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Double Bass NS EUB megathread

#41
Hi Folks!

I'm thinking of buying a NS Designs (Steinberger) electric upright bass - the cheaper Czech-built one.

I've read here that some of you have tried or bought these... Would you recommend the 5 string model, or have you found the 4 string to be just as 'versatile'?

I've tried both, and found the 5 to be slightly easier to play (I'm a BG player), but I'll be mostly playing DB lines on it - maybe I won't miss the bottom string?...

Thanks for your help!
 
#42
Originally posted by Phagor
Hi Folks!

I'm thinking of buying a NS Designs (Steinberger) electric upright bass - the cheaper Czech-built one.

I've read here that some of you have tried or bought these... Would you recommend the 5 string model, or have you found the 4 string to be just as 'versatile'?

I've tried both, and found the 5 to be slightly easier to play (I'm a BG player), but I'll be mostly playing DB lines on it - maybe I won't miss the bottom string?...

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

I tried both at the Bass centre in London and ended up buying the CR 5 about 2-3 weeks ago!

I suppose I'm used to 5-string bass guitars now and when I was considering, the price difference was so little, as a % of the price that I just thought - why not? ;)

Having played it a lot now - there is nothing like the sound of a low D on the B string it is an awesome experience, which you feel through the floor more than anything else. Much bassier and more fundamental in the note than any Bass guitar I have tried.

Basically I don't see using the B that much but like on BG it is nice to have the option to play a low F at somewhere other than the first position - but I actually think I will use it less than on my BGs where I was using the B string to get more of an EUB sound! ;)

I think the fact of having a 5-string DB is a little bit different and sets it apart from the other EUBs - which I quite like - but there wasn't as much in it as with BG.

For me - the bigger difference was that the magnetic pickups tended to sound more like fretless BG higher up the neck, whereas piezos only and higher action gets closer to a DB sound, so I went for the piezo-only version.
 
#43
Thanks Bruce...

I was looking at the Steinbergers in the London Bass Centre too! In fact, maybe you cleaned them out of the last one!! ;)

One reason for asking the question is that the Bass Centre won't be getting any more 5 strings for SIX MONTHS!!! Come on Ned, get chiselling :p

I've already got some gigs lined up which I need DB or EUB for, so I'm seriously thinking that maybe I should get a 4 string (which they've still got at the Bass Centre), on the grounds that there's always something better or newer around the corner.

Your advice about the piezo pickup and bridge is useful. My experience of piezo pickups of basses and guitars is that they're usually a bit thin sounding and trebly. I'd assumed that you'd need the mag pickup for warmth...

Incidently, has anyone heard of Mo Clifton's EUBs? He's a London-based luthier with some interesting designs... anybody got one?

Thanks again Bruce!
 
#44
Originally posted by Phagor
Thanks Bruce...

I was looking at the Steinbergers in the London Bass Centre too! In fact, maybe you cleaned them out of the last one!! ;)

One reason for asking the question is that the Bass Centre won't be getting any more 5 strings for SIX MONTHS!!! Come on Ned, get chiselling :p

Yup - that's another factor that made me determined to get one now! I've thought about it before and found that there were none available! :(

You could always get one shipped from the US - I talked about this to Gard who works at Bass Central and it wouldn't have been much difference in price - I just wanted the security of having the thing in my hands - if you're more "adventurous" it might even work out cheaper! I think he had a 5-string on "sale" that was very slightly shop-soiled.


I've already got some gigs lined up which I need DB or EUB for, so I'm seriously thinking that maybe I should get a 4 string (which they've still got at the Bass Centre), on the grounds that there's always something better or newer around the corner.

Your advice about the piezo pickup and bridge is useful. My experience of piezo pickups of basses and guitars is that they're usually a bit thin sounding and trebly. I'd assumed that you'd need the mag pickup for warmth...

 I assumed this would be the case too, but having tried both - it is not the case. The NS pre-amp included, adds loads of warmth - in fact the tone controls definitely let you get TOO bassy if you're not careful!

