I definitely also hear a way different sound. Could be listening equipment too, I'm listening with high quality mixing headphones through an audio interface.
To me there was an improvement with the nordstrands, notes seemed to just pop out a little more, not a night and day difference but definitely more note clarity. Also thanks for the test, I’m researching different j bass pickups and this definitely helps
I actually thought the squier PU's sounded a little better when played pickstyle. The nordies are a little too open for that, and I liked the choking growl mids of the squiers in that setting. However all other styles, I would definitely vote for the nordstrands
headphones and audient here, more hum with the humbucker lol, how did you record it? they probably sounded louder so you dropped the gain a lil more and when you regained it after recording noise gained as well, anyway ns sounds like butter, cool
I thought they both sounded excellent as far as pick playing I think the Squire kicked ass on the Nord but as far as finger playing the Nord‘s had a clear sound
Nordstrand pickups have a brighter and overall fuller tone, they’re worth the $200 ish dollars you’ll pay for a great upgrade. P. S. Throw on a Nordstrand drop tone switch and that Squier will become a different beast
It’s great test, the sounds thru UA-cam will be not as clear as standing by, but it can still feel some difference, according to the sounds, seem we don’t need to spend the money on nordstrand, but with EMG will be much different. Passive pickup all sounds similar, even cheap passive can sounds nice.
Thanks for watching. I agree that the squier pickups sound very nice. The only major difference is while slapping, and when playing the lower E string. The nordstrand do sound punchier and brighter though.
Totally agree on EMG - I made a YT with them added to a low end J & D bass - no need to shield. Sure they are similar price to the bass but this way I get a lovely surf green 75 bass for £250.
There is more high end, more definition in the Nordstrand pick-ups. It is not a major difference and would probably be less perceptible once mixed with other instruments. I could be happy with the Squier. The music comes across just fine in all samples, also in the slapping bit.
Isn't the point of the Norstrands to cancel out the hum? Would have been nice to hear the demo with a compressor pedal or some gain somewhere in the chain.
My experience in upgrading pickups is, not so much the tone itself, but their ability to hold their own in the mix...especially in a live scenario. I can't say I understand the science behind it though. But while cheap pickups often sound decent on their own, they buckle once the band comes in. I have the same experience with wood as well - cheap wood sounds fine by itself but wets its pants in battle. An upgrade to Nordstrand is a beautiful moment in life.
Squire pick up not so bad. How much listener can tell playing with band. For those little changes, I might stay with squire pickups save a couple hundred bucks buy DI and save time for practicing.
I don't hear a big difference. I came to see your video because I bought a Yamaha BB414 and I felt that the bridge pickup has a lower volume response comparing to the neck pickup. The bass came with a MEC Dynamic Compression pickup at the neck and I'm struggling to mix both of them. Maybe your case is similar to mine, because we are talking about basses that is not that expensive and an investment to buy a Nordstrand pickup is a big one. Do you feel like its worth? (sorry about my english, i'm from Brazil LOL)
I'm really happy with these pickups. I can't tell you what to do with your bass, but it really improved the Squier. The change in sound is very specific and it solved the problems I had with slapping and in the mids. It helps on stage and in the studio. Don't expect major changes, you can hear that it's very subtle. And your english is fine! 🤘🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
I think that expensive pickups will not magically improve the tone of any bass (maybe active pickups would). But they did solve (for me) some problems I had with the Squier.
@@steveluth3139 the amp is much more important than the instrument,a good amp will make most intrunents sound magically good while a cheap crap will make everything sound like its farting
@@Idogomusic cool. I have an 2009 model. What are your thoughts on the quality of the squiers of that year? Mine seem pretty solid, not cheap feeling. Definitely different quality than today's offerings. Why do people bash the squiers?
@@marchangel7462 Because they need other people's approval. Like owning a more expensive guitar. There's nothing wrong with playing on a Squier. Obviously, not all models are great, but some of Fender's models are bad as well.
I listened through my studio monitors. I gotta say the nordies are significantly warmer. Active pickups would just boost your signal save yourself money on 9v's and get a preamp pedal if it's really a concerning factor. However honestly in the mix you sound great. Like I said the nordies are way warmer. Also the bass being a limiting factor really isn't that big of a deal you still have an alder body with an indian laurel fretboard. If a bass is setup well and the player is good you're going to have good tone and cut through the mix in a good way. Nowadays I care more about what wood i'm using than what's on my headstock.
