NBD Ns Design CR4-M

I have the CR4M also. I got it quite some time ago, before Musician's Friend started selling them under $3k.
The get a great tone and you will love it. I play it in the studio/live with acoustic acts and my blues band.
That bass paired with a SWR Super Redhead is sweet.
Good luck and have fun.

 

When I see pics like this, all I can think is, please, get a teacher because you're missing out on so much the upright can offer.

 

True... but, I don't approach the EUB like a DB. It's really a different beast.

But considering technique? A good DB teacher is a big step in the right direction.

 

True, as Stick_Player mentioned, the DB is abit of a different animal, but had played DB and fretless over the years, made it an easier.
I do not pizz that hard and rarely arco my instrument, so I have my action lower, to where I get the BG feel and less fatigue when play
a 4-set night.

Oldtimer , I do recommend a DB instructor to learn the different positions. I hope you enjoy your EUB as much as I do.

 

Sorry for the delayed response. I use NS4FL Flat light strings, they are made by D'Addario. Go to the NS website at nedsteinberger.com and you can see all the sets they offer.

I bought sets of strings from my local music store that deals the NS instruments.
You can use the standard DB strings, but they would have more tension than the NS4FLs.

As for the year, I think that I bought this in 2002.

 

The NS4FL were the original OEM strings; FL stood for "Flat-wound Light." Those strings were always made by D'Addario, and only used to be available from NS Design dealers and direct. They have been re-branded as D'Addario strings now, and are sold under the name "NS Electric Contemporary" -- they're the same strings with a new name, and the prices are a bit cheaper (for instance, my shop sells them for $103.) They also make a set called the "Traditional" which is a more "medium" gauge of string with a darker sound, shorter sustain, and more bow-friendly surface. (They are actually D'Addario Helicore Orchestra strings that are shortened/sized to fit the NS Bass.) I like the Traditionals for a more "realistic upright" tone from the NS Basses.

Hope that helps clarify!

 

AFAIK, in 2009 they were still making them under the NS Design contract, before rebranding them as "D'Addario NS Electric" strings. They may have had different windings on them at that point, but I don't honestly remember. Also, NS Design had a set made for the WAV4 bass (and still used them on the first run of the NXT) which were Chinese-made strings that were much cheaper (and weren't half-bad). We actually sold quite a few sets of those, and if you bought your bass used, perhaps the previous owner had bought a set of those (?) They had no silk on the ball end, with black silk in the pegbox, as I remember (but could be wrong.)