Great video! You absolutely demonstrated the night and day difference between the barts and the nords. Those BH2's sound like they're in the next room compared the Nords. Great work!
Unpopular opinion but I liked the Bart’s. They have more low end and less string noise but I did like the higher output from the nords. I wouldn’t complain with either though
I have a SR505E with Bartolini BH2's. I don't have Nordstrands to compare, but while I feel my BH2's are not particularly bright, they are not muddy at all. They respond very well to EQ-ing so I can get any tone I want, and cut through the mix with great clarity. Everything is personal taste, but I am very happy with my SR505E with BH2's.
Thanks K - I've always been a fan of the 505 and the Bartolinis. Can I ask - what do you run for strings? I typically use Rotosound Nickel Round Wounds.
First of all, you've really knocked the METHOD of comparison for a home run. Simple, strong, musical phrases, some nice low punchy notes, and most importantly, NO stopping and talking between the takes. I really like that you can hear them immediately side by side. That said, the Nordstrand sound WAAAAAY better. The Bartolini's sound very dull and muddy. You can always subtract treble from the Nords if you needed a less trebly tone, but you can't ADD treble to a dull sounding pickup like these Bart's if you needed a brighter tone.
Yes you can if your playing through a Darkglass head or pedal and add life to the Barts. I tried both yesterday and I prefer the Nords. I would like to know how he got this model bass in the Nords as they do not offer it retail?:)
@@mickavoidant4780 much of a tone difference I wonder...since I wrote that, i changed the strings and added EB Cobalts, its awesome now, the Barts warm tone and these stings are a great match
@@bbrowne I've listened to a TH-cam playoff between Nordstrand Big Splits, Big Singles and Fat Stacks. There's barely anything between them, other than cost and humbucking. What music do you play?
Thanks for taking the time to do this, but the huge amplitude differences mean that the louder will always be preferred, so only mildly useful. Normalising the amplitudes would have clearly shown the tonal differences.
That’s a good point! But I thought I’d do identical setups and pickup heights to highlight the output differences. I’ll incorporate your idea in the future 😁
I upgraded from an SR500 (BH2s) to an SR1400 (Nordstrand Big Singles) a couple of weeks back. They say there's not that much difference between the standard and the premium basses until you get up to the SR2600 - but that's utter BS. SR500 with the BH2s is a great bass for the money, but the first time i played the 1400 through my Boss Katana 210 Bass, i knew that my decade long search for the perfect sound had finally come to a very pleasing end. Really appreciate Agrajag to take the time to do this comparison!
I have an Ibanez BTB bass with original active Bartollini..after a while I began to realize it was to dark sound and I got pretty lost in the mix , was hard to listen to the bass line...I switch to Nordstrand Big Split , still active , which was a little better...but I wanted to sound more punchy , like a Rickenbacker or a Jazz bass ..so I switch again to Big Singles and went passive only...now I really enjoy playing with the band , much more deffinition....
Fantastic comparison! I am a Nordstrand user already for 10 years, and I have an Yamaha RBX 375.... This video inspired me to go for the 5 strings Big Singles
I have barts and it sounds a lot more like Nords than in this video... I probably have my pre-amp settings done differently than him but you can get them to sound exactly like Nords
Would love something between the nords and Barts in terms of warmth and presence. The Nords seem a bit too present for me. But, ultimately it’s how it sits in the mix and maybe the presence is necessary.
Excellent demo and comparison! I personally like the Barts more here. The Nordstrand pickups have so much string noise and high nasally clanking to them that it's harder to hear the tone.
Those Barts are a quite good choice for that bass, they fit the instrument nicely. I like them on other basses as well. Good choice by Ibanez on this one. I would not swap them for the Nords.
Bear in mind that the BH2 pickups are not american made Bartolini pickups, but a collaboration between Ibanez and Bart. Kinda like the MK1 pickups. The real Barts sound better.
Bartolini MK1 are split coils and BH2 are humbuckers. Aside from being a collaboration, they are very different pickups. This being said, Bartolini also has 2 lines of pickups, classics and originals. Classics have a full range and originals are supposed to sound dark. It's the signature Bartolini sound they are known for, even if it's their US model.
