Nordstrand Audio has released a new series of bass pickups, the Zen Blade. The sidewinder-style, dual-coil pickups take after the brand’s popular Big Blade soapbars, but add hum-canceling properties and a more refined touch.

Articulate, punchy and uniform across the fretboard, the Zen Blades are even billed as an alternative to “your old trusty compressor,” according to Nordstrand. They have ceramic bar magnets, a continuous sensing blade, and are available in four-, five- and six-string versions.

One of the pickups’ highlights is how they subtly change character between series and parallel wiring. The former produces a thicker, bolder tone, while the latter offers a more even temperament.

Hear the Zen Blades here:

The Zen Blades retail from $109 (single) and $216 (set). More information at nordstrandaudio.com.