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Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

#301
Yeah, leaning it against a leg is just not possible. I still can't imagine being eye level with the nut though. So, even with the two bolt-joints on the brace, the end pin stand at the right height, you can't bend up the arm to get it to hip-torso height and then bend down the brace to get it straight against your waist?

bass81800 said:
Another thing about NS. I have had two problems with the tripod stand. One with a stripped screw in the assembly that holds the bass to the tripod, another with a screw that is supposedly bolted on popping off during a gig at the bottom. Although NS wants me to ship it back to them at my cost for repair/replace, it was more cost effective to go to somewhat local dealer for problem 1 and local hardware store for a temp fix for problem 2. Will be another dealer trip to their machine shop. Not the sturdiest stand.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you've got one of the old WAV stands... The older stand that was shipped with the WAV bass had issues with the alloys used in the bolt vs. the screw which caused them to strip very easily. The stand that came with my NXT uses a different bolt material. It still seems like a soft thread but it's nowhere near as soft as my old WAV stand.

Last I heard, if NS saw that you had a stand with the old issues, they would replace the entire stand with the newer version that was less likely to strip - or re-bolt the entire stand to eliminate the problem. I don't know if they're still doing that. You'd essentially get a "new" stand.

There's a better tripod stand - it's an upgrade to the one that comes with the NXT or WAV. It's got a completely different design with a double braced lean-back rear leg. It's sturdier, a little heavier and better made.

Going to a local hardware store will only work if you replace both the bolt and the screw... If you only do one of them at a time I guarantee the harder metal in the replacement part you buy will whittle down the thread in whatever other end you don't replace on that stand you have.
 
#303
bass81800 said:
The end pin has not worked for me. I am only 5'6", female, and I have never been able to get a right fit between the waist rest and having the height of the fingerboard at 1st position approximately equidistant to my eyes.

When I contacted the seller and Steinberger customer service about this, there was no resolution. Steinberger CS went so far as to say that the waist bar is meant to lean against the leg. Really? The promo picture clearly shows the person using the end pin against their waist.
Click to expand...

The endpin stand is highly adjustable. Take a look at the photo below:

endpin_adjustment.jpg


  1. The "bout" (on the left) which extends against your body is on a hinge that can be adjusted for angle (see "pink" arrows) so it can be level regardless of the angle of the "bout arm"
  2. The "bout arm" can be adjusted for angle in a pretty wide swath (the red arrows)
  3. Based on the highest practical adjustment, I get approximately 28.5" as a measurement between the top of the bout and the nut of the instrument.
It would seem, if you needed it to be shorter than that due to your height of 5'6", you'd need the bout arm to be longer, or create an alternate method of mounting it to the post (or the bass itself.) The parts appear to be engineered for someone of "average" height, and did not take into account the likelihood of a person of your height playing a 3/4 sized instrument.

In looking at the unit, it seems that there is a huge variance between the highest position (a. in my crude inset drawing) and the lowest position (b.) - but the vast majority of the lower positions are, essentially, useless unless you're over 8 feet tall. The stand could be improved (and more compatible) if the bout arms were a few inches longer - "average" sized players could simply slide the bout down the post using the set screw (blue arrows) to accommodate their position.

I'll send a note to NS Design, I'm sure they will be interested in what we've discovered.
 
#304
Frankie, good information about the WAV stand, updated NXT/WAV stand and the upgrade. I better get that bottom part bolted as soon as possible. Looking at an upgrade. Or, ship it back?

Mark, good info on the ways to adjust this. Trying everything, I am able to get a decent proportion between being somewhat close to waist (with 4" or so too low) and having fingerboard at the height I am used to on upright (a little high). It is usable by playing at an angle, which is fine, but no adjustment is going to be perfect if the distance between your waist and top of head is shorter than the actual distance of the fingerboard.
 
#305
I have had great success using clear adhesive dots at the 5th and Octave to better reference where I am on the fingerboard.

The wooden device that is available will not fit on the NXT.

I have tried several brands, and the best I found were 3m Bumpons in clear, flat shape. Other brands did not stay on the neck. The Bumpons have stayed on the neck and held up for for about 9 months so far.