Nice comparison. The Nordstrands have more high end to my ears. Is it possible to shape the sound of the Bartolinis to also have more high end by using the EQ on the bass?
I have a Moon bass with barts in it from the late 80s and a new BTB805ms with T1s. The Ibanez T1 pickups blew my mind and had the clarity I needed to move away from the darkbart sound haha. Would love to throw a set of nords in that moon bass to see if I get the same difference as you got here in that bass.
Excellent comparison! Great job. This should be the standard for A-B testing of sound differences. (Great playing also!) I dropped the same exact Nordies into the same exact bass. I REALLY tried to like the Barts but after 3 sets of different strings I couldn't get over the "quacky" tone running the low Mids on the EQ. With the Nordies I get so much more presence and the growl that I love.
Very nice, and very helpful! Ive been looking at this and other Ibanez basses and was wondering the difference between the two p ups. Your comparison was simple, straight to the point, and well put together. I also appreciate the rage bass lines. 🤘
yeeeaaahhh 0:51 is the tone i'm looking for 😎 but is it the pickup or the clipping of the bass' circuitry that delivers the (delightfully) muddy tone...? for me it's the bartolinis ALL the way. you nailed the video btw! thanks!
Now everyone is about to hate me but tbh i like the bartolinis more than the nordstrands. The bartolinis just have that warm that is muddy but actually good and nordstrands are ok they're good but that warm and muddy sound can be produced better with the bartolinis.
Its hard not to like the Nordstrands more due to the volume...I guess...(GUESS) if the expectation is "treatment" as opposed to flat then the Barts would be a better call, but if its just DI then the Nordsrtands DEFINITELY have a better sound.
I was just thinking about comparing these two types, so I'm lucky to have found your video. The Nordstrand is a single coil, while the Bartolini is a double coil, right? The compressed sound of the double coils wired in parallel is exactly what I'm looking for.
I enjoyed the video, and I have a question. Is this Nordstrand pickup a Bartolini p2 size or does it require customization? If it's a p2 size, will it still be sweet even if I attach Aguilar's dcb d2 pickup?
For anyone not able (or not willing) to buy new pickups (I certainly don't pay $/€1300 for DEAD pickups -not even half that, which is what I paid for my 1005MS-), those Bartolini BH2s come wired in series, BUT they can sound like a damm normal pickup when you wire them SINGLE COIL. Not parallel (as scoopDEAD as series, just zingier, while still no mids/hi-mids to be heard). Correct color code is in this guy's video (different from USA Barts)... th-cam.com/video/QZeHJvZzFEE/w-d-xo.html Also the VariMid onboard treats the single coils signal WAY better (no compression/distortion going on, which I was getting, when boosting bass/mids too much with the stock series wiring). Choose whichever coils you prefer for tone. I used the neckside coils of both pickups, which don't even hum cancel with each other when both are on, still have the same (negligible) hum level I had with them in series. This is my EHB1005MS's neck pickup in single coil. I might get better pickups down the road, but this way at least it can sound not far from your average Jazz Bass, I mean, USABLE... th-cam.com/video/fU6zdMXmAzY/w-d-xo.html
I'm not sure what's going on here but the tone is way off. I have an Ibanez sr2605 with Nordstrand big singles and it sounds way different. Those sound really thin. Mine are very full, growly and a nice dark full low mid.
If I'm not wrong the default nordstrand pickups in ibanez basses are made overseas to save cost. Perhaps that could be why it doesn't sound quite the same. I'm not entirely sure about this though so don't quote me.
Hey man, can you link the Nordstrands you got in that Ibanez? I’m interested in perhaps doing the same thing but I can’t find the Nordstrands that would fit in there
Hi, nice comparison. What is the pickup height for both pickups, that is from the top of the pickup to the B string and G string. Pickup height makes a huge difference to the sound.
