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Double Bass NS BassCello (now OmniBass) megathread
- Thread starter tappingtrance
- Start date
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I'm trying to compare the string spacing and nut width of the OmniBass versus my 5-string electric basses.
My electric 5-string basses have a nut that's about 2" wide; from the outside edge of the B string to the outside edge of the G string is about 1.75". The strings are spaced about 3/4" apart at the bridge; from the outside edge of the B string to the outside edge of the G string is about 2 15/16".
The NS website lists the overall string spacing at the nut as 1.31", and the overall string spacing at the bridge as 2.75".
The OmniBass string spacing at the bridge seems roughly comparable, but the spacing at the nut seems very tight.
I'd appreciate it if someone would talk about how much of an adjustment it is to get used to the string spacing on the OmniBass, particularly at the nut.
Thanks!
My electric 5-string basses have a nut that's about 2" wide; from the outside edge of the B string to the outside edge of the G string is about 1.75". The strings are spaced about 3/4" apart at the bridge; from the outside edge of the B string to the outside edge of the G string is about 2 15/16".
The NS website lists the overall string spacing at the nut as 1.31", and the overall string spacing at the bridge as 2.75".
The OmniBass string spacing at the bridge seems roughly comparable, but the spacing at the nut seems very tight.
I'd appreciate it if someone would talk about how much of an adjustment it is to get used to the string spacing on the OmniBass, particularly at the nut.
Thanks!
Hello and welcome to my first post!
i´m very interested in this instrument!
Could somebody send me an audio sample?
I would really like to hear it (arco & pizzicato)
my e-mail:
cpisser[at]hotmail.com
Thank you very much!
i´m very interested in this instrument!
Could somebody send me an audio sample?
I would really like to hear it (arco & pizzicato)
my e-mail:
cpisser[at]hotmail.com
Thank you very much!
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
There's a video on the NS website about the Boomerang strap that provides a snippet of sound (sounds GREAT to me!):
http://www.nedsteinberger.com/instruments/omnibass.php
Thank you, i´ve seen this movie before and it sounds great indeed! But I would like to hear some more pieces! I love arco, but i have never tried it myself... Are there any comparable instruments out there?
I'd appreciate it if someone would talk about how much of an adjustment it is to get used to the string spacing on the OmniBass, particularly at the nut.
Thanks!
I dont think you will have as big an adjustment with the string spacing as with getting use to the curved fingerboard. When moving from a bass guitar that would be the bigger challenge in my opinion.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Thanks for your reply, JPBass. I'm a little concerned that the fingerboard radius may be smaller than my double basses, but it's the spacing at the nut that concerns me the most.
Hopefully, I'll find an Omni Bass I can play one of these days. The sound, weight, and size seem ideal, but I'm very concerned about the string spacing, and mildly concerned about the FB curvature.
Hopefully, I'll find an Omni Bass I can play one of these days. The sound, weight, and size seem ideal, but I'm very concerned about the string spacing, and mildly concerned about the FB curvature.
Jazzdogg, on reflection perhaps its because of the 5 strings and stretching over for the high C that makes it slightly more challenging. The five string has quite a pronounced radius. I've played a few electric basses in my time and never even noticed any challenges with the spacing at the nut on the NS. This is the first time I have even thought about it to be honest! Also I keep my strings high so I can dig in (not that that has anything to do with the spacing!!) Good luck with it!!
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Thanks, Jimmy. Now that you mention it, they didn't say how they measured the string spacing. Thanks for the heads up!
Oh, crap, 'dogg.... I forgot that I was going to measure my Omni's string spacing for you. Sorry about that.
In a nutshell, it doesn't really replicate a DB's feel all that closely. It retains some of that character, since it points in the proper direction (towards the sky
), but the feel is much lighter and cello-like. Raising the string height does help in that regard. Ultimately, it's best to just approach it on its own terms, because it isn't exactly like anything else I've played. It took me awhile to make friends with it. Once I did, I began enjoying playing it immensely.
OK... just checked it.... it looks like the string spacing at the nut between any two strings is right around 8mm.
In a nutshell, it doesn't really replicate a DB's feel all that closely. It retains some of that character, since it points in the proper direction (towards the sky
), but the feel is much lighter and cello-like. Raising the string height does help in that regard. Ultimately, it's best to just approach it on its own terms, because it isn't exactly like anything else I've played. It took me awhile to make friends with it. Once I did, I began enjoying playing it immensely.OK... just checked it.... it looks like the string spacing at the nut between any two strings is right around 8mm.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Thanks, Marcus. I really appreciate it!
I just measured three of my basses for comparison.
Space between strings at the nut:
'73 Fender P...................E 8mm A 9mm D 9mm G
Modern 5-String: B 8mm E 8mm A 8mm D 8mm G
'39 DB...........................E 9mm A 11mm D 10mm G
It looks like the 8mm string spacing on the OmniBass will be very similar to my other basses.
Now I've gotta play one and check out the FB curvature for myself!
I just measured three of my basses for comparison.
Space between strings at the nut:
'73 Fender P...................E 8mm A 9mm D 9mm G
Modern 5-String: B 8mm E 8mm A 8mm D 8mm G
'39 DB...........................E 9mm A 11mm D 10mm G
It looks like the 8mm string spacing on the OmniBass will be very similar to my other basses.
Now I've gotta play one and check out the FB curvature for myself!
Now I've gotta play one and check out the FB curvature for myself!
That's a great idea... it really is one of those "try before buy" things, if you have that option. Of course, I didn't do that
, but it worked out well for me. I bought mine right before a tour, and I was gigging on it, in big halls, within a few days of getting it. Yikes.The curvature of the FB is quite pronounced, it's really easy to bow. Mine has a low B, which is pretty scary when bowed through my EA rig
. I use the cello bow that came with the bass... it's very easy to get around on.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Have you experienced any challenges with the fingerboard curvature or the string spacing at the nut?
Do you play it on an end pin, a stand, or on a strap?
Do you play it on an end pin, a stand, or on a strap?
String spacing has not been an issue for me at all, but the curvature sure takes some getting used to. I own it mainly for arco, though, so a curved fingerboard is a must.
I play on a stand. Have not tried the other options.
I play on a stand. Have not tried the other options.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Thanks for your reply.
Any other observations or comments you'd like to share? How do you like the stand? In what context do you use your OmniBass? How high do you have your strings set above the fingerboard? Do you find the electronics effective? What kind of amplification do you use?
Any other observations or comments you'd like to share? How do you like the stand? In what context do you use your OmniBass? How high do you have your strings set above the fingerboard? Do you find the electronics effective? What kind of amplification do you use?
