This is the best I can do with a cheap mic plugged into a portable minidisc, copied to DVD-RAM on a Panasonic DVD Recorder, split with TMPGEnc and transcoded into MP3 with VLC Media player!!!!
Perfect! Thank you very much.
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Double Bass NS Design WAV4 megathread part I
- Thread starter ElMon
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Perfect! Thank you very much.
yup, sounds like my cr4 with the pizz turned all the way up. If you can dial it just a touch more towards the arco side, it would sound a little bit more open and airy and a little less EB like - just where I like it. Still it's pretty good for a stick I'd say.
Unfortunately the WAV4 only has a two position switch arco or pizz, so there's no in between. Perhaps when the guarantee runs out I'll try some modification!! But as you say it's pretty good, let's face it a stick isn't an acoustic instrument no matter what you do to it. I say, get the sound you are happy with and play it for what it is. I LOVE IT...... the best six hundred quid I've spent in a long time.
Hi Mike - thanks again for that setting info. I got to try them today, just as your notes, through my Ashdown ABM and really like the sound playing pizz on the pizz setting. For my amp I added some low and mid eq bias otherwise set flat and clean.
I think the sound is very similar to your mp3 track just posted.
Im grateful for the switchable passive (3.9MOhm) input option available on the Ashdown. Level-wise the WAV on passive is consistent with one of my active EBs running on the active input.
I fully agree that the WAV is a cracking piece of kit for the money. As long as you have a reasonably versatile amp / input setup available I'm sure theres a lot you can do with it my only caveat is that I dont have enough AUB experience myself to say how successful a regular AUBer would be convincing his blind mate that he hadnt switched - my guess is he might struggle...
I was thinking about the NS shoulder strap system, or creating my own version, but having got used to the setup on the tripod I think Id struggle to find a satisfactory playing position.
Any comments on using shoulder strap systems on 3/4 NS basses would be greatly appreciated - thanks.
BTW if anyones interested, the WAV headstock also fits in a regular guitar wall hanger just fine too.
Hi Jennifer - you mentioned Thomann - I am also in the UK and bought mine from them. Their service was excellent, including after it had been paid for and shipped. They also used a decent courier (DHL), including the usual parcel ID to track it online if you wish.
I would have no problem recommending Thomann. Only thing to be aware of is that the GBP prices on their website are indicative - the goods are invoiced in Euros, so the final GBP you pay is based on the exchange rate on the day of the transaction itself.
I would really have liked to have gone for one from Bob Gs store, but was too daunted by the US import duty/tax arrangements etc. probably just my lack of knowledge.
Hi Mike - thanks again for that setting info. I got to try them today, just as your notes, through my Ashdown ABM and really like the sound playing pizz on the pizz setting. For my amp I added some low and mid eq bias otherwise set flat and clean.
I think the sound is very similar to your mp3 track just posted.
Im grateful for the switchable passive (3.9MOhm) input option available on the Ashdown. Level-wise the WAV on passive is consistent with one of my active EBs running on the active input.
I fully agree that the WAV is a cracking piece of kit for the money. As long as you have a reasonably versatile amp / input setup available I'm sure theres a lot you can do with it my only caveat is that I dont have enough AUB experience myself to say how successful a regular AUBer would be convincing his blind mate that he hadnt switched - my guess is he might struggle...
I was thinking about the NS shoulder strap system, or creating my own version, but having got used to the setup on the tripod I think Id struggle to find a satisfactory playing position.
Any comments on using shoulder strap systems on 3/4 NS basses would be greatly appreciated - thanks.
BTW if anyones interested, the WAV headstock also fits in a regular guitar wall hanger just fine too.
Like you I have no AUB experience and I am sure you're right about comparing the sound of the WAV4 with a 'real' acoustic bass. The plain fact is that if you want an acoustic sound get and acoustic bass.
What we have in the WAV4 is a pretty damn good sounding, affordable instrument in its own right. In November I nearly bought a cheap chinese acoustic, I had two both of which had severe faults and I eventually got a refund.This experience told me that if you want 'real' double bass you need to spend at least a couple of grand, then you have to consider how to transport it, I quickly realised there was no way I would have got it into my car. But now I have a highly playable, transportable instrument for only a little more than the cheap chinese rubbish I tried, yes I know these are also made in China but clearly the QA is far superior. Also, in reply to other comments I've read, I didn't want a fretless bass guitar you don't get the same bottom end, those extra few inches on the string length seems to make all the difference, similarly I have two acoustic bass guitars both strung with Thomastik AB344s and they sound ok but are rubbish above 12th fret.
