Zeta Crossover vs. NS Designs Bass Cello

[Nitrouso2]

I am interested in getting a 34" (electric) scale 5 string EUB, and have been considering both the Zeta Crossover and the NS Designs Bass Cello, although I haven't been able to find a dealer that actually has either in stock.

Does anyone have any experiences and/or known pros and cons regarding these two instruments? Two primary areas of concern are: (1) playability and neck width/shape - which has the narrower neck?, and (2) pickups & electronics - which sounds better and which has more control? Also, any other comments and info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by Nitrouso2

I am interested in getting a 34" (electric) scale 5 string EUB, and have been considering both the Zeta Crossover and the NS Designs Bass Cello, although I haven't been able to find a dealer that actually has either in stock.

Does anyone have any experiences and/or known pros and cons regarding these two instruments? Two primary areas of concern are: (1) playability and neck width/shape - which has the narrower neck?, and (2) pickups & electronics - which sounds better and which has more control? Also, any other comments and info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

No experience with the NS, but I owned a Zeta for a couple of years. I liked the way it sounded. I hated having the knobs on the front of the bass, though. The neck was as close to an electric bass as you can get.

[Marcus Johnson]

Never played the Zeta, but I just did my third gig on the BassCello (low B model) last night, in the interest of getting used to it for some road work coming up later this month.

The neck is very comfortable, with a truly lovely ebony fingerboard. It's thick enough to be comfortable for me in the context of what the instrument is intended for.

The pickups are a bit of a marvel. The EMG magnetic pickups are very potent, with a lot of punch. Last night, however, I mainly used the bridge pickup, and with some tweaking, it was pretty shocking to me how close I came to an upright sound. I had never imagined you could get that out of a 34" scale. Of course the pickups can be blended in a wide variety of ways, with all the pan pots and EQ controls, which are very conveniently located on the top of the body. I'm really liking this bass more every time I use it.

[brianrost]

I owned a Zeta for a brief while. It sounded and played like a bass guitar. The arco tone was super-ugly and scratchy. Construction was top-notch.

I sent it back to the dealer for a refund.