Double Bass NS Design WAV4 megathread part I

[endorka]

If the WAV had been offered in a 5 version initially, I would have bought it because I've been playing a 5 string electric for six years (after 35 years on a 4) and I do miss that low B when I play my WAV.

The odd thing is, when I play bass guitar it is a six string, but I don't miss the B at all on the WAV. I think it is because the low notes on the WAV have a much deeper resonance than their equivalents on the bass guitar that I don't feel the need to play notes below the E strings so much. This is especially so when bowing... but we won't talk about that eh?

Jennifer

 

[Eublet]

Man I want one of these! What's the consensus here on those that have seen all the different colors? From the pictures, the red is my least favorite. The Amberburst looks cool, but that black is very sleek and has a nice modern look to it. I just can't decide!

 

[adje]

I've only seen the amberburst and see-through blue versions in person, and bought the amberburst. The other one is a rather dark shade of blue, so you don't see much of the pretty flame figure.

Amberburst will probably go well in any setting, and the dark red see-through seems to be neutral too. Of course black is the ultimate in neutrality, but it will show off dust and scratches much more than other colours.

 

[adje]

Meanwhile, I've managed to get more sound out of the D and G strings in arco mode by further raising the bridge. I also tried dampening the string behind the bridge (with a sock) but that killed what little sustain there was in arco mode. - Anyway, sustain is still nowhere near what it is in pizz mode, on any string.

The strings have lost most of the excess treble now. Not sure if this is also the reason why a lot of the "thock" has disappeared in arco mode, or whether that is a result of raising the bridge.

I guess I'll just have to save up for a decent set of strings ...

 

[bluegrassboy]

I chose amberburst as well. I didn't care for the red. The black looks pretty cool, but I guess I'm more of a traditionalist. I've gotten a lot of comments about the beauty of the wood. I wonder which color sells the most...

 

[mccartneyman]

Anybody out there using a Mesa Walkabout Scout with their WAV or other NS design EUB? I just picked one up used an I definitely like it. Sounds good with my Lakland, too.

 

[spottorf]

Waitin' for the bus, actually a large brown UPS truck, to deliver an Amberburst NS WAV on Monday. I liked the other colors, but they were back ordered till May/June. A friend has a CR5 in amber, and it is beautiful ... starting to feel a tad ill ... may have to call into work.

 

[spottorf]

Totally new to the upright, however, I found the explanation in BG's NS WAV Instructions.pdf file confusing -- Pizz for a smooth attack and long decay ... Arco (percussive???) massive attack and a fast decay. Seems arco would produce a smooth feel, and pizz percussive, like a Jaco riff.

Here is the rub. Arco is perhaps performed with a bow, Pizz is with fingers, correct? Not always perhaps. Then, I find this .pdf backwards ... Every reference I find says pizz is percussive, arco is played smoothly, with a bow. Of course, I suppose you can pizz the string with a bow, but it sounds backward to me, and this may lend itself to the other confused explanations of which setting does what on the WAV ... must ... have ... air ...

 

[endorka]

Totally new to the upright, however, I found the explanation in BG's NS WAV Instructions.pdf file confusing

I agree it could be explained and/or worded better... here is my experience. "Arco mode" essentially makes the instrument sound like a double bass, whether plucked or bowed. When plucked, it has the distinctive double bass thump, with a fast decay of the note, and less frequency content. Bowing sounds great, but roll off most of the tone and put the volume to about half to get a good sound.

"Pizz Mode" essentially makes the instrument sound like a large fretless bass, suitable for all your Jaco licks etc. When plucked, there is a lot of sustain and frequency content. It won't work when bowed.

Unless I want the instrument to sound specifically like a bass guitar, I always have it in arco mode.

Hope this helps,

Jennifer

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Totally new to the upright, however, I found the explanation in BG's NS WAV Instructions.pdf file confusing -- Pizz for a smooth attack and long decay ... Arco (percussive???) massive attack and a fast decay. Seems arco would produce a smooth feel, and pizz percussive, like a Jaco riff.

Here is the rub. Arco is perhaps performed with a bow, Pizz is with fingers, correct? Not always perhaps. Then, I find this .pdf backwards ... Every reference I find says pizz is percussive, arco is played smoothly, with a bow. Of course, I suppose you can pizz the string with a bow, but it sounds backward to me, and this may lend itself to the other confused explanations of which setting does what on the WAV ... must ... have ... air ...

A good example could be the difference between D'Addario's (and others) Pizz and Orchestra type Helicore strings.

The pizz strings typically offer more sustain, especially those designed for jazz. Orchestral strings have more dampening material to shorten sustain. You'll find that most engineered strings have a variety of ingredients, not just various types of metal as do bass guitar strings. Dampening materials help maintain control of the string's characteristics, so it doesn't "run away" under the bow but is tightly controlled.

Various styles of pizz, e.g., bluegrass vs. modern jazz, call for different levels of sustain, but in most cases sustain is desirable. It's not something you look for in arco-- the bow creates the sustain, and you want the note to stop after you've stopped bowing it.

 

[spottorf]

Chimay -- I very much appreciate the quick responses from both Jennifer and Bob. The explanations, along with the insights, managed to light the dim bulb over my head. When I feel I am worthy of a string change, I will keep your suggestions in mind … and may order one of those student bows too. I am very curious about that aspect of playing.
My best regards,
Scott P.

 

[spottorf]

Monday at eleven o’clock, the big brown truck arrived. I grabbed the box, and after clearing away the Styrofoam -- I found the bag. It is a nice bag, with functional looking pockets, a strap, and a place to put the stand. A self contained EUB bag, not something to drop off the back of the van, but a functional, semi-heavy duty bag. I carefully took the bass out (hoping not to see parts falling off) and was immediately taken by the beautiful amber finish on the wood, and that big, daunting neck. Ohhh. Ahhh.