Incidently, has anyone heard of Mo Clifton's EUBs? He's a London-based luthier with some interesting designs... anybody got one?

Thanks again Bruce!
Click to expand...

That's OK !
 
#47
Originally posted by Diezel420
Since it seems like kind of a radical departure from the norm of electric double bass building (I mean, magnetic pickups for goodness sake),
Click to expand...

It doesn't have to have magnetic pickups - mine doesn't - just piezos! I tried both in the shop and decided that I preferred the piezo-only sound, so why pay more for something you won't use?

I think some players who are more associated with rock/pop like the magenetic pickups, but to me - the point is that it sounds different and if I want a magnetic pickup "sound" I can go to my BG.
 
#50
Hi guys - I've got a NS steinberger that I use for my theatre gigs. Most of the music has been pizz with a little bit of arco which the OEM strings have been handling ok.

I have two shows coming up where the ratio of Arco to Pizz is about 90% arco to 10% pizz.

I've swapped the srings to a set of low tension Helicore Hybrids but the arco performance is not as good as the same strings on my CCB Acoustic bass.

Has anyone found a good string for Arco and Pizz on the Steinberger ?

Thanks
 
#51
I think a string that works well on a DB arco, will work well on a EUB. I had a set of Helicore Hybrids on my Kay at first and had a time getting a respectable arco sound. I switched to Thomastic Spiracore Weichs and it was a world of difference i.e. I didn't have to work as hard with arco with this string.
 
#53
I certainly wouldn't put spirocores on a bass for playing arco. Especially on an EUB.

They are excellent strings. They sound very good played pizzicato, but they tend to sound scratchy when bowed, even more so when they are new. They aren't impossible to bow, but there are other strings out there that are better suited for the purpose.

Also, IME, pickups tend to exaggerate finger noise, board clanking and other things similar, like bowing scratchiness.

I would try a set of Obligatos or Dominants. Something with a smoother, darker tone.
 
#55
WOW!!!!
I would like to thank all for the excellent info from this site (especially Bruce!), that led me to accidentally end up in the Bass Centre (UK) on Thursday (now how did that happen!).
Would you believe my luck they had a second hand NS CR5M !!!!!
well....they dont have it any more! :hyper:

Its GREAT... fantastic sound and so playable.
And as for all the DB purists who hang here...with all the "its a love thing"...EUB's are rubbish etc etc...Well i disagree.. I LOVE it. :D

PS: If you are around Bruce...any set up tips, etc etc...much appreciated.

Jim
 
#56
junglejim said:
WOW!!!!
I would like to thank all for the excellent info from this site (especially Bruce!), that led me to accidentally end up in the Bass Centre (UK) on Thursday (now how did that happen!).
Would you believe my luck they had a second hand NS CR5M !!!!!
well....they dont have it any more! :hyper:

Its GREAT... fantastic sound and so playable.
And as for all the DB purists who hang here...with all the "its a love thing"...EUB's are rubbish etc etc...Well i disagree.. I LOVE it. :D

PS: If you are around Bruce...any set up tips, etc etc...much appreciated.

Jim
Click to expand...

Looks like it's a small club!! ;)

I think they are a god-send for us in the UK with poor availability of instruments and shops - I've bought all my instruments at the Bass Centre!! :)

Anyway - my recommendation would be to get "real" DB strings - I got Pirastro Flexocors - and to raise the action by using the screws on the back, if you want it to sound more DB-like!!
 
#57
cheers..
yes i have put bridge up nice and high... too skint now for new strings!!
these will do for a few months!!!
the low B is hard to control it rattles the glass in me windows!!!!
i dont think i will use the mag pickups much...the sound from the piezos is great.
anyway my fingers hurt...
the cat has left home...
wife has gone nuts...

... I LOVE IT.
 
#60
I love the way (when bass on its stand) if you get a few bars rest (rare as it may be)... you can just walk away from your Bass have a pint....quick fag ...walk up to it again and continue playing!!! :smug:

however i keep forgeting to pull jack out to save battery life!
Q. how long do the batts last?

shame old Ned didnt include a power on/off switch. ;)

J
 

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