Double Bass NS Design NXT Omni Bass

[Jeff Bonny]

After inquiring about the future possibility of a lower priced NXT Omni Bass I got an email back today from Gary Byers at NS Design saying they are in fact introducing one this January (at winter NAAM I'd assume). I had an NS Design cello that I quite liked but being primarily a bassist I always wanted it to be just a little more a bass than it ever could be. For as much as I'd use it I could never justify the cost of an Omni Bass and I'm hoping the NXT splits the cello and price differences well enough to be something good.

 

[Michael Vee]

Mark Gollihur says that the NXT Series Omni bass will not be available until early spring. He also thinks the information about the bass was leaked prematurely.

Street prices should be:

NXT4 Omni Bass – $1,499
NXT5 Omni Bass – $1,599

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Leaked? Hmmm....they certainly weren't hesitant to tell me about it and it's on their website now too.

That's more or less what I was expecting price-wise. Thanks.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

My rep at NS told me that they were hoping for a "surprise" at NAMM but word got out. They will have one at the show, but won't have the production instruments available for purchase until early March or so.

 

[Michael Vee]

I wanted to bump this thread even though the NXT Omnis are still not available. I just checked Gollihur Music to make sure.

Who all has pre-ordered one, and which one of the four did you pre-order? (Amber 4, Amber 5, Black 4, Black 5)

 

[Mark Gollihur]

I wanted to bump this thread even though the NXT Omnis are still not available. I just checked Gollihur Music to make sure.

FWIW:
I asked my rep on Monday, and they should be showing up sometime this week, as early as tomorrow, I hope. I'm only getting one of each (4 string Black, 4 string Amber, 5 string Black, 5 string Amber) initially due to limited availability (I have more on order), and none are currently pre-sold (the two pre-orders I did have decided they couldn't wait, so one cancelled and the other dropped the extra dough and got the CR-OmniBass instead).

 

[jon5252]

I am considering the purchase of an NXT Omni, but there is no place close to lay hands on one for a test drive. Does any one out there have any impressions they might offer about sound compared to the more expensive CR and quality? I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[Michael Vee]

Mark G., how many of these has Gollihur sold so far?

They are in the field now, at least. Hopefully a Talkbasser here and there has gotten one and we can start getting some reactions posted.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Sales of the NXT Omni have been slow, actually. The OmniBass has always been a bit of a niche instrument because of the shorter scale length. So I didn't actually expect that they'd fly out the door.

Quality is very good, though - I think it's very fair and accurate to compare the tone of the CR Omni vs. the NXT Omni in a very similar way to how you compare the CR-M Bass against the NXT bass.

After all, the electronics are, AFAIK, identical (CR model has blending preamp, EMG mag pickups, active tone - NXT has bridge Polar pickup only, simple passive tone control).

We had one out, and it sounds very good, plays great, and packs up nice and small.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

I lust after one of these Omnibasses. The NXT is still pretty pricey.

 

[Michael Vee]

Anyone have one yet?

 

[tombowlus]

Anyone have one yet?

Bass Gear Magazine issue #12 just went live, and we feature a Link Removed.

 

[tjontheroad]

Old thread, new owner.

Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mark Gollihur and I bought a beautiful 4 string model. I can't say how lucky I am. I live close enough to make an appointment and get to check this instrument out before buying. It was only 10am and Mark was already having a busy day. Yet, he graciously let me try out both 4 and 5 models and stood by to answer all my questions. Class act with two thumbs up for him. If you want one of these, buy from Gollihur and nowhere else.

I play 5 string electric and always thinking the 5 string OmniBass would be the ticket. My thinking changed almost right away after playing both versions. The 5 string string spacing felt more narrow than my electric. This seemed partly due to the neck curve. The 4 string felt more natural. It's easier to dig in with both hands. The 5 string required more finesse. I kept thinking that, if I had ordered the OmniBass online, I would of gotten the 5 string and might of been disappointed and sent it back. Or worse, I would have kept it and dealt with a more difficult learning curve. So try them both if you can.

I've had about 4 hours playtime on it so for. Call me tickled pink... Or shall I say tickled amber I'll post some more deep thoughts on it after this Sunday's band rehearsal. I also got a Bassbone OD to pair it with and have it set up for doubling with my electric.