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Double Bass NS Design WAV4 megathread part I
- Thread starter ElMon
- Start date
- Status
- Mar 22, 2000
- 1,972
- 73
- Disclosures
- Big Cheese Emeritus: Gollihur Music (retired)
I'm glad I stumbled onto this thread. I have been playing slabs and a ABG for decades but as of late my boss told me I needed to keep up with the program and buy a EUB. I have not played a DB since the early to mid 1970's. The WAV 4 II looks like the perfect match for me at this time. The price is affordable and the quality appears to be a great value.
I thank Bob Gollihur who was gracious enough to share his time and expertise to get me ready for ordering a WAV 4 II. It is really a bonus to have someone like Bob to help without being pressured into a sale.
I thank Bob Gollihur who was gracious enough to share his time and expertise to get me ready for ordering a WAV 4 II. It is really a bonus to have someone like Bob to help without being pressured into a sale.
I have been using La Bella tapewound flats and TI flats on all my slab basses. I have not figured out what strings to buy for my style but hopefully Bob can run me through some choices. I love sustain, I like flats because they are super easy on the fingers, you can slide easy, and that sound is pleasing. But I am in the dark on how to transpose slab strings to the EUB. There are a lot of choices. Right off I zeroed in to the Thomastik Spirocore or the Pirastro Obligato but that is a fast gut reaction, not one of experience. Bob suggested I play with the ones that are shipped to get an ear for a baseline of the sound so when I make the change I can hear the difference right off. But I know how I always want good strings right up front. If they were not so costly, a player could have a few sets of each to listen to. Bob suggested the Corelli 370F or TX.
I have TI flats on my Breedlove fretless and love them. But I am open to the voice of experience at when the cost of $170 comes into reality, give or take a few $. I had three Kay's in the early 1970's and cannot remember what I had on them! Time has erased that memory. besides, I was just leaning the DB back then and playing some super basic progressions with awful amplification and pickups compared to what is available today. I do have a GK MBS-III and like that a lot.
Hey, I'm getting all fired up already just thinking about the new horizons to explore with a EUR.
I have TI flats on my Breedlove fretless and love them. But I am open to the voice of experience at when the cost of $170 comes into reality, give or take a few $. I had three Kay's in the early 1970's and cannot remember what I had on them! Time has erased that memory. besides, I was just leaning the DB back then and playing some super basic progressions with awful amplification and pickups compared to what is available today. I do have a GK MBS-III and like that a lot.
Hey, I'm getting all fired up already just thinking about the new horizons to explore with a EUR.
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
I did a quick search, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for.
I'm looking at getting a WAV in the near future... it'll be my first foray into any sort of upright territory. I have an EMG BTC preamp in a j-bass, but was curious if it would work in the WAV... possible matching impedance and all that, and giving me a a little more flexibility. I read the CR models have an EMG pre (IIRC), so I figured it might be a good match... anyone have a clue?
I'm looking at getting a WAV in the near future... it'll be my first foray into any sort of upright territory. I have an EMG BTC preamp in a j-bass, but was curious if it would work in the WAV... possible matching impedance and all that, and giving me a a little more flexibility. I read the CR models have an EMG pre (IIRC), so I figured it might be a good match... anyone have a clue?
smakbass
Smakkin basses for 25 years..
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
Found out my head (Music Man HD-500) has a ultra-high impedance input (1M Ohm), so no need for a preamp. Cool.
I have zero clue but do know that on my acoustic basses I always use a pre amp. Mine is a LR Baggs, the new one out. It is a world of tone difference. I run that thru a GK MBS-III.
Oh, please don't run them round the end of the body. One guy did that some time ago with a CR4 and yes they did dig into the body. Ruined it, and he was trying to flog it on ebay. Someone on the board suggested he should be shot for doing that. He might very well think that but I couldn't possibly comment.
Maybe think about drilling out the string holes a bit if the strings don't fit through. Take some advice on that first though as I'm not a luthier of any sort.
