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Double Bass 5 String EUB Opinions

N

Newfie Rider

Guest
Apr 5, 2011
4
0
#1
Looking to purchase a 5 string (High "C" not low "b") electric upright. Been looking forst at the Dean Pace 5...not a good example of an upright. So I am now looking at the NS Design NXT-5 Amber. Seems to be a pretty decent bass.

I am a little specific on what I want, 5 string (high C) on a tripod.

Any suggestions. I don't want to take out a second mortgage to buy?
 
#2
If you can stretch the budget to get the CR5 models from NS Design theyre worth every dollar.

Also you need to pay close attention to the tripod itself. I havent seen the one that comes with the NXT but the one that came with the WAV bass was a total cheap POS - it was weak and had a lot of play in the components which meant the bass was wobbly and unstable.
 
#4
JtheJazzMan said:
If you can stretch the budget to get the CR5 models from NS Design theyre worth every dollar.

Also you need to pay close attention to the tripod itself. I havent seen the one that comes with the NXT but the one that came with the WAV bass was a total cheap POS - it was weak and had a lot of play in the components which meant the bass was wobbly and unstable.
Click to expand...

I'm playing a fiver NS Omnibass (low B) and the build quality is really top notch as well as the tone. My buddy has a WAV bass that I tried and that did not impress me much for the above reasons.
 
#6
JtheJazzMan said:
If you can stretch the budget to get the CR5 models from NS Design theyre worth every dollar.

Also you need to pay close attention to the tripod itself. I havent seen the one that comes with the NXT but the one that came with the WAV bass was a total cheap POS - it was weak and had a lot of play in the components which meant the bass was wobbly and unstable.
Click to expand...

The stand that comes with the NXT is the same exact stand that comes with the WAV. It's a lightweight (aluminum alloy?) tripod, very similar in design to PA speaker stands. It is adequate; I use mine with my WAV 4, and while not "rock steady" I find that it works well for me. All of the NS Basses are cross-compatible with each others' stands, though - so you can use the high-end tripod (a much nicer, more adjustable, heavier duty) stand with the NXT as well. They are available separately.
 
#7
Also dont forget about the ns end pin stand. I got one from gollihur music and far prefer it over even the high end tripod. The end pin will fit the nxt but you will need the cr stand and adapter to dock it. I believe they offer an upgrade for this. Like said above id go for the cr5 even if you have to save. I have the cr4 with end pin and it sounds fantastic. I have also played the nxt and it didnt feel or sound quite as good though a steal for the low price.
 
#8
The ergo looks like a decent bass. Anywhere in Canada I can get one?
How close is the pickups to sounding to an acoustic bass?
Tripod come with the unit?

The price is in my range so i would like to take a closer look at it.

thanks for all the help on this.
 
#9
The BSX Allegro should be a contender as well. Aside from it's more natural acoustic tone compared to some of the other above-listed basses, it has a seperate trim-pot volume control for each string so you can balance out the response. I"m selling mine, and though it's equipped with a Low B now I'm sure it would sound great with a High C string.
 
#11
I have an NXT 5 (currently set up with low B), and it practically plays itself. It is a terrific instrument. It can be strung E, A, D, G, C and the high C string absolutely sings. The tripod is more than sturdy. If you have lots of money, however, the CR5 offers more tonal options because of the additional magnetic pickups.
 
#13
mtb777 said:
The NXT stand is not the same as the WAV basses from China. The NXT basses and stands are from the Czech. Republic just like the high end US and CR units.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but -- with no disrespect -- it's simply not true.

As someone who has personally handled several dozen of each, I can tell you that the tripod stand (and the gig bag, as well) that comes with the NXT is exactly the same as the one that comes with the WAV4.

Is the stand actually manufactured in China? I don't know, it's not stamped. But my guess is yes, since they are exactly the same.
 
#14
I can't say either way (although I trust Mark), but the stand for my NXT is sturdy enough that I don't feel compelled to spend more money on a better stand. If anything, I'd like to try the endpin assembly. But not so much that it is a priority. Just curiosity.
 
#15
I stand corrected. Sorry for any bad info. I've only played one NXT and it had the same stand as my CR-4T. I was told the WAV stands were only used for that model. My stand works great as I usually use it seated but occasionally stand and it will move a little but if I step on the back leg it it very stable. I'm a little over 6'-0" so it's up there a little bit.
 
#16
The stand on my CR-5M is nice. It was a reason to buy the CR over the NXT, because for my needs I would've upgraded to the nicer stand with it (as well as a bunch of other things; Mark knows...!). I am probably going to spring for the endpin attachment as well though, as it sits a little weird for me currently on the stand while playing and I'd like it to be a little closer to what my URB was like. But by itself, the stand works great. I even put a bow quiver on it that hangs from it and it works very, very well.

As for putting a high C on it, I don't see a reason for it myself. In the theatre realm, I'm seeing all sorts of low Ds and Cs in URB books written in the past twenty years (and even a couple prior to that) that keeping a low B on the bass is more beneficial to me. Putting on a "real" URB set of strings helped a lot too, despite the B string being $80 by itself.
 
#17
To add to the question posed here: What do folks on this thread consider a good choice for a high C string? I've got the original strings that came with my Azola Acoustic Baby Bass, but in all honesty, I've never found the C string to sound very solid above an F -- too twangy. Is that just the nature of the beast, or is there a twang-free C string out there that I've never met?
 
#18
matthewbrown said:
To add to the question posed here: What do folks on this thread consider a good choice for a high C string? I've got the original strings that came with my Azola Acoustic Baby Bass, but in all honesty, I've never found the C string to sound very solid above an F -- too twangy. Is that just the nature of the beast, or is there a twang-free C string out there that I've never met?
Click to expand...

Which brand is it?
(silk colors at both ends?)
 
#20
I would suggest contacting Karl Hoyt in Harwich Cape Cod re. him building a 5 string EUB for you with a High C.

Karl is an OUTSTANDING luthier and craftsman and he built 2 5 string EUB's for me - one with a High C and the other with a Low B.
Karl's e-mail address is [email protected]

Karl has a busy schedule but it's worth contacting him.

You'll be glad you did.

If you wouild like I can e-mail you pictures of the 2 EUB's Karl built for me. They are truly "works of art"!

Bob McHenry [email protected]


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