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Double Bass Which NS designs electric upright

I'm just back from playing the WAV4, NXT4, and CR4 at my local music store. These are all out of the box, no setup and the standard strings. The WAV4 sounded like a cheap EB now matter how I changed the the settings on it and my AI Ten2 amp. The NXT4 sounded much better, more "resonant" and just felt better in my hands than the WAV4. The CR4...WOW! If you can afford the $2500 or so price tag, is amazing. I was able to quickly dial in a UB sound that was very pleasing to my ears. If I had the $$, IMHO the CR4 would be the best to go with.

Thanks. That is the kind of info I am longing to get. I want to know how much is it worth to make the leap from NXT4 to CRM4 giving the steep price. I find myself wanting more tone flexibility than the one available on the NXT as I find myself always turning the tone knob all the way towards the left.
 
The knobs provide EQ adjustment, as well as your amp. Some acoustic uprights can be very bright, even when bowed. You want to mix that treble, not eliminate it.

You can see my CR5B looks different, yet. The battery is in the bottom compartment, by the output jack:


P1010054.JPG


P1010053.JPG
 
They won't sound terribly acoustic. I have an NXTa with old Bel Cantos on it, and it does sound good; the problem is that it has no acoustic resonance chamber to give that woody, hollow-body sound. The only EUB that I know of that really sounds somewhat acoustic is the Eminence because it has a large resonance chamber.

Hey, how does the E string sound? I have had spirocores on my bass for a while and while I LOVE the sound but I'm going in a more arco direction ATM. I tried a G and liked it enough to order the D&A but I'm still on the fence on the E because most posts I've read in the strings forum say it's weak of not punchy.. but that is mostly acoustic players and Francois [who just always seems to have a very different experience than I do with strings... ]. Also has anyone tried the Bel Cantos B string? BTW I have a older CR5M
 
Wasn’t sure what the Polar pickup was?
The Polar system uses piezos mounted in the bridge. This type of pickup will have not problem sensing the vibrations of gut strings.

The NS Design bass I had used both magnetic and Polar pickups. I didn't really care for the sound with the Polar pickups soloed, so guts would not have been a good choice for me.

Some of NS Design models only have Polar pickups, so no worries with these.
 
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It depends on how you want to play it.

Polar(tm) piezo info:
The Polar™ Pickup System | NS Design

And:

BRIDGE PICKUP: The Polar directional piezo pickup system responds selectively to either vertical vibration (for the sustained plucked sound, like an electric bass guitar), or lateral vibration (for dynamic bowing, and a percussive plucked sound).

MAGNETIC PICKUP: Low impedance EMG magnetic pickup system, with individually adjustable coils, neodymium magnets and low noise, hum-canceling preamp. Produces smooth pizzicato tone not unlike an electric bass guitar. (Magnetic pickups are not recommended for bowing.)

From here:
CR Omni Bass | Ultimate Form, Function and Performance | NS Design

In my photo, you see that model has both types.
 
Hey, how does the E string sound? I have had spirocores on my bass for a while and while I LOVE the sound but I'm going in a more arco direction ATM. I tried a G and liked it enough to order the D&A but I'm still on the fence on the E because most posts I've read in the strings forum say it's weak of not punchy.. but that is mostly acoustic players and Francois [who just always seems to have a very different experience than I do with strings... ]. Also has anyone tried the Bel Cantos B string? BTW I have a older CR5M

Sooo I got a D&A and wonderfull. I ordered the E. I'm keeping the spirocore B because for whatever reason it responds to a bow better than the other spirocore strings I had on the bass.. it's funny.. this is the 2nd EUB I've had the same string on.. I've been using it since 04...
 
Hi guys,

I was thinking about getting a baby bass but I've just seen this video and I'm now considering a NS Design as well. Did anybody manage to get his NS to sound like this?

I know the salsa bassists often buy solo strings and tune them a step lower. I'm also using a HX Stomp so I should be able to somehow replicate the EQ curve.



Also, seeing how the date is 1.4. it just might be that he recorded the track with a baby bass and than played it exactly the same with the NS (or vice versa). That would be pretty funny.
 
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Hi guys,

I was thinking about getting a baby bass but I've just seen this video and I'm now considering a NS Design as well. Did anybody manage to get his NS to sound like this?

I know the salsa bassists often buy solo strings and tune them a step lower. I'm also using a HX Stomp so I should be able to somehow replicate the EQ curve.



Also, seeing how the date is 1.4. it just might be that he recorded the track with a baby bass and than played it exactly the same with the NS (or vice versa). That would be pretty funny.


I question how much of what we are hearing is the NS Design and how much is the original recording.

The US Series bass I played was setup with the original D'Addario strings, and it had incredible sustain and very little thump. It was sort of the opposite of a Baby Bass.

IMHO a Baby Bass is really the best for that type of sound, and there are people making modern versions that capture the sound very well.
 
Not going to spend $300 on guts if they won’t work! Anyone from NS Design want to chime in?

I don't think it's a matter of whether the guts will work. My point is the NS Design basses don't tend to sound or respond much like an acoustic upright. So installing guts on an WAV bass is no guarantee you will get the experience you are after.

In addition to the strings, you may need to do some work on the setup to include the notches on the bridge and nut to get the bass to perform at it's best. It's been a several decades since I played guts, but as far as I remember they have considerably larger diameter than conventional strings.

@Bob Gollihur 's website mentions setting up the WAV with different strings [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Maybe he he has experience with guts as well.