Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

[Pilgrim]

After a few weeks with the NXT4 I fin it surprising that some complain about the tripod. Mine is solid, stable, and I find it easy to play with the position and angles the tripod provides. Maybe mine is a later version with a more stable tripod.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

I am having a couple of issues and I could use some advice. I'm using a brand new AI CODA Series 4plus amplifier, also from Gollihur (thanks, Mark). I haven't yet found exactly the right settings to get the sound I want from the NXTa (ideally, as much like an acoustic upright as possible).

I find that the bass puts out a lot of treble, and turning it down at the bass a bit can help tame some of the "electric" nature of the bass. I'm pretty sure that you got the "Traditional" model, so it shouldn't be the strings (check the ball ends - if they're big solid ones, like the slugs you see on full upright strings, you got the correct Traditional strings. If they're small, with holes through the middle, like electric bass guitar strings, let me know.)

A couple of times the electronics on the bass have gone a bit haywire, resulting in a horribly distorted sound. Once I was able to fix it by just switching the buffer circuit in and out. Once I had to recharge the buffer circuit to get the distortion to go away.

This may be a "low voltage" sort of situation; I believe that the buffer's charge only lasts about 18 hours, max, and I think that clock may be ticking whether you're playing the bass or not. So if you've not played since yesterday, it might be worthwhile to plug it in for a minute before you jam out. That said, you could also just run it in passive mode; the Acoustic Image Coda has a high-impedance input and that can make using the buffer superfluous (though, if it sounds better to you with it on, by all means keep using it.)

I'm having to use what seems like an inordinate about of finger pressure to avoid buzzing. It seems more pronounced closer to the nut, but that might just be because that's where I play most of the time! I guess I should have a setup done to get it more to my liking.

Since the bass was originally set up by the NS crew in Maine, shipped to us in New Jersey, and then sent to you in Seattle, it's likely that a slight tweak in the truss rod might be necessary. They set them up very low when they arrive in America, so the action might now be too low thanks to changes in climate and humidity. If it's buzzing up there near the nut, you probably want to loosen the truss rod about 1/4 turn to a 1/2 turn, to get a little more "scoop" in the upper portion of the neck and allow for free string vibration.

It's easy to do - just detune the strings at least a fourth before proceeding, make the adjustment (allen key is in the case pouch) and tune back up. It will likely take a day or so for the bass to re-stabilize.

 

[kulit17]

I have a 4 string NXTa - and i kind of really started to try to play an EUB. I believe i have contemporary strings on them now, but got a set of traditionals recently here on TB to try out. guess my question is how high should the action be from the bottom of the string to the edge of the fretboard? i measured it and i believe in the E string side was 6 mm and the G string side was 4mm. so its pretty low. not really sure if there is a right or wrong answer so if someone could enlighten me, that would be great!

 

[gravesbass]

I have my NXT5 tuned a full step down and it handles drop tuning quite well. As far as the neck and lower registry buzz, that’s probably a need for a neck adjustment. Truss rod needs a light loosen adjustment. The necks move with different climate conditions.

 

[Neon Scribe]

I find that the bass puts out a lot of treble, and turning it down at the bass a bit can help tame some of the "electric" nature of the bass. I'm pretty sure that you got the "Traditional" model, so it shouldn't be the strings (check the ball ends - if they're big solid ones, like the slugs you see on full upright strings, you got the correct Traditional strings. If they're small, with holes through the middle, like electric bass guitar strings, let me know.)

Yes, I have the traditional strings. I need to spend some time at rehearsal getting the sound just right, but I hate to be a bother. I'm just the bass player

This may be a "low voltage" sort of situation; I believe that the buffer's charge only lasts about 18 hours, max, and I think that clock may be ticking whether you're playing the bass or not. So if you've not played since yesterday, it might be worthwhile to plug it in for a minute before you jam out. That said, you could also just run it in passive mode; the Acoustic Image Coda has a high-impedance input and that can make using the buffer superfluous (though, if it sounds better to you with it on, by all means keep using it.)

