NS Design NXT Megathread

[Abbyx007]

DoubleMIDI...excellent suggestions and much appreciated! I did apply more rosin than usual tonight and the bow did grip better...I also slowed down the tempo of my quarter notes practice to 60bpm, which is slow, but allows me to sense much better what is going on with the bow / string connection. Anyway, the result was better. I will also adjust the bow tension to follow your suggestions. I have a Skype session coming up with a teacher so that should help, too. I'm in a very hot, tropical country but use air conditioning so I hope Pop's rosin is okay as that is all I have. I rechecked the strings and they are "designed for easy bowing" - that's what it says on the box. We'll see as I get some more time under my belt.

One question for you and others - about how long did it take you to get a reasonably good sound on the open strings - especially with faster notes?

Again, thanks for the detailed, useful reply!

[DoubleMIDI]

If it gets fast (tremolo) I'm afraid it does't even work for me. I don't play arco very often, so there are others that may give you better advise. But since I want to enhance my bowing I look for anything I can learn from.
(Sometimes students are better teachers, because they understand the problems of other students better than the teachers that had these kind of problems long ago and hardly can remember.)

The sound of the (open) strings depend on bowing position on the string (1/12 vibrating length is good), bow speed and weight on the bow. Also on bowing angle which needs to be perpendicular to the string or you might get unwanted results.

If you care for bowing angle and position and concentrate on varying bow speed and bow weight, you might get good results after some days. Then you need to find out how to change speed and weight for louder and softer tones.

I doubt a bit that a web video session can show your bowing good enough, maybe if someone takes the camera close to your bowing hand for a closer look. But if you don't have other opportunities you can try it at least. Even if some more global failures (upper and lower arm movement) could be corrected, it was worth trying.

If you are in a hot humid climate, I would recommend a less soft rosin than Pops (I'm afraid it might almost runout of the cup in this climate). With a very soft rosin in hot weather the bow hair may be "glued" to the string if you let the bow hair in contact with the string without moving it along. It might damage your bow hair if you try to separate bow hair and string. If this does not happen, OK, just use it. If you have the chance to get another rosin somewhere later, maybe the Kolstein All-Weather or the Nymans is worth trying. Rosin is the least expensive part of double bass playing, even if you might want to get a fresh rosin each one or two years, so you can experiment with them.
(My 20 year old Nymans was a bit harder than the one I ordered a few month ago. So if your Pops is older it even might be better for your climate when it got a bit harder.)

Good luck, I hope this helps too. Maybe you should have a look in the other double bass groups for hints on bowing. But expect "Get a teacher" in the first place...

[FSSimon]

Originally Posted by Abbyx007

One question for you and others - about how long did it take you to get a reasonably good sound on the open strings - especially with faster notes?

Hi Abbyx. It took me about 2-3 months. When I warm up, it takes about 10-15 minutes for my arm to loosen up and the string to virbrate like I want. The more regular my practice schedule gets, the lower that time becomes. But you know, it's a lifelong endeavour.
I'm a bit in the same situation as you. No teacher in my small town and I have to figure a lot by my own.

As you might know, NS traditional and d'addario orchestrals are the same. I had them for two years and recently changed to a set of Kaplan medium. I like them even better. they seem even easier to start on the bow.

I also read that Rabbath advocates the use of a bent endpin, as weight is used insteand of muscle strenght. So I adjust the angle of my tripod to mimic that.

As for rosin, I live in a cold and dry climate. I use Carlsson almost all year long and sometimes Petz Premium, Klostein and sometimes even a bit pops in winter. I find pops a bit to scratchy for my taste.

Please do share you findings.

regards
Simon

[Abbyx007]

FSSimon. You've given me hope. I've only been at it a month and not everyday. I am going to stick at the first pages of Simandl and keep repeating the open string exercises as warmups. Did you / are you doing Simandl?
Also, what do you mean about the bent endpin and weight?
Thanks for your feedback - it's very helpful. Gotta go and do some bowing....

[DoubleMIDI]

Te bent endpin (or better angled endpin) is angled about 40 to 45 degree backwards from the normal endpin direction. It simulates a sitting position when standing up. You need to step back and let the bass fall onto your shoulder. Because of the diagonal position of the bass, the bow will fall with more weight onto the string. So no pressure is needed, only normal or reduced arm and bow weight. But this is not a thing a beginner needs to deal with.

[dbassnut]

Originally Posted by Abbyx007

FSSimon. You've given me hope. I've only been at it a month and not everyday. I am going to stick at the first pages of Simandl and keep repeating the open string exercises as warmups. Did you / are you doing Simandl?
Also, what do you mean about the bent endpin and weight?
Thanks for your feedback - it's very helpful. Gotta go and do some bowing....

Hi Abbyx, I too am from a hot tropical country (Malaysia). I'm using both the Simandl (lot of work but worth every drop of sweat) & I also use Pops rosin. One tip about the rosin, keep it in the fridge when you're not using it to keep it fresh longer & keep it up right or it will just go with the flow.
Which country are you in?

[Abbyx007]

dbassnut, I'm in Madagascar. Thanks for the tip on Pop's and I'm glad you're doing Simandl!

[FSSimon]

Originally Posted by Abbyx007

FSSimon. You've given me hope. I've only been at it a month and not everyday. I am going to stick at the first pages of Simandl and keep repeating the open string exercises as warmups. Did you / are you doing Simandl?
Also, what do you mean about the bent endpin and weight?
Thanks for your feedback - it's very helpful. Gotta go and do some bowing....