Those Nordstrand give the sound I was looking for. They sound like a Rickenbacker. I wouldn't knock the Bartolinis if that is the sound you are looking for, but I like the Nordstrands.
Correct me if I'm wrong but dont pickups that have exposed pole pieces usually sound brighter by definition compared to its counter part that are not exposed giving that deeper muddy tone.
Yes you need two holes on one side for the Nords. But it’s a super easy job, the screws are thin so you may be able to get away with no drilling. I write darker types of metal, so prefer that Bart sound.
Hi! Great comparison! I have same identical bass and I decided to swap the barts with nordy’s but I choose the Zen’s…my question is how did you resolve the difference in size between the two pickups? did you have them custom made by nordstrand? Sorry for my English
The bartolinis sound a lot better to me in this comparison, but maybe the nordstrands would be better after being EQd. The nordstrands sound too bright and crispy and nasal to my ears.
Kinda wish I swapped out the pickups in my Sr505e instead of the pre-amp like everyone suggested >.< Sounds like the Nordstrands do a lot better with that ibanez pre-amp than the bartolini's do, I juts find it's too dark and muddy.
I have the older 500 with the MK1 pickups.. Barts sound a bit too mid scooped, while Nords are the opposite with the mids standing out.. I personally prefer Barts overall tone (much more versatile and better potential to be shaped.. good for me since I play around alot), Nords will be better for someone in Rock/Metal genre.. they sound so open and cut through the mix easily Have you used any pedals or multi-fx with your bass? I find the MK1s need a little bit of extra boost in a rock/metal setting
@@fela001 I actually own 2 basses with the import bartolini pickups. my sr505e still has the BH2's, and I have a 4 string Cort with the Mk1's. I've replaced the MK1's with the Nordstrand Zen Blades (humbucking blades) and it's a worlds of difference in terms of sound...only thing is the Nordstrand are Bart BC size and the pickups leave a lot of extra room in the pickup cavity...had to drill new holes for the pickup screws. As for any EQ settings for the Ibanez, I use a Darkglass B7K ultra. I always leave the EQ on, EQ settings are as follows: Bass - flat; Low Mids - 250hz, slight cut; High Mids - 1.5khz, slight to moderate boost; treble is dependent on if I'm using a pick or fingerstyle, but usually flat. Attack switch on boost, Grunt switch on flat.
Nordstrand are saturated and have a lot of highs and mids, while Bartolini smoooooth as hell and have brilliant deep and volumetric low end, in same time keeping it tight and compressed. Nordstrand are for classic jazz-bass sound fans and guys who don't want to get deep into settings of their sound, keeping it readable all the time; Bartolini are for the boutique sound fans, who want their sound to be maximum unique and tasty.
My SRMS came with these Barts, and they sound so boring that I never play that bass anymore. It's such a complete mismatch for such a modern bass. I still need to replace them.
Bartolinis have a better low end and that's what bass is all about! Active basses are the best for versatility and this comparison is not completely fair. Bartolinis have been around a long time.
They drop straight in, yes. 1 screw position is different, so I drilled for it, but the basswood is quite soft, so maybe you could get away without drilling. But it might mash the screw head a bit.
@@Agrajag_Guitars wow!!! I thought this would have to be customized. The pole pieces lined up also? I wish I would’ve known this when I had the bass. I loved the bass when I had it but I wasn’t crazy about the Barts.
@@Steveperlmaster Depends on the Ibanez model - the Nordstrands default to 19 mm string spacing and (at least on my SR505E) the string spacing is a quite narrow 16.5 mm. Nordstrand will custom build them in that size, but it's an extra $40 per set. You'll want the P2 soapbar size. You should be able to find the string spacing for your model on Ibanez' website without a lot of hassle. Nordstrand offers from 16.5 to 19 mm on 0.5 mm intervals (16.5, 17, 17.5, etc.)
You do comparison videos better than people who have literally one thousand times more subscribers than you. If that doesn't sceam "this deserves more views" idk what would lol.
