian before, I do not know what it is exactly, but most importantly I know it sounds and feels good. I think any decision you make will be a winning decision.

Justin, you have totally made the right decision. I guarantee you are not going to be looking to add a preamp to your bass at ANY time. It is all there.

Dean, glad you gave Jay a call per my recommendation. He is a great guy and very knowledgeable about the Nordstrand pickup line. I send all of my pickup requests his way as I do not sell the pickups.

Lastly, here is a photo of the VJ4 in oly white with Tort guard.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#140
Bass7755 said:
Daum Scott... that looks great with the tort guard.
I'll have to ask the guys at the shop when they are
going to send mine (I ordered a pearloid and a tort).
I really like the pearl that's on mine now though!
Dan

256978162.jpg
Click to expand...

As classy as the white pearl pickguard is on your OlyWhite/Rosewood Vj5, I think the Tort Pickguard will push it over the top. The Tort guard on an Oly White body has always "popped" for me in a good way! You're my here Dan.

Can you tell me the layout of your Audere Knobs are? Which knobs if any are Pull Up Switches and what do they activate/deactivate?

Man ... I am Sooooo close ordering up a Cool Vintage vibe Vj5 in passive. I think I'll go Ash/Braz Rosewood. And who knows, it might even look like yours Dan!

Gary
 
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