Bass of the Week: Nordstrand NX5
I’ll admit it – I’m a sucker for boutique top woods. That’s why I had to do a double take when I saw Nordstrand’s first NX5 Bolt-on bass guitar. Its spalted maple top and matching headstock have a gorgeous textural look with striking light and dark contrasts thanks to the spalting, which is naturally created in wood by fungi.
Equally eye-catching is the birdseye maple fingerboard and abalone block inlays, which is then complimented with matching pickup covers. The neck is a 3-piece maple laminate. In fact, the only wood that isn’t maple is the body, which is a striking piece of Ash.
Not surprisingly, Nordstrand stocks their basses with their own pickups. In this case, it’s a pair of FatStacks. The bridge and tuners are by Hipshot.
What do you say? What’s your favorite top wood? Tell us about it in the comments.
Nordstrand NX5 Bolt-on Bass Photo Gallery:
Nordstrand NX5 Bolt-on Bass Specs:
- Construction: Bolt-on
- Scale: 34.5?
- Body: Ash
- Top: Spalted Maple
- Neck: 3-Piece Maple
- Fingerboard: Birdsesye Maple
- Inlays: Abalone Block
- Finish: Satin Urethane
- Pickups: Nordstrand FatStacks
- Bridge: Hipshot
- Tuners: Hipshot
I’va actually got one of these on order… with a camphor burl top. I can’t wait to see it!
Dare I ask how much? My Dad always says, if you have to ask how much, you can’t afford it.
Since I already know I can’t afford it, I figure there’s no harm in asking.
That Nordstrand bass is a beauty! It would be such a hit if the top wood was Claro Walnut!
Carey Nordstrand is the best! I’ve had one of his basses for 8 years and it is great! I’ve used on hundreds of sessions and always everyone ask me what Bass I’m using, Keep up the great work Carey!
I prefer Maccassar, it’s what I have on my Sandberg, but awesome non the less!
I must ask how much is one of these babies? I mean, I must know if it’s within reach or far beyond my economal boundries :)
Great stuff and I hear he is a really nice guy to deal with. Win Win
Carey’s work is second to none. Superb craftsmanship and a wonderful person! I have the second instrument he built and every player that hears it wants one! It’s an awesome instrument, and I am reminded daily of how much I appreciate Carey.
This bass looks beautiful but it’s hard to me to justify a bass with a bolt-on neck that’s over $3000.
Ahhhhh… it just feels great to see my Nordstrand NX5 nominated BASS OF THE WEEK!
You’re one lucky guy!
Thanks Kev. Carey’s basses are awesome!
Wow… Nice…
Carey makes nice basses and awesome pickups. I’ve got a set of the Fatstacks and they are so cool for switching between humbucker and single coils, right now favoring the single coil modes. So much incredible design work goes into a nice bass like this.