Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

[Zbysek]

Wow. This one looks promising.

EBS Stanley Clarke Signature Acoustic Preamp |

That looks quite nice. Thanks for the info!!!

It does! I created a separate thread in order not to derail this NXT thread:

EBS Stanley Clarke Acoustic Preamp

 

[Zbysek]

I use the Microbass II, which Stanley Clarke has endorsed, with my NXT today.

Me too. I had been using MB II for a long time with my NXT. It has been replaced by Broughton Messenger (V2) just recently, especially because of HPF feature. If EBS released this S. Clarke signature preamp before I got the Messenger, I would probably go for it...

If this had existed when I first worked out my NXT rig, I'd definitely have tried it.

Me too-I thing I would get it.

The Microbass II is my main studio bass DI, and it's superb for active/passive electric bass guitar.

Yeah, I moved the EBS MB II from my EUB pedalboard to my BG pedalboard...​

 

[Zbysek]

hi everyone,

i really wanna learn upright bass so bad. and find good deals on NXT 5 (not the NXTa), but not yet purchased because it's not the A variant, from what i understand is the stand for the active but not active preamp, it something for lower impedance amp? can someone explain it to me, what real-world problem that i will encounter if i go for non Active variant of NXT? like it's gonna not sound great with some amp/speaker? or not gonna sound at all? or it cannot plug directly to some Audio Interface? or it give totally different tonal capabilities ?

thx before

thx for quick reply,
oh do you must use some kind DI box or Preamp to use it? what happend if you dont use it at all? nxt goes very low volume? or not gonna sounding at all?

At the time when I bought my NXT, I didn't have high impedance buffer/preamp. It sounded ok plugged into my amps.

So if you decide to purchase NXT, you will be able to play it.

It just sounds better when plugged into high impedance input. The bass frequencies are richer and the high mids are not harsch.

I don't know where you reside...but in my country, the cheapest high impedance preamp is probably Fishman Platinum Stage.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If you come from a double bass (DB) background the Yamaha is better.
You cannot move with the bass as you do with a DB if there is a tripod to hold the instrument.
For those who need to change from BG to EUB very quickly, a tripod might be helpful, but I find it rather strange to play a stick bass on a tripod and would never buy such a thing for myself.

 

[Sid Fang]

If you come from a double bass (DB) background the Yamaha is better.
You cannot move with the bass as you do with a DB if there is a tripod to hold the instrument.
For those who need to change from BG to EUB very quickly, a tripod might be helpful, but I find it rather strange to play a stick bass on a tripod and would never buy such a thing for myself.

Conversely, as someone who came to EUB via bass guitar and Chapman stick, I find the stick-bass-on-tripod configuration wonderful - I have been contemplating getting the higher-end NS tripod for my NXT and 3D printing an adapter to put my Chapman stick on the one that came with the EUB. I like to move around, but I don't mind dancing around a fixed spot if it means I'm not fighting the bulk of an upright at the same time, and as much as I love the sound of the stick, I hate the damned belt-hook-and-neck-strap scheme.

 

[fivestringgecko]

...and find good deals on NXT 5 (not the NXTa), but not yet purchased because it's not the A variant...

Something to think about (and something I also contemplated when purchasing my NXTa):
Do you really need the 5th string, and how much would you actually use it? A bassist friend who doubles asked me this question, and pointed out that 5 string acoustic double basses are quite a bit less common, and suggested that if/when I wanted to transition to acoustic upright, it would probably make more sense to get the 4-string NXT as it might make the transition a little smoother. He pointed out that unless you're doing a lot of Broadway-style musicals, the 5th string on an acoustic upright probably isn't needed. Even then, most pit bassists don't have a 5, they get an extension on the low E.

I heeded his advice and got the 4-string NXTa, and haven't regretted it for a second... I've never found myself in need of the 5th string on an upright. Unless you really do need the 5th string, it might be something to consider. Maybe finding a good price on an NXT4 would be a little easier than waiting for a 5.

5sg.

 

[Hendricks97]

I use my B string quite often but most of my basses are 5 or 6 string. The only issue for me between a 5 and 4 is that the 5 is much harder to bow on.

 

[fivestringgecko]

I use my B string quite often but most of my basses are 5 or 6 string. The only issue for me between a 5 and 4 is that the 5 is much harder to bow on.

I play 5-string electrics pretty much exclusively (an occasional detour on a 6), but I wanted to approach my NXT from a more traditional upright frame of mind... a different instrument than my electrics.

I'm curious: do you use the 5th string just for the more flexible fingering/position options like a 5-string electric allows, or do you need/use the lower notes? If it's the latter, what kind of music are you playing on your NXT?

5sg.

 

[Hendricks97]

I play 5-string electrics pretty much exclusively (an occasional detour on a 6), but I wanted to approach my NXT from a more traditional upright frame of mind... a different instrument than my electrics.

I'm curious: do you use the 5th string just for the more flexible fingering/position options like a 5-string electric allows, or do you need/use the lower notes? If it's the latter, what kind of music are you playing on your NXT?

5sg.

I utilize the lower notes. Im currently playing original music, but I used to play in a cover band. My current bands range from jazz, rock, and pop

 

[Deleted member 132197]

So, don't know if this is allowed, but I have the feeling there is not a lot of foot traffic in the international side of the classifieds.

Anyhoo, I have a set of NS Traditionals for sale, shipped worldwide.

 

[Sid Fang]

So, don't know if this is allowed, but I have the feeling there is not a lot of foot traffic in the international side of the classifieds.

Anyhoo, I have a set of NS Traditionals for sale, shipped worldwide.

As you're a supporting member selling on an appropriate TB Classifieds forum, I don't think the admins will come down on you for this, though they'd probably prefer to see you do a duplicate posting on the general Apps/Strings/Accessories forum instead.

