Modern Bass Pickups

Nordstrand MM4.2

humbucking (dual coil) 4 string Music Man®-type bass pickups

This pickup is an accurate reproduction of an early pre-Ernie Ball® Music Man® pickup. It uses the same wire, the same magnets, and has the same DC resistance. As a result, it sounds just like the early Music Man® basses that are so widely coveted. Includes black cover (exposed pole pieces).

4 string pickup (1 pickup): $129.

Nordstrand MM4.3

humbucking (triple coil) 4 string Music Man®-type bass pickups

The MM4.3 will drop into a Music Man® Sterling® or other 3-way switched installation, and features a dummy coil on the bottom for silent single coil mode. Like the MM4.2, the MM4.3 features Alnico V magnets and Heavy Formvar wire for an authentic early pre-Ernie Ball® tone—punchy, growly, and fat. Includes black cover (exposed pole pieces).

4 string pickup (1 pickup): $169.

Nordstrand MM5.2

humbucking (dual coil) 5 string Music Man®-type bass pickups

A 5 string version of the otherwise identical MM4.2, itself an accurate reproduction of an early pre-Ernie Ball® pickup. It features Alnico V magnets and heavy Formvar wire for an authentic punchy, growly, and inherently fat tone. The MM5.2 is a dual coil pickup that can be wired series, parallel, or single coil (split-able). Includes black cover (exposed pole pieces).

The industry never really adapted a standard for this style of pickup, and as a result we have at least 3 different spacing and cover combinations:

1. Soap-bar shape with no ears and narrow spacing. These have a rectangular cover and narrow spacing that will work on original MusicMan® five string basses.
2. Larger shape with ears and wide spacing. These will fit Lakland® and other basses with wider spacing.
3. Larger shape with ears and narrow spacing. These will fit OLP® and other basses with narrow spacing.

5 string pickup (1 pickup): $139.

Nordstrand MM5.3

humbucking (triple coil) 5 string Music Man®-type bass pickups

The MM5.3 is the 5 string version of the MM4.3 and also utilizes a dummy coil on the bottom to achieve a silent single coil mode. Like the other pickups in this series, the MM5.3 features Alnico V magnets and Heavy Formvar wire for an authentic early pre-Ernie Ball® tone—punch, growly, and fat. Includes black cover (exposed pole pieces).

Spacings are available as described for the MM5.2. But, please make sure your bass has a deep enough rout, or take it to a qualified tech that can do such a modification if necessary.

5 string pickup (1 pickup): $179.

Who is using Nordstrand Pickups?

In search of tone that inspires: just some of the fine builders and musicians who depend on Nordstrand Pickups as a critical starting point for the signal chain that is their musical voice.

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