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Double Bass NS Design WAV4 megathread part I

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#741
Mine split. Took a month for it fracture. CDawg is on his second, this is just my first. NSD knows there's a problem and are reacting like a stand-up American manufacturer.

I've got 4 EB's all with different boards (ebony,maple,pao ferro & rosewood) and even though they all show a little shrinkage during the N/E winters, none have ever split. (Music room humidity is kept between 38-42%)

Splitting generally comes from planks that aren't cured correctly before going to manufacturing. When the moisture level in the wood is reduced during curing, it's imperative that the temperature not drop too fast or all hell breaks loose with the wood's structure. These are woodworking 101 skills I learned from cabinet makers during my young and formidable years. ;)

At least they're making good. They're dealing with them as they find them. I just wish more companies would react to customer problems the way NSD has.
 
#742
I bought a WAV at the end of November and noticed yesterday the board had cracked at the bottom, all the way through the the body. It has been cold and dry lately, but I wouldn't think it should cause the board to crack all the way through. I called NS today and they will ship out a replacement as soon as they get one in stock and will arrange to have the damaged bass shipped back to them. I definitely give them customer service props. Lets hope this isn't a trend though.
 
#743
cheezewiz said:
I bought a WAV at the end of November and noticed yesterday the board had cracked at the bottom, all the way through the the body. It has been cold and dry lately, but I wouldn't think it should cause the board to crack all the way through. I called NS today and they will ship out a replacement as soon as they get one in stock and will arrange to have the damaged bass shipped back to them. I definitely give them customer service props. Lets hope this isn't a trend though.
Click to expand...

i believe there is another thread about this issue. supposedly NS is dealing with changing some of the materials they are using
 
#744
"I am concerned about one thing and that is the way the DB strings wrap around the body when using the string slots on the back of the body to anchor them. It seems like there could be two big problems with this:
1. The wood of the body taking the tension of the string and indenting at the points of contact. Won't this cause tuning issues?
2. The string itself breaking over the wood at such an angle could cause a break in the winding and unravel."

I had the same concerns. (note, I use a CR5M, not a wav). I use spirocore weichs and I haven't had any problems at all, either with indents or with the string having break down issues. I use obligatos on my URB and they hold up pretty good, so I'm sure you would have similar results.
 
#745
Jon R said:
Just looking for a shoulder to whine on... I just found out that the container my WAV4 was in was damaged in shipping. It's been months and there is now no end in sight.

I'm beginning to wonder if this was a really bad idea.
Click to expand...

:crying: is there anybody there that has any news about this issue? I've ordered my WAV since more than 2 months now and no hope to get any forecast whatsoever from the dealer nor NS about when are they going to ship WAV's out again - it is becoming dreadful

Thanks
 
#746
pallino said:
:crying: is there anybody there that has any news about this issue? I've ordered my WAV since more than 2 months now and no hope to get any forecast whatsoever from the dealer nor NS about when are they going to ship WAV's out again - it is becoming dreadful

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm waiting for a response from NSD regarding my replacement WAV (see earlier post on splitting fingerboards.) CDawg was told they had changed or were changing materials to stop the splitting issue, so it's unknown when they will be back in the distribution pipe.

I emailed yesterday and asked directly when I could expect to receive a replacement, so that should be a good indicator of supply. If I hear something, I'll post it here.
 
#747
I'm trying to decide whether the sound of the CR4 justifies the premium over the great price of the WAV. I'm grateful for all the good thinking reflected in the WAV thread, but come away uncertain on one key issue. Most of my playing is jazz or Broadway with small ensembles, where I want the EUB to emulate the full sound of a traditional DB (in my dreams, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Eugene Wright). Acknowledging that a compact EUB like the NS can't duplicate that sound, I wonder whether the CR4 comes much closer, so that the extra cost will seem worthwhile. Any thoughts? Thanks, Paul
 
#748
Paul, the WAV will never duplicate the sound of a DB as it has a sound of its own. It sounds quite close in a lot of respects and I understand it gets even closer with proper DB strings. The CRs also have the benefit of the eq which is really quite powerful. Other than that I am sure the bridge pick up is the same on both instruments. I was originally going to buy the WAV but found the extra money for the CR4M. Baring in mind all the issues with stands and now fingerboard cracks I have never regreted puting the extra money towards the CR. It is a great bass and I have had no problems whatsoever with it. The choice is yours.
 
