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Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

#561
RHayton said:
I'm also planning to get the NXT 4 and have similar concerns about the bag. I see on Gollihur site another padded case for about $125, which I would consider, but it apparently would not have space for the tripod and/or end pin. Would like to see a pic of the gig bag that comes with the NXT 4; maybe additional padding could be added from a fabric store?
Click to expand...

The padding is what I'm worried about as well... and was thinking that if needed, a $29 foam mattress pad from Walmart could be hacked up and inserted. ;)

It would be a shame if the gig bag really is that weak. I went to an open jam once and one of the players had a Dean Pace EUB, and that gig bag looked like you could knock it around quite a bit without any worries.

5sg.
 
#562
The gig bag that comes with the NXT is not bad; I think that the few isolated comments about it were probably from folks who maybe got a bad one? It has an (admittedly thin) layer of padding throughout, with bolster "pillows" at the top and the bottom. The entire interior is lined with a thin fabric to prevent scratches. The pocket for the stand is not padded, but it's on the outside of the bag so the stand does not contact the bass. I'd rate the bag's padding as similar to the cases you get stock with MIM Fender electric basses; adequate, if not cushy. The bag that comes with the high-end NS basses is considerably nicer, with thicker padding - but it's much more expensive.

Here's a photo I took this morning of the inside of the top of the bag - shows the bolster pillow, the thickness of the padding, and the heavy duty zipper. I don't think the bag is bad at all - it's the same bag that came with my WAV4 several years ago, and it's held up fine for me.

nxt_bag.jpg
 
#563
I just found this thread and am interested in the NXT. I located a used one locally, but decided to read this thread first before deciding whether to buy.

I have a post-WWII Czech carved bass that I have set up for orchestral use. I'm strictly arco at the moment, but won't rule out some jazz work later. The EUB would also serve as a home practice bass to keep peace with the family and as a backup when the DB is in the shop. So with that in mind, my main concern is if the NXT would be close enough to a DB to be a decent backup/alternative or should I look into a ply bass with a mute.
 
#564
Thanks for the pic Mark! Doesn't look as horrible as I thought. I was thinking it was basically just a canvas bag. The bag for my Pedaltrain Mini has less padding than the NXT bag and I'm okay with that (although I did add some foam to the top to help keep the board from shifting and to keep knobs from turning ;) ). I'm OCD about keeping my gear pristine, so even if I had the NXT hard case, I'd probably still treat it with kid gloves.

The research continues...

5sg.
 
#566
Did anybody have issues installing DB strings on NXT? I just tried to put some Spiros Welch on my NXT recently purchased and noticed the following:
- Using the holes in the metal plate on the back to hook the strings will allow about 1.5" of purple material to pass the nut into the fingerboard area....
- sharp angles will develop in the string allowing permanent bends and the risk of breaking...
- the tuners are really small and do not allow much winding especially on the thick strings...
Did anyone else run into the same issues? Are there any other issues with the NXTs?
I have to modify mine quite a bit to make it ... better:)
 
#567
I can't speak to the purple material, I assume it's silk winding like on EB strings, but I have zero experience with URB strings and don't own a NXT... Yet! ;)

As for the other issues, I've read this entire thread in my research on the NXT, and quite a few people have reported either having to or proactively replacing the tuners due to issues with traditional URB strings. Hipshot Ultralites seem to be the most common/ideal replacement.

I suspect the sharp angles you're talking about are the extra length of URB strings folding around the back of the NXT? Several people came up with solutions involving improvising some form of plastic/PVC/padded guard between the strings and corner of the bass. Check Sapo2's post on page 2 of this thread for an example.

Hope that answers your questions. If not, the rest of the fine folks in this thread that actually own an NXT will probably be able to help better.

5sg.
 
#568
Yes I was talking about the purple silk...
I think I will have to build some kind of new low end for the bass that will allow the exact length of string to pass the bridge and will be well rounded to avoid all the sharp edges currently in place. Although NXT is an excellent bass for the money, I can't believe some of the design flaws accepted...
Thanx for your comment though...
 
#570
kirus said:
Did anybody have issues installing DB strings on NXT? I just tried to put some Spiros Welch on my NXT recently purchased and noticed the following:
- Using the holes in the metal plate on the back to hook the strings will allow about 1.5" of purple material to pass the nut into the fingerboard area....
- sharp angles will develop in the string allowing permanent bends and the risk of breaking...
- the tuners are really small and do not allow much winding especially on the thick strings...
Did anyone else run into the same issues? Are there any other issues with the NXTs?
I have to modify mine quite a bit to make it ... better:)
Click to expand...

Never tried Spiro weichs on my bass; are you using the S42W set, or the shorter "3/4 size only" set? Or maybe even the 1/2 size set?

