Nordstrand Pickups and Basses Forum

[Carlitos]

HI, I'm new to the forum.

I am planning the electronics for a new bass (jazz bass style) a local luthier is building for me. I'm looking for a "best of both worlds" solution.
I actually play a Fender JB Deluxe V (most of the time blending with more of the neck pickup 60/40) but I would like to add a little of MM sound to the new bass. I usually play classic rock but sometimes I'm tied to a flamenco fussion experiment (I use a japanese fretless for that, but I would like to use a fretted solution for percusive playing). The other bass I use is an old Tune bass maniac with bartolinis; a bit agressive for flamenco (but a tiny slap machine).

¿What about MM5.2 (bridge) and nj5fs(neck)? I'm thinking of these two pickups with the three band prev and the MM5.2 with a 4 way switch to singles, parallel and series. That's pretty a big abanico of sounds, I think.

¿Any suggestion?

[Carey Nordstrand]

I'd definitely keep in mind that the MM is a very specific sound and not super versatile outside of what it normally does. If your top priority is a MM type of sound then go for it. If you want to cover J bass ground then it may not be the best choice.

That said, a MM5.2 with a J neck pickup will cover a lot of ground. Especially with the switching scheme you're looking at. Also, since you tend towards the neck pickup a little then it may work very well for you. Just don't expect a fat Jaco-esque bridge pickup sound from the MM.

[Carlitos]

I don't use the bridge pickup alone in the JB but with the MM I think I'll use it a lot more. In a couple of months I'll post about the sound, then.

Thanks !

[Sweet Willie]

Carlitos, sounds interesting. Let us know.

Can you tell us more about the bass that the local builder is doing for you? Traditional jazz bass form, or something different? Woods? Etc.