Nothing a pedal can't fix, but trying to add highs to that bart and you won't get a great result, whereas you can lower your highs or get a gate pedal and your done
No - they're traditional single coil pickups and are subject to electrical interference like any Jazz or other single-coil pickup. Their Big Splits are basically the same thing with a split-coil winding that acts almost like a humbucker and is MUCH quieter. Sound's a little bit different than the Big Singles though, so as always there are tradeoffs.
Wow, great comparison. The Nordstrands have MUCH more growl and meat to them. Bartolini sounds anemic and rattly. Hence why I dislike Ibanez's bass sound
I prefer the sound of the BH2 over my Nords when playing alone, but add a band behind me and I want the Nordstrands to punch through all the drums and heavy bottomed guitarists.
The pickups Bart makes for Ibanez basses are a joke. Better to just order directly from them so you know you'll get a pickup that has that true Bartolini clarity across the entire eq spectrum
not at all. i recorded in a fucking big great studio with Dingwalls. They sound very simmilar yo the nords and do not get neu5ralized unless the master seems to need it
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Great video! You absolutely demonstrated the night and day difference between the barts and the nords. Those BH2's sound like they're in the next room compared the Nords. Great work!
Yooo it's lobster
How did you type this message with those meaty claws!?
you are right
Unpopular opinion but I liked the Bart’s. They have more low end and less string noise but I did like the higher output from the nords. I wouldn’t complain with either though
@@dirtblock2147 - I can makemy Nordies sound more like Barts than the other way around.
I have a SR505E with Bartolini BH2's. I don't have Nordstrands to compare, but while I feel my BH2's are not particularly bright, they are not muddy at all. They respond very well to EQ-ing so I can get any tone I want, and cut through the mix with great clarity. Everything is personal taste, but I am very happy with my SR505E with BH2's.
Thanks K - I've always been a fan of the 505 and the Bartolinis. Can I ask - what do you run for strings? I typically use Rotosound Nickel Round Wounds.
@@Whatintheblueblazes I use Ernie Balls. I slap most of the time with fretted basses, and I feel the Slinky gives me articulate punchy sounds.
I have the exact same bass and though I just got it I think the pickups are great and I'll keep them for a while at least
In other words..they are BASS pick ups...
Son mejor q las mk1 ono ?????
First of all, you've really knocked the METHOD of comparison for a home run. Simple, strong, musical phrases, some nice low punchy notes, and most importantly, NO stopping and talking between the takes. I really like that you can hear them immediately side by side.
That said, the Nordstrand sound WAAAAAY better. The Bartolini's sound very dull and muddy. You can always subtract treble from the Nords if you needed a less trebly tone, but you can't ADD treble to a dull sounding pickup like these Bart's if you needed a brighter tone.
Yes you can if your playing through a Darkglass head or pedal and add life to the Barts. I tried both yesterday and I prefer the Nords. I would like to know how he got this model bass in the Nords as they do not offer it retail?:)
@@DEKADZ Nordstrand sell Big Singles by themselves. Big Breaks are Splits-with-a-difference, exclusive to Ibanez.
@@mickavoidant4780 much of a tone difference I wonder...since I wrote that, i changed the strings and added EB Cobalts, its awesome now, the Barts warm tone and these stings are a great match
@@bbrowne I've listened to a TH-cam playoff between Nordstrand Big Splits, Big Singles and Fat Stacks. There's barely anything between them, other than cost and humbucking.
What music do you play?
@@DEKADZ I bought them 2nd hand on eBay. They drop straight in apart from 1 screw position difference, which I had to drill for. Pretty easy swap!
Thanks for taking the time to do this, but the huge amplitude differences mean that the louder will always be preferred, so only mildly useful. Normalising the amplitudes would have clearly shown the tonal differences.
That’s a good point! But I thought I’d do identical setups and pickup heights to highlight the output differences. I’ll incorporate your idea in the future 😁
👏
I upgraded from an SR500 (BH2s) to an SR1400 (Nordstrand Big Singles) a couple of weeks back. They say there's not that much difference between the standard and the premium basses until you get up to the SR2600 - but that's utter BS. SR500 with the BH2s is a great bass for the money, but the first time i played the 1400 through my Boss Katana 210 Bass, i knew that my decade long search for the perfect sound had finally come to a very pleasing end.
