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Double Bass NS EUB megathread

#561
Here's Continentals equally ambiguous policy. I am calling my NS a "bass guitar" because anything to do with "upright bass" gets a flat "no" really quickly.

Mr. Harris,

I apologize for the confusion. A bass guitar does not require a fee to check. You may attempt to carry it on board with you but there are no guarantees there will be room for it onboard. If it exceeds 36 inches in length, it will not fit in the overhead compartment and will have to be gate checked and placed in the baggage compartment. I hope this information is helpful.

I'm going to try the "gate check" option. At least I can carry it through the airports and the handling will be minimized. I bought this case from Bob G (Invalid Link Removed). It's not ATA rated, but it seems like I could take a good beating while protecting the instrument. Worse case scenario is that I have to check it as baggage and pay excess fees due to the length.
 
#562
I am debating the same purchase from Gollihur. Our steel guitar player makes outstanding flight cases, and parts, gas, labor, etc. I'd pay the same amount, but he can't have parts ordered and case assembled before the first time I need it. So, I'd like to spend the money on the flight case, but not sure how that will work out. Otherwise, the band pays overages on my upright for each leg of the departing and returning flight.
 
#563
Hmm.... Oversize ought to be 80"+ and overweight 50lbs+. I've seen the Gollihur case in person - it shouldn't go over either one. Unless Continental charges on all baggage now...
 
#564
Pat Harris said:
Here's Continentals equally ambiguous policy. I am calling my NS a "bass guitar" because anything to do with "upright bass" gets a flat "no" really quickly.

Mr. Harris,

I apologize for the confusion. A bass guitar does not require a fee to check. You may attempt to carry it on board with you but there are no guarantees there will be room for it onboard. If it exceeds 36 inches in length, it will not fit in the overhead compartment and will have to be gate checked and placed in the baggage compartment. I hope this information is helpful.

I'm going to try the "gate check" option. At least I can carry it through the airports and the handling will be minimized. I bought this case from Bob G (Invalid Link Removed). It's not ATA rated, but it seems like I could take a good beating while protecting the instrument. Worse case scenario is that I have to check it as baggage and pay excess fees due to the length.
Click to expand...

I just ordered this same case from the Gollihurs. It's designed as a ski case; Sportube is the manufacturer, and their website has some fairly hair-raising testimonials as to its durability. The Gollihurs have the best price I was able to source here in NZ, slightly better with shipping even than the local sports equipment stores, and better than other online traders. The NS is pretty solid, but the case will give me just a little extra peace of mind -- can't have that flamed maple getting scratched!
 
#565
I read somewhere that someone got a plastic tube from Home depot and put the bass in the gig bag into the pipe.




GrowlerBox said:
I just ordered this same case from the Gollihurs. It's designed as a ski case; Sportube is the manufacturer, and their website has some fairly hair-raising testimonials as to its durability. The Gollihurs have the best price I was able to source here in NZ, slightly better with shipping even than the local sports equipment stores, and better than other online traders. The NS is pretty solid, but the case will give me just a little extra peace of mind -- can't have that flamed maple getting scratched!
Click to expand...
 
#566
wneff said:
I read somewhere that someone got a plastic tube from Home depot and put the bass in the gig bag into the pipe.
Click to expand...

That would certainly help for protecting your bass from light knocks, but not all plastics are equal. That's not to say you couldn't find the right type at Home Depot (although finding a Home Depot in NZ would be a challenge!), but there may be some trial and error involved. Besides, this one has handles and wheels, it's lockable, that kind of thing. Oh, and the Gollihurs give you a "BASS" sticker to put on it :)
 
#567
Christopher said:
The stock strings are designed to work with the mag pickups. If you switch to something else (like an arco string with lots of damping material), the mags won't work as well. I hear Spirocores are the way to go with mag-equipped EUBs.

That's all I got.
Click to expand...

I just got an NS EU5, and the factory strings were waaaaay too light and bright for my needs (I am doing 50/50 pizz/arco and thus need the strings to be equally good for both, to the extent that's possible.) I figured I'd try the Steinberger "Traditional" set, which I believe are made for them by D'Addario. They're called Helicore Hybrid Medium Gauge. However, these are so far in the other direction from the factory strings that I'm looking for something in between. I'll guess try the Spirocores next; Hopefully they'll give the right balance.
 
#569
I've got Spiro Weichs on my CR4M and really like their feel under my hands, as well as the sound I get. They bow wonderfully and work just fine with the magnetic p-ups.

On another note, I flew up to Boston on Continental Airlines with my CR4M using the alternate case available from Gollihur. I was able to get through security without any issues, and then I was able to "plane side" check it with the strollers, walkers, and wheel chairs. I put "fragile" stickers on it, and it's been protecting the bass and the NS gig bag wonderfully. The wheels are a huge bonus when walking through the Houston airport. As long as you don't check the case with all of the other baggage, I'm very sure that the case will protect the goods.
 