Yeah, I don't really need the buffer circuit, except at my other band's rehearsal location where I play through a Fender BXR. (I could bring the Coda, but I'm lazy and it's crowded there!)

Since the bass was originally set up by the NS crew in Maine, shipped to us in New Jersey, and then sent to you in Seattle, it's likely that a slight tweak in the truss rod might be necessary. They set them up very low when they arrive in America, so the action might now be too low thanks to changes in climate and humidity. If it's buzzing up there near the nut, you probably want to loosen the truss rod about 1/4 turn to a 1/2 turn, to get a little more "scoop" in the upper portion of the neck and allow for free string vibration.

It's easy to do - just detune the strings at least a fourth before proceeding, make the adjustment (allen key is in the case pouch) and tune back up. It will likely take a day or so for the bass to re-stabilize.

Got it! I did this and it helped a lot. It took me a couple of tries to figure out the right direction. (Not something I do every day.) Clockwise is lower action (more buzzy), counter-clockwise is higher action (less buzzy). It's an extra-long-scale fretless bass guitar with a curved fingerboard!

Thanks again, Mark.

 

[Dave Roberts]

NP - FWIW, it is as suitable for bowing as a typical 5-string "real" upright would be.

I can't speak to the CR5 or a real 5-string upright. All I can say is that I've had an easier time bowing my NXT5 than my real 4-string upright. This may be because I need to get my UB adjusted as it's tough to clean bow the D string -- a problem that I haven't had on the NXT5.

So if you're interested in a 5-string but worried about bowing, I say go for it. I love having a high C, it's so much easier to play jazz melodies and chords.

 

[Pilgrim]

Just in case it helps anyone, I'm attaching a User manual for a Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass preamp. I just got one, and the previous owner was nice enough to include a photocopy of the manual. When I looked online, I could not find the Bass version - only the non-bass version.

So this may come in handy for someone who wants the manual. It's 15 PDF pages.

 

[cthomas5200]

Has anyone else experienced problems with volume drops on the NXT? I picked one up used locally and love the instrument, but find mid playing the volume will suddenly just drop. If I toggle the pizz/arco switch several times it often (but not always) will correct the issue. I would say the tone is much better post volume drop (less harsh) so the issue could be the higher volume is the problem. At first I thought it was my Fishman pre, but I also had it happen going direct and using a different pre.

Given it is a passive instrument there are only so many things that could be a problem. I am thinking it is either a bad switch or pot. I did email both NS Design and Mark Golihur for their input.

Love the instrument as it fits those times I am not on electric, but need to get this fixed.

Any thoughts? I have found a few posts about changing the wiring, but really am ok with the current config...just want it to work.

 

[Pilgrim]

Sounds to me like you should check the switch that changes things, try Deoxit or replace the switch.

 

[cthomas5200]

Sounds to me like you should check the switch that changes things, try Deoxit or replace the switch.

Thanks. makes sense.

 

[cthomas5200]

Has anyone else experienced problems with volume drops on the NXT? I picked one up used locally and love the instrument, but find mid playing the volume will suddenly just drop. If I toggle the pizz/arco switch several times it often (but not always) will correct the issue. I would say the tone is much better post volume drop (less harsh) so the issue could be the higher volume is the problem. At first I thought it was my Fishman pre, but I also had it happen going direct and using a different pre.

Given it is a passive instrument there are only so many things that could be a problem. I am thinking it is either a bad switch or pot. I did email both NS Design and Mark Golihur for their input.

Love the instrument as it fits those times I am not on electric, but need to get this fixed.

Any thoughts? I have found a few posts about changing the wiring, but really am ok with the current config...just want it to work.

UPDATE - Heard back very quickly from NS Design that they believe it is the polar pickup. Should be a quick and not too expensive fix. Pretty impressed with the fast response from them. Will update post fix.

