Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

[DoubleMIDI]

I haven't tested the Thomann-bow, but from all Carbon bows I have, the Yitamusic German top level is the worst (tip a bit heavy, stick too soft, if you put tension to the hair the stick is almost straight, bow hair thin and does not grab as well as good hair from a local bow maker), some other Chinese German bows are better, but the Finale bow that I bought used is the best of all of them.
If the Finale is still available (from String Emporium only) that would be a good bow that can be used as a replacement bow if you buy a better (and more expensive) wooden one later.

 

[5string_phunk]

I’m new to the NXT bass world too. Upon the recommendation of Mark Gollihur and others in this thread, I bought a Fishman Platinum Stage (10 Mohm input impedance) and it sounds fantastic! Definitely makes a HUGE difference than running straight into my amp!

I also talked to Mark about bows and he’s recommended the brasilwood bow on his site. Says it’s much better quality than the Glaser Fibreglass bow I was looking at, for not a lot more money. I’m going to take his advice and make a purchase in the next week or so. I can report back once I get it, but he had a lot of great insight as to why it’s better than the cheaper bow I was looking at. Can’t remember all he said, but I’m thoroughly convinced!

Brazilwood Double Bass Bow at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

 

[Zbysek]

What he said. I'm another happy Bassbone OD user.
I also just found out about this, which looks like a solid rival to the Bassbone: EBS MicroBass 3 - Professional Outboard Preamp |

I can recommend EBS MicroBass 2. Even Stanley Clarke is using it...

 

[Zbysek]

Thanks for the education! I ordered a Fishman Platinum stage preamp (10Mohm) this morning and may try out a Tech21 Qstrip (4.7Mohm) as well just to see the difference. I'm looking into making a small pedal board for the NXT with a Preamp/DI, tuner and maybe a subtle reverb to give it some depth.

I know pedal placement is somewhat subjective, but given my ignorance on the topic of input impedance, what order would you recommend putting these pedals?

Pre/DI > Tuner > Reverb?
Tuner > Pre/DI > Reverb?
Tuner > Reverb > Pre/DI?

Or some other combo?

Again, I appreciate any and all suggestions, recommendations and experiences!

I am using the similar set up. The best solution which I came up is to put the reverb in the pre's FX loop and the tuner to preamp's paralel output.

In order to do that, you need a preamp with FX loop, paralel output and mute switch. My EBS MicroBass 2 has all three...

 

[Peter van Brucken]

Unfortunately, I cannot help with a diagram. I am interested in how this works out for you though, as I am considering the same modification on my WAV4. Good luck, and please keep us posted!

Hey all, got the wiring sorted! The Schatten sounds great! Super quiet. The only issue was input sensitivity. It can handle 6V peak, but the NXT must be super hot as it was clipping at moderate playing levels! Put a 470K resistor in series with the input and that's made it work as it should. The MicroPre is tiny and fits nicely on the back of a 9V battery holder. I also wired the volume after the preamp using a 50K pot. Job done...until I look at some EMG single coil, single pole pickups like the CR and UEB series have

 

[DanielW]

Those of you who use the tripod – has anybody tried to exchange the joint that allows for tilting the bass backwards for one with a ball, to allow for tilting the bass so it can be positioned like you would a bass guitar with the fingerboard near-horizontal, facing out from your body?

I would love to be able to pluck the strings sitting down.

 

[Hendricks97]

Why cant you do this with the tripod? Just rotate it before you tighten the screw that holds the bass onto the tripod

 

[DanielW]

Why cant you do this with the tripod? Just rotate it before you tighten the screw that holds the bass onto the tripod

I love the fact that some people have a better grasp of spatial things than I do. I'm the guy who always scores really bad on those "which 3D shape would you get if you'd fold this 2D shape" tests.

Thanks a lot, and never mind my question above…

 

[DanielW]

OK, another question about piezos and impedance.

I haven't been able to purchase a line box with 10 megaOhms input impedance yet, so I run the NXT through my EBS Stanley Clarke Wha in bypass mode, it takes 1 mOhm which is better than nothing. Signal chain after that is Darkglass B7k preamp into EBS-1 preamp into mixer into Genelec studio monitors and/or DAW.

Of course, this is not optimal for hearing the lowest bass tones, let alone feeling them which is part of the point with a double bass. But I have neighbors, so I'll have to live with that.

However, I have been warned that running the NXT through preamps with low impedance creates a high pass filter with a cutoff at about a 100 hZ.

I decided to check the signal with a spectral meter. When the B7k is set to saturate the lowest frequencies, with overdrive off and lots of bass and less treble on the 4-band EQ, the spectrogram peaks at about 50 hZ.

