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Double Bass NS EUB megathread

#281
So I did it. Took the step from electric bass to electric upright bass. I traded my 6-string Status Graphite Stealth-2 headless for a NS Designs CR5M a week ago and haven't regretted the switch for a single second. What a sound and what an instrument! I am currently using only the piezo mic, as it gives me the most "acoustic" sound. It really has a sound of it's own. Like an acoustic fretless with the DB thump. Not to mention the sustain!!!

I really planned to buy an EU bass, but this trade was just to tempting. Got it with both the flightcase and optional endpin. I am using the tripod stand for the moment, though!

I have one question though. To enable the use of regular DB strings, there are slots on the backside to accommodate the extra length of those strings. How come there are only four slots? Where does the fifth (or first) string go? Is this the same on all CR5 (M) basses.
 
#282
bassame said:
Just wondering how stable the strap arrangement is. Can you pizz without the thing swinging in the direction of the pluck? I see pics of people bowing while wearing it on the strap. Is this really possible?
Click to expand...

It is rock solid. You can tighten the various arms to move as much or as little as you like. I keep mine tight but still moveable, so I can change positions whenever I want to. Bowing it is very possible, just did it this weekend.;)
 
#283
I too recently acquired a CR4M. One day shipping form the wonderful folks at Gollihur Music.

I was thinking about the Wav. The GC on 14th st in NYC has a Wav and a CR4M. I had the chance to compare and contrast over the months. The Wav was getting beat by the abusers, umm I mean shoppers. The controls were wiggling, the stand was wobbly, etc.. But the CR4M was just fine. It just felt so much better than the Wav.

Plus at the price from Gollihur, it was much less painful than the GC price.

I am in love with this. I do need to start working on the modified Simandl or whatever for lower position playing.

I actually found myself keeping the balance even between the mags and the piezos, but in full Pizz mode. A little top rolled off due to the new strings.

Sounded just great through my SWR WorkingPro 12 Combo.
 
#286
Guinea Pig said:
where does it say at bass centre that they offer the 12 months payment plan? I'm not calling anyone a liar I would just like to know.

I've been wanting a NS EUB for awhile but could never save up for it. With the 12 month Payment plan, I could easily pay it off.


Thanks, and sorry I got off topic.
-Scott
Click to expand...


I bought my NSCR5 from the Bass Centre on interest-free-credit - 12 payments - no interest!! :)

But that was a few years ago - I think they may have stopped doing that now, as it was too expensive for them!!

Ring them up and say - I know somebody who did this - how about it!!?? :p

I think they do credit - but charge interest...

Still - it worked for me!! :smug:
 
#287
bassame said:
Just wondering how stable the strap arrangement is. Can you pizz without the thing swinging in the direction of the pluck? I see pics of people bowing while wearing it on the strap. Is this really possible?
Click to expand...

the strap is really cool, but i personally found it useless for arco.
holds the bass steadily in place, but it's so close to the body
it makes it extremely uncomfortable (for me) on my bowing hand/wrist.
i love arco on this bass(nscr5m)!
 
#290
Received my bass yesterday. Already 100% blown away by this bass. I've been playing everything with it. Construction, sound, feel... EVERYTHING about it is top notch. If I wasn't a bassist for life I'd probably buy the cheaper Wav but I'm glad I went with the CR series.

I ordered my CR4M from Lemur Music who didn't have them in stock at the time so mine came directly from the factory. Instead of the piezo vert/horiz toggle switch the CR's now have a piezo horiz/vert blend knob just like the EU Series. I guess they changed that on the CR's since coming out with the EU's.

Day 3 - 3 things I have noticed so far:
1) Tuning machines have a lot of backlash. I have Schaller's on a pbass fretless and a tele. They are very precise, these aren't.
2) I'm catching a faint feedback noise/hum from what I believe is the piezo pickups. I don't know if its the settings I'm choosing but its only when notes on the D and G strings are played (higher notes) and with the piezo pickups. I'm playing through headphones so its not the usual feedback I'm used to. [Fixed with foam under strings between bridge and body]
3) D and G strings are much brighter than the E and A... and the E will sustain forever as it is.. the D and G strings will actually get louder if you let them sing. Some sort of dampening on the strings is needed when played under most situations/bands - you can sustain a note longer than a synthesizer (lol). I'm sure a lot of this is resolved with DB type strings as mentioned by others earlier in this thread. [Foam helped].

