Double Bass NS - uneven output

[Bassworm]

Hi All,
I'd like some advice about the strings on my NS CR4M. It's fitted with D'Addario helicore hybrid medium strings which when played pizzicato sound fine, but recently I've started learning to play arco and noticed that there's a big difference in output between the strings. The E and A sound loud and full bodied when bowed but by comparison the D and G are quite weedy and quiet. I'd appreciate any suggestions for string combinations that might even out the sound across the strings. Thanks in advance.
Mike E.


Keep your notes low and fat!

www.pbase.com/bassworm

 

[basmansam]

The E and A sound loud and full bodied when bowed but by comparison the D and G are quite weedy and quiet.
Mike E.

Mike,
Have you set the switch to the arco position? If you leave it on pizz the G & D strings will sound thin.
I used stock strings on my CR4 without issues.
I used Spirocore weichs on my US5. They're great basses.
Sam

 

[Bassworm]

Mike,
Have you set the switch to the arco position? If you leave it on pizz the G & D strings will sound thin.
I used stock strings on my CR4 without issues.
I used Spirocore weichs on my US5. They're great basses.
Sam

Hi Sam,
Yep, tried in both the arco and pizz positions with little improvement. I didn't really like the stock strings which sounded too much like a bass guitar for my taste, which is why I went over to the Helicores. I'll have a look out for the spirocores, thanks for the advice. You're right, it's a great bass.
Mike E.

 

[basmansam]

Mike,
There are internal trim pots, you could try turning the G & D string pots up.
Sam

 

[mburd]

The NS-CR4M internal trimpots are:
Mag Level
Piezo
-Blend
-Pizz
-Arco
The Mag string-string balanced is managed by the pickup height adjustment, and no user adjustable piezo string balance. Make sure the bridge is centered in the "slot" and not touching either side.
In my experience the neck relief and overall setup plays a huge part in the response of the instrument. I have Spiro Mittles and fiddled (?) quite a bit with all the parameters till I got to a point I was happy. I have also found that rolling off some bass eq (11 o'clock for me) significantly un-masks the G and D fundamental thru an amp.
These links provides some general info.
http://www.nedsteinberger.com/faq/faq.html
http://www.nedsteinberger.com/instruments/bass/cr/crbass-instruc.htm

I think you'll find David ([email protected]) to be a very helpful support resource if it comes to that.

 

[Bassworm]

The NS-CR4M internal trimpots are:
Mag Level
Piezo
-Blend
-Pizz
-Arco
The Mag string-string balanced is managed by the pickup height adjustment, and no user adjustable piezo string balance. Make sure the bridge is centered in the "slot" and not touching either side.
In my experience the neck relief and overall setup plays a huge part in the response of the instrument. I have Spiro Mittles and fiddled (?) quite a bit with all the parameters till I got to a point I was happy. I have also found that rolling off some bass eq (11 o'clock for me) significantly un-masks the G and D fundamental thru an amp.
These links provides some general info.
http://www.nedsteinberger.com/faq/faq.html
http://www.nedsteinberger.com/instruments/bass/cr/crbass-instruc.htm

I think you'll find David ([email protected]) to be a very helpful support resource if it comes to that.

Many thanks for all the suggestions
Mike E.