Squier Bronco bass mods Ep.18: Installing Mustang bass pickups! Nordstrand NM4

In this unsponsored video, after multiple viewer requests, I am going to install Mustang bass pickups into this Bronco bass. I will featuring the Nordstrand NM4 Mustang bass pickups. Note: this is the re-issue sized version, not the vintage sized which are slightly smaller in dimension.
Will these mustang pickups fit in the cavity? How will it sound? Let's find out together!
The bass was recorded direct through a Line6 Pod Go with my usual GK800RB model settings.
The comparison track was level matched, but no EQ or compression was added in post.
4 week old D'Addario nickel roundwound strings.
00:00 Intro
00:27 Will it fit?
02:09 Pickup placement
03:27 Comparison setup
04:23 Track comparison
07:05 Assessment
jonathanwong.bandcamp.com

[@josephbania4564]

I used to measure pickup placement from the bridge as you do here, but found that varies slightly due to intonating the saddles. Now I measure from the nut because that is a constant. Just a suggestion. I enjoy your videos and you do a good job explaining things. BTW I agree with your analysis of the Nordys.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks! That’s a fair point as the nut won’t move/is constant. I’ll incorporate that next time! Thx for watching!

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

Hi Joe! Well done as always.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the encouragement!

[@alrightythen214]

Aahh! I will be poring over this video, as this is exactly what I was contemplating buying next Wednesday!! 😊😊

[@jonathanwong458music]

Good luck! Thanks for watching!

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

Big Nords fan here . . . more clarity and definition to my ears.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Yeah man! I was initially a little taken aback with the lower output, but the tone is as you described! Thanks for watching!

[@Infrared72]

Now that i've watched this entire series, I'm curious to know your perspective on which pickup performed the best. I like the musiclily, the emg, and this nordstrand.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks for watching! That's a tricky question because it will depend one what genre of music one's into and the application of the bass in one's typical gig. I very much liked the EMG geezers - it really livened up the bass and output for days! But for singer songwriter stuff, it may be a bit too aggressive in the mids. In contrast, the nordy mustang pickup sounded great, but due to the pickup position, it didn't sound like a typical mustang - a bit less warm and woody. But for softer music, might faire better than the EMGs.
For what I do, a good middle of the road/balanced sounding P pickup in a good pickup position is most versatile. It'll fit in well in more scenarios.

[@spokanefut]

I know jack shit, but the Nordstrands got the funk for sure.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Yeah! Thanks for watching!

[@Mr1stlevel]

can you play a squier bass vi or harley benton bass vi

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks for watching and asking. Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience playing those. Really should, though. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Mr1stlevel]

@@jonathanwong458music are you nilereds brother ?

[@jonathanwong458music]

Sorry, nope. Don’t have siblings.

[@Mr1stlevel]

@@jonathanwong458music can i be your little bro j/k

[@jonathanwong458music]

Hahaha, not asked that every day!

[@alrightythen214]

Hahahahahahaha that's great to see my terrible Precision pickup routing looks similar to yours

[@jonathanwong458music]

Yeah, I ended up using a chisel. The poplar is so soft...
Thanks for watching!

[@jasondorsey7110]

I added a neck pickup to an affinity series bronco a few years back, it looked hideous underneath the pickguard, but sometimes we just do what we gotta do

[@jonathanwong458music]

Tina Weymouth style mod? Awesome. Many of us have hidden sins under the pickguard :)

[@jasondorsey7110]

@@jonathanwong458music If I'm not buying basses, I'm buying parts for basses...but I guess there are worse addictions lol

[@jonathanwong458music]

Haha, there sure are! (Worse addictions)