The Valenti Megathread (Mk. II)

[Nino Valenti]

Wenge/wenge is sick.

This particular bass has a Wenge neck w/Pau Ferro Board.

 

[Willem]

why are the pickups 'wrong'?

 

[Jim Carr]

why are the pickups 'wrong'?

I think you are refering to the question about "off center" magnets.
This refers to the entire line of double magnets, not the angled pairs.

It might just be me, but those pickup magnets
look quite a bit off center in the surrounds...is it supposed to be like that?

Some Nordstrand pickups have magnet poles that are at not exactly at
a 90 angle to the strings, even though the pickup bodies are mounted
in the normal 90 degree orientation under the strings.

The magnets look "wrong" compared to the common way that magnets
are usually lined-up at 90 degrees to the strings and how they sit in
the pickup body itself.

You can see this if you stare at the pickups and imagine the strings
going over them.

This off-axis orientation makes the pole pieces slightly staggered, kind of
like a P-bass--kinda, that is, uh..eh...Nino, Nino, help!

 

[ibanezcollector]

I think you are refering to the question about "off center" magnets.
This refers to the entire line of double magnets, not the angled pairs.

Some Nordstrand pickups have magnet poles that are at not exactly at
a 90 angle to the strings, even though the pickup bodies are mounted
in the normal 90 degree orientation under the strings.

The magnets look "wrong" compared to the common way that magnets
are usually lined-up at 90 degrees to the strings and how they sit in
the pickup body itself.

You can see this if you stare at the pickups and imagine the strings
going over them.

This off-axis orientation makes the pole pieces slightly staggered, kind of
like a P-bass--kinda, that is, uh..eh...Nino, Nino, help!

hhahahaha harder to explain then you thought huh Jim?

 

[Jim Carr]

hhahahaha harder to explain then you thought huh Jim?

Yeah--I'm a sucker for these kinds of things, like a few other things I'm
not that great at sometimes...huh?? Oh, yes dear, yes dear, yes lover....

....slinks off to go "practice" (if only) after procrastinating all day.

 

[Nino Valenti]

why are the pickups 'wrong'?

Care to elaborate?

 

[Willem]

well, it's been talked about already, but the polepies don't run parellel with the sides of the pickup. Kinda off axis... the polepieces from the lower strings are closer to the bridge and the polepieces of the higher strings are closer to the neck....


is it to go a little like reverse P like Jim Carr is saying?

 

[Chef]

From the Nordstrand website:
These are a proprietary Nordstrand design. The traditional bi-pole magnet layout was, literally, twisted in a new direction. By rotating the pole 45 degrees for each set we have increased the size of the traditional J style coil by 50%, making it wider, or "fatter". This results in a larger aperature, which captures more harmonic content from the string, resulting in a "fatter" tone. These pickups have a tone reminiscent of a J style single coil, but they are bigger and bolder. Full range and a present but pleasant high end response. These pickups have a great deal of midrange detail and fullness. Due to the naturally lower output of this design, these pickups can sometimes benefit from a pre-amp with 3 or more db of gain.

 

[Nino Valenti]

well, it's been talked about already, but the polepies don't run parellel with the sides of the pickup. Kinda off axis... the polepieces from the lower strings are closer to the bridge and the polepieces of the higher strings are closer to the neck....


is it to go a little like reverse P like Jim Carr is saying?

Ah. I though you were referring the the bridge p/g being closer to the bridge (i.e 70's location)

For the Big Single 5 pickups to fit in the EMG40 pickup casing, the pickup need to angled inside the casing to fit.

 

[Chef]

Ahhhh...I didn't realise you were using a different casing!

 

[Jim Carr]

OK, now I am really confused, but that's OK.

Question: Nino, are the casings you are using stock from Nordstrand? What EMGs? deeeerrrrrr....

 

[Nino Valenti]

Carey offer the Soapbar pickups in 2 casings. A Bartolini Casing and an EMG Casing. I prefer the EMG casing.

EMG casing:

Bartolini casing:

 

[Chef]

Nino: is there a functional reason, or is this aesthetics, or....?
The edges on the Bart casing look a little more rounded: more comfortable to use as a thumb-rest...

 

[Willem]

saw al those photos before and this was the first time I noticed it... funny

 

[Nino Valenti]

Nino: is there a functional reason, or is this aesthetics, or....?
The edges on the Bart casing look a little more rounded: more comfortable to use as a thumb-rest...

I like the way the EMG casing's look better. They're also a little wider and offer more room to rest your thumb.

 

[Nino Valenti]

saw al those photos before and this was the first time I noticed it... funny

It's one of those thing that's not really noticeable but one you see it, you wonder how you missed it.

 

[Chef]

Neat trick Nino, thx for sharing.

 

[capnsandwich]

I had a set in a Lakland I owned and I didn't even notice until now.

 

[maconbass]

Those are the Bart shape so the poles run straight in that photo.

 

[bluerimedeyes]

Finally got a chance to use the internet and send a quick thanks to Nino regarding #68. Wholly sexy batman. The bass, not you Nino, sorry. lol. Anywho, despite my total lack of anything resembling skill OR talent, this bass is amazing! My only issue: due to being at my parents house for vacation, the only thing I've been able to play it through is a crate guitar combo. I have a shuttle 6.0/210 combo waiting for me once I get back to cali next week. Tis all I have time to mention now, but wow do I love this bass.