And don't forget that everything will change again depending on the magnetic/piezo blend and the vertical/lateral sensitivity setting -- this thing is a twiddler's wet dream.
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Double Bass NS EUB megathread
- Thread starter FretNoMore
- Start date
And don't forget that everything will change again depending on the magnetic/piezo blend and the vertical/lateral sensitivity setting -- this thing is a twiddler's wet dream.
Okay, new issue to contend with.
I've had my CR4M for about a month now. I've gigged on it, tried swapping some strings on/off, adjusted the bridge, relief (and gave it a few days to settle), etc. I've done my fair share of fiddling, including tweaking the preamp pots to adjust levels between the EMG and piezo pickups.
Now, when I'm using the piezo or the piezo mixed with the EMGs, I notice a very huge problem to my ears: The G string, no matter if on "arco" or "pizz" or a blend of the two, sounds like I have a hard/pumping compression effect on it. The E, A, and D strings sound fine and have a full dynamic range, but the G is absolutely killing me. The strings sound balanced when I used only the EMG's but any time I blend in or use the piezo exclusively, the G string is just about useless to me due to this compression effect. I've tried raising the string height, I've tried different G strings, and nothing will get rid of this.
Could it be a bad piezo? All I know is that this would be an awesome instrument if this wasn't an issue.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
-Pat
I've had my CR4M for about a month now. I've gigged on it, tried swapping some strings on/off, adjusted the bridge, relief (and gave it a few days to settle), etc. I've done my fair share of fiddling, including tweaking the preamp pots to adjust levels between the EMG and piezo pickups.
Now, when I'm using the piezo or the piezo mixed with the EMGs, I notice a very huge problem to my ears: The G string, no matter if on "arco" or "pizz" or a blend of the two, sounds like I have a hard/pumping compression effect on it. The E, A, and D strings sound fine and have a full dynamic range, but the G is absolutely killing me. The strings sound balanced when I used only the EMG's but any time I blend in or use the piezo exclusively, the G string is just about useless to me due to this compression effect. I've tried raising the string height, I've tried different G strings, and nothing will get rid of this.
Could it be a bad piezo? All I know is that this would be an awesome instrument if this wasn't an issue.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
-Pat
Is it just the open G, or all of the g string? If it's just the open G, could be an old fashioned dead spot. I've got an open A dead spot on my EU6. If it's the whole string, and the mags sound fine, then I think you may be right about a wonky piezo. NS and Co. have been responsive to my inqirires about my A string (Ned sent me my avatar pic) give them a ring.
Thanks for the info. I have gotten in touch with Ned, who is now on the case. It's a weird thing, that is for sure. Once I can get it straightened out, this instrument is going to sing.
UPDATE:
I just got off the phone with Ned Steinberger, who is right up there with Rick Jones for customer service/support. Amazingly kind guy who wants to do everything perfectly. I think we may have found the issue.
For those interested, Ned was saying that the piezo preamp on the CR4M is "voiced" to give more power to the E and A strings so that they will really sing without having dig in too hard. I'm coming from a traditional upright background, where you've got to really "dig in" to the low strings to get them putting some sound out in the room. He's going to send me a mod for the preamp that will redirect some of the power from the E and A strings to the D and G strings so it will "respond" more like a traditional acoustic bass. I'm fairly certain this is the issue I'm having because when I play lightly, everything sounds great, but I was running out of headroom on the G string.
I just got off the phone with Ned Steinberger, who is right up there with Rick Jones for customer service/support. Amazingly kind guy who wants to do everything perfectly. I think we may have found the issue.
For those interested, Ned was saying that the piezo preamp on the CR4M is "voiced" to give more power to the E and A strings so that they will really sing without having dig in too hard. I'm coming from a traditional upright background, where you've got to really "dig in" to the low strings to get them putting some sound out in the room. He's going to send me a mod for the preamp that will redirect some of the power from the E and A strings to the D and G strings so it will "respond" more like a traditional acoustic bass. I'm fairly certain this is the issue I'm having because when I play lightly, everything sounds great, but I was running out of headroom on the G string.
When amplified, my NS Design CR-5M has some speaker flutter along with the normal sound. I varied the blend of pick ups to eliminate the bow pick ups, but still get some flutter. Any thoughts as to why, and what can be done? Thanks.
I'm not sure what you mean by "flutter." Perhaps it's something with the speaker and not the instrument? Does it occur on certain notes/pitches or is it constant when you play?
The speaker seems to vibrate at a very slow frequency while also producing the note. It seems to be more pronounced on the lower notes, but it appears to be more a function of volume. If I keep the amp very low, it is less pronounced. This has occurred on different amps, so I do believe that it is more related to the instrument pick ups. Thanks.
Hobby, check this link out: http://www.nedsteinberger.com/faq.php In piezo mode, there is not an option to adjust individual strings.
Regarding the output of the G and D strings, I'm having the same issue and called NS about it. I was able to get Ned on the phone, and he's going to send me a mod for the internal preamp. As I understand it, the preamp gives more power to the low strings by default (I'm not sure how, since the "pizz" pickup is just a solid piezo strip), and the mod will more evenly distribute power. He said the goal of pumping up the lower strings was so that you don't have to dig in to get the big low end like you have to on an acoustic UB.
