Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

[bass81800]

Is it possible to modify the NS neck heel to fit the NXT model? Maybe you could use some filler so it fits the different profile.
I did a similar thing from scratch with mine, shaping a neck heel from wood and auto body-filler (!) along with some other pretty extensive mods - see recent post for pics (04/17/13)

I went back to the 4/17 post. Really interesting what you did there!

Maybe someone from Gollihur's can pop in and explain in a little more detail why the neck heel will not work on the NXT and if it could be modded. Some kind of filler, as mentioned above, or is the problem that it does not attach correctly and securely? Just curious.

By the way, I pulled out my old stock stand that I do not use anymore away from home. Cannot trust it. It had so many trips to the bass store and Ace Hardware, and now it fell apart in another area after using it for 10 minutes. I ordered the sturdier and heavier stand that is with the higher end models. Sturdier stand has held up very well during the past year. Just miss the light weight of the stock stand.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

I think it has something to do with the compound radius on the back of the neck, but it also could be related to the adhesion and the different finish on the NXT versus the CR model. Though the thing is just held on with 3M foamcore tape.

 

[bass81800]

Thanks for the info, Mark. Too bad they cannot make the NXT version.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Thanks for the info, Mark. Too bad they cannot make the NXT version.

I bet if enough people emailed them and asked them to...

 

[bass81800]

OK, I stepped up to the plate and emailed:

[email protected]

and requested that the neck heel be available for the NXT. I explained that, as primarily an acoustic upright player, I miss that landmark on the NXT. Also asked for further possible mod info for the neck heel only available for the CRM.

So, please, if anyone is so inclined, please email them and make the request.

Even if you are not familiar with an upright bass, having that neck heel at the 5th will probably make a big difference in increasing play-ability. It would mean moving up the fingerboard to the 5th without even thinking about it or looking at the bass.

 

[cdbrewer99]

Has anyone used boiled linseed on there fingerboard? Or any oils or conditioners? Trying to stop cracking. I live in Colorado at 10,000 ft.

 

[agfrag]

cdbrewer99, I think I might try that.
Seems dumb not to take care of such a nice piece of wood.

Btw, that's a lot of feet.

 

[frankie5string]

I would think the only reason why they don't recommend using the heel on the NXT is because of the formulation they picked for the double-sided tape. I've seen the heel mounted on an NXT and removal did infact pull the finish right off - in great big flat slivers.

If you can remove the tape, and replace it with some sort of 3M version that will work with that neck finish on the NXT you'll be in business! Years ago, 3M had a number you could call to speak to a rep/chemist who could figure out what formulation of tape would work with a specific finish. Does that service still exist?

EDIT: Oops... I see Mark has already referred to the tape type on the heel...

 

[frankie5string]

I'm now gigging regularly with my NXT... It's not a jazz/country/classical gig... it's more like Animal Logic (i.e.: pop music)... Now saving up for the better stand. At the moment, I keep a small hammer in the gig bag to bash the one remaining pins that hold the bolt-mounting head onto the legs. One pin is completely missing now. Even the slightest bit of torquing will get the other pin moving outwards. I'm a little surprised NS went with a flexible hollow pin to hold that part to the tripod.

I was thinking of getting the two-part solution of getting the end-pin set, with the modified better stand to hold it when not playing.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

I was thinking of getting the two-part solution of getting the end-pin set, with the modified better stand to hold it when not playing.

If you don't expect to use the tripod stand for anything but a holding stand (i.e., you're not using it as a playing stand) then get the K&M Electric Upright Bass Stand instead of the Tripod stand + conversion kit - it's cheaper, lighter, packs smaller, and works just as well.

 

[bass81800]

Just a quick update: No response from manufacturer re: my question about the neck heel. Historically, responses are slow, non-existent, or not helpful at all (i.e. in response to my concern about the stock stand falling apart, they simply suggested I mail it to them (at my expense).

As much as I am excited about Mark G.'s post on another stand option that is lighter and more user friendly, I think I am going to be looking for another EUB option with a company that has a history of more responsive and friendly customer service.

 

[jefff100]

Not trying to derail this thread by mentioning anohther builder.....but has anyone seen EUB basses from Bill Paulin here stateside? He seems to have an EUB design that addresses the 2 main concerns of an acousitc like neck heel and the upper bout "shoulder" to lean on in an EUB travel friendly design.

http://www.billpaulinbasses.com/the-eub-model.html

 

[cdbrewer99]

Hey guys, I'm getting a buzz very low on the fingerboard from the D and G string. Should I try truss rod or raise the action a touch? It plays great, where it is. Just that annoying buzz. Thanks.

 

[Sam Reese]

I raised my action. Good luck.

 

[mattj1stc]

Raised mine as well. I started off with really low action, which is definitely a possible set up with the NXT, but I tend play as hard as I do on a regular bass, so now I more or less mirror the set up on the acoustic.

 

[cdbrewer99]

How's it done?

 

[Sam Reese]

From the manual:
STRING HEIGHT
Adjust bridge height with Phillips head screws under the bridge, accessible through the back plate.

And as for the truss rod:
TRUSS ROD
Use 6mm inch hex wrench. Access is just below the nut. Clockwise rotation tightens the truss rod to decrease
relief. To play well, the surface of the fingerboard should not be perfectly straight, but rather it should have a
slight forward curve from end to end.

 

[cdbrewer99]

Ok. Thanks SD. I'll try raising the action a touch and see if that works.

 

[jasonbraatz]

When I was using my NXT5 at a recording session I was getting a lot of weird buzzing, and raising the bridge didn't fix it as I was basically maxed out. Giving it a few turns of the truss rod completely took care of it, and improved the tone immensely to boot. Makes it feel like a "real" upright.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Was the truss rod maybe over-loosened, to the point where there was no tension on it at all? Maybe it was itself buzzing in the channel, which could be mistaken for fingerboard buzz...? Just a theory, don't know if that's what was at play.