This may not be exactly the product, but this is the general idea.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NG60SW/ref=noref/182-6911014-4244347?ie=UTF8&s=hi&psc=1

Smaller quantities are available at office supply stores, Target, etc.
 
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#306
FSSimon said:
I recently found this youtube video showing a technique for quickly changing between arco and pizz. It's been helping me with those holiday medleys we are playing at the orchestra.

Fast pizz to arco on bass - YouTube
Click to expand...

That's brilliant! Have you got that little bow-grip rubber thing he has in front of the frog? Or are you it without the rubber grip thing?
 
#308
Hey Guys I am looking to buy my first NS bass or Upright bass period. Anyone no where I can get a good price on a 4 string NXT? PM me if you have one for sale or trade I have a Valenti I can trade for one. I prefer amber Burst but I can deal with black. I can also buy one and sell my Valenti after whatever works.
 
#309
1steve34 said:
Hey Guys I am looking to buy my first NS bass or Upright bass period. Anyone no where I can get a good price on a 4 string NXT? PM me if you have one for sale or trade I have a Valenti I can trade for one. I prefer amber Burst but I can deal with black. I can also buy one and sell my Valenti after whatever works.
Click to expand...

Best bet (assuming you don't live near a dealer) is probably Bob Gollihur (Gollihur Music - Upright Bass Specialists: Instruments, Pickups, Preamps, Amplifiers, and Accessories). He's a frequent participant around here, and I can't think of anyone that's had anything less than great experiences working with him, especially for higher-dollar stuff.
 
#310
Has anyone gone with the NXT5, after having experience on both a 4-string upright and 5-string electric, and regretted it?

I play nothing but five-string electric, and have put in a ton of time on a regular old upright (symphony for a few years, big bands for about ten years, etc) but I'm wondering if there's something about the extra string on an upright that would be unexpected...
 
#311
jasonbraatz said:
Has anyone gone with the NXT5, after having experience on both a 4-string upright and 5-string electric, and regretted it?

I play nothing but five-string electric, and have put in a ton of time on a regular old upright (symphony for a few years, big bands for about ten years, etc) but I'm wondering if there's something about the extra string on an upright that would be unexpected...
Click to expand...

I love my NXT 5. I go between it and my 4 string upright with no problem. (I think having a 5 string upright would be cool, despite being cost-prohibitive.) I like having the 5th string to play strategic low notes and having the option of playing in higher positions on the B string (the E on the B string has more body than an open E). I can also see how a high C string would be beneficial if someone wanted that option.

I have no unexpected problems with the switch. Having the extra range is a bonus, especially on a 41.5" B string. :D
 
#312
jasonbraatz said:
Has anyone gone with the NXT5, after having experience on both a 4-string upright and 5-string electric, and regretted it?

I play nothing but five-string electric, and have put in a ton of time on a regular old upright (symphony for a few years, big bands for about ten years, etc) but I'm wondering if there's something about the extra string on an upright that would be unexpected...
Click to expand...

String spacing and angle differences between 4 and 5 string has the most impact on bowing.

But you say you have symphony band experience on a 4 string upright. Just be prepared to spend a little time ajusting to the bowing angle on each string.

Like a cellist friend of mine has one of those NS design 6 string cellos. He never uses it because of the difference in string spacing and angle between his regular 4 string cello and his NS.
 
#313
I have a question about setting up the five stringer. how high should each string be from the fingerboard? I tried to follow what I would have done with a four-string URB but I'm getting a pretty bad buzz from fifth to tenth position on the A and D strings and the B seems a little high relatively speaking. What have you guys done to yours when you raised the action?
 
#314
Hey there,

I am looking for a way to practice late at night and have been considering an EUB. No matter what I do with my UB there is just no way I can practice into the wee hours! The NXT looks pretty good, price wise they aren't to bad too. Are these silent when played arco? would someone in the next room hear it? I usually play arco seated, how will the NXT sit, will it be comfortable when seated? Do they all come with the dots on the fingerboard or is this an option?

Cheers
 
#315
bassfetish said:
I have a question about setting up the five stringer. how high should each string be from the fingerboard? I tried to follow what I would have done with a four-string URB but I'm getting a pretty bad buzz from fifth to tenth position on the A and D strings and the B seems a little high relatively speaking. What have you guys done to yours when you raised the action?
Click to expand...