 

[Zbysek]

If you come from a double bass (DB) background the Yamaha is better.
You cannot move with the bass as you do with a DB if there is a tripod to hold the instrument.
For those who need to change from BG to EUB very quickly, a tripod might be helpful, but I find it rather strange to play a stick bass on a tripod and would never buy such a thing for myself.

Conversely, as someone who came to EUB via bass guitar and Chapman stick, I find the stick-bass-on-tripod configuration wonderful - I have been contemplating getting the higher-end NS tripod for my NXT and 3D printing an adapter to put my Chapman stick on the one that came with the EUB. I like to move around, but I don't mind dancing around a fixed spot if it means I'm not fighting the bulk of an upright at the same time, and as much as I love the sound of the stick, I hate the damned belt-hook-and-neck-strap scheme.

I am totally fine with the tripod. I came from bass guitar side, though.

 

[Zbysek]

Something to think about (and something I also contemplated when purchasing my NXTa):
Do you really need the 5th string, and how much would you actually use it? A bassist friend who doubles asked me this question, and pointed out that 5 string acoustic double basses are quite a bit less common, and suggested that if/when I wanted to transition to acoustic upright, it would probably make more sense to get the 4-string NXT as it might make the transition a little smoother. He pointed out that unless you're doing a lot of Broadway-style musicals, the 5th string on an acoustic upright probably isn't needed. Even then, most pit bassists don't have a 5, they get an extension on the low E.

I heeded his advice and got the 4-string NXTa, and haven't regretted it for a second... I've never found myself in need of the 5th string on an upright. Unless you really do need the 5th string, it might be something to consider. Maybe finding a good price on an NXT4 would be a little easier than waiting for a 5.

5sg.

I play 5-string electrics pretty much exclusively (an occasional detour on a 6), but I wanted to approach my NXT from a more traditional upright frame of mind... a different instrument than my electrics.

I'm curious: do you use the 5th string just for the more flexible fingering/position options like a 5-string electric allows, or do you need/use the lower notes? If it's the latter, what kind of music are you playing on your NXT?

5sg.

I am with ya. I don't miss the fifth string on my NXT4 even though I usually play 5 strings bass guitars.

The sound of NXT is so thick that I don't need the lower notes...

 

[fivestringgecko]

I utilize the lower notes. Im currently playing original music, but I used to play in a cover band. My current bands range from jazz, rock, and pop

That makes 100% sense! My NXT mostly comes out for Real Book jazz combo stuff when playing cocktail hours for wedding gigs... well, it did when there were wedding gigs. lol ... and there isn't much need for those low notes in that setting.

I need to make it a point to get the NXT out and just play more, since there's time without gigs.

If you've got some audio of your original stuff with that NXT5, you should post! It'd be cool to hear what you're doing!

5sg.

 

[J R Knots]

i see, hmm this is hard choices for me..



yea, that CR way above my budget. and The Fishman Platinum Pro are like 500 USD in my country
also the big problem on my part is I cannot audition these basses anywhere, I will get one of them from overseas. so I just relied on couples of old demo on youtube.
and to my ear, what sound the best are Yamaha SLB300 (not the 200, the new ones) and NS Design CR series.
but if I'm backing up to reality ( budget) i just can afford the NXT 5 (not the a) or Yamaha SLB200.

anyway, thx for all the responses.

p.s i think this is the best youtube video comparison of EUB's, at least for sound quality-wise.


Hi Klard

You are always going to hear different opinions in these threads.

I can speak to the NXT, not the NXTa.

I have had mine for over 6years and initially used it directly into my amps- I had No problem with dialing in a great tone for this instrument.

A few years ago I picked up a radial pre-amp but the biggest advantage was for doubling.

I will say the external pre-amps are generally better than any internal pre-amps and they do sound better than plugging this bass directly into most of my amplifiers.

You also want to consider the component feature of these external pre-amps. If a better option comes available later you can sell your current one and replace it with a better option.

I will also say -I have never regretted not having a NXTa model.

Again just my opinion.

Good luck whichever way you go.

 

[Hendricks97]

If you've got some audio of your original stuff with that NXT5, you should post! It'd be cool to hear what you're doing!

5sg.

We're currently in the process of recording an album that I use the NXT on 3 or 4 songs. My other band just put out our album but I strictly use my Bongo on that (Its prog stuff)

 

[J R Knots]

Question

Does anyone use polish or dressing for their finger boards???

mine is getting lighter and I haven’t really used anything on it in several years

 

[ArtechnikA]

Does anyone use polish or dressing for their finger boards???

I've used Zymöl Bridge on mine...
I didn't notice it making anything darker...

 

[J R Knots]

I've used Zymöl Bridge on mine...
I didn't notice it making anything darker...

That sounds like what I need. The fingerboard appears to be loosing the stain and is probably drying out.

Thank you.

 

[Timeshift]

Question

I got my NXT 5 a few years ago. Having played electric bass bass for many years, it really wasn’t much of a struggle to play it.

A year ago I decided that I wanted to learn bow.

I have figured out the grip and can reasonably get an OK sound bowing.

I have watched hundreds of videos and learned a lot of techniques from these.

My problem comes when I cross the strings with bow. Most of the time I make contact with the adjoining strings .

In different times, I would probably try to find a teacher but that isn’t on my agenda right now.

I am also a little worried that a teacher might have a lot of bias towards these instruments.

Does anyone have some advice.

I might add I am not trying to play anything real complicated. I have seen some incredible players and that isn’t my goal at all.

I would just like the skills necessary to play scales acrossed the strings from a single position not traveling up and down the fingerboard.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.