Really appreciate Agrajag to take the time to do this comparison!
Ahh man, if only all ppl would review pickups the way you do :-)
Awesome work, Thanks Brah...
Surprisingly, I like the Bartolini's better. I wish the test would have been the Big Rigs vs. Bartolini's.
Great vid. Massive difference. The Nordstrand neck pickup is even brighter than the Bartolini bridge pickup.
Awesome video! And nice job playing Bombtrack. I personally prefer the Barts but both sound great
I have an Ibanez BTB bass with original active Bartollini..after a while I began to realize it was to dark sound and I got pretty lost in the mix , was hard to listen to the bass line...I switch to Nordstrand Big Split , still active , which was a little better...but I wanted to sound more punchy , like a Rickenbacker or a Jazz bass ..so I switch again to Big Singles and went passive only...now I really enjoy playing with the band , much more deffinition....
Hey! I have the same problem. Which pickups do you suggest?
You are a legend for making this video.
I adore my EHB so much. I’m thinking about upgrading to the Nords, I may end up doing Zen Blades though.
Fantastic comparison! I am a Nordstrand user already for 10 years, and I have an Yamaha RBX 375.... This video inspired me to go for the 5 strings Big Singles
This is a really useful video! Audio is great and the graphics are simple, clear, concise. Well done!
Thanks for this video! I got the bass with the Bartolini‘s and I’m very unhappy with the high-end response, I’m going to swap out for Nords.
Thanks! Glad the video helped bud. If you have a 5 string I’ve just put these exact Nords on eBay dude.
@@Agrajag_Guitars Did you not like the Nords then - what did you replace them with?
Love the way you did this, Bart's I think for me but both are great; good job on video
Great comparison. Overall, the Norstands are a tad hotter with a bit more clarity.
Great demo! I was literally looking for this exact combination of bass and pickups comparison!
Ditto
I've never owned either. Easy choice for me, Nords sound killer. Easier to mute/subdue, harder to add brightness and clarity
Agree 100%
I have barts and it sounds a lot more like Nords than in this video... I probably have my pre-amp settings done differently than him but you can get them to sound exactly like Nords
This video should be the standard for bass and mics comparison on youtube
The nords may cut through more, but I don't like their brittle tone very much. I have BH2s and love their warmth honestly.
Would love something between the nords and Barts in terms of warmth and presence. The Nords seem a bit too present for me. But, ultimately it’s how it sits in the mix and maybe the presence is necessary.
Great vid ! Exactly what I was looking for
Excellent demo and comparison! I personally like the Barts more here. The Nordstrand pickups have so much string noise and high nasally clanking to them that it's harder to hear the tone.
I will put Aguilar pickups
Those Barts are a quite good choice for that bass, they fit the instrument nicely. I like them on other basses as well. Good choice by Ibanez on this one. I would not swap them for the Nords.
I would the Nords sounds beefier!
BH2 sound way better when wired in parallel.
Peeps, amps, strings, pedals, cabs...it all makes a difference...lol
They should blend nicely together and have a well defined bottom.
Bear in mind that the BH2 pickups are not american made Bartolini pickups, but a collaboration between Ibanez and Bart. Kinda like the MK1 pickups. The real Barts sound better.
Bartolini MK1 are split coils and BH2 are humbuckers. Aside from being a collaboration, they are very different pickups. This being said, Bartolini also has 2 lines of pickups, classics and originals. Classics have a full range and originals are supposed to sound dark. It's the signature Bartolini sound they are known for, even if it's their US model.
I love the brilliance of singles..
Great video comparison
I prefer the sound of the barts. Got more intense poke. More flexible. The nords are openly aggressive immediately.
Literally been looking for this comparison to see if I want the Ibanez 505e or 605e. Going with the 605..
Nice comparison. The Nordstrands have more high end to my ears. Is it possible to shape the sound of the Bartolinis to also have more high end by using the EQ on the bass?