I think the WAV4 is a superb cross over instrument, particularly for someone like myself who has been an electric player almost from birth.
Thanks Ned.
Chef
In Memoriam
what strings were those?
nice, thx!
nice, thx!
This is the best I can do with a cheap mic plugged into a portable minidisc, copied to DVD-RAM on a Panasonic DVD Recorder, split with TMPGEnc and transcoded into MP3 with VLC Media player!!!!
Strings supplied as standard with the bass, just at the moment I can't afford to change them and anyway I think I'll wait for more experienced comment.
Just a word about Thomann. I've bought several things from them including my Ibanez semi-acoustic, and they are very competitive with exceptional service. But, on the day the WAV4 arrived, I had checked with them about delivery and they told me it was coming DHL and hadn't even left Germany, I was about to go out when it arrived..... by Parcel Force.
I'm also in the UK and have taken the plunge on one of these beasts, but i went with the Bass Centre for mine and am yet to receive it. I know they advertise it at £799, and Thomann do it for £660, but i'm happy with the arrangement i cam to with the Bass Centre, although, i'm not to chuffed with their service, i just don't like their attitude, which is a shame as i'm tempted to ask for my deposit back and look elsewhere, or maybe even buy an acoustic upright, as i heard a clip of the Wav, and to my mind, i sounded much like a fretless electric bass rather than an UB.
I know a few have said, take it for what it is, an EUB, but still, i want the deep sound of an UB, i'm hoping the Wav can deliver this.
Just my thoughts...but finally, don't but too quick to dismiss the Bass centre regarding price, as they'd obviously rather you went with them than going with an overseas firm, but when it comes to the basics of phone politeness and service, i'd rather i didn't have to deal with them at this level, a shame really.
Thanks
Jamie
There's a snowballs chance in hell that any EUB is going to sound deep as the real thing. And if there is, it usually comes at a price, much more than a WAV4 bass and more than a decent double bass. Heck, for several hundred US$ more, you could get a decent beginner DB and still sound 10 times better than an expensive CR4 or Eminence - both of which are about 3 times the price of a WAV4. IMO, If you're looking for the sound of a upright, don't beat around the bush and just make the leap.
Hi,
I just recieved my WAV4 bass today. So far I am pretty happy. I am running it through my Acoustic Image Clarus Combo and with the treble completely down and the pizzicato switch in the top position, I am getting a pretty decent DB sound. I do own an Acoustic DB ( made in Korea with Solid Top and Back, but plywood sides ) with a Fishman Full Circle pickup and again the WAV4 compares very well when amplified. My wife just told me that from the other room, she thought I was playing my AUB.
I found the setup from the factory to be too low for my tastes. I took some tension off of the truss rod to put a little more curve in the neck and played with the bridge height. The fingerboard radius and string spacing is very similar to my Acoustic Upright which will make it easier to go back and forth. I got this bass to serve as a backup for my main instrument and for performing in spaces where a traditional instrument just won't fit. The price of the WAV4 vs the more expensive models made this a possibility By the way, for those struggling to put a traditional bass in a regular car, put it in upsidedown in the front passenger seat. Recline the seat as far back as it will go and put the neck down in the footwell. You might need some towels to raise the bass to ensure there is no weight on the neck. You can use the seatbelt to make sure it does not shift around.
Before this forum I was checking out the forum on string selection for the ES design basses. I have Obligato's on my acoustic bass and based on the other forum I should get and even better sound if I change strings. It is an expensive experiment as a new set of Obligato's is around 160USD.
On my settings, I do notice that if I turn the volume down on the bass, I get a slightly better sound. This might sound weird and maybe I am just hearing things but I thought that depending on how pickups are wired, the volume setting can effect the tonal quality of the instrument. Tomorrow I am getting together with a local piano player and looking forward to seeing how it sounds alongside another instrument.
Let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to investigate and answer.
Mike C.
I just recieved my WAV4 bass today. So far I am pretty happy. I am running it through my Acoustic Image Clarus Combo and with the treble completely down and the pizzicato switch in the top position, I am getting a pretty decent DB sound. I do own an Acoustic DB ( made in Korea with Solid Top and Back, but plywood sides ) with a Fishman Full Circle pickup and again the WAV4 compares very well when amplified. My wife just told me that from the other room, she thought I was playing my AUB.
