NS BassCello (now OmniBass) megathread

[eyvindwa]

Originally Posted by bigdoug1053

It came with E-C set that I played for awhile (very supple strings BTW), but I play low B 5-string bass guitars, so I got a set of BEADG Thomastic Infelds and had the nut reworked. There is some minor intonation problem on the low B string - that evened out after the strings settled in, but the bridge for the low B could probably be about a quarter inch longer.

I've been curious about alternative string sets for this bass, which strings is it that you are using? Double bass strings or bass guitar strings? Do you have a link to the specific set? Thanks!

[bigdoug1053]

Originally Posted by eyvindwa

I've been curious about alternative string sets for this bass, which strings is it that you are using? Double bass strings or bass guitar strings? Do you have a link to the specific set? Thanks!

They are Thomastik Infeld JF345 Jazz Bass bass guitar strings, 34" scale. 043-056-070-100-136. Musicians Friend sells them. Ebay vendors too.

[Bob Gollihur]

Originally Posted by bigdoug1053

They are Thomastik Infeld JF345 Jazz Bass bass guitar strings, 34" scale. 043-056-070-100-136. Musicians Friend sells them. Ebay vendors too.

Are you able to bow them? I've always wanted to try it but never had the opportunity.

[bigdoug1053]

Originally Posted by Bob Gollihur

Are you able to bow them? I've always wanted to try it but never had the opportunity.

Hey Bob- I had a few miserable attempts at learning how to bow a fiddle and a bass, and realized I'd better stick to plucking. So, no, I could not comment on the way Thomastiks respond to a bow.

[CGDAE]

Blessed with two Omnibasses, fretted and fretless.

Strings:

For fun, I dug around the string box and put roundwound strings on the fretless. As my username implies, I'm a contracello tuning fellow... The high E string I nabbed from a banjo set! Needless to add, the alloy composition of THAT string is not perfect for the mag pickups. Tone pizz-wise is bright and colourful with rounds. Arco is a little tricky, takes some doing to get the string started compared to the standard D'Addario strings, but is loud and strong once the hang of sharply digging in is adopted. Truss rod adjustment is necessary, round wound or not, BG strings are heavier. The stock strings are really light! As it is the rounds are much lighter than what I use on bass guitar. Low C is a 110 (for 4 string longscale BG use, my gauges are: 130-95-65-40).

The fretless one shipped in CGDAE tuning, thankfully. It took many tries to get the distributor to understand this stringing though, so getting a second set was an astonishingly convoluted process of returning and explaining. The fretted bass shipped in low B fourths tuning, and the exercise of getting the needed set was just as challenging! Contacting D'Addario was useless. I'm dreading having to order again. Fortunately the strings last a good long time.

Side note on fretted version:

The fretted Omnibass is lovely to play. In Arco mode fingering matters just as much as with fretless, as the frets are almost ignored by the bowed string. This gives the ability to make some very interesting sounds -- harmonics creep in and out as one intonates! The actual fretwork is gorgeous. Can't begin to imagine how difficult those frets are to install, let alone dress. No way are round wound strings ever going on that bass.

Electronic Notes:

I find the piezo blend control to be a hazard in that rarely am I either bowing an entire piece or plucking, and switching modes is not easy. The knobs are close together and have no tactile reference to tell the hand where they are pointing. I notice that the new NS cello uses a switch instead of the blend. yay.

Also, the phase relationship between the three pickup systems is such that there is some combfiltering when any sort of blend is used, as well as a significant drop in volume. Many times I have wished for a switch to choose which bridge system is active rather than that blend pot. Having the ability to blend in the magnetics seems to give the piezo some needed softening though, and that blend control doesn't need so much attention during play, so is best as "blend".

EQ-wise the bass has a tremendous deep bottom in pizz mode, except that to achieve that I'm having the bass control maxed. For arco, the bottom is flimsy and makes me wish for another 3-5dB+. The treble control is not shelving, which is a bit strange. There's always some top end poking through. The EQ is also non-optimal for arco in the treble region, there's not enough sweet airy bow sound, it's too upper mid oriented.

For the mag pickups, the EQ is OK, but ... could be more robust in the low-mid zone, and a have shelving treble control rather than the bandpass..

Thinking progressively, the piezo pickups need their own EQ section, a switch to choose which elements are heard, and the mag pickups a more compatible EQ is wished for.
The basses are beautifully crafted. Choosing a place to install a switch is daunting, but someplace on the face easily accessible by the wrist, palm etc. of the RH is on the drawing board. That frees up one pot position for a stacked EQ supposing that someone sells a compatible EQ module (Audere system is looking to be very appealing, EMG does make modules but are impossible to successfully contact!)

