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Is that a six-string NS Design EUB in the photo? I've never felt entirely at home with six-string electric -- upright would be something else! Neat, though. I've played around with the idea of getting an electric cello. Not sure if I'd get a 4 or a 5 string if I did -- and then, I'm not sure if I'd get a high string (easier to double fiddle parts, though thumb position builds character) or a low one.View attachment 927688 MA-109 sounds sooooooo good!!
Fat, beefy, quick and clear. Tried some more honky, gritty pick tone at yesterdays gig. BigAl-Agro-Tonehammer-Stewart. I dont think this tone or versatility can be improved.
Is that a six-string NS Design EUB in the photo? I've never felt entirely at home with six-string electric -- upright would be something else! Neat, though. I've played around with the idea of getting an electric cello. Not sure if I'd get a 4 or a 5 string if I did -- and then, I'm not sure if I'd get a high string (easier to double fiddle parts, though thumb position builds character) or a low one.
I've never played the MA version of the 109. I asked Mike about it awhile back and got the impression that it would be more old school in its voicing and feel relative to the fairly flat and, I think, fairly "damped" MAS 109 -- not that it was restricted to "old school" sound, just that it leaned in that direction more than the MAS version does -- also that the MAS would ultimately go louder. Figured, between the two, the MAS would be more my speed, but I wonder how they'd compare on "honky, gritty" stuff and wonder, as @Superbird alluded to, how they'd sound together.
Six string cello and 6 string EUB? You might be the only person I've come across with both. Do you play much cello? I'm a bit worried about extra strings messing up my "acoustic" bowing.I also have NS cello with 6 strings. Ive learned that as you add strings to a viol, the more precise bowing is required as there is bit less space in the bowing plane of each string. Also they require lower string action or you "lose" the interior strings as you go up the neck. Ill say this, the extended ranges on the NS instruments are well executed.
Facinating, based on reports of varying MAS models' tone profiles, that none are giving anything up in order to perform as they do. Ill go along with the old school for the MA109, but its everything else I need too. That said I do have a 16 shipping soon I hope.
Dueling basses!I'm working on a meet up with zorf. He has the MAS-109. Hopefully soon and we can get a side by side going. Maybe with some audio clips![]()
Big E / MAS aficionados, I'm offering up an as new 46/110S combo at a nice discount. Details can be found here. (<-- click that)
Still with the grills? Coulda made my own by now. ;-)

MAS speakers so hot you could BBQ a chicken on the grilles.![]()
Still with the grills? Coulda made my own by now. ;-)
Well those bikini grills can be worth the wait!![]()
Big E / MAS aficionados, I'm offering up an as new 46/110S combo at a nice discount. Details can be found here. (<-- click that)