I used to think that (about preamp pedal) but now I put some EMG J into a cheap jazz bass I see actives can also really improve signal to noise. I totally agree about preamp / additional time shaping off the bass - was contemplating mounting EMG BQC in an external box. Even a cheap Zoom B1Four does an okay job as an external preamp.
I have found that demo videos are pointless. The same bass will sound very different in someone else’s hands. Just get some pups and play it all sounds good
I’m not saying that I have a better ear than anyone here but I hear a tremendous difference in sound.
I also think that the mids are better, and the low end is clearer
I definitely also hear a way different sound.
Could be listening equipment too, I'm listening with high quality mixing headphones through an audio interface.
the Nordstrand is less muddy mainly. Can make a big difference
I hear the same differences of clarity and mids. Actually very obvious. The nature of the instrument and pickup placement of course is identical.
To me there was an improvement with the nordstrands, notes seemed to just pop out a little more, not a night and day difference but definitely more note clarity. Also thanks for the test, I’m researching different j bass pickups and this definitely helps
Cool. I'm glad I could help
The clarity and note definition of the Nordstrands is a great improvement, IMO.
And now what happens is that I play mostly with this squier....
Definition = challenge in playing also... I don't know if it's worth it all in all
I actually thought the squier PU's sounded a little better when played pickstyle. The nordies are a little too open for that, and I liked the choking growl mids of the squiers in that setting. However all other styles, I would definitely vote for the nordstrands
I prefer the stock pickups, or maybe the strings are older. Notes are less well defined, but I like that.
Great demo, thank you for posing this. IMHO the Squire pickups have a "sock" to them as where the Nordstrand SV pickups sound more refined.
Yes but not enough to do the upgrade -- Awesome playing btw
headphones and audient here, more hum with the humbucker lol, how did you record it? they probably sounded louder so you dropped the gain a lil more and when you regained it after recording noise gained as well, anyway ns sounds like butter, cool
In your hands they both sound great. The Nordstrom have more overall tone and a bit more bass - but I get the feeling u can make any bass sound sweet.
Thank you! The Nordstrands are a big improvement
Nordstrands absolutely have definition, depth, and range that the squires don't.
I thought they both sounded excellent as far as pick playing I think the Squire kicked ass on the Nord but as far as finger playing the Nord‘s had a clear sound
I hear a huge difference, especially when slapped. I’m shocked that people say they can’t notice. The upgraded pickups are better.
It was non-slappable before. I had to use compressors for that. Bumpy dynamics.
Nordstrand pickups have a brighter and overall fuller tone, they’re worth the $200 ish dollars you’ll pay for a great upgrade. P. S. Throw on a Nordstrand drop tone switch and that Squier will become a different beast
It’s great test, the sounds thru UA-cam will be not as clear as standing by, but it can still feel some difference, according to the sounds, seem we don’t need to spend the money on nordstrand, but with EMG will be much different. Passive pickup all sounds similar, even cheap passive can sounds nice.
Thanks for watching. I agree that the squier pickups sound very nice. The only major difference is while slapping, and when playing the lower E string. The nordstrand do sound punchier and brighter though.
Totally agree on EMG - I made a YT with them added to a low end J & D bass - no need to shield. Sure they are similar price to the bass but this way I get a lovely surf green 75 bass for £250.
I can hear a lot more harmonic richness with Nordstrands. Btw, serious bass grooves, dude
Thanks a lot, Miguel 🙏
Sounds good. Did the Nordstrand's drop right in or did you have to modify? If so, what needed to be modified? Thank you
It fits. I checked the size before I ordered.
There is more high end, more definition in the Nordstrand pick-ups. It is not a major difference and would probably be less perceptible once mixed with other instruments. I could be happy with the Squier. The music comes across just fine in all samples, also in the slapping bit.
That's very accurate, as long as you're not slapping hard. Thanks for watching!
Isn't the point of the Norstrands to cancel out the hum? Would have been nice to hear the demo with a compressor pedal or some gain somewhere in the chain.
I hear a considerable difference.
My experience in upgrading pickups is, not so much the tone itself, but their ability to hold their own in the mix...especially in a live scenario. I can't say I understand the science behind it though. But while cheap pickups often sound decent on their own, they buckle once the band comes in. I have the same experience with wood as well - cheap wood sounds fine by itself but wets its pants in battle. An upgrade to Nordstrand is a beautiful moment in life.
