For sale is a set of Nordstrand Zen Blade 5 bass pickups. These are New Old Stock (NOS)—they are brand new and remain in their original factory box, never installed, though they have been part of previous inventory.
Product Overview
The Zen Blade 5 is a high-end, hum-canceling "sidewinder" style pickup designed for 5-string basses. It is widely regarded as one of the most balanced pickups on the market, offering a "meditative" clarity that remains consistent across the entire fretboard. Because of the continuous sensing blade and steady impedance, these pickups provide a natural, even response that often reduces the need for external compression.
Tonal Characteristics
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Even & Articulate: Provides a warm, clear tone that avoids the harshness of some modern pickups while maintaining more definition than a vintage design.
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Versatile Wiring: The difference between series and parallel is subtle on this model, allowing for easy genre-hopping (Jazz, Country, Rock) without radical EQ shifts.
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Dynamic Response: These offer a very quick, tight, and controlled feel, making them ideal for technical players or those who want their bass to sit perfectly in a mix with minimal effort.
Technical Specifications
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Condition: New Old Stock (NOS) – New in Box.
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Design: Hum-canceling classic sidewinder-style.
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Magnet: Ceramic bar magnet for a uniform magnetic field.
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Blade: Flat, slotted, steel blade (supports up to 20mm string spacing).
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Construction: Laser-cut vulcanized bobbins, wax-potted to eliminate microphonic feedback.
Nordstrand Tone Map
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Tonal Balance: 5/10 (Perfectly centered between Bass-Heavy and Bright)
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Mids: 6/10 (Presence and definition)
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Dynamics: 8/10 (Quick and controlled)
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Character: 6–8/10 (Musical and rich)
This is a great opportunity to pick up a boutique, high-performance set of pickups in their original packaging.