I found the setup from the factory to be too low for my tastes. I took some tension off of the truss rod to put a little more curve in the neck and played with the bridge height. The fingerboard radius and string spacing is very similar to my Acoustic Upright which will make it easier to go back and forth. I got this bass to serve as a backup for my main instrument and for performing in spaces where a traditional instrument just won't fit. The price of the WAV4 vs the more expensive models made this a possibility By the way, for those struggling to put a traditional bass in a regular car, put it in upsidedown in the front passenger seat. Recline the seat as far back as it will go and put the neck down in the footwell. You might need some towels to raise the bass to ensure there is no weight on the neck. You can use the seatbelt to make sure it does not shift around.
Before this forum I was checking out the forum on string selection for the ES design basses. I have Obligato's on my acoustic bass and based on the other forum I should get and even better sound if I change strings. It is an expensive experiment as a new set of Obligato's is around 160USD.
On my settings, I do notice that if I turn the volume down on the bass, I get a slightly better sound. This might sound weird and maybe I am just hearing things but I thought that depending on how pickups are wired, the volume setting can effect the tonal quality of the instrument. Tomorrow I am getting together with a local piano player and looking forward to seeing how it sounds alongside another instrument.
Let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to investigate and answer.
Mike C.
jzbass6
One Nation Under A Groove
I had the chance to play one of these at GC through an Ampeg BA15 on Sunday, after backing of the treble and midrange and bass 3/4 full and the BA15 tone selecter on position 5 it sounded great. Nice amplified UB tone to my ears, better and much easier to play than my Palatino EUB. I might bite.
My 2 cents worth.
My 2 cents worth.
It's interesting to see your comments as an AUB owner/player. One thing confuses me though. In the user guide the switch is up for arco and down for pizz, are you using it in arco mode for pizz playing or for bowed? As a complete novice as far as UBs are concerned, the arco mode is just too thumpy, I know an AUB has this character but the overall tone is very 'nasal' I far prefer the pizz setting, then I am an electric bass player, more importantly the most critical member of the band (there's always one
) likes the sound I'm getting as well. Have you tried the Obligatos yet and would you recommend changing to them?
I think the effect of the volume control on the tone is real and it's because it's a passive system, even with magnetic pickups on passive electric basses you get this affect to some degree. I am keeping the WAV4 controls both at max (fully c/w) and do all the adjustment on the amp/preamp so that I get a repeatable sound.
It's interesting to see your comments as an AUB owner/player. One thing confuses me though. In the user guide the switch is up for arco and down for pizz, are you using it in arco mode for pizz playing or for bowed? As a complete novice as far as UBs are concerned, the arco mode is just too thumpy, I know an AUB has this character but the overall tone is very 'nasal' I far prefer the pizz setting, then I am an electric bass player, more importantly the most critical member of the band (there's always one
Have you tried the Obligatos yet and would you recommend changing to them?
I think the effect of the volume control on the tone is real and it's because it's a passive system, even with magnetic pickups on passive electric basses you get this affect to some degree. I am keeping the WAV4 controls both at max (fully c/w) and do all the adjustment on the amp/preamp so that I get a repeatable sound.
Yes, you are correct, I had the switch in the ARCO mode ( up ). I mixed up my terms. I agree, the Pizz ( down ) setting gets it sounding more like and electric fretless to me. Being an AUB player, I like the thump, plus when you use the bow for ballads or sustained endings, the switch has to be in the up position and there is a significant volume change between up and down. Up gets me much more volume. I play in a jazz quartet ( vibes, guitar, drums and me ) and I think this will do nicely.
As for the Obligatos, I have not tried yet. I was thinking I am due for a new set on my AUB and would use the old ones on the EUB, but have not placed the order.
I am going to try and record the bass today. If I get it toghether, I will try and post the MP3 ( never did it before ).
-Mike
Me too -- the Arco setting is just too thin and dead for my tastes. But I also am coming over from EB only. I wonder if using an impedance matching preamp will help this (URB Bob says that it will.) I Love the bass, though -- play it more very day.
I'm getting confused, you guys are talking about taking the treble knob down...this is a passive bass, so how come there's a treble control?
Also, would be very interested to hear sound clips, i'm seriously considering cancelling my order of a Wav at the moment, from a sound clip i heard, it didn't impress me, may just have been that player though.
Thanks
Jamie
Also, would be very interested to hear sound clips, i'm seriously considering cancelling my order of a Wav at the moment, from a sound clip i heard, it didn't impress me, may just have been that player though.
Thanks
Jamie
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