Double Bass NS EUB megathread

[LM Bass]

Nice playing!

 

[Les Fret]

Question for all NS design 5 string players: how many of you play it tuned EADGC? how does it work for bowing (playing wise)? Especially the bowing of the C string. I might be interested in an CR5M or EU.
One additional question: can it be played seated on the ground without tripod or endpin (like Indian musicians do)?

 

[coyoteboy]

Question for all NS design 5 string players: how many of you play it tuned EADGC? how does it work for bowing (playing wise)? Especially the bowing of the C string. I might be interested in an CR5M or EU.
One additional question: can it be played seated on the ground without tripod or endpin (like Indian musicians do)?

I rather like the C of my EU6. Bows just fine, upper range is sweet. Like it better than my G to be honest. Seated, the headstock would be quite tall.

 

[jondiener]

Can anyone help me identify these strings? I just picked up a used NS CR-4M on evil bay and I'm trying to figure out what strings are on it. I'm planning to replace them soon with NS Traditionals, but I wondered what these are. (pics below)

Large ball ends with red (with gold stripe) jacket and on the tuning peg end, color-coded windings for each string.



Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Francois Blais]

D'Addario Helicore Pizzicatos.

 

[jondiener]

D'Addario Helicore Pizzicatos.

Merci, Francois!

No wonder they sound great for pizz, but suck for arco! Probably not the best strings to start learning arco technique on.

 

[Francois Blais]

Indeed!

 

[ArtechnikA]

...I'm planning to replace them soon with NS Traditionals...

I just put a set of those on my NXT; I like 'em...

 

[Holdsg]

I have traditionals on my CR-M and like them.
I play bluegrass, so no arco, but I've attempted arco and seemed ok.

 

[panamonte]

I'm thinking of putting Belcantos on my NXT. I bought it secondhand and I think the E A & D strings are still the stock ones. Don't know what the G is - it has no silk and bows a bit more easily than the others although the tone's rather nasal.

What I want to know is whether the stock NXT tuners will be robust enough to take the Belcantos or whether I'm going to need to invest in a set of Hipshots. Any advice gratefully received.

 

[ArtechnikA]

What I want to know is whether the stock NXT tuners will be robust enough to take the Belcantos or whether I'm going to need to invest in a set of Hipshots. Any advice gratefully received.

Can't speak to that directly, but I can say that what I've read is that the Hipshot upgrade is pretty important for thicker-than-stock B on 5-strings.
My NXT-5 had the Hipshot upgrade when I got it, and I had no issues with the Traditionals B.
That's all I've got...

 

[panamonte]

Thanks for that. I guess it's a worthwhile upgrade which I'll get round to doing sooner or later anyway, but if anyone has put Belcantos on a stock NXT 4 let me know how it turned out for you.

 

[jondiener]

So tomorrow, my new set of NS Traditionals will arrive from Gollihur Music. This will be my first time changing strings on an EUB - is there anything different/tricky that I should be aware of? I normally change one string at a time on my electrics, to keep tension fairly consistent.

Looks like it should be fairly straightforward on the CR4M, yes?

 

[ArtechnikA]

Looks like it should be fairly straightforward on the CR4M, yes?

My only issue with the NXT5 was the hole and backing washer for the B are too small for a Traditional to fit; easy fix involving a 13/64" drill and 6mm washer.
A 4 should be no problem, although even a couple of those were snug in their holes.
I took advantage of having the strings off (one at a time) to carefully apply Zymöl Bridge to the fingerboard.

 

[Holdsg]

So tomorrow, my new set of NS Traditionals will arrive from Gollihur Music. This will be my first time changing strings on an EUB - is there anything different/tricky that I should be aware of? I normally change one string at a time on my electrics, to keep tension fairly consistent.

Looks like it should be fairly straightforward on the CR4M, yes?

yes, and since you already do 1 string at a time, you have the nut cracked.

the other advice is to make sure you don't get the winding stuck against the side of the headstock, where it might bind and cause tuner to stop turning. That's true of all uprights.

 

[JansenW]

So tomorrow, my new set of NS Traditionals will arrive from Gollihur Music. This will be my first time changing strings on an EUB - is there anything different/tricky that I should be aware of? I normally change one string at a time on my electrics, to keep tension fairly consistent.

Looks like it should be fairly straightforward on the CR4M, yes?

You should also install a new 9v battery while the strings are off.

 

[jondiener]

You should also install a new 9v battery while the strings are off.

Good call, JansenW!

 

[Holdsg]

I've decided to go ahead and devote 100% of my bluegrass bass playing to my DB, and therefore I am selling my NS CR-4M.
If anyone is interested, its here in this link (which includes information about my portable, battery powered [AC as well] Phil Jones amp as an add-on to the purchase).

For Sale - NS Design CR-4M Amber Burst w/stand/gigbag/bow | TalkBass.com

 

[DBEUBEBPlayer]

Guys - can the pickup selector switch be modded to blend pot in NS CR EUB? Has anyone tried this mod?
Thanks!

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Guys - can the pickup selector switch be modded to blend pot in NS CR EUB? Has anyone tried this mod?
Thanks!

Which switch? The CR bass uses a blend knob for the Polar pickup modes, and the CR-M uses a blend knob for the Polar pickup/Magnetic pickup controls. AFAIK, there are no switches on the CR model basses.