Thanks, if I do buy one, it will be a full size and not the omnibass. Is there a big quality difference between the wav and the NXTa?
And as 5-string high-C users, what do you think about buying a NS design mainly to try that setup? I unfortunately haven't got the kind of money to buy a second good acoustic double bass.
The
WAV model basses are their entry-level option; using the same essential design as the more expensive ones, it's still a very well-made and well-appointed instrument, fully capable of being used in most any professional capacity. They look great, play great, and sound great. A free-standing tripod stand is offered with the bass, but other options are available, including an endpin with a standoff to put the bass in a more "traditional" position and feel. They also make shoulder straps! They are made in Asia (most recently, Indonesia).
The
NXTa bass is a more professional-grade instrument, with -- again -- proper scale length, fingerboard profile, bowability... Also a solid-body, it's beautifully made and highly portable. It also features enhanced electronics -- while it uses the same pickup design as the WAV model, it also includes a built-in rechargeable "preamp" circuit, which (by buffering the impedance) can greatly improve its basic tone when used with a non-specialized bass amplifier. It uses some of the same hardware and the same tripod stand as the WAV. They are made in the Czech Republic (Europe).
The NS Design
CR-grade basses jump up in wood materials, build quality, finish, components, and feature set. You can feel the difference in the choice woods and the extra attention paid to the finer details. Plus, the CR models include upgraded stands and cases, and add electronics upgrades like active preamps and (on some models) added magnetic pickups. They are made in the Czech Republic (Europe).
Shorthand for the difference in "fit and finish" between models - if you play bass guitar, you'll understand this P-Bass analogy:
- WAV = Squier Classic Vibe P-Bass (Asian-made)
- NXTa = Fender Player Series (basic Mexican-made)
- CR = American Professional (US-Made)
Ain't nothin' wrong with the WAV models - but if you play them back-to-back with the NXTa, you'll probably feel the difference.
