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Double Bass NS EUB megathread

#621
I've heard a few people comment on the compressed sound in arco. I use mine full arco for pizz playing. If you're using the side of your finger to pluck the finger will thump against the lower string and the sound should swell up behind it. Hope that's clear, not sure I under stand it. You can wind in the mix of pizz and arco to taste.

As for strings, I use Flexocors and have used Belcantos in the past. They have a rope core as opposed to solid. That might give you an even more DBish tone. Mind you at £145 a set it's an expensive way to experiment. Both these sets are medium tension.
 
#622
wateroftyne said:
Thanks, all... very useful stuff!
-snip-
Also... on the face of it, are the strings it has on it (Solid core medium tension chrome tapewound) a reasonable starting point for my needs, which is a DB-style tone to accompany folk / country /singer-songwriter styles?

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

You can use virtually any standard URB string by going around the bottom and anchoring the string ends in the back plate. You'll find strings much more suited to a "roots" URB sound, such as what I think you describe above.

However, buying and trying different URB strings is a very expensive hobby. I always recommend that players spend some time with the stock strings, so they have a point of reference, and can tell me what they like, don't like, wish they had more or less off.... etc., so any recommendation we make will be on target. And there are plenty of suggestions and experience on this and other board; as always, check the source's experience level.

When you do go to another string, watch the physical size (thickness) as the bass guitar machine heads will not accommodate beyond a certain point-- the Pirastro Obligato E is about as think as we've ever done, and even that was a tight fit.
 
#623
Bob's right. I was lucky enough to have a couple of sets of URB strings from my days as a classical player that I could immediately switch out from the normal NS strings that came with the bass. It saved me a lot of time looking at different ones, and also money (having only to pay for a B string instead of a full 5 string set).

I had a heck of a time putting a Spirocore B string on my CR-5M; had to remove some of the silk off it to get it in the tuning peg as well as get it through the brass insert at the bottom of the bass. That said, it's on there and sounds fantastic with the other Spirocores.
 
#625
Thanks again, everyone. If I don't get on with the current strings I'll do a bit of research and take the plunge with a different set.

I've been experimenting more with the piezo blend. Can I just ask you all if the behaviour of my piezo blend is normal?

Dialled fully anti-clockwise, it's smooth with heaps of sustain. I'm guessing this is vertical. It's very nice, but it sustains forever...

Dialled clockwise as it passes 12 o'clock, the volume drops dramatically, but... pizz notes gain an extreme transient attack that is quickly 'squashed' and fades suddenly. It sounds more URB-y, but I don't think it would be practical to gig with as the speaker virtually jumps out of my combo. It would probably destroy my cab.

While this is happening, the overall perceived volume is quite low - far lower than fully anti-clockwise. It's a strange thing. This may well be normal and expected behaviour, but I thought I'd check mine is doing what it should be doing...!

Thanks again...
 
#627
If you were to open it up to check out the bridge (and now you don't have to) you'd see two transducers. One is positioned 90 degrees from the other, as the strings (and bridge) vibrate mostly in one direction vs. the other when playing pizz vs arco. No hard and fast rules regarding which to use-- let your ears be your guide.
 
#628
wateroftyne said:
It sounds more URB-y, but I don't think it would be practical to gig with as the speaker virtually jumps out of my combo. It would probably destroy my cab.
Click to expand...

A high-pass filter would be extremely useful here to block the subharmonic frequencies produced by piezos that contribute nothing to your audible tone but can, as you point out, destroy your speakers.

You will find references all over this forum to TBer fdeck's device, or you can obtain more elaborate preamps (such as the Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass I purchased from our friend Bob) that include such a filter. In the meantime, turn down your bass knob ... :)
 
#631
If it helps, here's the settings I've been using at the theatre right now (I'm running straight direct into the house, and have in-ears for monitor). With the Spiros, I'm getting a really smooth jazz pizz tone that has a gorgeous arco sound.

Volume - 3 o'clock
Mag/Piezo Blend - 3 o'clock
Pizz/Arco Blend - 11 o'clock
Treble - 11 o'clock
Bass - 1 o'clock
 
#632
There's a pretty nice looking CR-5m on eBay right now for $2100 with bag, stand, French bow, and the shoulder strap system if anyone is interested. If anyone picks that up, I'd be interested in how the shoulder strap system works!
 
#633
FWIW: I used to own a CR4T + shoulder strap. It's weird - much better for playing pizz. It feels awkward with arco. There's not alot of room for bigger/taller guys. The 4T's are pretty heavy as well. Your right arm feels cramped up because the bass is so close to you. The ability for it to pivot the fingerboard toward you is pretty cool tho. I have mixed feelings about it.

I'm sure it works far better on the Omnibass.
 
#634
Seems like it would be better for Pizz than Arco. Seems like it would maybe be too close to your body with the bow on the lower strings. I wonder if it could be spaced out to get it a little further away. What I'm doing now, doubling with my EBG , the stand is the way to go anyway right now. We are doing 5 to 7 song sets with maybe 2 or 3 songs on the NS. BassCentral up in Orlando is the closest place to try one, and that's a 3 1/2 hour drive. It'd be cheaper to "borrow" one and pay the shipping than to pay all that gas money out.
 
#635
I've doubled with EBG and my CR-5M, and depending on your stage area, it could go either way. I just spent the money to get the endpin, mainly because while I do like the tripod stand, it still doesn't have that same "fit" that having it rest against your body like a string bass would. I'm sure the tripod will have its place for me, but for many of my upcoming gigs, I'm looking forward to the endpin. I just have to find a way to affix a bow quiver to it.
 
#639
I have bought that NS NXT as a reward for finishing my studies and because I lived the worst 3 years of my life.

I'm really happy with it. I played classical upright bass like 8 years ago when I did a college degree in jazz. I never played a upright bass after that because it was right handed and I play electric bass lefty for the past 12 years. But ... I like it and I think I could play electric right handed, so more choice for me !
 

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#640
All,
need a bit of help. I have read through most of the posts and searched but. Come up empty.

I am primarily a bass guitar person. I picked up a cr5m several years ago, played around with it a bit put it away. I brought it out again to give the upright thing another try.

But, I am curious as to what "correct" set up is? I am not sure if this was ever set up properly from the factory.

Can you please let me know what would be the correct string height? (over the 12th fret).

Also the magnetic pick ups are all over the place, is there a standard distance these should be from the strings?

I am going to give this another shot and if it does not happen, I will probably be looking to trade it off..
Thanks!
 

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