Hi!
I'm not doing Simandl. But here's my path so far.
I got started with a private lesson at my home with Sébastien Dubé. He helped my a lot! Look at this recent masterclass he gave about spiccato:
https://vimeo.com/27162969[/url]

I worked a lot by my own with Essential elements for strings:
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product...VD_CD_SET.html

Then I found these youtube videos by d'addario:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPLq...367958274E196F

And more recently I've been making progress with George Vance's method:
http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Repertoire-Double-Bass-Vol/dp/0825833299[/url]
This one is fun and also starts with the Rabbath system and thumb positions right from the start!

So there you go: my "bowing resumé".

[bassman10]

Originally Posted by FSSimon

Hi!
I'm not doing Simandl. But here's my path so far.
I got started with a private lesson at my home with Sébastien Dubé. He helped my a lot! Look at this recent masterclass he gave about spiccato:
https://vimeo.com/27162969[/url]

I worked a lot by my own with Essential elements for strings:
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product...VD_CD_SET.html

Then I found these youtube videos by d'addario:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPLq...367958274E196F

And more recently I've been making progress with George Vance's method:
http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Repertoire-Double-Bass-Vol/dp/0825833299[/url]
This one is fun and also starts with the Rabbath system and thumb positions right from the start!

So there you go: my "bowing resumé".

Hi Simon, I thought that you'd like to know that you have a friend here in the Saguenay. I play bass, stringbass and tuba, and I'm impressed that you have manage to learn stringbass on your own. Well if you want we could talk from time to time, in French if you want to also.... hahaha... Have a great evening!!!!

[FSSimon]

Originally Posted by bassman10

Hi Simon, I thought that you'd like to know that you have a friend here in the Saguenay. I play bass, stringbass and tuba, and I'm impressed that you have manage to learn stringbass on your own. Well if you want we could talk from time to time, in French if you want to also.... hahaha... Have a great evening!!!!

Hey salut mon ami! Je t'ai envoyé un message à ton hotmail.

Simon

[Abbyx007]

FSSimon...interesting path. I also do Essential Strings..kind of fun to have accompaniment as a beginner.
I suscribed to Smart Music for that.......but Simandl is the main book I use. I just repeat and repeat until I can get through an exercise without sounding like I'm killing a cat.
Thanks also for all the links.

Cheers!

[chris.gotfunk]

Another gig shot.

[nostatic]

Anyone playing the NXT5 strung E-C? I am a recent convert to this setup on electric and have been toying with getting an EUB. I used to play upright years back and while I love the physicality (though my tendons have some issues), the logistics just aren't going to happen at the moment. I normally play a Rob Allen 4-string fretless for my "upright vibe" and would just try an NXT4 but my recent forays with the E-C setup have me pondering going that way more of the time.

[frankie5string]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Anyone playing the NXT5 strung E-C? I am a recent convert to this setup on electric and have been toying with getting an EUB.

I've done it - not on my own NXT5 but someone elses. I have no idea what he used as a C string but it felt balanced. The first four were plain Spirocore Weich... There wasn't much to say about it except being able to play that high up in one position was unique for walking. It sounded like a really gritty cello when bowed.

[DoubleMIDI]

High C sttel strings are really thin. If you don't practice very often, you might not be able to press them down for a good sustain. Lighter steel strings (i.e. SuperSensitve Supreme or Pinnacle) sound a bit weak in the lower positions. The stronger ones are hard to press down.

There is a Spiro Weich 3/4 high C available directly from Thomastik (is is not shown in any catalog). This one sounds good but still has some tension. The Corelli 379TX is not bad too and similar in tension.

I use synthetic core strings (for my acoustic bass) since they are a bit thicker. Try to get on with a steel wrap (Obligato, Evah Pirazzi), not an aluminium wrap (Supersensitive Sensicore, current Innovation 140B and 140H). But these don't work with magnetic pickups!

[bassfetish]

Originally Posted by dbassnut

Hi Bassfetish,
Can you take a photo of the screw? Shouldn't it have some sort of bushing to keep it from slipping?

Sorry for the late reply - I've been away...

So there's nothing wrong with the device, it's just that there's a single pivot and the rubber that is there doesn't stick entirely so the bass twists around that single point. I would much prefer to see a couple of pins that slide into the bass on either side of the screw (or similar). Even one would do!

[Substandard]

Hey all,

I have joined your ranks. I'm super excited. I bought this one. NS Design NXT EUB 4 strings

I'll take my own pics later.

So far I've played it through my Meatsmoke and a Fender 400 Pro 2x10. I'm really hunting that upright tone and the fender does a decent job of the thump with clarity. The meatsmoke was just for fun.

I don't need much volume and I'm trying to talk myself into the Phil Jones Bass Cub. Do any of you have experience with that combination? I know the Briefcase has more EQ but I hear the Neo speakers in the cub cut the weight by 2/3 and are a bit warmer tonally.

[Stewthebassman]

Congratulations!
I use a Phil Jones Flightcase, with the 150 Watt amp and the four little aluminium cones.
It's pretty amazing in cocktails, small restos etc. Even turned up to 10 it's clear!

You're going to love your NXT!

[Substandard]

I popped on a briefcase from Phil jones bass. I really just need the small living room action.

I can't wait!

[Per H]

I listened to everything including NXT on youtube, read everything - including this 24 pages megathread - and then i ordered my NXT5. It arrived 3 days ago.
I realise that tuners, bag and stand may break sooner or later, but i have not read anything about hum?
My NXT5 has an annoying 50Hz hum, following the volume control - and with extra depth when jackpot is engaged. I have tried different cables, 4 amps (EBS Classic 150, Roland 100b, Peavey MicroBass and Behringer BX108) with the same result. I have also tried different kinds of shielding(wrapped the whole bass into alu-foil and grounded it) and different kinds og grounding. May be something has gone wrong in the wiring, maybe NXT´s just are humming - can any of you tell me? I have put some pictures here http://test.soehus.dk/
Nice bass - but not a keeper if i hums! Per H, Denmark