NS Cr-5m or David Gage Czech-Ease Travel bass?

[TWIDDLEBASS]

I play Jazz, Hip-hop, Funk, and Reggae. I want an Electric upright so that I can experiment with effects and not get totally washed away by the loudness of the other electric instruments in my band. It is very important to me to get as close to a real UB sound as possible, but still have the flexability to flirt with fretless bass tones. Will either of these basses give me what I'm looking for, or am I just trying to be greedy

[maxito]

Originally Posted by TWIDDLEBASS

........... It is very important to me to get as close to a real UB sound as possible.....

Greetings Twilldebass. Got the your band's website up, and Frankenfoote running in the background. Very enjoyable!

Here are my thoughts regarding which EUB to choose for this group, or any heavily-amplified, loud situation - the louder the environment, the less acoustic the sound will be. That is probably stating the obvious. Played acoustically, a DB has a sound that is very complex, and what makes it sound so great is largely in the details. Subtlety - resonance - nuance - dynamic range - etc. An amplified DB sounds more and more like the pickup and amplifier as volume increases. The subtlety decreases as the volume goes up.

So, IMHO, the realistic expectation is to try and get the best amplified URB sound possible. Sound reasonable?

I own (and use) A CzechEase, and it is a lot of fun to play, and has a good sound at low to mid volumes. At high volumes it is very tough to get it to speak. Feedback is a problem - but after all, it is a travel acoustic bass, not an EUB.

I also use a Yamaha SLB200 with a Fishman FC PU - sounds awesome. This axe has actually become my primary instrument, and I have multiple posts here on TalkBass about it......

I have heard a lot of players that use the NS (or other EUBs) and have good success with them. Based on the sound files, text & photos on Twiddle's website, I would wager a bet that you will be much happier with an EUB as opposed to the Gage CzE bass.

[Bob Gollihur]

Given the styles mentioned, I doubt an acoustic or even semi-acoustic instrument would give you the volume levels needed; feedback would be your constant companion.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by maxito

but after all, it is a travel acoustic bass, not an EUB.

I think this is the crucial point - so the Czech-Ease is not really an EUB, as such, whereas the NS CR5 is!

The NS CR5 will get you all those fretless BG sounds if you want and give you a closer approximation of amplified DB under high volume circumstances than a BG will.

[Callused Finger]

Originally Posted by TWIDDLEBASS

I want an Electric upright so that I can experiment with effects and not get totally washed away by the loudness of the other electric instruments in my band. It is very important to me to get as close to a real UB sound as possible, but still have the flexability to flirt with fretless bass tones.

Your reasons are why I went with the CR4M. I experiment way too much to limit myself to piezo pickups.

With the right strings you should be very satisfied with a CR5M.

[adje]

Originally Posted by Callused Finger

With the right strings you should be very satisfied with a CR5M.

Care to share your choice of string? And are they 3/4 or 4/4?

[Bruce Lindfield]

I use Pirastro Orchestral strings on my NS CR5 and they made a huge difference!