Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

[frankie5string]

I've changed mine once. Mine somehow came with the no-name strings, not the NS strings that they are supposed to put on them when they hit the shipping warehouse. So I opted to replace them with Contemporaries after about 3 years. They're not very good for arco, but since I do so little arco, I'm ok with that, and I have a course-haired bow, anyway.

 

[donotfret]

I got my NXT5a about a year ago and changed strings several times, but only for trying out what works best for me. It's now strung with a set of traditionals with a low B.

The sets I'm not using are traditionals with a high C (sound fantastic, but I'm using my MK Classic with a high C now), the contemporaries that came with the bass and a set of GHS crossovers with a low B. I suppose I might sell them at some point because I think I'm settled with the set that's on it now.

 

[frankie5string]

I do secretly wish Labella would release an NS NXT5 version of their Ron Carter Black Tape-Wound strings.
I really liked them on the double bass I used before I got my NXT5, but I'm not really keen on running them down and up the bottom of the body like you can do with regular-length strings - not sure how the tapes would hold up to that.

 

[equill]

String lifespan report, GHS Crossover edition: the G-string broke at the tuner last night, after 4 years and 4 months.

This precision brought to you by the email conversation I had with Jason of Bass and Guitar Strings, Amps and More from Fret Nation (formerly bassstringsonline.com), who arranged for 2 replacement G-strings to be sent to me when I snapped the one that came with the pack I bought from him, while initially tuning it up. So I already have a spare to swap in, thanks to him.
On that subject, Jason's customer service is impeccable; buy from him if you can.

GHS acknowledged around that time, that this was a problem with those strings; while I haven't checked, I assume they addressed the problem long ago. Then again, the replacement lasted this long, and I don't play gently, so there's that bit of anecdata.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

I do secretly wish Labella would release an NS NXT5 version of their Ron Carter Black Tape-Wound strings.
I really liked them on the double bass I used before I got my NXT5, but I'm not really keen on running them down and up the bottom of the body like you can do with regular-length strings - not sure how the tapes would hold up to that.

I had them make me a prototype set of exactly that for my 4-string a few years ago. But they were WAY too high tension, for some reason. Never got back on them to follow up.

 

[Persona87]

Has anyone tried fifths tuning on their NS? I've always wanted to give fifths tuning a try, even though it would require relearning a bunch of muscle memory. Would a low C string even fit?

 

[ArtechnikA]

Has anyone tried fifths tuning on their NS? I've always wanted to give fifths tuning a try, even though it would require relearning a bunch of muscle memory. Would a low C string even fit?

A Traditionals low B fits with minor modification, so a C should be no big deal. It might be a tight fit in the nut, and most recommend the Hipshot tuning machine upgrade for 5's - donno if a C has light enough tension for it to be OK so just be aware on that...

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The Spiro Fifths set has less tension than the regular Spiro fourth set, so tension should not be the problem.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Has anyone tried fifths tuning on their NS? I've always wanted to give fifths tuning a try, even though it would require relearning a bunch of muscle memory. Would a low C string even fit?

Yeah, I'm guessing that you might have to drill out the bottom hole for the low C string a little, it will be a tight fit. But that's easy to do, and the ball end would lock into the keyholes on the back of the bass, so the silked portion shouldn't be a problem.

Pirastro makes the Obligatos in a dedicated 5ths tuning set, and Thomastik has the Spiros in 5ths. There are also ways to custom-assemble sets with a solo string and other gauge options (if available), but they may not balance quite as well.

 

[Barticus]

Strings for an NXTa5... I’ve read through a ton of the threads and still can’t make a decision here so I need a little bit of input from the resident expert‘s

I’m a newbie to the EUB and just picked up this used Omni 5 and really love it. I’ve already done a quick set up on it for neck relief and bridge height to get to the action level that I like... and now I’m looking at a set of replacement strings to just freshen it up, it currently has a set of D'Addario traditional’s on it which I like the feel of but sound pretty dead to me, especially on the D and G strings. I won’t be using a bow.

Recommendations?

@Mark Gollihur thank you for the great descriptions on your site, that helped a ton. The Contemporaries or the Crossovers look like a good fit for me. What's the difference in the GHS Crossovers vs the GHS Precisions vs like a DR Legends?

Love the tone from this new edition my first recordings sound pretty fantastic!
View attachment 3440764

 

[Deleted member 132197]

Quick question, I just got my NS WAV4 a couple of weeks ago and when I play an open G pizzicato, there's a very noticeable buzz somewhere near the bridge. When playing acro or even pizz with the bass strung with the NS traditional strings the buzz is way less noticeable.

