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Double Bass NS.. want vs need vs....

mp40smg

mp40smg

Aug 11, 2010
980
567
Worcester, Ma.
#1
Here is the deal..

i am a BG played with a desire to give EUB, yet another, go. I tried unsuccessfully in the past as I just did not give it enough attention. With COVID and lock downs, I am considering giving it another “real try” this time.

I have an MM bongo 6 up for sale or trade. And almost had an nxt but that fell through. But still out there for trade.

So I guess the question is. Do I “settle” for a wav? At this point, I don’t need “modern” or wide variety of tones, just a good player with a good upright tone.

i suppose I am asking if versatility of tone is not an issue. Is the wav a good way to go or is it just a starter and really a mistake?
 
#2
mp40smg said:
Here is the deal..

i am a BG played with a desire to give EUB, yet another, go. I tried unsuccessfully in the past as I just did not give it enough attention. With COVID and lock downs, I am considering giving it another “real try” this time.

I have an MM bongo 6 up for sale or trade. And almost had an nxt but that fell through. But still out there for trade.

So I guess the question is. Do I “settle” for a wav? At this point, I don’t need “modern” or wide variety of tones, just a good player with a good upright tone.

i suppose I am asking if versatility of tone is not an issue. Is the wav a good way to go or is it just a starter and really a mistake?
Click to expand...

I played a US series NS-Design 6-string for over a decade. The current EU6 is almost identical. It was a fabulous instrument with a unique voice, but IMHO it did not sound like an upright bass. Rather the tone was more like a fretless bass guitar with a really strong fundamental and super long sustain. IMHO the reason to buy the WAV or one of the other NS Design bases is specifically for the unique voice. So you need to try one IMHO.

The higher end Yamaha Silent Basses are the only EUBs I have played that really get close to approximating the sound and feel of an upright bass: SLB300 - Overview - Yamaha - United States For the price of an SLB300 you could probably get into a decent hybrid upright bass.

Other EUBs I have tried include the original Clevinger and the Eminence. The Clevinger I had sounded more like an upright than the NS Design, but this is because the strings were super high. It was really hard on my hands.

The Eminence had a bit of an acoustic quality because of the small acoustic body, but it still had way too much sustain and not enough thump. Also I found the Eminence wanted to rotate on the end pin. Since the bass's body is so small you can't really brace it against your own side like a real upright.
 
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#3
What would you get if you didn't have to "settle"?
And how much do you care about getting an acoustic-like tone?

I bought a second-hand WAV4 to find out whether this EUB thing was a serious interest or a passing fancy. That was more years ago than I want to admit, and I've since bought a nicer model, though I still have the WAV as a backup and a source of different tones.

The two things that specifically bothered me about the NS design are the single pivot-point for the stand, specifically the fact that it does pivot instead of staying where you put it, and it being designed for shorter strings.
You can work around both things, but my workaround for the pivot is a dirty hack and it looks like one, and I don't fully trust those little screws to hold the tension of full-length strings.

As @Wasnex says, the NS models have their own voice. They're based closely on key elements of an acoustic upright bass, but realistically need to be treated as an instrument in their own right. If that's what you want, they deliver. But if you really want an acoustic-ish sound, then you'd best look at one of the other options.
 
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#4
I’d mainly recommend an eub that plays as similar as possible to the real thing. The wav does that with some modifications. (The stand, it misses a heel and might need different tuners because you need actual DB strings). There are better options out there (see Wasnex’s post). The Wav works for me as an easy to transport rehearsal instrument, but I modded the hell out of it to get closer to the feel of my DB. But if you’re willing to spend some money to see if you like DB I’d spend it on a DB. You can only learn the proper technique if you also have to do the work to get a decent volume and tone and work the tension of actual DB strings.
 
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#9
I've been playing an NXT5 since December, and been very happy with it. I waited a while, and managed to get a deal on a used one. A few dings but fully functional. Came with the upgraded NS Design stand. Everything I've read about the WAV has convinced me I did the right thing to wait and reach for the 'better' model. As for sound, I'm not overly troubled about how close it is to a real DB, I like it for what it is, and it's very flexible sonically.
 
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#16
Luigir said:
This is the 34" version. IMHO it's far far away from being a double bass. To me it's more a take on the electric bass.
Click to expand...

I had a zeta cross over.. i would qualify as a db like object. It was kinda cool. But to me a odd duck fretless bass guitar that did not do anything all that well. . And not any sort of eub. In my limited experience you need the scale to give the feel, thump and focus of a db..

I could see getting an Omni bass to do as a 5ths cello like object.. but that is not what what i am after right now..
 
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#19
For me, the NS basses are more of an electric fretlesss bass guitar. Coming from double bass, I miss the neck heal at the correct position and don't feel good with that thing on a 3 leg stand. I would much preferre the Eminence or one of the MK models. For me the currently available Yamaha EUBs might be good, but much overprized.
 
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#20
Ludwig said:
For me, the NS basses are more of an electric fretlesss bass guitar. Coming from double bass, I miss the neck heal at the correct position and don't feel good with that thing on a 3 leg stand. I would much preferre the Eminence or one of the MK models. For me the currently available Yamaha EUBs might be good, but much overprized.
Click to expand...

From the NS factory and with their “Contemporary” strings I’d agree that the NS is more of a large fretless BG. But, raise the bridge, install some proper DB strings, add either the NS neck heel or a brass brad nail (I’ve done both at different times), then get away from the tripod stand by using the endpin version and it gets pretty darn close. Properly tweaked I easily switch between my acoustic upright and the NS.

If the OP is stuck on the NS, start with DB strings and raise the bridge (to 6 ish mm on the G, 8-9 is mm on the E). Beware DB strings “can” be pricy though, so you might try used strings first (or maybe Jargers). Then add the neck heel or a brad nail, then the endpin stand.

That said, the MK is a terrific bass in sound and feel. For me, I still like the NSD form factor with the endpin. Well that and the sound. Oh and adding the neck heel (or brass brad nail) is/was a good decision too.

John
 
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