Our measurements of Spiro S42 strings, compared to D'Addario Helicore Strings, are as follows:
  • Spirocore E string* Speaking length: 48.5 - Afterlength: 6
  • Helicore Speaking length: 49 - Afterlength: 5
* The other strings are progressively longer than the E string

So, the total length of the Spirocore's shortest string is 54.5" from ball end to upper silk; the total length of the Helicore strings are 54.0" from ball end to upper silk. So the Helicore strings are actually 1/2" shorter, yet I successfully installed them on my bass with no issues of silk overlap. So it makes me wonder which strings you have.

To your other questions:
The tuning machines are something that has been discussed at length; it is a component that I find worth replacing, for confidence, tuning stability, and ease of stringing (the hipshots have a larger opening).

As for the "permanent bend" - if you're careful stringing the bass, the 90 degree angles are not worrisome. I haven't had any string breakage or issue. I did not "pad" or otherwise protect the wood/string contact on the bass - it doesn't bother me that the back of the bottom of the bass will have "grooves" where the strings are/were - but you can put a piece of leather/plastic/something else there if you wish. But I'm not familiar with any customers having issues wrapping the strings around the bottom.
 
#571
This being my first upright and having heard about the quality of the stock NXT strings, I blindly bought a set of little used Spiros, S38W, that are 52.5 from the ball to the upper silk, hoping to improve the sound and maybe play-ability. As you can tell, I don't know much about strings....
Anyways, looking at my measurement and yours, I bet the 1.5-2" difference is right what's missing on mine to push the silk on the other side of the nut. Bummer.
About the kink in the string,... I was afraid that the sharp edges will damage the integrity of the string as it happen to me before with some not so good guitars...
I'll come up with something and I'll let you know.
Another thing I did to the NXT before I put the original strings back was to glue about 1/8 thick piece of cork on the bottom of the bridge to reduce a little the sustain and give a little more thump. It worked good but you are right about 70-30. :)
 
#573
I have had Spiros (not the Weichs) on my NXT for at least the last year. Bass has been to many gigs, indoor and outdoor. Yes, the bend seems kind of worrisome at first, but the strings are holding up just fine. I just took a look at them and noticed zero fraying at the bend.
 
#574
Regarding the tuning machines, I disagree with the notion that they need replaced. Tuning is exceptionally stable on my NXT. I have a cheap Snark tuner clipped onto the stand's tightening knob and only occasionally need to tweak my tuning throughout a gig. I am in the camp of "buy the NXT and play it as-is". FWIW I love Hipshot tuners, but find the modification as an unnecessary expense (hype). Respectfully, Studiodawg.
 
#575
When I put the NS Traditionals, the stronger tension stripped the stock low B tuning gear. The hipshots handle the tension, and they don't budge. Maybe not an issue for the NXT 4. No hype with my experience, however, your mileage may vary.
 
#578
Got my NXT 4 from Gollihur last Friday (placed the order on Monday so that was quick), and took it to rehearsal last night, where it was well received by fellow band members. Been playing upright several years in traditional big band orchestra (we are band for two ballroom dance clubs) that has been in existence nearly fifty years--some of the members have been playing in the band more than 30 years and tend to be purist about the big band bass sounc. I'm 70 years old and the upright gets a bit tiring after a three hour gig; I've occasionally taken the bass guitar, but it is very unpopular among the rest of the band--they want the upright thump. This NXT 4 looks like it will be a great alternative--our band director liked it, and the others thought it had a great sound. I went with the Hipshot tuners and traditional strings, and with a bit of tweaking on the amplifier got a very nice warm and thumpy sound. I think when it is time to change strings again I'll go with Obligatos, which I have been using on the acoustic upright, and have had good experience with them. Overall, the NXT is a great instrument; I'll also be able to use it in the occasional small combo I play with. Thanks, Mark for making the order process simple and getting it shipped quickly.
 
#580
kirus said:
Did anybody have issues installing DB strings on NXT? I just tried to put some Spiros Welch on my NXT recently purchased and noticed the following:
- Using the holes in the metal plate on the back to hook the strings will allow about 1.5" of purple material to pass the nut into the fingerboard area....
- sharp angles will develop in the string allowing permanent bends and the risk of breaking...
- the tuners are really small and do not allow much winding especially on the thick strings...
Did anyone else run into the same issues? Are there any other issues with the NXTs?
I have to modify mine quite a bit to make it ... better:)
Click to expand...

I have had Weichs on my NXT for about two years. They just keep on functioning just fine. The bend looks like it is going to be a problem, but the strings continue to hold up well. I can only see miniscule fraying on one string. Looks like no more than two winds on the D and A strings, but, again, all is well.
 

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