I expect something in the body is buzzing around, but I'm a bit hesitant to open the bass up as I'm a total noob when it comes to electronics. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[frankie5string]

Check the bridge height/action screws under the bridge and see if any of them are bottomed out or loose. You get to them from the two screw holes in the back plate.
If they're not loose, try raising the bridge slightly and see if the buzz goes away.

Also, there should be a little plastic screw running through the bridge as you look down on it that prevents it from tilting towards the headstock or the pin end in its seat. See if that is wiggling.

Quick question, I just got my NS WAV4 a couple of weeks ago and when I play an open G pizzicato, there's a very noticeable buzz somewhere near the bridge. When playing acro or even pizz with the bass strung with the NS traditional strings the buzz is way less noticeable.

I expect something in the body is buzzing around, but I'm a bit hesitant to open the bass up as I'm a total noob when it comes to electronics. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Deleted member 132197]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

Edit: that didn't seem to help. Raised the bridge to (what I think is) it's max on the g side (there was more room to raise the bridge on the E side, but right now the bridge is quite level). The buzz doesn't seem to go anywhere

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

Edit: that didn't seem to help. Raised the bridge to (what I think is) it's max on the g side (there was more room to raise the bridge on the E side, but right now the bridge is quite level). The buzz doesn't seem to go anywhere

Could also be a damaged string. Sometimes strings with damaged internal windings will make a "buzz" sound that can be difficult to diagnose. Under a good light, strike the string hard, and look at the vibration pattern of the string. It should vibrate evenly across its entire length. If there's a spot on the string where the vibration seems to "constrict" a bit, that may indicate a string that's been damaged, either by impact or installation.

 

[Deleted member 132197]

Aaaah, thanks! Seeing that I didn't notice the buzz when I strung the bass with the Traditionals, that might be it. I'll put the g in there again and see if the buzz indeed disappears.

 

[Barticus]

Strings for an NXTa5... I’ve read through a ton of the threads and still can’t make a decision here so I need a little bit of input from the resident expert‘s

I’m a newbie to the EUB and just picked up this used Omni 5 and really love it. I’ve already done a quick set up on it for neck relief and bridge height to get to the action level that I like... and now I’m looking at a set of replacement strings to just freshen it up, it currently has a set of D'Addario traditional’s on it which I like the feel of but sound pretty dead to me, especially on the D and G strings. I won’t be using a bow.

Recommendations?

@Mark Gollihur thank you for the great descriptions on your site, that helped a ton. The Contemporaries or the Crossovers look like a good fit for me. What's the difference in the GHS Crossovers vs the GHS Precisions vs like a DR Legends?

Love the tone from this new edition my first recordings sound pretty fantastic!

Has anyone tried using DR Legends on and NXTa? Or is that not recommended?

 

[SLivinghouse]

If you put the Hipshot upgrade from Mark on an NXT (I have the older one) can you then use Zyex strings then? Are the shafts then big enough at that point? Are there other models of tuning machines that may haver larger shafts since I think I need to enlarge the hole a little anyway?

 

[Mark Gollihur]

If you put the Hipshot upgrade from Mark on an NXT (I have the older one) can you then use Zyex strings then? Are the shafts then big enough at that point? Are there other models of tuning machines that may haver larger shafts since I think I need to enlarge the hole a little anyway?

Shafts are the same (3/8") - and I have my doubts that Zyex will work even if you drilled out and got 1/2" sized tuners.

 

[SLivinghouse]

Shafts are the same (3/8") - and I have my doubts that Zyex will work even if you drilled out and got 1/2" sized tuners.

Thanks for the information! I think I have some old Obligatos in drawer somewhere I now got to find.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Strings for an NXTa5... I’ve read through a ton of the threads and still can’t make a decision here so I need a little bit of input from the resident expert‘s

I’m a newbie to the EUB and just picked up this used Omni 5 and really love it. I’ve already done a quick set up on it for neck relief and bridge height to get to the action level that I like... and now I’m looking at a set of replacement strings to just freshen it up, it currently has a set of D'Addario traditional’s on it which I like the feel of but sound pretty dead to me, especially on the D and G strings. I won’t be using a bow.

Recommendations?

@Mark Gollihur thank you for the great descriptions on your site, that helped a ton. The Contemporaries or the Crossovers look like a good fit for me. What's the difference in the GHS Crossovers vs the GHS Precisions vs like a DR Legends?

Love the tone from this new edition my first recordings sound pretty fantastic!
View attachment 3440764

Sorry I initially missed this post. Just had a nice convo on the phone. Rock on, let me know if you have any other questions!