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Double Bass NS CR4M and upright strings

C

ceeprm

Jul 15, 2002
219
3
47
Edinburgh Scotland
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#1
Hi

Im interested in getting one of the NS uprights and fitting it with double bass strings for the most upright like sound so im wondering if there is any point in going for the one with the magnetic pickups- will these work that well with db strings as they have nylon cores? I understand that the piezo should be used for the most db like sound but also like the idea of more sound options with the magnetic pickups as well.

cheers

Phil
 
#2
I tried several of these bass and found that I preferred the piezo-only sound - so I bought a CR5 without magnetic pickups.

I then strung it with Pirastro regular Orchestral strings, which made a big difference to the sound!

Of course there are metal DB strings which will work with magnetic pickups as well - so it is possible to make it work.

But I think you have to work hard to make it sound close to DB and it's difficult to "have your cake and eat it"!! ;)
 
#3
Many, if not most, DB strings are steel core. Spirocore may be the most popular bass string there is, and it is steel core. They are dampened with silk or other material, but the structural core is metal.

There are nylon (perlon) core strings. The most popular is probably TI Dominant or Pirastro Obligato.


I have a CR5M and have it strung with TI Superflexibles, which feels a lot like a Spirocore but a little darkier and tubbier. It is also a steel core string. They work very well with the magnetic PUs.

I do play my bass in piezo only mode some, but I also really enjoy having the option of the magnetic PUs. They do give you a broader range of tones to work with.
 
#4
ceeprm said:
Hi

Im interested in getting one of the NS uprights and fitting it with double bass strings for the most upright like sound so im wondering if there is any point in going for the one with the magnetic pickups- will these work that well with db strings as they have nylon cores? I understand that the piezo should be used for the most db like sound but also like the idea of more sound options with the magnetic pickups as well.
Click to expand...

Phil -- I use an NS CRM with the magnetic and piezo capability, so I'll pass on some thoughts based on my experience with it.

1) You can't get an NS electric instrument to sound like a real double bass. It has its own sound, it's not a double bass sound and it's not an electric bass guitar sound.

2) The magnetic pickup doesn't really give me anything I can use; I would have been just as well off with a piezo-only model. The mag pckup does give it more of an electric bass guitar sound, so if you want that, then by all means get the CRM with magnetic.

3) Using double bass strings gives a much more appealing sound than the stock strings that come wtih the NS. I'm using Thomastik Spirocore Weichs, but I'd be interetsed in trying a string with less sustain. The Spiro sustain, combined with the electronic sustain that the NS produces, make for a whole lot of sustain.

I like the CRM a lot and it's very useful in certain situations (particularly very loud situations). Enjoy it.
 
#5
greitzer said:
1) You can't get an NS electric instrument to sound like a real double bass. It has its own sound, it's not a double bass sound and it's not an electric bass guitar sound.
Click to expand...

Well I think you can get close in certain situations - my findings over several years of playing is that the more you play it like a DB the closer it gets to sounding like one.

So - if you use proper DB technique, really pull through the strings - play the kind of things a DB player would play - then it gets closer to sounding like an amplified DB in a Jazz pizz setting! :)

On the other hand if you play it like BG using BG techniques - then it can sound like Jaco .....possibly! :p
 
#8
IMHO, if you expect to be playing in dense mixes or at higher volumes in some cases, the magnetic pickup is worth the investment. Blending it in with the piezo "firms up" the result and adds punch and edge, something that can help cut through a stage mix. But if moderate volumes and more URB-like tones in moderate mixes are all that is necessary, the piezo will likely do fine by itself.
 
#9
ceeprm said:
Thanks for the replies- Im heading down to london to have a look at some tomorrow so I can decide weather its worth going for the magnetic option. Also any thoughts on the yamaha slb200 vs the ns?

Phil
Click to expand...

Phil,

Where are you going in London to try out the EUBs? I am in Northampton, England right now and plan to make a similar trip but the only place I know of is Bass Centre, and even though it looks like they have a good selection I would like to make sure I get to play as many as possible.

-Kramer
 
#10
When I was thinking of buying an NS CR EUB, I phoned the Bass Centre first and they arranged to bring some down from other branches, so I had a variety to try.

I then spent a very nice morning trying the different versions and walked out with an NS CR5 under my arm! :)
 

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