Thank you for your comnent. Nicely said.
Very good point, I don't play live but with friends, and a couple of my budget basses just disappear at times.
I like your analogy wets its pants in battle?
Squire pick up not so bad. How much listener can tell playing with band. For those little changes, I might stay with squire pickups save a couple hundred bucks buy DI and save time for practicing.
Apart from slap and fingerstyle over the bridge pickup à la Jaco, this bass sounds pretty much like a P-Bass to me.
I don't hear a big difference. I came to see your video because I bought a Yamaha BB414 and I felt that the bridge pickup has a lower volume response comparing to the neck pickup. The bass came with a MEC Dynamic Compression pickup at the neck and I'm struggling to mix both of them. Maybe your case is similar to mine, because we are talking about basses that is not that expensive and an investment to buy a Nordstrand pickup is a big one. Do you feel like its worth? (sorry about my english, i'm from Brazil LOL)
I'm really happy with these pickups. I can't tell you what to do with your bass, but it really improved the Squier. The change in sound is very specific and it solved the problems I had with slapping and in the mids. It helps on stage and in the studio. Don't expect major changes, you can hear that it's very subtle. And your english is fine! 🤘🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
@@Idogomusic thank you, man. I will try these nordstrand and lets see what happens. thanks!
@@hamiltonrodrigues3386 Good luck!
I think the bass itself is the limiting factor; that’s why expensive pickups don’t magically improve the tone.
I think that expensive pickups will not magically improve the tone of any bass (maybe active pickups would). But they did solve (for me) some problems I had with the Squier.
Lol, for bass and regular guitars most of the sound comes of the amp, then the pickups and then the guitar itself
@@steveluth3139 the amp is much more important than the instrument,a good amp will make most intrunents sound magically good while a cheap crap will make everything sound like its farting
Great comparison video. What year squier is that?
Thanks. 2008
@@Idogomusic cool. I have an 2009 model. What are your thoughts on the quality of the squiers of that year? Mine seem pretty solid, not cheap feeling. Definitely different quality than today's offerings. Why do people bash the squiers?
@@marchangel7462 Because they need other people's approval. Like owning a more expensive guitar. There's nothing wrong with playing on a Squier. Obviously, not all models are great, but some of Fender's models are bad as well.
@@Idogomusic Subscribed!
Did you upgrade nut? Everything stock?
The nords are clearer, but mostly what i hear is the sound of new strings 😭
I hear a pretty big difference in favor of Nordies
Yeah... I'm glad I've replaced the stock pickups
Did they fit without problems?
I didn't replace them by myself, but I don't recall any problems, and I think I checked the specs, and they are the same size.
Did you also change the strings?
New strings on both cases
@@Idogomusic huge difference with the Nordstrands. Way smoother and nuanced.
nords have a tighter sound
I agree
They were both good. I wouldn't either were 'better'.
C est quoi les extraits des titres joué ?
I listened through my studio monitors. I gotta say the nordies are significantly warmer. Active pickups would just boost your signal save yourself money on 9v's and get a preamp pedal if it's really a concerning factor. However honestly in the mix you sound great. Like I said the nordies are way warmer. Also the bass being a limiting factor really isn't that big of a deal you still have an alder body with an indian laurel fretboard. If a bass is setup well and the player is good you're going to have good tone and cut through the mix in a good way. Nowadays I care more about what wood i'm using than what's on my headstock.
I used to think that (about preamp pedal) but now I put some EMG J into a cheap jazz bass I see actives can also really improve signal to noise. I totally agree about preamp / additional time shaping off the bass - was contemplating mounting EMG BQC in an external box. Even a cheap Zoom B1Four does an okay job as an external preamp.
Squier hands down
There's no a big different at all.. i choose squire pickups, cheap but the sound similar with the expensive ones
I have found that demo videos are pointless. The same bass will sound very different in someone else’s hands. Just get some pups and play it all sounds good
Nordstrand has faster bottom lows... and bit opener... If I were you I setted "N"-s...
Difference is not measurable IMO
Should've been a blind test.
The stocks sounds better to my ears
To my ear NO difference , keep the original
Thanks for watching
Huge difference
Different doesn't mean better