Without the B7k, the tone is a bit tame and lacking in the lower frequencies (they're still visible on the spectrogram, but it's much more level), so I guess it's doing something additive.

If there actually was a de facto high pass filter with about 100 hZ cutoff created by running the signal from the piezo mics into a low impedance input, there wouldn't be any lower frequencies for the pedal to boost, or am I (again) missing something?

 

[Peter van Brucken]

Hi Daniel, I haven't tested frequencies, but yeah, would imagine 100Hz would be about as low as you'd get into a low impedance input. It would roll off at around 6db/octave from 500Hz into 1 MOhm, so if you did find anything down there, boosting it would have limited success. This is why I tried out a very high impedance micro preamp. Works very well and you get to put the volume control on the preamp output to keep noise down. Of course, that means you're reliant on having a good battery on board all the time, but we all keep a spare 9V in our cases don't we!

 

[DanielW]

Hi Daniel, I haven't tested frequencies, but yeah, would imagine 100Hz would be about as low as you'd get into a low impedance input. It would roll off at around 6db/octave from 500Hz into 1 MOhm, so if you did find anything down there, boosting it would have limited success. This is why I tried out a very high impedance micro preamp. Works very well and you get to put the volume control on the preamp output to keep noise down. Of course, that means you're reliant on having a good battery on board all the time, but we all keep a spare 9V in our cases don't we!

Today I finally got my hands on an EBS Micro Bass II with 10 MOhm impedance, so I don't have to wonder any more about how good this bass can actually sound.

Truly an amazing instrument. Next I'll get a bow and try to learn to play arco.

 

[5string_phunk]

I have an fdeck HPF series 3 scheduled to show up tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear the bass with a 10Mohm preamp! Plus, I’ll get to immediately put it to use this weekend for the bands EP release show!

Now I’m curious what EQ/DI you all use with the NXT? Right now I’m looking at the MXR Bass Preamp, mainly because it seems like it delivers a clean sound, plus it has a DI....all in a pkg that won’t break the bank. Anyone use this with the NXT? Suggestions for other EQ/DI pedals to look at?

Thanks in advance!

 

[equill]

Now I’m curious what EQ/DI you all use with the NXT?

I mostly run mine direct, because it already sounds great that way.
However, I do have an Atomic Amplifire that's mostly for guitar, and it happens to have models for '59 Bassman and (more recently) Ampeg SVT. Between the SVT and a third-party IR for an Ampeg 8x10, it sounds pretty good through a simulated amp as well.

I did try running it through a Sansamp Classic but, as great as that can sound over a BG, I haven't yet found a setting that actually improves on the unmodified sound of the instrument itself.

I haven't really EQed it at all so far, but I'm starting to get more serious about recording and mixing, so EQ will probably become a factor soon.

Really, the only effect I plan to add that isn't already in that little red box is a Keeley Bassist, to tame the signal peaks and minimise the clipping when I play hard.

 

[Hendricks97]

How often does everyone change their strings. I bought my NXT used a year ago and never changed the strings and still like the way they sound

 

[ArtechnikA]

How often does everyone change their strings. I bought my NXT used a year ago and never changed the strings and still like the way they sound

I have D'Addario Traditionals on my NXT-5.
I am hoping the answer is 'never.'

 

[Hendricks97]

I have D'Addario Traditionals on my NXT-5.
I am hoping the answer is 'never.'

I have the same set on mine and just looked at buying a set for back up. I've bought cheaper basses

 

[equill]

How often does everyone change their strings. I bought my NXT used a year ago and never changed the strings and still like the way they sound

I replaced mine after 5 years or so, can't remember the specific reason, and expect to change them again in 5-10. I have a spare set of strings purely because I don't like flying without a net.

 

[jthisdell]

I think my Obligatos are going on 5 years.

 

[Zbysek]

Now I’m curious what EQ/DI you all use with the NXT? ....... Suggestions for other EQ/DI pedals to look at?

I am using EBS MicroBass II...to my great satisfaction.

The new EBS MicroBass III is worth looking at, too...IMO.

Right now I’m looking at the MXR Bass Preamp, mainly because it seems like it delivers a clean sound, plus it has a DI....all in a pkg that won’t break the bank.

I was considering getting the MXR M81 too... The main reason why I didn't pull the trigger on it was the fact that the unit didn't have mute switch.

 

[Zbysek]

How often does everyone change their strings. I bought my NXT used a year ago and never changed the strings and still like the way they sound

I bought my NXT brand new five years ago. I changed the strings once since then (after approx. 3 years).