#750
Originally Posted by pallino
is there anybody there that has any news about this issue? I've ordered my WAV since more than 2 months now and no hope to get any forecast whatsoever from the dealer nor NS about when are they going to ship WAV's out again - it is becoming dreadful
Click to expand...

I talked to NSD a couple of days ago... they are aware of how far they are backlogged and are working to rectify the situation. Unfortunately this is a one bass at a time cure, and it all depends on where you are in the pecking order. I ordered mine in late October and am hoping that I've worked my way to the top of the list. Does anyone has a stash of these stateside? Maybe something could be worked out...
 
#751
I wondered what would happen to the wood in that area, before I mounted Obligatos on the WAV. Did it matter if the strings leave dents in the pretty finish? It may look cool, and maybe even help the instrument resonate.

I had read about using felt, but thought that the soft felt would compress, and the strings would follow into to the wood. I ended up using a piece of .030"-0.75mm Artus plastic shim stock (very hard and smooth plastic), that was cut to fit in a "L" shape. It appears to have kept the strings at bay, and has not marred the finish. Also, I could not tell any difference in the playing or in the sound.

Sorry to hear about the fingerboards cracking ... bummer. Glad to hear of the great customer service though.
 
#753
I'm 57. I got my Wav 4 on a Monday and played my first gig with it the following Friday. I never played an upright before. I would imagine that the transition to a "real" upright would be more difficult, but this was pretty easy. I'm not by any stretch a good player with the Wav, but I used it on some pretty simple I IV V tunes and tunes that I was playing on my fretless. Both bands that I play in love the sound of the Wav (w/stock strings) and I've gotten some very good responses from the audiences I played for. I plan on getting some real lessons from a real upright player soon, but the transition has been fairly smooth and this thing is a blast to play...
 
#754
chalie said:
Hi,
How difficult to learn to play DB ??? I am a bass guitar person for almost 10 years and am over 50 now so is it tough to learn and play well. Is the stick like NS an ideal for a beginner or should I go for a real thing.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I think once you are used to the extra stetch of your fingers it will be easy enough. It is not a replacement for a real DB as it has a sound of its own and that is a great sound. However it is so much easier to cart around than a real DB. For me I love the sound of my DB but it is a pain to cart that around. If you can find a DB to try have a go on that as well. Then make your mind up.
 
#756
chalie said:
Thanks guys
What I think would effect me is the fingures presure that need to be increased and I hope I have the capacity.
Click to expand...

Don't be put off by that misconception. The increased diameter UB strings takes a little adjusting to, but the increased scale helps keep string tension manageable. More importantly, a good setup is key to making the instrument playable. You don't want to have a bad experience fighting to play the bass.

Yes, you will build new muscle and you will make new calauses but the return is well worth it. You're never too old to try something new.

Enjoy! :)
 
#758
chalie said:
Hi,
How difficult to learn to play DB ??? I am a bass guitar person for almost 10 years and am over 50 now so is it tough to learn and play well. Is the stick like NS an ideal for a beginner or should I go for a real thing.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I got to go against the recent flow of responses to this one. As a BG player before I tried the WAV I will say that it isn't impossible to play right off if you decide to get it. However, don't expect to kick butt on the thing.

Sure, you'll be able to play some stuff, but it takes a lot of strength building and proper technique learning to play it well. Its no joke when people say you can hurt yourself trying to play an upright incorrectly.

I'm not saying don't get one. Just be prepared for the realization that you'll have to either get lessons to learn various aspects involved in playing it, or at the least find some good video examples to emulate and then set aside some serious practice time. Its not as easy on a DB to compensate for bad technique as it is on a BG and it will really hold you back when trying to get better.

As far as getting a real DB or the WAV, it depends on what you want to do. If you want to dedicate yourself to playing the upright well (i.e. better than passable) I think a real DB would be the way to go. It lets you practice some things like transitioning positions easier than a stick. However, if you want to be a weekend upright player like me (someone who will always be mostly a BG player but plays the EUB as well) the WAV is a fine choice. Just beware of the fact that there is some truth to the notion that trying to get really good at more than one instrument at a time more often than not leads to mediocrity in both. Of course that is unless you're really, really gifted or have a whole lot of time to devote to practicing them.
 
#760
So for the surprisingly low price of the WAV you can have a nice playing, and somewhat useful sounding EUB. But why not mod it to be more like the CRM? Those things have amazing preamps built in. And not only on the model with the magnetic p'ups, either. So why not mod it by dropping in a pre like the CRM has?



Stands back to watch the excitement. :hiding:
 
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