Strap System notes:

The boomerang is a great idea, although makes arco a challenge with the strings so close to one's torso. The ability to rotate the bass easily is very useful in theory, although horizontally the strings are so tightly radiused that it's quite a reach for the RH to get onto the high two courses.

I have ordered an endpin, which is not quite long enough and really heavy, but works to get the bass out into comfortable bowing zones, as well as relaxed pizz
.
The EUB strap system works better for arco, for some strange reason my first OB shipped with this and not the boomerang, which was fine although not a quick-on, quick-off kind of thing.


Concluding notes, for now:

As a CGDA (and sometimes E) player who has been looking for an EUB for years I still find this instrument to be marvellous. It's not in regular use yet, due to the above mentioned tonal/ergonomic issues on the electronics side. I'm still researching options, hoping that EMG will get off of their high horse someday and become responsive to contact, intrigued by offerings from East, Audere... Hopeful for a resolution.

All in all, kudos to Ned and team. What a great idea, and well executed on the wood side!!

[Jazzdogg]

Thanks for your thoughtful post; lots to think about!

[len13]

CGDA - Thanks for all the info. I am thinking about getting a fretted 4 string and was curious to know the tonal difference between the fretted/fretless when bowed. How harsh is the metal to metal sound of the arco fretted? Thanks.

[hensonbass]

I just bought a fiver fretless Omni from Gollihur Music on a whim that it might be cool to add to the collection. I'm having a hard time putting this bass down at night to go to bed. Actually, this is the first bass I can actually play while I lay in bed! The Boomerang Strap System works perfectly. Ergonomically the bass feels like its a part of my body and allows both hands to make smooth position transitions. The pickup system is brilliantly designed too and sounds great. The overall construction is perfect and everything is adjustable on the bass and easy to accomplish. The only thing I changed was the strings - I put on some Thomastic JazzBass flatwounds because I needed a little more tension. IMO the string change probably takes away a bit of the "traditional DB" flavor of the instrument, and the arco tone does suffer too. I own an Azola EUB that has a beautiful arco tone so I'm not wanting in that department . With the OmniBass I am looking for more crossover potential and experimentation. With the TI flatwound strings the tone I gain in the magnetic pickups is very expressive and blends well with the piezo side too. After tweaking the truss rod for the added tension and making some pickup and bridge adjustments the bass is singing in a very distinct way.

RECOMMENDED!!

[hensonbass]

I have toured with the omnibass for 3 weeks now and I am really happy with the bass. Feels and sounds great. I learned that if I play it with a pick it can get a nice p bass tone so I don't have to carry a bass guitar for my gig. Of course the fretless/upright tones are beautiful and right on the money. I also flew four times with this bass and it went in EVERY overhead luggage compartment, even a puddle jumper.

[Jazzdogg]

^ My wallet is twitching like a dog waiting for a tennis ball to be thrown...

[anonymous122511]

I'm picking up an NS Omni Bass 34" scale EUB next week and wonder if anyone has gone throught the process of selecting a bow for the lighter gauge strings these instruments use? I haven't owned an upright bass of any sort for ten years and my bows are also long gone. I know I gotta just try some to see what works and the place I'm buying from has a good selection of mid to high end student bows to ease me back into it. So I'll play a bunch and pick something but it can't hurt to go in with the benefit of the experience of others. If you've played arco on a 34" scale bass I'd love to hear any thought you have about it.

[hensonbass]

I would try cello and bass bows with this bass. The bass bow I found to be a bit heavy for the very low tension strings. Whatever feels the best in the end is going to be the determining factor.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by hensonbass

I would try cello and bass bows with this bass. The bass bow I found to be a bit heavy for the very low tension strings. Whatever feels the best in the end is going to be the determining factor.

Yes.
Yesterday having spent 20 minutes or so trying some bows with the instrument on the boomerang deal (not thrilled by that thing) the Coda Diamond SX cello bow felt better than any of the four bass bows I tried. I'm using some drum hardware to get the instrument on a stand (the stock stand is in transit) and once I sort that out (today) I'll go spend some time playing those bows in a position where I can make a more accurate assessment (tomorrow). At this point I seem most likely to go for a cello bow as its weight seems much better matched to the strings on this instrument.

I will also very like be trying TI Jazz Flats on this bass sooner than later. I used them for years on an ABG with a highly radiused board. Because of the body width on that bass the A and D strings were the only ones I could access with a bow but they played like little Spirocores which works for me.

Thanks to the mod who moved my post to this thread. When I searched for info on this bass I made the mistake of only searching titles for "OmniBass". I'd forgotten it was originally called the BassCello. Thanks also to everyone who's posted to this over the years. It's been very informative reading.

Two questions I have are what do the three internal trim pots do? And what exactly is going on when you turn the arco/pizz blend pot?

[hensonbass]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

I will also very like be trying TI Jazz Flats on this bass sooner than later.

