Double Bass NS Design WAV4 megathread part I

[endorka]

It's probably bad form to quote oneself, but anyway ...I find I need to turn up the lows when switching from the arco to the pizz setting. This with the original NS strings - perhaps proper strings have more lows in the pizz setting?

Your observation is correct for the other strings I am using too. I know this because I spent the first 20 minutes of a set on Saturday puzzling over my tone, wondering where all the low end had gone. Turns out I must have accidentally flipped the aroc/pizz switch to pizz sometime during the break. I was worried I had blown the speaker or something.

Jennifer

 

[ziv]

where did you find a transparent blue WAV4? The only ones I've been able to find are the black, red, and amberburst.

It seems there was a blue version initially and it does not exist anymore (maybe because nobody wanted that color...).

 

[wxfloyd]

Is there anyone in the Chicago area that might be gracious enough to let me try out a WAV? It seems the Guitar Centers around here don't carry them (or at least don't have people smart enough to know) and Sam Ash has one on order, but couldn't give me a time frame as to when it will come in.

 

[ThomasB]

Received mine yesterday, a red one, though I don't really mind the color. The red looks much darker than on the pictures, more like a good old wine, quite nice.
Finish has some marginal weaknesses, like everyone said before, but that's ok for the price.
Setting is perfect to start with. Well ... I really have to get used to this. I played a Taylor AB-1 and a Zeta Crossover before - both 34'' fretless. After some hours I started feeling comfortable on the WAV anyway. The dot markers are very helpful in my case.
Besides from that I experience all the issues about arco & pizz that have been discussed before. Playing pizz in the arco setting surely is the most interesting sound. Wonder about getting "real" strings for this beast.

Did anyone try the NS Design Helicore Hybrid Medium? I guess they are D'Addario, but may be shortened just like the factory default strings.

 

[shiftdestroy]

Hi,

My Wav4 just arrived, and it's great!

However the supplied stand doesn't fill me with confidence. The bit that screws onto the back of the bass itself doesn't fit flushly (it ends up not being very secure). I did put the spring between the bass and this screw. Is that right? Or does it go somewhere else? The instructions (as with most music-related items) leave a lot to be desired!

 

[adje]

There is a separate spring? Sounds like "the bit that screws onto the back of the bass" was not intact - it should be flush with the backside of the bass.

 

[ziv]

Well, I got mine too, in red (very nice). I tried to begin playing and it seems quite easy for simple tunes. I will practice a little (this is my first UB of any sort) before changing strings, though...

No problem with the stand but some with jacks : only one out of my 3 jacks works (of course, this is the shortest...).

A little image for the red glossy finish :
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I even made a tiny sound clip to give you an idea of how it sounds (the bass was directly connected to my PC's sound card).

 

[wxfloyd]

oh man, that red finish is very nice. you guys are NOT helping with me GAS right now!!

 

[ziv]

No problem with the stand but some with jacks : only one out of my 3 jacks works (of course, this is the shortest...).

Does anyone else have a problem with jack connectors ? I have 2 other jacks and the contact is bad when I use them in the WAV4. No problem with the third one...

 

[wxfloyd]

not sure what you are referring to when you say "jacks". When I talk about jacks, I'm referring to the 1/4" female plug on the instrument. Do you mean the cable ends (1/4" male)?

 

[shiftdestroy]

There is a separate spring? Sounds like "the bit that screws onto the back of the bass" was not intact - it should be flush with the backside of the bass.

On the left is what it looked like when it arrived, and on the right is when I place the spring myself. And then try and attach the bass onto it (and the stand) but it's not flush (there is quite a significant gap on the right side, and the bass does not feel secure... so much so that a gentle nudge would send it flying in a pivot fashion).

It did screw it on without the spring and it was much better, but surely it's there for a reason?

 

[smakbass]

Mine didnt have a spring.....Im hoping to get my new stand today just waiting for my friend to bring it across the border for me....

 

[shiftdestroy]

Mine didnt have a spring.....Im hoping to get my new stand today just waiting for my friend to bring it across the border for me....

What stand are you getting?

 

[smakbass]

The better one from Bob (us stand)

 

[ThomasB]

The better one from Bob (us stand)

My tripod is from Thomann, has no spring.
Fits well into the bass.

However, the whole tripod feels a little ... wobbly?

 

[wxfloyd]

are you sure that spring doesn't go into the tilting ratchet on that piece you pictured (the part that adjusts its front to back tilt)?

 

[ThomasB]

sent a request to David Kowalski of NS Design about the Helicore strings & more. Here is what he says:
"Please understand that the NS Helicore strings are indeed the shorter overall length as in out stock strings. They are built without silk wrap and are tapered at the nut end the fit the tuners well."

Interesting so far. The rest is rather diplomatic:

"Of course, there are many acoustic bass strings on the market and many have a range of overall length that may vary by manufacture and product line.
Most 3/4 scale strings will work; theoretically all would work with a few exceptions!"

sic!

 

[Murf]

I even made a tiny sound clip to give you an idea of how it sounds (the bass was directly connected to my PC's sound card).

Ha Ha!..That's the first "riff" I played on my WAV when I got it, another one was the bass line from the cure's "lovecats"..great stuff.

 

[ziv]

not sure what you are referring to when you say "jacks". When I talk about jacks, I'm referring to the 1/4" female plug on the instrument. Do you mean the cable ends (1/4" male)?

OK, I'm referring to the cable (which include the two plugs). It seems that if the plug fits too easily into the WAV4 (so its diameter is a little too small, because, for instance, it has been used too much), it will not work.

 

[mccartneyman]

I, too, had no spring and have never had a problem with slipping. Regarding the jack -- inside the female plug on the back of the bass is a flexible (springy) prong that clamps against the tip of the male jack that is inserted. If it is pushed too far off center, it will not engage. try taking the female jack off and pushing the prong back toward the middle so that it clamps the, um, "male member."