Regarding the output of the G and D strings, I'm having the same issue and called NS about it. I was able to get Ned on the phone, and he's going to send me a mod for the internal preamp. As I understand it, the preamp gives more power to the low strings by default (I'm not sure how, since the "pizz" pickup is just a solid piezo strip), and the mod will more evenly distribute power. He said the goal of pumping up the lower strings was so that you don't have to dig in to get the big low end like you have to on an acoustic UB.
Thanks.
Very useful!
Bookmarked this.
I'm not good enough at English for phonecalls though so I'll figure out some other way to contact Ned
To everyone and anyone,
I've been investigating this thread, as well as Bob G's website for a flight case for my CR4M. The price of the NS flight case is pretty steep. Bob has another hard case which is much more affordable, but is not ata rated.
From my research, I've concluded that I'm not able to get "gate checked" or "plane side checked" on any airplane, and it's got to go down below if I want to bring it with me.
Has anybody found a cheaper solution for flying/checking your NS on a flight? I've got some shows out east in November.
Thanks,
Pat
I've been investigating this thread, as well as Bob G's website for a flight case for my CR4M. The price of the NS flight case is pretty steep. Bob has another hard case which is much more affordable, but is not ata rated.
From my research, I've concluded that I'm not able to get "gate checked" or "plane side checked" on any airplane, and it's got to go down below if I want to bring it with me.
Has anybody found a cheaper solution for flying/checking your NS on a flight? I've got some shows out east in November.
Thanks,
Pat
I just wanted to post my compliments and appreciation to Ned and his team. His customer service is absolutely top notch.
I was having some issue with the G-string sounding soft in relation to the lower strings. Ned took the time to email and talk on the phone to see what needed to be done. He then sent a me jumper for internal preamp so that more power would be directed to the G and D strings. My CR4M was already an amazing instrument, but now, it plays exactly the way I've wanted it to play.
Anyone considering purchasing an NS instrument should do so for the customer service alone
I was having some issue with the G-string sounding soft in relation to the lower strings. Ned took the time to email and talk on the phone to see what needed to be done. He then sent a me jumper for internal preamp so that more power would be directed to the G and D strings. My CR4M was already an amazing instrument, but now, it plays exactly the way I've wanted it to play.
Anyone considering purchasing an NS instrument should do so for the customer service alone
Howdy!
Im getting new strings for my NS CR5M 5-string . Anyone using LaBella Deep Talkin black coated strings on their NS? I use those on my double bass (Chubby Jackson model 5 string Kay) and love them. Im not sure how the CR pickup system will respond to the coated strings??? Also somewhat skeptical about using the LaBella full scale strings on the NS, as they need to bend almost 180* behind the bass to accommodate the string length. The NS is only 54. Wondering how the coating takes the severe bend??? Has anyone used the Helicore Hybrids on an NS? How about the old dependable Spirocores?
Where do you prefer to get strings? My 5 strings both have high Cs, so many places whine about special ordering the extra string. If youve had a good experience with special orders, that recommendation would be great!
Thanks, in advance, for your responses.
Im getting new strings for my NS CR5M 5-string . Anyone using LaBella Deep Talkin black coated strings on their NS? I use those on my double bass (Chubby Jackson model 5 string Kay) and love them. Im not sure how the CR pickup system will respond to the coated strings??? Also somewhat skeptical about using the LaBella full scale strings on the NS, as they need to bend almost 180* behind the bass to accommodate the string length. The NS is only 54. Wondering how the coating takes the severe bend??? Has anyone used the Helicore Hybrids on an NS? How about the old dependable Spirocores?
Where do you prefer to get strings? My 5 strings both have high Cs, so many places whine about special ordering the extra string. If youve had a good experience with special orders, that recommendation would be great!
Thanks, in advance, for your responses.
SKB makes a hard case for the Bose L1 speakers that is nearly perfect for the NS Upright, all you have to do is modify the internal foam. $199, has wheels on one end and can also be carried like a guitar case.
Specs and pictures here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Just want to give a well-deserved shout out to NS Design for great customer service.
My EU5 lost one of the control knobs at a gig (or in transit). These are unique knobs with brass inserts, so they're not just cheap plastic run-of-the-mill knobs.
I emailed NS Design and inquired about how much to purchase a replacement knob, and they sent me one free of charge and even paid the postage - along with a nice note saying that they appreciated me playing one of their instruments.
Can you imagine if every manufacturer were this awesome and really cared and appreciated their customers like this? Kudo's to NS Design.
My EU5 lost one of the control knobs at a gig (or in transit). These are unique knobs with brass inserts, so they're not just cheap plastic run-of-the-mill knobs.
I emailed NS Design and inquired about how much to purchase a replacement knob, and they sent me one free of charge and even paid the postage - along with a nice note saying that they appreciated me playing one of their instruments.
Can you imagine if every manufacturer were this awesome and really cared and appreciated their customers like this? Kudo's to NS Design.
yesterday I saw Jeff Beck performing with Rhonda Smith. Great concert.
She was using a bright yellow electric upright. It sounded really good.
is it an NS? Here you see it standing:
She was using a bright yellow electric upright. It sounded really good.
is it an NS? Here you see it standing:
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