Setup was fast – I gave the issued black stand a large footprint, making sure not to overtighten the knobs, and attached it to the bass. So far, so good. Turned up the volume and tone knobs (they have the feel of quality pots), and tuned it up. Then, I spent the next four hours tweaking the knobs and switch on the WAV, and my Ampeg B5R preamp controls ... and my direct to amp as an input, effects return as an input, SansAmp to preamp, to amp direct, etc., etc. Oh what fun!

Tuesday, I was a bit stiff -- not so much in the hands, but in the neck and shoulders. I think this may be like taking up jogging for the first time, and blame it on a lack of conditioning and proper technique. I again reviewed some of Bob’s beginner links, and managed to play both yesterday and today for three hours at each sitting with no problems. In the meantime I have arranged for some formal lessons.

NOTE: This is a REALLY COOL INSTRUMENT, and definitely the most fun I have ever had with a bass, especially on the first date! I am very pleased with the fit and finish, and the TONE. Of course, it’s not up there with a friends Czech built instrument in details, but it is a long, long, long way from some of the dog food I have seen out there. And, thank you for all of the great info in the Talk Bass Forum. Splendid!

 

[Mr.Ecko]

Just curious to know what people paid for their NS Wav4?

I was at a music store in Lansing Michigan and they were selling
the NS Wav4 for $895 not including taxes, just like everyone else!

I was told there prices are "firm" but they also take offers too.

Can someone please tell me what that paid because if every
music seller is charging the same price, where's the competition?

Are online music sellers prices fiirm too?

I must go now, I have to tell Desmond Charlie life is in danger
again... thanks in advance...

 

[mccartneyman]

$895, free shipping. Seems fair.

 

[cairomike]

You guys across the pond don't know you're born, the best price in Europe is about £670 that's $1340 USD. Over here we get stuffed on all sorts of gear from Instruments to CDs, Hi-Fi and software.

Anyway, gripe over.

I fitted a set of Obligatos yesterday and as reported elsewhere they do fit but I found the E very difficult, you can only manage about 2 turns around the machine head, it took me several tries to get it fitted and even then I wasn't able to push the string into the hole, so it's just pushed into the slot, I hope it doesn't slip out. Being synthetic core they stretch like hell, the product info suggests they're virtually stable within 10 mins and fully stable in 24 hours. Mine were far from stable after 10 mins and after 20 hours they're still on the move. The sound is so much better than the stock strings, not as bright, so I've had to reset the EQ settings, and a lot less fretless bass like.

 

[Banky]

I recieved my WAV on Thursday. Very nice. This is my first post. I've been playing four string electric for 25+ years in various worship bands. Instruments are Benavente 219 and a G&L 1505.... and now the NS WAV 4. I've been doing setup and repairs for the entirety of my playing career.
Here are a few initial thoughts. 1.I removed the stock strings and cleaned them with a metal/chrome polish as they were very oxidized. 2. While the strings were off I cleaned and oiled the finger board (Fret Board Honey or similar products work well) 3. I checked how well the bridge seated on the the metal pickup strip. It seamed like the E string output was weaker and out of balance. I adjusted the bridge to the highest position which forces the pickup to become solidly coupled to the body. I'll probably lower the action later but place some washers in between the pickup block and the body to maintain the solid pressure.
Plugged into a Eden CXC110 in my living room it sounds very good. I have yet to try it in a big hall. I'm planning to slide my bass behind my back and play the WAV whenever. I've been wanting to do this for years. Hotdog!

 

[endorka]

I fitted a set of Obligatos yesterday and as reported elsewhere they do fit but I found the E very difficult, you can only manage about 2 turns around the machine head, it took me several tries to get it fitted and even then I wasn't able to push the string into the hole, so it's just pushed into the slot

The E was a bit tricky on the Pirastro Spirocor as well, in the end I stripped a little bit of the outer core from the end of the string, and it was then able to fit into the slot in the machine head. After that I got about 2.5 turns round the machine head. The string has been fine, and once settled in is very stable. It did take a while for the strings to settle in though, and for the "thock" to go away

Jennifer

 

[endorka]

...Plugged into a Eden CXC110 in my living room it sounds very good.

I concur that the WAV works well with the cxc110, it brings out a nice deep sound, although you may find yourself running out of headroom more quickly than you do with a bass guitar, presumably due to the instrument having more bass and consequently needing more power to reproduce it. The d112xlt cabinet also works well.

Jennifer

 

[Banky]

..........you may find yourself running out of headroom more quickly than you do with a bass guitar, presumably due to the instrument having more bass and consequently needing more power to reproduce it. The d112xlt cabinet also works well.

Jennifer

That's probably true. The scale gives it a nice deep fundamental.
I just tried the WAV through a bigger setup. FMR pre into a Hughes & Kettner BassBAse 400 into a 4 ohm Acme Low B2. In a big room (approx. 70'x80') it sounded great. Because of the room I notch filter around 55hz, otherwise the E.Q. remains flat. The 3 way cab has a pretty transparent character which lends itself well to a more acoustic sounding instrument. I tried it with and without the preamp and it really does make a difference in terms of fidelity and frequency response. On the other hand, the Eden amps input is fully buffered so the outboard pre didn't really seem to help. Can't wait to try it at a rehearsal.

 

[endorka]

On the other hand, the Eden amps input is fully buffered so the outboard pre didn't really seem to help. Can't wait to try it at a rehearsal.

It is good to hear confirmation of this after all the speculation about whether the pre would or would not make a difference to this Eden amp. Ive been suspecting this to be the case for a while now.

Jennifer