I never raised the action on mine. It is a little lower than my upright, but it plays so well like it is, that I saw no need to change it. I put on NS Traditionals and it thumps all day long just as if the action were higher. No issues with the height during arco play, although I don't have the need for arco playing on it very much.
 
#316
what the pluck said:
Hey there,

I am looking for a way to practice late at night and have been considering an EUB. No matter what I do with my UB there is just no way I can practice into the wee hours! The NXT looks pretty good, price wise they aren't to bad too. Are these silent when played arco? would someone in the next room hear it? I usually play arco seated, how will the NXT sit, will it be comfortable when seated? Do they all come with the dots on the fingerboard or is this an option?

Cheers
Click to expand...

The NXT played without an amp is like playing a bass guitar without an amp - you're lucky to hear anything in the next room. Perfect for playing into the wee hours unamplified.

If you have an amp that you can turn off the speaker, but listen through headphones, that's a terrific practice option (I had an Eden Nemesis 112 that was perfect for that). Either way, you shouldn't be waking up neighbors or roommates.

The stand has enough adjustment in all its joints that you should be able to find a comfortable playing position while seated.

Not sure if a plain fingerboard is a regular option, although they may create on for you. For me, the pearl dots are attractive and well done. YMMV, but I don't subscribe to the notion that seems to exist in the bass community that if you have dots, lines, or other markers you are somehow a lesser bass player. If you like or need lines or dots, go for it. If you neither like nor need them, no problem. I'm just excited about hearing good music from other bassists. But, I digress...:bassist:
 
#317
I've been reading this thread for awhile and decided to buy a 4 string NXT. Got a good deal on a used one and have a couple of questions.

The action is low which is fine for now since I'm a beginner. Coming over from electric bass but still a beginner as far as stand up goes. The D string has a buzz to it. The neck is straight as an arrow. Would a slight bow in the neck work better than raising the bridge in this instance? It's a return to a store so it's practically brand new, just like they come from the factory.

I must say the sound is just like an upright except when I play the E open, it's kinda like an electric bass. Is this because of the stock strings?

I'm sooooo glad I went with this bass instead of another in this price range that I played. The straight stick look is taking me some time to get used to but the action and sound is incredible. The neck plays like a 6K bass I played at a store.
(as far as the feel, not the buzz) ;)

What made my mind up to go through with the purchase unseen was all the good info about this bass on here.

Thanks,
Gary
 
#318
Gary,

Sounds like your neck just needs a little adjustment. A slight curve can certainly do wonders. Did it come with wrenches/tools?

The stock strings can be a little twangy or like an EB for some people's taste. I use NS Traditionals - they are designed to fit the bass, and they really sound good. This bass does have more sustain than an upright, but these strings have less sustain (and more thump) than others.

That's what works for me and what I'm trying to achieve, but you should find what works for you. Any kind of double bass strings that fits your concept of sound should work just fine. I think you'll find that NXT/Wave/EUB owners here use a variety of strings - just gotta see what you like. You may get a little more sustain than you would with UB, maybe not, but these instruments truly are in a class of their own with their own voice.

On the job, I run it through a Boss tuner, an ELX line boost (instead of a preamp), and a Boss EQ. I use the EQ to tweak the sound for the room/stage, but the adjustment is usually very minimal. The voice and character of the bass and strings come through regardless of those settings.
Our sound man loves the NXT. He says it sounds like a nice UB (he is a fine musician himself and knows bass), it speaks cleanly and evenly in all registers, and is easy to work with. The guys in the band like it, and it travels well. Fans love the sound. They can't believe it isn't an upright. I will tell them that I bought on sale... half off. Or that the rest is on layaway. Gets a smile every time. :D
 
#320
buffalobillh said:
I never raised the action on mine. It is a little lower than my upright, but it plays so well like it is, that I saw no need to change it. I put on NS Traditionals and it thumps all day long just as if the action were higher. No issues with the height during arco play, although I don't have the need for arco playing on it very much.
Click to expand...

Good to know - maybe I should have held off until I changed the strings... More experimentation! I'll let you all know if I have any more questions!
 

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