The Bartolini pups are so different it’s not possible. The top end sound of each pickup is totally different.
You absolutely can get a good amount of treble out of the Barts. And without losing the depth of your low end
Excellent video!!! A very good comparison.
I have a Moon bass with barts in it from the late 80s and a new BTB805ms with T1s. The Ibanez T1 pickups blew my mind and had the clarity I needed to move away from the darkbart sound haha. Would love to throw a set of nords in that moon bass to see if I get the same difference as you got here in that bass.
Excellent comparison! Great job. This should be the standard for A-B testing of sound differences. (Great playing also!) I dropped the same exact Nordies into the same exact bass. I REALLY tried to like the Barts but after 3 sets of different strings I couldn't get over the "quacky" tone running the low Mids on the EQ. With the Nordies I get so much more presence and the growl that I love.
Very nice, and very helpful! Ive been looking at this and other Ibanez basses and was wondering the difference between the two p ups. Your comparison was simple, straight to the point, and well put together. I also appreciate the rage bass lines. 🤘
Thank you! Just came across this video - very helpful
yeeeaaahhh 0:51 is the tone i'm looking for 😎
but is it the pickup or the clipping of the bass' circuitry that delivers the (delightfully) muddy tone...?
for me it's the bartolinis ALL the way. you nailed the video btw! thanks!
Thanks for the demo. Ive got a status graphite with bartolinis that sound like this, about to switch to singles.
Fantastic comparison video!
I don't mind the bh2's at all.
Now everyone is about to hate me but tbh i like the bartolinis more than the nordstrands. The bartolinis just have that warm that is muddy but actually good and nordstrands are ok they're good but that warm and muddy sound can be produced better with the bartolinis.
Its hard not to like the Nordstrands more due to the volume...I guess...(GUESS) if the expectation is "treatment" as opposed to flat then the Barts would be a better call, but if its just DI then the Nordsrtands DEFINITELY have a better sound.
Now I'm sold on Nordstrom.
I was just thinking about comparing these two types, so I'm lucky to have found your video. The Nordstrand is a single coil, while the Bartolini is a double coil, right? The compressed sound of the double coils wired in parallel is exactly what I'm looking for.
I enjoyed the video, and I have a question.
Is this Nordstrand pickup a Bartolini p2 size or does it require customization?
If it's a p2 size, will it still be sweet even if I attach Aguilar's dcb d2 pickup?
For anyone not able (or not willing) to buy new pickups (I certainly don't pay $/€1300 for DEAD pickups -not even half that, which is what I paid for my 1005MS-), those Bartolini BH2s come wired in series, BUT they can sound like a damm normal pickup when you wire them SINGLE COIL. Not parallel (as scoopDEAD as series, just zingier, while still no mids/hi-mids to be heard). Correct color code is in this guy's video (different from USA Barts)... th-cam.com/video/QZeHJvZzFEE/w-d-xo.html
Also the VariMid onboard treats the single coils signal WAY better (no compression/distortion going on, which I was getting, when boosting bass/mids too much with the stock series wiring). Choose whichever coils you prefer for tone. I used the neckside coils of both pickups, which don't even hum cancel with each other when both are on, still have the same (negligible) hum level I had with them in series. This is my EHB1005MS's neck pickup in single coil. I might get better pickups down the road, but this way at least it can sound not far from your average Jazz Bass, I mean, USABLE... th-cam.com/video/fU6zdMXmAzY/w-d-xo.html
what if you used an upgraded preamp and compared the base BH2s w 2 different pre amps?
I think the Bart at the neck and the Norstrand at the bridge and maybe slam the Bart into the Norstrand Superbass style.
Very helpful comparison, thanks!
I'm not sure what's going on here but the tone is way off. I have an Ibanez sr2605 with Nordstrand big singles and it sounds way different. Those sound really thin. Mine are very full, growly and a nice dark full low mid.