Nothing to shy anyone away from the CR series but things I have noticed.

Edit: I found that the overtone/feedback was the D and G strings resonating between the bridge and where the strings come out of the body. Piece of foam to dampen the strings took care of it.

Day 4.. or is it 5?:
If you'd like to hear me attempting to play my CR4M check out Brighter Days on my Link Removed. Song was written and recorded by a friend of mine Link Removed I added the bass after the fact with his permission. This recording was done the first night I had the bass and I'm far from being a capable fretless player much less a DB player. As much as I hate fret markers - thank you for the dots! I'd be pretty lost without them. Last time I touched an upright was about 20 years ago. :help: .

Anyone worried about construction can see that issues previously mentioned in this thread are not apparent in the pictures i posted.

Bruce Lindfield said:
Well my very last post was saying that I bought Pirastro Orchs ( a great recommendation from Francois) and didn't have to change anything when I put them on!
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Which ones are the Orchs?

Pirastro lists these steel strings:

Permanent
Flexocor
Original Flexocor
Flat Chrome-steel
Original Flat-Chrome
Chromecor
Jazzer

Okay then.. figured it out myself.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1142655&postcount=13
 

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#291
So I switched to Helicore Hybrid Mediums on my NS CRT5M and what a difference! The instrument sounds much more upright now but still has lots of sustain. I dropped the low B and added a high C instead. This is the first time I change strings on an EUB. On an electric bass the strings always sounds too bright in the beginning and won't sound right before you have played a few hours on them. Is there a similar "grace"-period with DB-strings? Also I suspect that DB-strings lasts longer than electric bass strings. Anyone knows the difference. I know this is mor like a string question but I am mainly asking other CRT owners out there.
 
#293
All the excitement about the WAV seems to have hidden this, at least from me. Couldn't find any other posts about it.

http://www.nedsteinberger.com/prices/price-3.htm

CR4MG Bass* 4 CR4 Bass with Graphite Fingerboard New for 2006

(and a 5 stringer too)

I suppose I could email them to ask about it, but it is much more fun to hang out here and monger rumors. (: Anyone heard more about this or tried one? Does it exist yet?
 
#294
Curious if any other EU5/EU6 users are having problems getting their B strings to speak properly. I have a set of the Corelli TX's, and I'm on my second B string which is better than the first, but still noticeably lacking in sustain compared to the other strings which sound great. They are anchored around the bottom, perhaps the B isn't achored well??
 
#295
When I first got my EU6 I thought that maybe the B was a little softer than the E string. However, I think that was just my adjusting to how fat that B string is. A change of strings and a bit more oomph in my pluck did the trick.

It might be possible that something is wrong in your pickup system. If you bought it new, certainly talk to NS. They offered the best customer service I've ever experienced.
 
#298
boombloom said:
Is there somewhere I can find a concise description of all the different NS models? I'm about to purchase a CR4t through the TB classifieds and I don't know how it differs from other NS basses except that it has 4 strings. What are the designations?
Click to expand...

The "T" models are without EMG pickups (piezo only) and are supposed to be set up to feel more DB-like
 
#300
Hey guys, I'm seriously considering picking up a CR4M, but I have an issue regarding strings and tuning.

I've been playing electric in CGDA tuning for about 7 years now, and I'm not about to try to re-learn EADG. Does any manufacturer make a fifths set of strings that would work with both the mags and the piezos? I imagine I will primarily play pizz, but I'd like to try my hand at arco, too. I'm hoping to get a good upright sound, rather than a glorified fretless BG. I know I'm asking alot out of a set of strings, but surely there must be something available. No?
 

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