Double Bass NS EUB megathread

[Hqubed]

This is what I have...

Pic matches the traditional set I have

 

[KaseOfBass]

Thanks, Hqubed!

That's the feeling that I had but it's interesting because this is supposed to be a brand new NXT. I thought those - and other NS EUB basses - shipped with the contemporary strings. Hmm...maybe they've changed since everyone seemed to be changing them out?

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Actually - I do believe that my Pops may be mistaken; I'll check when I get back to the office tomorrow, but it's my recollection that both the Contemporary and the Traditional (suprisingly) have the same silks (blue with gold winding.)

 

[KaseOfBass]

Ahhh...well the mystery continues then. Thank you for helping, Mark

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Ahhh...well the mystery continues then. Thank you for helping, Mark

I'm going to compare when I get in tomorrow - I think that the ball ends on the contemporary are smaller than the ones on the Traditionals; that may just be my imagination, though.

 

[KaseOfBass]

I'm going to compare when I get in tomorrow - I think that the ball ends on the contemporary are smaller than the ones on the Traditionals; that may just be my imagination, though.

Thanks, Mark!

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Yes, my memory was correct (even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.)

The Contemporary and Traditional strings BOTH have Gold/Blue/Gold silks at the ball end (with gold stripes over the blue), and both have the multi-colored D'Addario silks in the pegbox to indicate each string position (the ones in my photo below are "G" strings, which are red at the pegbox end.)

The difference (aside from string diameter - the Contemporary strings are a light gauge) is in the ball end - the Contemporary strings have a smaller, electric-bass-style ball end with a hole in the middle, while the Traditionals have the same ball end used on Helicore upright bass string sets, which is a solid cylinder (no hole).

Hope that helps!

 

[KaseOfBass]

Awesome, I'll check 'um when I get home this evening. Thanks, Mark!

 

[tkhNote]

Hello once again!

Does anyone have a scheme for NS CR5M's electronics? Especially 3 way arco/pizz mode selector wiring. Got some issues - when I switch between modes, sound always interrupts like "brrr..rr.....r.....rr..r.r.....rrrrrr" and I have to twitch switch few times.
Help, please!

 

[mtb777]

It's broken. You need to throw that thing away. Get a new one. Really. I am an authorized recycling facility. PM me.

Call NS. Their service guys are great!

(207) 563-7705

 

[eadg52]

I am the proud owner of an NS CR4M I have had for about 6 months and enjoy quite a bit. I am playing with the stock strings. I use both the piezo and mag pick ups for different situations. I feel like my G string is somewhat weaker than the other strings, just kind of thin sounding, especially in the upper registers. I am thinking about replacing either just that string or the entire set for a more balanced sound. I don't really think there is anything wrong with the bass and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions. Primarily pizz jazz playing. Thanks for your responses, and Happy New Year!

Welcome to the club, I've had my CRM4 for about 8 years now and am more than pleased with it.
For pizz I lower the action somewhat and tweak the truss rod for minimum relief but be careful how 'easy' you make it to play or it will sound like a bg.
If your G is low on output check the level of the mag pups - for some odd reason the G pup on mine seems to shrink away in distance from the string over time no matter how tight I screw it.
In all, I use some cheap proprietary strings (UK made, forget the name...) that work well with pizz or arco.

Best,
Steve

 

[Holdsg]

Bumping this thread.

I am very much enjoying my CRM4 I have had for about 2 months (I bought it used on here).
I am using it for bluegrass as a travel bass, and for busking, jams, festivals, whenever I can't, or don't want to lug the upright around.
I have strung it with Traditional strings.
When I play it "mobile", I am using a Phil Jones Double 4 compact combo amp, run off of a laptop battery, for the ultimate portable rig.
I met some of the NS Designs folks at BPL last weekend and can report that the booth was always busy.

 

[mtb777]

I missed out on one of those shoulder mounts used on evilbay a few weeks back. Was thinking it'd be cool to use at church to be a little more mobile on a tight stage that's not bad with the NS, but an upright can be too unwieldy at times. I rarely see them used but would like to pick up one someday for sure.

 

[Holdsg]

Best part of NAMM so far, Tony Levin in the NS Design booth.

 

[coyoteboy]

Family pic at last nites gig. Oops, chopped the heads off. Not usually a problem with Steinberger instruments! He cello's tone is fairly unreal!

 

[peterpalmieri]

The cellos do sounds really nice. How do you have it string?

 

[coyoteboy]

Stock F-E

 

[Holdsg]

Carried on my CRM 4-string on a Southwest flight tonight with no problems whatsoever. Just need to find acompletely empty overhead bin, so that means you gotta pay a bit more to ensure you are in the A group. In the standard NS gig bag.

 

[amarok]

Hello BassTalkers-

I've just joined this site, and gravitated straight to this thread...I'm about halfway through reading all the posts. I've owned my NS CR5M for about 7 years - my first bass actually. Came to it by way of the mandolin, and I love it. I play all sorts of styles, and this bass seems to suit anything I choose to try. Glad to be a part of this group, and I'm looking forward to all the knowledge and bass-love that goes with it - cheers!

 

[basschanges]

Hi guys, thought I'd post some vids of the NS upright. Youtube doesn't have enough vids of the NS double bass in straight ahead jazz contexts.