If I'm not wrong the default nordstrand pickups in ibanez basses are made overseas to save cost. Perhaps that could be why it doesn't sound quite the same. I'm not entirely sure about this though so don't quote me.
great vid! Thanks
Hey man, can you link the Nordstrands you got in that Ibanez? I’m interested in perhaps doing the same thing but I can’t find the Nordstrands that would fit in there
Are the strings the same on both? Can't this difference be just eq'd or the electronics aren't capable of it?
Those Barts sound amazing!!
@Atlantean's Blood Does everything have to be brighter and overbearing?
Hi, nice comparison. What is the pickup height for both pickups, that is from the top of the pickup to the B string and G string. Pickup height makes a huge difference to the sound.
Honestly jazz bass is capable of every rock and metal tone, I still love my soapbar pickup alt bass though
Awesome comparison! No bullshit. Give me more...
Great demo method. Nice job.
Great work. Thank you!
Those Nordstrand give the sound I was looking for. They sound like a Rickenbacker. I wouldn't knock the Bartolinis if that is the sound you are looking for, but I like the Nordstrands.
wow, what a diference... Bartos sound like scub eq.... thanks a lot broh!
the barts really sound underwater
1:03 theres something the Barts have the Nordstrands dont.
A some sizzling pedal to the Bartolinis and you can approximate the Nordstrand tone.
Correct me if I'm wrong but dont pickups that have exposed pole pieces usually sound brighter by definition compared to its counter part that are not exposed giving that deeper muddy tone.
It doesn’t matter. The plastic casing is transparent for the magnetic field. What makes pickups brighter is them being single coils.
The Nords sound killer. How come you're selling them? And did you have to drill new screw holes? Looks like a different mounting config on one side.
Yes you need two holes on one side for the Nords. But it’s a super easy job, the screws are thin so you may be able to get away with no drilling. I write darker types of metal, so prefer that Bart sound.
How did you install the nordstrand big singles? Did you have to drill new holes?
Hi! Great comparison! I have same identical bass and I decided to swap the barts with nordy’s but I choose the Zen’s…my question is how did you resolve the difference in size between the two pickups? did you have them custom made by nordstrand?
Sorry for my English
Thanks! The big singles drop straight in 😉
The bartolinis sound a lot better to me in this comparison, but maybe the nordstrands would be better after being EQd. The nordstrands sound too bright and crispy and nasal to my ears.
Kinda wish I swapped out the pickups in my Sr505e instead of the pre-amp like everyone suggested >.< Sounds like the Nordstrands do a lot better with that ibanez pre-amp than the bartolini's do, I juts find it's too dark and muddy.
I have the older 500 with the MK1 pickups.. Barts sound a bit too mid scooped, while Nords are the opposite with the mids standing out.. I personally prefer Barts overall tone (much more versatile and better potential to be shaped.. good for me since I play around alot), Nords will be better for someone in Rock/Metal genre.. they sound so open and cut through the mix easily
Have you used any pedals or multi-fx with your bass? I find the MK1s need a little bit of extra boost in a rock/metal setting
@@fela001 I actually own 2 basses with the import bartolini pickups. my sr505e still has the BH2's, and I have a 4 string Cort with the Mk1's. I've replaced the MK1's with the Nordstrand Zen Blades (humbucking blades) and it's a worlds of difference in terms of sound...only thing is the Nordstrand are Bart BC size and the pickups leave a lot of extra room in the pickup cavity...had to drill new holes for the pickup screws.
As for any EQ settings for the Ibanez, I use a Darkglass B7K ultra. I always leave the EQ on, EQ settings are as follows: Bass - flat; Low Mids - 250hz, slight cut; High Mids - 1.5khz, slight to moderate boost; treble is dependent on if I'm using a pick or fingerstyle, but usually flat. Attack switch on boost, Grunt switch on flat.
Massive amounts of midds in those nords
The Nordstrands sounds awesome.
That would be a flexible setup.
Nordstrand are saturated and have a lot of highs and mids, while Bartolini smoooooth as hell and have brilliant deep and volumetric low end, in same time keeping it tight and compressed. Nordstrand are for classic jazz-bass sound fans and guys who don't want to get deep into settings of their sound, keeping it readable all the time; Bartolini are for the boutique sound fans, who want their sound to be maximum unique and tasty.
