Hi Folks!

I'm thinking of buying a NS Designs (Steinberger) electric upright bass - the cheaper Czech-built one.

I've read here that some of you have tried or bought these... Would you recommend the 5 string model, or have you found the 4 string to be just as 'versatile'?

I've tried both, and found the 5 to be slightly easier to play (I'm a BG player), but I'll be mostly playing DB lines on it - maybe I won't miss the bottom string?...

Thanks for your help!

Originally posted by Phagor
Hi Folks!

I'm thinking of buying a NS Designs (Steinberger) electric upright bass - the cheaper Czech-built one.

I've read here that some of you have tried or bought these... Would you recommend the 5 string model, or have you found the 4 string to be just as 'versatile'?

I've tried both, and found the 5 to be slightly easier to play (I'm a BG player), but I'll be mostly playing DB lines on it - maybe I won't miss the bottom string?...

Thanks for your help!

I tried both at the Bass centre in London and ended up buying the CR 5 about 2-3 weeks ago!

I suppose I'm used to 5-string bass guitars now and when I was considering, the price difference was so little, as a % of the price that I just thought - why not? ;)

Having played it a lot now - there is nothing like the sound of a low D on the B string it is an awesome experience, which you feel through the floor more than anything else. Much bassier and more fundamental in the note than any Bass guitar I have tried.

Basically I don't see using the B that much but like on BG it is nice to have the option to play a low F at somewhere other than the first position - but I actually think I will use it less than on my BGs where I was using the B string to get more of an EUB sound! ;)

I think the fact of having a 5-string DB is a little bit different and sets it apart from the other EUBs - which I quite like - but there wasn't as much in it as with BG.

For me - the bigger difference was that the magnetic pickups tended to sound more like fretless BG higher up the neck, whereas piezos only and higher action gets closer to a DB sound, so I went for the piezo-only version.

Thanks Bruce...

I was looking at the Steinbergers in the London Bass Centre too! In fact, maybe you cleaned them out of the last one!! ;)

One reason for asking the question is that the Bass Centre won't be getting any more 5 strings for SIX MONTHS!!! Come on Ned, get chiselling :p

I've already got some gigs lined up which I need DB or EUB for, so I'm seriously thinking that maybe I should get a 4 string (which they've still got at the Bass Centre), on the grounds that there's always something better or newer around the corner.

Your advice about the piezo pickup and bridge is useful. My experience of piezo pickups of basses and guitars is that they're usually a bit thin sounding and trebly. I'd assumed that you'd need the mag pickup for warmth...

Incidently, has anyone heard of Mo Clifton's EUBs? He's a London-based luthier with some interesting designs... anybody got one?

Thanks again Bruce!

Originally posted by Phagor
Thanks Bruce...

I was looking at the Steinbergers in the London Bass Centre too! In fact, maybe you cleaned them out of the last one!! ;)

One reason for asking the question is that the Bass Centre won't be getting any more 5 strings for SIX MONTHS!!! Come on Ned, get chiselling :p

Yup - that's another factor that made me determined to get one now! I've thought about it before and found that there were none available! :(

You could always get one shipped from the US - I talked about this to Gard who works at Bass Central and it wouldn't have been much difference in price - I just wanted the security of having the thing in my hands - if you're more "adventurous" it might even work out cheaper! I think he had a 5-string on "sale" that was very slightly shop-soiled.


I've already got some gigs lined up which I need DB or EUB for, so I'm seriously thinking that maybe I should get a 4 string (which they've still got at the Bass Centre), on the grounds that there's always something better or newer around the corner.

Your advice about the piezo pickup and bridge is useful. My experience of piezo pickups of basses and guitars is that they're usually a bit thin sounding and trebly. I'd assumed that you'd need the mag pickup for warmth...

I assumed this would be the case too, but having tried both - it is not the case. The NS pre-amp included, adds loads of warmth - in fact the tone controls definitely let you get TOO bassy if you're not careful!

Incidently, has anyone heard of Mo Clifton's EUBs? He's a London-based luthier with some interesting designs... anybody got one?

Thanks again Bruce!

That's OK !