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Double Bass NS Design WAV 4 vs. NXT 4: Worth the price difference?

C

ChopsMcGee

Jul 5, 2005
26
1
40
Miami, FL
#1
I've been looking into buying an EUB for some time now, and came across the discontinued WAV 4 going for $940.00 (brand new, tax + shipping included) from a reputable retailer. I got a chance to play one of these over a year ago, and I remember it being a nice bass. However, the new NXT's look great, and they seem to be getting some great reviews.
My question is this: is the $300 difference worth buying the upgraded model? I plan on using this bass for practice, gigging and travel. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
 
#3
ChopsMcGee said:
I've been looking into buying an EUB for some time now, and came across the discontinued WAV 4 going for $940.00 (brand new, tax + shipping included) from a reputable retailer. I got a chance to play one of these over a year ago, and I remember it being a nice bass. However, the new NXT's look great, and they seem to be getting some great reviews.
My question is this: is the $300 difference worth buying the upgraded model? I plan on using this bass for practice, gigging and travel. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...

I don't think there's much difference between the WAV4 and the NXT4. They are very similar (if not identical) in shape, use the same tripod/endpin mount, same truss rod/bridge adjustments, same style of pickup and passive electronics. Comparing the tech support "Instructions" for the two on thinkns.com, the only obvious difference is the name.

I have had a WAV4 for a few years, and recently bought a CR5M. If you're patient (might take a year or so), you might be able to pick up a CR4/5M on Amazon for less than $2k. I've seen them drop that low twice. The difference between the WAV/NXT and the CR4/5M is much more significant. The fit and finish is better, and having on board active electronics and the option to blend between magnetic and piezo pickups is really nice. But that's a good bit more than $300 difference, even if you can find it at a steep discount.

You also might consider waiting for a used WAV4 or NXT4 - if you're lucky you might find one which already has upgraded strings.
 
#4
I bought an NXT-4 when they first came out (I had been lusting after the CR4M but they were going for over $3K). I have been extremely happy with it. It plays and sounds great (NO EUB is going to be just like an acoustic upright) and it is beautiful. I always get comments on the appearance and finish on this bass. The NXT is essentially the same as the CR4M without the active electronics. Both are built in the Czech Republic, where there is a long tradition of crafting fine basses. The WAV is made in China. I haven't played one, and I'm sure it plays OK or Ned wouldn't put his name on it. But with the NXT you get an ebony fingerboard, better materials, nicer finish, higher build quality. If it's only a $300 difference it would be a no-brainer for me- go for the NXT.
 
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#5
I noticed relwof's response that came about the same time. When I bought my NXT, the price differential between that and the CR4M was about $2K, so the question was a moot point for me. If you can get a good deal on a CR model, I'd say go for it. But my philosophy has always been buy the best instrument you can afford; then you can upgrade the hardware/electronics later. I have been very happy with the tones I can get playing directly into a bass amp (MB150S or Markbass MKII) or through an LR Baggs preamp directly into the PA. To answer your question- if the CR is out of your budget, you would do well to spend $300 fore and get the NXT rather than the WAV.
 
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#6
I think what sold it for me is that the NXT is actually made in the Czech Republic, as opposed to the WAV which is made in China. Granted, I have had some Chinese made instruments that haven't been bad, but the fit and finish on the CR instruments are almost always much nicer. I'll keep me eyes open on the board for a used NXT, but if one doesn't pop up soon, I'll give Bob a call and pick one of the new NXT's. Thanks for the quick input everyone, makes my decision much easier!
 
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#7
ChopsMcGee said:
... I'll keep me eyes open on the board for a used NXT, but if one doesn't pop up soon, I'll give Bob a call and pick one of the new NXT's. Thanks for the quick input everyone, makes my decision much easier!
Click to expand...
If you're talking about Bob G, you might want to check and see if you can order one with better strings - might save you a bit. The stock strings have more of a fretless electric sound, and are (at least for me - I'm far from expert) a bit of a pain with a bow. I picked up a set of Invalid Link Removed (and a better bow) from Bob, and they're a real improvement.
 
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#9
Note that besides using the strings designed for the NS, you can use any strings for 3/4 scale (regular size) upright basses. I have Thomastik Spirocore strings on my Kay upright and love them; I'm wondering how they would sound on the NS. Probably great.
 
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#11
ChopsMcGee said:
I think I'm going to give the traditionals a try with the upgraded hipshots at first. I have a spare set of spirocores and a set of helicores I can try as well. Putting in my order for an amber NXT 4 today, so we'll see how it goes!
Click to expand...

Just FYI, you should be able to put "NS Traditional" strings on the stock tuners - they went on my CR5M without any modifications (not easily, but they're on...). However, if you want to try your spiro/heliocores (or any DB string not specifically sized for an NS EUB), upgraded tuners would be a good idea.
 
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#12
BTW, someone just posted a WAV for sale on TB for $680 with a broken stand. In addition to the stand breaking (the WAV uses a different one, and apparently a crappier one, than the NXT), his bass had a number of issues- the board was properly prepared so he had to plane it; he had to cut slots in the bridge to correct for bad string height, and he had to super glue a crack in the board. Seems to me your extra $300 was well spent!
 
#13
relwof said:
Just FYI, you should be able to put "NS Traditional" strings on the stock tuners - they went on my CR5M without any modifications (not easily, but they're on...). However, if you want to try your spiro/heliocores (or any DB string not specifically sized for an NS EUB), upgraded tuners would be a good idea.
Click to expand...

I agree. I was lucky that I had saved an "old" set (only used for about a year) of Spirocores from my URB that I could easily switch onto my CR-5M. It made playing noticeably better in terms of arco. Granted Spiros still aren't the best for arco...

Even with the upgrade tuners of the CR-5M, it took some doing to get the Spiro B string on that bass. I had to remove a lot of the silk to get it to fit on the tuner.
 
#15
If you want to plug directly into a PA; definitely. If you use a bass amp it isn't necessary but it might help. I have an LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI that I'm pleased with (I also use it with my acoustic upright).
Don't know about wiring a blend pot for the pizz and arco settings; that could be interesting.
 
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