My SRMS came with these Barts, and they sound so boring that I never play that bass anymore. It's such a complete mismatch for such a modern bass. I still need to replace them.
The Nordstrand Big Single is the bear pickup ever made IMHO 😎🤙🏽💥
Bartolinis have a better low end and that's what bass is all about! Active basses are the best for versatility and this comparison is not completely fair. Bartolinis have been around a long time.
Significantly preferred the BH2's
Wow! Is this the EHB 1005? I was curious about the pickup swap. Was the Big Single 5 string pickups a direct swap? Was there any sizing issue?
They drop straight in, yes. 1 screw position is different, so I drilled for it, but the basswood is quite soft, so maybe you could get away without drilling. But it might mash the screw head a bit.
@@Agrajag_Guitars wow!!! I thought this would have to be customized. The pole pieces lined up also? I wish I would’ve known this when I had the bass. I loved the bass when I had it but I wasn’t crazy about the Barts.
@@Steveperlmaster Depends on the Ibanez model - the Nordstrands default to 19 mm string spacing and (at least on my SR505E) the string spacing is a quite narrow 16.5 mm. Nordstrand will custom build them in that size, but it's an extra $40 per set. You'll want the P2 soapbar size. You should be able to find the string spacing for your model on Ibanez' website without a lot of hassle. Nordstrand offers from 16.5 to 19 mm on 0.5 mm intervals (16.5, 17, 17.5, etc.)
Legit comparison
Definitely I prefer BH2. It has much more dark sound.
im happy i got the higher end ehb1500 becuase the nordies sound so much better
What strings did you use for this?
You do comparison videos better than people who have literally one thousand times more subscribers than you. If that doesn't sceam "this deserves more views" idk what would lol.
But wait until you’re favouring one pickup instead of both of them, Barts will still be silent, but nords are humming away like crazy……
Nothing a pedal can't fix, but trying to add highs to that bart and you won't get a great result, whereas you can lower your highs or get a gate pedal and your done
They should work well together.
Yes, they need slamming. The Bart is way too deep that close to the neck and leaves no room for slapping.
I can slap the nuts off my SR505E without any interference from the pickups. I slap on the fingerboard, which is out of the way of the pickups.
Are the Nordstrand Big Singles noiseless?
No - they're traditional single coil pickups and are subject to electrical interference like any Jazz or other single-coil pickup. Their Big Splits are basically the same thing with a split-coil winding that acts almost like a humbucker and is MUCH quieter. Sound's a little bit different than the Big Singles though, so as always there are tradeoffs.
Tremendous
Wow, great comparison. The Nordstrands have MUCH more growl and meat to them. Bartolini sounds anemic and rattly. Hence why I dislike Ibanez's bass sound
Actually, some Ibanez models have Nordstrand pickups (see SR Premium series 14... or following)
@@paolof8111 True, I'd love one of the premium ones someday. I just mean the mid-price Bartolini or budget stock sound they're known for
@@adamgreenhill110 👌
@@paolof8111 SR600E has Nordstrands as well
I prefer the sound of the BH2 over my Nords when playing alone, but add a band behind me and I want the Nordstrands to punch through all the drums and heavy bottomed guitarists.
Nordstrand sounds a lot more well compressed
Honestly I kinda like the Bartolinis
The Nordstrands sound waaay better!
❤
The pickups Bart makes for Ibanez basses are a joke. Better to just order directly from them so you know you'll get a pickup that has that true Bartolini clarity across the entire eq spectrum
Put some lane poors in that puppy doggy
Nordstrand...all the way !!!!!
Bartolini’s sound better in a professional studio album. Those nordstrand might sound nice isolated but in an album environment it will be neutralized
not at all.
i recorded in a fucking big great studio with Dingwalls. They sound very simmilar yo the nords and do not get neu5ralized unless the master seems to need it
Nordstrand!