Ah, sorry, picked you up wrong there. The back plate on my CR takes the bend in the string and is tough enough not to get damaged. Does the back plate go right to the bottom on your WAV? Perhaps Bob G. could help you out. He's the guru on all things NS.
The WAV has four keyholes in the back plate where you can insert the ball end of proper DB strings. The back plate doesn't go all the way to the bottom. (Plus it's a single piece of metal, attached with wood screws, so you don't want to take it on and off too often if you're using the keyholes. I believe the CR models now have a two-piece back plate, and a different solution for the keyholes.)
Just thread the strings from the keyholes, through the existing holes (where they put the ball end of the factory-supplied strings) then over the bridge and up to the peghead. If there is any damage to the finish it will only be on the back of the instrument, well out of sight.
Just thread the strings from the keyholes, through the existing holes (where they put the ball end of the factory-supplied strings) then over the bridge and up to the peghead. If there is any damage to the finish it will only be on the back of the instrument, well out of sight.
Damn, I have a WAVE 4 II ordered from Bob and getting too excited about receiving it. I dreamed I was playing it last night.
Gary,
I'll be curious how it sounds through your GK MB150S. I've always wanted one of those and may be about ready to make the move.
I use an SWR Workingman 12 (one made before Fender bought SWR). The Wav sounds good through it, but I also use an SansAmp BBDI to pre-amp the signal before going to the SWR.
Good luck with your new WAV when you get it. I absolutely love playing mine..
Alan
I'll be curious how it sounds through your GK MB150S. I've always wanted one of those and may be about ready to make the move.
I use an SWR Workingman 12 (one made before Fender bought SWR). The Wav sounds good through it, but I also use an SansAmp BBDI to pre-amp the signal before going to the SWR.
Good luck with your new WAV when you get it. I absolutely love playing mine..
Alan
Alan,
I have not played a WAV thru my GK but I do play my Breedlove fretless which is a well built, high end model no longer made. I use a new LR Baggs pre amp and it sounds great. I could not ask for more. I play a Fender fretless Jazz thru the GK and it too sounds great. I do not play loud and I always play clean. The Baggs made all the difference for the acoustic bass. That's all I have to go on.
Music 123 had a super discount sale just before Christmas. I bought the GK MBS-III for $595 and the external Cabinet for $212. I figured I'd get it while I could get that discount. I am extremely happy with the GK. I just packed it to AZ for a week and it was really nice not having to lug a heavy large amp. I was using a Polytone MB-III, a 1984 model which is also not large but cannot compete in options and tone with the GK MBS-III for both acoustic and electric.
Until I actually get my WAV 4 I cannot give a answer to how they sound thru a GK MBS-III but I assume there are many here that do use that set up.
I hear the new Neo 112, which is not released yet, will weigh in at around 31 pounds and with the new 4 pound light weight head GK sells would also be a possible way to set up.
I have not played a WAV thru my GK but I do play my Breedlove fretless which is a well built, high end model no longer made. I use a new LR Baggs pre amp and it sounds great. I could not ask for more. I play a Fender fretless Jazz thru the GK and it too sounds great. I do not play loud and I always play clean. The Baggs made all the difference for the acoustic bass. That's all I have to go on.
Music 123 had a super discount sale just before Christmas. I bought the GK MBS-III for $595 and the external Cabinet for $212. I figured I'd get it while I could get that discount. I am extremely happy with the GK. I just packed it to AZ for a week and it was really nice not having to lug a heavy large amp. I was using a Polytone MB-III, a 1984 model which is also not large but cannot compete in options and tone with the GK MBS-III for both acoustic and electric.
Until I actually get my WAV 4 I cannot give a answer to how they sound thru a GK MBS-III but I assume there are many here that do use that set up.
I hear the new Neo 112, which is not released yet, will weigh in at around 31 pounds and with the new 4 pound light weight head GK sells would also be a possible way to set up.
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