#570
GrowlerBox said:
their website has some fairly hair-raising testimonials as to its durability.
Click to expand...

We didn't mean to raise your hair (did you take a photo of that?) but we do want to make sure we don't overstate any case's protective powers. The case is pretty solid, to be sure, but there are plenty of horror stories of people who've had guitar necks snapped completely off - when in an Anvil-style, ATA rated case (!) With our "disclaimers", we're just recommending prudence. ;-)

Glad it worked out for you, Pat!
 
#571
sixandeightstringer said:
We didn't mean to raise your hair (did you take a photo of that?) but we do want to make sure we don't overstate any case's protective powers. The case is pretty solid, to be sure, but there are plenty of horror stories of people who've had guitar necks snapped completely off - when in an Anvil-style, ATA rated case (!) With our "disclaimers", we're just recommending prudence. ;-)

Glad it worked out for you, Pat!
Click to expand...

Sorry, Mark -- I never meant to imply that you would raise anyone's hair ;); the testimonials are from the manufacturer's website. I certainly accept there's no guarantee. The case hasn't arrived yet (I guess it's a long way), so I can't offer my own review. Looks the shizzle, though! By the way, props for lateral thinking on trying this case out.
 
#572
Well, after much gnashing of teeth (and an SKB ATA gun case that turned out to be too short), I opted for the NS flight case. I often have poor luck with cases, and I want to be able to trust the case as much as a case can be trusted.

It came in today and certainly looks like she'll do the job. Only drawback is that there are no wheels. Only 48lbs loaded, and since I'm built like a gorilla, I shouldn't have any problems, right??? :eek: Flying to San Diego, CA tomorrow and back on Sunday. I'll report in Monday on how it works out.

Bill
 
#573
The Sportube case arrived from the Gollihurs yesterday, and I'm pretty happy with it. The bass inside its gigbag is a snug fit, so no rattling around, and the telescoping tube design means that there's 2 layers of the tough plastic over most of the instrument. It's nice and light, and the wheels are handy and well-constructed. The only downsides are the slightly fiddly locking mechanism, and a potential issue in that the entire weight of the instrument when it's in the case is borne by the locking pin which holds the 2 parts of the case together. This is unlikely to be a problem for normal home to rehearsal to gig type use (at least for me), but I think I'd get a second locking pin for peace of mind if I were entrusting its carriage to some third party.

In all though, and certainly for the price (US$159 plus shipping), I think it's a decent second-best for those not quite ready to spring for the NS case. Good thinking, Gollihurs!
 
#574
I got the flight case from NS, and it worked wonderfully. My only complaint is that it has no wheels. But then if it had wheels, it would be over 50lbs, and I'd be paying overages (and I'm tired of paying overages). Maybe I can find those wheels that strap on to the case, but come off at the gate (for storing in checked bag). Any ideas???
 
#576
Yes, I have thought about that. Our steel guitar player builds fantastic cases, but he is so busy on his regular job, and we are playing all the time, that he can't build one. He did say we could always put wheels on it. He said that wheels would definitely make it go over 50lbs.

I pack as light as I can when we travel, but I carry the largest allowed suitcase - I'd have plenty of room for the stand as long as it wasn't too long. My NS case and suitcase together were less than 85lbs (15lbs to spare), so adding wheels (in-line or exterior mount) would not push any weight envelope with air travel.

I considered the sport tube also. I was worried about being far away from home and not being able to gate check it for the ride home. Glad to hear you had good luck.
 
#578
Do you use any type of preamp/EQ stompbox for tone sculpting? I'm getting rid of a multi-effects unit and going with some analog pedals for electric bass, but I did run my NS thru it for EQ purposes. Looking to find a pedal of sorts to give me that ability, just wondering what some of you may use? I know what largely is out there from an electric bass perspective, but since I'm fairly new to EUB (1+yrs) is there a specific pedal with double bass in mind?
Thanks!

Oh, while you're thinking, are there any favorite DIs as well?
:hyper:
 
#579
When I feel like lugging for extra effects, I take a Boss GT-10B. The EQ's on it sound nice, the effects are good quality and the reverb is also good.

But most of the time I dont even use it, my amp is set flat and the NS sounds great already.

The pedal also provides a DI.

The whole BG mix-and-match individual pedals thing seems like a total pain.
 
#580
I'm waiting on an ElectroHarmonix LPB-1 linear booster and a Boss GEB-7 EQ to come in. I have been using a Fishman BII preamp with upright bass and with my NS, but I'd like some more tone sculpting. I could have upgraded to the Fishman Pro with lots of features (including a direct out), but I'm trying the pedals because I can put it all in one pedal board for easy play and easy travel.

If you are still considering a straight ahead preamp, check out Bob Gollihur's site. Mark will probably see this anyway and offer his advice. Lots of great preamps with many different features.

Invalid Link Removed

As for me, I'm trying pedals. I'll have a report soon.

Bill
 

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