I like those strings too. For my gig they are much punchier than the stocks. However, the TI's don't bow as smooth IMO.

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

trim pots do? And what exactly is going on when you turn the arco/pizz blend pot?

NS FAQ

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by hensonbass

I like those strings too. For my gig they are much punchier than the stocks. However, the TI's don't bow as smooth IMO.

Being a pizz player I can make that compromise. The occasional ballad aside arco is mainly a practice tool for intonation.

NS FAQ

Ah, yes. Thank you.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

Yes.
Yesterday having spent 20 minutes or so trying some bows with the instrument on the boomerang deal (not thrilled by that thing) the Coda Diamond SX cello bow felt better than any of the four bass bows I tried. I'm using some drum hardware to get the instrument on a stand (the stock stand is in transit) and once I sort that out (today) I'll go spend some time playing those bows in a position where I can make a more accurate assessment (tomorrow). At this point I seem most likely to go for a cello bow as its weight seems much better matched to the strings on this instrument.

I will also very like be trying TI Jazz Flats on this bass sooner than later. I used them for years on an ABG with a highly radiused board. Because of the body width on that bass the A and D strings were the only ones I could access with a bow but they played like little Spirocores which works for me.

Thanks to the mod who moved my post to this thread. When I searched for info on this bass I made the mistake of only searching titles for "OmniBass". I'd forgotten it was originally called the BassCello. Thanks also to everyone who's posted to this over the years. It's been very informative reading.

Two questions I have are what do the three internal trim pots do? And what exactly is going on when you turn the arco/pizz blend pot?

Please tell us more about your experience with the Boomerang. What leads you to dislike it? Is it acceptable when playing pizz and unacceptable when bowing?

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Please tell us more about your experience with the Boomerang. What leads you to dislike it? Is it acceptable when playing pizz and unacceptable when bowing?

Acceptable playing pizz but not optimal. When it's in an upright position the neck is too close to allow a nice arc with the left arm. Felt like I was collapsing at the wrist and elbow. The same problem I've had with the shallow body and small shoulders on a Baby Bass. Tipping the neck down in a more guitaristic position it becomes a bass guitar that due to the arch of the fingerboard the G string is out of sight. I'd want side dots playing it like that.

Usable arco wasn't mechanically achievable for me. The bass being that close jams the right arm into your torso. I'm sure with a high enough level of inspiration you could work around all this. But since getting back to my roots in the double bass and getting a bass guitar off my busted up old body are my motivations I'd rather use a stand.

Once I sort the stand thing out (right now I'm using part of the Boomerang hardware in a jury rigged setup) I'd send you the boomerang to try if you want.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

Acceptable playing pizz but not optimal. When it's in an upright position the neck is too close to allow a nice arc with the left arm. Felt like I was collapsing at the wrist and elbow. The same problem I've had with the shallow body and small shoulders on a Baby Bass. Tipping the neck down in a more guitaristic position it becomes a bass guitar that due to the arch of the fingerboard the G string is out of sight. I'd want side dots playing it like that.

Usable arco wasn't mechanically achievable for me. The bass being that close jams the right arm into your torso. I'm sure with a high enough level of inspiration you could work around all this. But since getting back to my roots in the double bass and getting a bass guitar off my busted up old body are my motivations I'd rather use a stand.

Once I sort the stand thing out (right now I'm using part of the Boomerang hardware in a jury rigged setup) I'd send you the boomerang to try if you want.

Thanks!

I got to try one on a stand, unamplified, at NAMM; definitely less than ideal conditions.

[MichaelVee]

Bumping this frequently-dormant thread with the news that NS is now making the Omni with a compound radius fingerboard. This was announced by NS on their email list today. Here's the text of the announcement:

"The TransRadius design involves a unique compound curve. For a left-hand feel which is familiar to the experienced bass guitarist, the radius at the nut is ten inches. At the end of the fingerboard near the bridge, however, the radius is just 2.5 inches, large enough to maintain good string-to-string articulation with the bow, yet still comfortable for pizzicato (plucked/picked) style. The transition from nut to bridge features a carefully calibrated asymmetric convex curvature, providing optimal fingerboard relief at each position. For even greater control, players can adjust the truss rod to tailor the neck relief to their particular needs.

The result is a remarkably comfortable, even feel for every style of performance, and bass guitarists will find the Omni Bass even more inviting than ever as their “cross-over” instrument. Traditional upright players will also find the TransRadius design quite comfortable since many upright basses are designed with some degree of compound fingerboard curvature. “This has been done subtly in the past,” states Steinberger. “However, as an approach to a modern electric instrument, it’s radical.”

For more information, visit http://thinkNS.com

[Jazzdogg]

That announcement caught my attention, too. One of my few misgivings about the Omnibass has been the tight fingerboard radius. Promising!