Pricing and availability

Average Price: $175

Standard/Professional

$119

$200+

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High-end

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Description

When it comes to upgrading your bass, the Nordstrand NJ5S is a top-tier choice for players seeking precision and clarity. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship, Nordstrand pickups are a favorite among bass enthusiasts who value both tone and versatility. The NJ5S set is designed specifically for 5-string bass guitars, offering hum-canceling performance. This means you can enjoy a clean and powerful sound without the interference of unwanted noise, making it an excellent choice for both live performances and studio recordings.

Crafted with high-quality materials, the NJ5S captures the full spectrum of your bass guitar's range, providing a balanced output that highlights rich lows, articulate mids, and clear highs. These pickups are engineered to deliver a punchy and dynamic sound, giving you the edge in any musical setting. Whether you're playing jazz, rock, funk, or pop, the NJ5S complements your style, faithfully translating your playing dynamics into a compelling audio experience.

Installation is straightforward, with a design that fits most standard 5-string bass setups. With its robust construction and attention to detail, the Nordstrand NJ5S is a reliable upgrade for any bassist looking to enhance their instrument’s performance without sacrificing tonal quality.

Key Features:

  • Hum-canceling design for noise-free performance
  • Specifically designed for 5-string bass guitars
  • Balanced tone with rich lows, articulate mids, and clear highs
  • Easy installation compatible with most standard setups
  • Crafted with high-quality materials for durability and superior sound

Product specs

Brand Nordstrand Audio
Model NJ5S-SET Split Coil Hum Canceling 5-String Jazz Bass Pickup Set
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Bass Pickups

FAQs

Are the Nordstrand NJ5S pickups suitable for a 5-string jazz bass?

Yes, the Nordstrand NJ5S pickups are specifically designed for 5-string jazz basses, offering a split coil hum-canceling design that fits standard jazz bass pickup routes.

What type of tone can I expect from the Nordstrand NJ5S pickups?

The Nordstrand NJ5S pickups provide a classic jazz bass tone with enhanced clarity and punch, while the split coil design ensures hum cancellation for a cleaner sound.

Are the Nordstrand NJ5S pickups passive or active?

The Nordstrand NJ5S pickups are passive, allowing them to be installed without the need for a battery or additional electronics, while still delivering a rich and powerful sound.

How do the Nordstrand NJ5S pickups handle noise and hum?

The Nordstrand NJ5S pickups feature a split coil design that effectively cancels hum, providing a quiet and noise-free performance even in high-gain settings.

Can the Nordstrand NJ5S pickups be installed in any 5-string bass?

The Nordstrand NJ5S pickups are designed to fit standard jazz bass pickup routes, so they should be compatible with most 5-string jazz bass models that adhere to these dimensions.

Jay InChrist

Jay InChrist

Nordstrand NJ5S Bass Pickup

Video thumbnail for Nordstrand NJ5S Bass Pickup by Jay InChrist

Nordstrand NJ5S Bass Pickup

Jay InChrist

Jay InChrist

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Nordstrand NJ5S.

Mods and upgrades

  • Nordstrand NJ5S praised for vintage-style noise-canceling; highly recommended for enhancing 5-string basses despite higher cost.

    Source
  • Seymour Duncan Heavy Weather pickups are tailored for fretless basses, featuring a vintage tone wound slightly hotter for harmonic playing styles.

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  • Bartolini pickups are reported as easy to install on fretless basses, with users appreciating their tonal enhancement.

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  • Nordstrand NJ5S is highlighted as a preferred upgrade for Fender Jazz V, especially for those who generally favor Nordstrand pickups.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Pre-2004 MIM Jazz Basses may have neck-width bridge pickups; measure before purchasing to ensure correct fit.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Nordstrand NJ5S provides excellent noise-canceling tone; compared favorably to other premium pickups, but requires investment.

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  • Bartolini pickups, priced around $90, offer a bright tone with more whomp on fretless basses, contrasting with the pricier Duncan pickups.

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  • Fender Pure Vintage pickups present a competing choice for fretless basses, offering a vintage tone similar to Seymour Duncan Heavy Weather.

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  • Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders are passive but deliver a tone close to active pickups, being described as "HOT and delicious" akin to a New York pizza slice.

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Features and functionality

  • Nordstrand pickup users receive excellent technical support, aiding in achieving desired tonal qualities.

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Use cases and applications

  • Users suggest that Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders, with larger magnets, are better suited for punchy, slap bass styles and not ideal for fretless.

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  • For players seeking a punchy, low-end growl beyond what N3 pickups provide, the Nordstrand NJ5S and Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders are recommended alternatives.

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User experience

  • Some owners note that the stock pickups in Squire 60’s CV fretless basses result in a muddy low end and harsh top end, necessitating an upgrade.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Amos Heller uses Nordstrand NJ5S

Amos Heller

Bassist

The Agency

...
Verified via Nordstrand Audio

Featured on Heller's official Nordstrand Audio artist page.

Amos is using the Nordstrand Big Splits and nj5s Set.

“I’ve been very impressed with the focused and precise sound of Nordstrand pickups. They give me a full sound that communicates the character of the bass with clarity.”

The edition is unspecified, but it can be dated against the September 14, 2016 upload date of the artist page.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Nordstrand NJ5S, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Nordstrand Big Split 5
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1

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