The NP4 will provide a full-bodied, resonant, and throaty grind hat has the capacity for juggernaut slap and unrelenting fervor that will surely dismantle the ergonomics of any crowd that has lost all sense of groove. Despite the strength of these pickups, the fountainhead of their tonal quality is of course the warm, fat, and bright character that the originals are known for. The alnico V pole pieces provide a punchy and bright character with a sinewy aftertaste that will wrangle the texture of any player’s prospects in either amplifying their slap technique or projecting an R&B-type sound.
The NP4 was fabricated for the sole purpose of reproducing one of the most famous pickups in the world. The result is a full tone with the same unforgiving funk and force that is synonymous with the big, bright, and hollow tone of the historically renowned P. The NP4 was one of the first 4-string bass pickups made available at Nordstrand, designed and built in sunny Redlands, California.
Artists: Lawrie Macmillan, Bill Reynolds
Here are our general thoughts: The NP4 is an excellent vintage oriented Precision Bass® pickup. This is one of Carey Nordstrand’s early designs, and it has truly stood the test of time. For years now, the NP4 and the stock Fralin P were two pickups that we were regularly being asked to compare. Our basic feeling is that the NP4 is similar to the Fralin, but with a few notable differences: The NP4 feels like it has a bit more emphasis in the upper mid range - giving it a bit more brightness, and less in the low mid range. The NP4 is a bit less bright than the Fralin. On the whole, the NP4 sounds slightly more focused than the Fralin P.
Put on a good set of headphones and check out the audio demo below to hear it for yourself.
As always, keep in mind that these are generalizations. Your experience could be different depending on many factors.
Size:
2.26” [57.40 mm] Long
1.10” [27.94 mm] Wide