Upcoming birthday...NS WAV or NXT?

[NancyJohnson]

My wife is asking what I want for my birthday and I'm again looking at dipping my toe into the EUB field.

 

I'll profess that while I've been playing regular basses for 30+ years, I've only played double basses/EUBs maybe twice in that period(!), but like to think I made a decent fist of it (I got a small round of applause in a bar in Budapest).  Whether they're decent or not, I do like the design of the NS WAV and NXT basses, and of course, why would I bother with a four string when budget either way allows for a five? 

 

So, the WAV5 or the NXT5a.  Looking at the product descriptions, they look very similar although the NXT has a dual truss rod, an active electronics circuit but weighs 800g more.  I assume the WAV is made in the far east and the CR is from the Czech Republic (similar to the Legend and CR Spector basses).  I'm fortunate enough to be in the position where I could go for either, but I do like to have nice stuff and I know if I got the WAV I'd be questioning why I didn't go the extra ££ and get the NXT.

 

I'm just trying to justify to myself that the extra ££ is worth it, or whether (for instance) it would be better to get the WAV and maybe use the difference (c.£600) on buying a second Darkglass 1x12.  Oh the dilemma.

 

Anyone got experience of both?

[Lfalex v1.1]

I have an NS CR5, and it's really well made. 

Definitely go with a 5, opens up lots of possibilities that a 4 might not. 

 

If the choice were mine, I'd go with the NXT.

[hummergeist]

I haven't got a WAV but I do have the NXT5a EUB and the NXT5a Omni. They are both beautifully put together and I'd urge you to go for the NXT if you can afford it!

[NancyJohnson]

I think I'll go with the NXT, simply because I can, I suppose.

 

If everything pans out, I'm thinking it might be fun to record a video diary if sorts to cover how I get on.

[Staggering on]

2 hours ago, NancyJohnson said:

 

 

 

If everything pans out, I'm thinking it might be fun to record a video diary if sorts to cover how I get on.

That sounds like a good idea and I will be watching for it to see how you get on with the NXT.

(My bass history is like yours, 30 years EB then a Stagg about six years ago, then a Yamaha SLB200 and finally DB and I'm loving it.)

[NancyJohnson]

Just an update.  Visiting the Bass Centre and picking up an NS Design NXTa 5-string double bass on Friday.  I can't actually have it until December 1st, but prices are going up, so get it now.

[NancyJohnson]

Ha-haaaar!

 

[Lfalex v1.1]

Will we get to see it before December? 🤣

[NancyJohnson]

I'm forbidden to open it, but it's the NXTa 5 String.  Spent an hour over at the Bass Centre catching up with Barry and Chris.

 

 

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

You really should get it out of the box to check that everything works as it should and it hasn't been damaged in transit.

[ezbass]

12 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

You really should get it out of the box to check that everything works as it should and it hasn't been damaged in transit.

That’s a very good point. You can always put it back.

[NancyJohnson]

I picked it up from the Bass Centre in Bagshot (they're the UK NS distributor), I've known Barry for decades and he's given me his assurance that if there is any problems, he'll resolve them.  They're only ten minutes from me.

 

I'm cool leaving it in the box!

[CameronJ]

Still resisting temptation are we @NancyJohnson…?

[NancyJohnson]

2 hours ago, CameronJ said:

Still resisting temptation are we @NancyJohnson…?

 

It's still in the box, yep!  Five weeks to go.  This is what we were waking up to then:

[NancyJohnson]

24 days.

 

🤣

[NancyJohnson]

15 days.

 

Actually getting a little excited now.

[Hellzero]

You must be...

 

 

😉

[NancyJohnson]

Having a good long think here...can't actually remember the last time I felt the aching pang of excitement that I would have had in my childhood.  

 

 

[Huge Hands]

A little tip from me - if it comes in the same design of soft case as my NXT-5 did, don't use the long strap as an over-the-shoulder thing to have it upright on your back.

 

I used to carry mine in and out of London on the train like that until the night the strap broke and it fell backwards and hit the edge of the pavement, chipping the headstock.   I was heartbroken.

 

I still love it with all its war wounds though!

 

[Grahambythesea]

I’m surprised the strap broke, mine seems pretty tough, but I guess I only carry out to the car and then into the venue.

[Huge Hands]

It tore away from where was attached to the bag near the headstock.  I got a replacement bag from the shop as it was less than a year old at the time but the new one didn't look any different or stronger.

[NancyJohnson]

Six days...

[Lfalex v1.1]

"Are we there yet?"

[NancyJohnson]

Next Wednesday.

 

😘

[NancyJohnson]

Day after tomorrow.

 

😀