 

[cthomas5200]

UPDATE - Heard back very quickly from NS Design that they believe it is the polar pickup. Should be a quick and not too expensive fix. Pretty impressed with the fast response from them. Will update post fix.

Wow. Super impressed with the staff at NS Design. Received prompt emails back. Called them back and they answered the phone and got me to the right tech. Quick 10 min conversation and decided to replace the Polar pickup. About $37 later it is on its way. EBMM is about the only other company I have had such an easy experience. NS Design is doing it right.

 

[tombowlus]

We just received an NXT4a in for review, and I am looking forward to trying it out on the gig tomorrow night.

 

[fivestringgecko]

We just received an NXT4a in for review, and I am looking forward to trying it out on the gig tomorrow night.

Looking forward to reading/hearing your review, Tom! I love my NXTa.

Apologies for the delay, I'm rarely on Talkbass! (And the vocalists took their sweet d@mn time scheduling vocal sessions... ha ha)

Here are a couple of the demo tracks we recently finished up for the swing band alter ego of my 14-piece variety band. Recorded on my NXTa through my board with some compression (Darkglass Symmetry) and some EQ'ing (Darkglass Vintage Ultra)... and whatever the recording engineer did in post. (ha ha!). The band leader was in a hurry to get horns and vocals, so the rhythm section recorded all together in only one or two takes. The recording engineer loved the ease of recording upright via DI and you can tell it's not an acoustic upright, but all things considered, the recordings didn't turn out too bad.

I posted a couple studio/rig photos a few pages back. (the board has changed a bit since then though. )

5sg.

 

[tombowlus]

Well, the NXT4a performed great on the gig. The action is a little lower than I am used to (relative to my Kay), and I probably need a little more time with the NXT4a to get more comfortable bowing and slapping (with the lower action), but the bass itself performed quite well.

The Reidmar 750 into a pair of AudioKinesis Changeling 112T's were great with this bass (and my electric bass guitars).

 

[Sam Reese]

Don't forget, you can raise your action with a phillips screwdriver, if you want.

 

[tombowlus]

Don't forget, you can raise your action with a phillips screwdriver, if you want.

Good point.

 

[thumbslapper]

Am I the only one that is annoyed by the way the NXT-[456]a active pre-amp is charged? At first I was wondering why it kept on running out of charge when I charged it a few days before and only used it an few hours, then after emails exchanged with Gollihur and NS folks I realized that the pre-amp is only charged for about 18 hours no matter if its enabled, or cord plugged in, or whatever, and that we are supposed to charge it for a minute every time before playing.

First kudos to NS folks and Mark for quick reply, their support is great.

But

I can't help but feel this is a serious design flaw - I have 3 active bass guitars (pedulla thunderbuzz 6, alembic essense V, Dingwall AB1-6) and never have an issue with the battery running out, but with my NS-NXT-5a i have to worry about it every time I play it.

Anyone feel this way or is it just me? Anyone care enough to design a after-market 9v battery power for it?

(have to say other then that I love the NXT, it sounds awesome. In fact the active preamp they have in there sounds awesome as well, they did a great job with it - well other then how its powered)

-carl

 

[DoubleMIDI]

They might use a PowerCap capacitor that might get discharged itself after that time period.
The good thing is that these are charged in a very short period of time. So if you charge it a few hours before a gig (I.e. Just before the sound check) that might be enough to get through the whole gig. Doing that every time should lead to a manner to do that every time before you play. A PowerCap can be charged and discharged a lot more often than a rechargeable battery, so so recharging it early does not harm a PowerCap.

 

[kulit17]

Manual for the NXTa states that you only need to plug in to charge for 60 seconds and it'll last 16 hours......when you get to a gig, plug it in, go to the bathroom and voila, your all set unless you're doing a marathon of a gig that will last you 16+hours.

I don't see this as a flaw, but a value since it doesn't have to stay connected to a wallwart for long duration or require you to always remember to bring an extra external battery.