benh

Well, I've ordered a second hand set of Big Splits off eBay. String spacing slightly different but going to see how it goes. Will update when they arrive!

I hope so! I've not much in the way of recording equipment, but will try my best.

Well, I decided to just go for it. Pickups ordered! Will update when I get them fitted 🙂

Thanks for the input so far. I guess what I'm after is - has anyone ever had a similar setup and had bad experiences with it? Or is there any theoretical reason why this would have an adverse affect in how the instrument sounds? Apologies, although I understand the basic concept of how magnetic pickups work, I don't know enough to determine what effect the pole pieces being slightly out of line would be - if any!

Quick mockup - I'm a bit unsure now, as the B and G strings are quite close to the edge. Is it worth saving a bit of time and money if they aren't aligned properly? Hmm...

Somewhere between 17mm and 17.5mm at the pickups - have asked the eBay seller if they wouldn't mind measuring the pole pieces. Will see what happens

I'd throw Cort into the mix. Even at the cheaper end of their ranges I don't think I've ever played a dud.

True enough. Good point, will measure!

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Might be worth a punt. Or could end up being an expensive mistake!

Very true. Unfortunately these are pole pieces. Me trying to be a skinflint buying second hand instead of new!

Dumb question I know. But how much would it actually affect how the pickup works? FYI I ask this as there is a set of pickups on eBay I've been looking at (Nordstrand Big Splits) which are the correct dimensions, but incorrect string spacing on the pole pieces.

Lovely, happy NBD! That grain is wonderful.

Just need someone with a set they can sell me 🙂

Just found this thread! In a similar situation with my Cort A5 (same pickup/preamp).

That colour/finish... Oof! (In a good way 🙂)

Fantastic colour! Been eyeing up one of those HB kits myself

Just to add some more into the mix, quite liking the look/sound of the Big Blades/Zen Blades from Nordstrand too, anyone here tried any? Comparisons to Big Singles/Splits?

Will check them out, thanks! Bass Direct have a 19mm spacing set in stock, however my bridge is 18mm spacing so not ideal. I wonder whether it would make much difference with the offset pole pieces being wider than a standard single pole piece. Will have a look on bestbassgear in any case 🙂

Nothing's ever simple!

That's very true. Although, strangely, it works out a fair bit more expensive to order from Nordstrand directly 🤷‍♂️

Another consideration - when making enquiries regarding the Nordy Big Split pickups, the lead time if ordering through Bassdirect is 3 months for an 18mm string spacing set, so I may well end up going with something else...

Yeah I thought that too. SBC drivers are P2 size too, plus it would give the option of series/parallel/single switching... whether I need that many options is another matter! Please let us know how they are when your bass arrives! I know Bass Direct have a pair of MK5s in stock which would be a direct replacement, I'm just a little worried they won't be a great deal different to what I already have, though I'm probably wrong.

Also been looking into the Delano SBC dual or quad coil pickups, they also seem to garner favourable reviews. Although YouTube is never a perfect way of determining exactly what they'll sound like, found this while trawling through and like the sound of both these pickups. Anyone tried these?

I certainly will! Although lockdown/furlough has just about wiped out what little disposable income I had, so could be a while. Never thought of searching for what others had done with the 55-01, although I suspect pickup changes may yield different results due to different woods and construction (although they are made in the same factory!) I had an East preamp in a G&L L2500 I had a number of years ago and was always impressed with the usable tones I could eke out of it.