• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

#61
Stick_Player said:
I sound like a broken record... you REALLY need an outboard preamp with the NXT.

I am using the Fishman with the NXT and it puts out MORE level than my bass guitar.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about a WAV4 (and now NXT) for a while and I've read this in a few different places among the threads. Here's an electric upright newb question for you...

I'm a gear junkie, so I've got all sorts of pedals for my EB's... compressors, boost pedals, DI's and the like among all the "effects" effect pedals. In particular, my EBS Multicomp has a gain knob, I've got a MXR/CAE Boost, a Sansamp BDDI and come to think of it, even a Hartke VXL Bass Attack (Don't laugh, it's actually a surprisingly great sounding/handy pedal! Won it from Larry Hartke himself on Facebook! lol).

Would the gear I've already got work or would I need to get something fancy/specific like the Fishman?

Thanks in advance! :)

5sg.
 
#62
Would the gear I've already got work?
Click to expand...

Give it a try.

The NXT has a piezo pickup. It works differently than what is usually found in electric basses (i.e., pickups using magnets).

SchemaPiezo.gif
Piezos generate voltage when their shape changes.

You'll probably need a preamp.
 
#64
After years of searching for a decent affordable electric upright bass, I ran into an NXT NS last week. I tried it out in the shop, and it was the first time that I wasn't thoroughly dissapointed at first 'glance'. Unlike previous 'test runs' this time, with the NXT, I didn't have to use the amp's EQ to the maximum to get a decent sound. Of course some tweaking is nessecary but that is to be expected.

So far I have been very pleased with it. The built quality is very good. Unlike other uprights described in this thread, this one doesn't have the strings cutting into the wood anywhere. The fact that there is no preamp onboard doesn't bother me, it gives me the option to choose my own. I am now using an Aguilar Tonehammer with it and the sound is excellent with limited tweaks on the EQ. I am not very experienced with upright basses, so strings quality is not something I can comment on yet (I've been playing mostly fender jazz before). The sound is really warm and solid, and clean as well, there is NO hum whatsoever, the piezo does a really good job.

After I took it home, I also played it through my regular rig (SWR Bass 350 & WM 4*10). And despite my fear, I must say it sounded great! I have started experimenting with my effects gear as well. Obviously this is depending a lot more on the order in the chain because of the external preamp, so I will need to fiddle with this to get a setup that suits both my (active) Fender Jazz and the upright. But I tried the NXT with my EHX Q-tron and some delay effects and it sounded really awesome!

I'll be experimenting with different pre-amps and effects in the next few weeks both for live and recording purposes. If there are any miraculous discoveries I will share them here.

Regards,
Martijn

ps: can anyone recommend me what type of bow I should get if I want to start learning to play with bow (in a jazz, experimental setting)? I read about french and german types, different materials .. but .. what to do .. what to do ..
 
#65
martijn_2m said:
ps: can anyone recommend me what type of bow I should get if I want to start learning to play with bow (in a jazz, experimental setting)? I read about french and german types, different materials .. but .. what to do .. what to do ..
Click to expand...
Congrats!
As for bows, you may get better help in the Bows & Rosin forum:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2

Some recent threads:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=566657
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=597931

You can also find good deals on second-hand bow in the Classifieds:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=144
 
#66
I have not seen this posted anywhere else, and looking at the NS Design website I have seen no mention of it, but it appears there will also be an NXT 5-string.

In speaking with my local music store, they pulled up the descriptions for both the black and amberburst 4 strings, as well as black and amberburst 5 string NXTs. It appeared that the upcharge for the 5-string was about $200.

If this is old news, just ignore.
 
#67
Moose308 said:
I have not seen this posted anywhere else, and looking at the NS Design website I have seen no mention of it, but it appears there will also be an NXT 5-string.

In speaking with my local music store, they pulled up the descriptions for both the black and amberburst 4 strings, as well as black and amberburst 5 string NXTs. It appeared that the upcharge for the 5-string was about $200.

If this is old news, just ignore.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere before just now. If anyone could confirm this I'd be in HOG HEAVEN.
 
#68
Like I said, I am going completely off the basis of what a major retailer had in their system. I am assuming that the purchasing department of the retailer would not have bothered to enter in prices, part numbers, and SKU# into their system for a phantom product. But then, that is only an assumption.
 
#70
As requested, here are pics of my NXT & stand details. I did get to mess with the bass a little and would rate the stand just adequate at best. Unfortunately, I had to leave it behind so won't get back to it for at least 6 month.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0850.JPG
    IMG_0850.JPG
    41.6 KB · Views: 828
  • IMG_0851.JPG
    IMG_0851.JPG
    42.6 KB · Views: 675
#79
beggar98 said:
So I've had my NXT for about a week now and am very pleased. After spending some time tweaking the preamp I'm very pleased with the range of sounds I can get out of it. I do, however, have two little quibbles:

1. The volume output is very low. I had hoped to run this instrument into an A/B box and be able to use both the NXT and my BG through my effects chain, however the output from the NXT is so much less than my Warwick that I can't do this, at least not without dialing the volume way back on the 'wick which kinda kills the tone. For a solution, I was thinking about picking up a Radial Bassbone or similar pre-amp that has some leveling abilities. Anyone tried this, or have any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Haven't been around in a while, but I just was perusing through here reading and saw this. I own a WAV, and I noticed a similar occurrence when using my electrics and the WAV together.

My solution was a cheap one: Radial Bigshot I/O. Passive with two inputs, one output. Input 2 has a DIM switch and pot that allows you to lower the output from that bass to better match the other one. Also has a mute and a Tuner out (which I've found useful). Much cheaper than any sort of preamp.

Sorry if this comes too late!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back