King Tut Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 OK peeps - I keep reading on here about how awful the original strings are on NS EUB's. I want to be able to sound more acoustic bass like - and thought changing the strings might be the way to go..... But what should i get. I love playing the thing and I'd hate to spend the best part of £100 and find it's much more difficult to play! Looking forward to your thoughts, Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 [quote name='King Tut' post='88255' date='Nov 14 2007, 09:32 AM']OK peeps - I keep reading on here about how awful the original strings are on NS EUB's.[/quote] Really? First I've heard about it - is it the strings on the Czech CR series or the Chinese Wav basses that are s'posed to be awful? I'm quite happy with the original D'Addario-made NS strings on my NS CR-5M. String choice depends whether you have piezo-only or the additional EMG magnetic pickups. If your bass is piezo only it might be fun to try the cheap "weedwacker" strings from this chap: [url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Fantastic-Musical-Instruments"]http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Fantastic-Musical-Instruments[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 I've got a CR4M. I have to say, i get on OK with the strings - could maybe do with a bit more tension though. Just going on other threads I'd looked at - thanks for the link. Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 (edited) I think the problem most people have with the original strings is that they sound more like a fretless bass than a double bass, this is certainly what i've found; and they are horrible if you use a bow! I can wholeheartedly recommend Corelli made by savarez, not easy to get in the uk but i got a set here: [url="http://www.gollihurmusic.com/category/5-STRINGS.html"]http://www.gollihurmusic.com/category/5-STRINGS.html[/url] a fairly thin string with a bit more tension than the NS (but not too much) and work well with the magnetic pickup. I paid £100 for a 5 string set (a 4 string set is currently $105) so they're well priced too! (I've always liked these on double bass too, especially for jazz.) daf Edited November 14, 2007 by daflewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 hey col, i've just noticed where you are.... i'm in Amptill - only 20 mins from milton keynes so if you want to try the corellis on an NS stick i'd be happy to meet up! daf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I put some D'Addario Helicore HH610 3/4 strings on my CR4 and they sounded excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 [quote name='daflewis' post='88380' date='Nov 14 2007, 01:17 PM']I think the problem most people have with the original strings is that they sound more like a fretless bass than a double bass, this is certainly what i've found; and they are horrible if you use a bow! I can wholeheartedly recommend Corelli made by savarez, not easy to get in the uk but i got a set here: [url="http://www.gollihurmusic.com/category/5-STRINGS.html"]<a href="http://www.gollihurmusic.com/category/5-STRINGS.html" target="_blank">http://www.gollihurmusic.com/category/5-STRINGS.html[/url]</a> a fairly thin string with a bit more tension than the NS (but not too much) and work well with the magnetic pickup. I paid £100 for a 5 string set (a 4 string set is currently $105) so they're well priced too! (I've always liked these on double bass too, especially for jazz.) daf[/quote] Okey Dokey Daf - i've taken advantage of the good exchange rate and ordered a set - fingers crossed! Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 Ooooh - thanks for the offer - Just fired off the order before I picked up your offer of a tryout. Are they still having bands at The Albion Arms - played there a while ago - not to keen on the venue TBH - got out alive though! Cheers Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 sorry about that! should have been quicker off the mark! well if you don't like them i'll take them off your hands for what you payed for them; can't say fairer than that!! as for the albion arms, it's not a place i know, but i'm trapped in the world of musical theatre so i don't get out much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 Well - that's jolly decent of you Daf!! The Albion is pretty 'spit and sawdust' but at least they promote live music - which has gotta be good! Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 hi col, just wondering ifyou've received those strings yet, and if so, what you thoughts are on them?..... he asked nervously..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted November 24, 2007 Author Share Posted November 24, 2007 Picked them up today - just about to put them on. Blimming post office and there £8 international handling charge - what's that all about!!?? I actually gigged my NS last night for the first set of our gig doing soft rock stuff - it sounded excellent - just feel a bit rooted to the spot - I like to move about if I can - I'll post once the strings are on, Regards Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 [quote name='King Tut' post='93774' date='Nov 24 2007, 02:56 PM']feel a bit rooted to the spot - I like to move about if I can[/quote] You could try one of these, tike Tony Levin: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ns_design_strap_system.htm"]NS Bass Strap System[/url] I though about getting one when I first bought my CR5M, or maybe the [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ns_design_eps.htm"]endpin stand[/url], but I got used to the standard tripod and I think I'll stick with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted December 16, 2007 Author Share Posted December 16, 2007 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='93864' date='Nov 24 2007, 06:11 PM']You could try one of these, tike Tony Levin: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ns_design_strap_system.htm"]NS Bass Strap System[/url] I though about getting one when I first bought my CR5M, or maybe the [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ns_design_eps.htm"]endpin stand[/url], but I got used to the standard tripod and I think I'll stick with it.[/quote] Thanks jean - Luc - I thought about one but it's a lot of money to pay for freedom (what price freedom eh??!!) Daf - I've put the strings on and gigged them - I thought - reading other posts - that 'real' double bass strings would make a world of difference - they are better, but not as much better as I thought they would be. Having said that - for arco, they're much better - with the NS strings the bow kept 'snagging'. I really appreciate your recommendation however - I do prefer the corelli strings over the NS so I'm pleased I bought them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 [quote name='King Tut' post='105056' date='Dec 16 2007, 09:09 PM']Thanks jean - Luc - I thought about one but it's a lot of money to pay for freedom (what price freedom eh??!!) Daf - I've put the strings on and gigged them - I thought - reading other posts - that 'real' double bass strings would make a world of difference - they are better, but not as much better as I thought they would be. Having said that - for arco, they're much better - with the NS strings the bow kept 'snagging'. I really appreciate your recommendation however - I do prefer the corelli strings over the NS so I'm pleased I bought them.[/quote] It could help to adjust the action on the NS. Mine turned from a big fretless bass into an OK substitute for a double bass when it is just impossible to get to the gig with a double bass, with a few turns of an allen key to raise the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) [quote name='owen' post='106234' date='Dec 18 2007, 10:51 PM']It could help to adjust the action on the NS. Mine turned from a big fretless bass into an OK substitute for a double bass when it is just impossible to get to the gig with a double bass, with a few turns of an allen key to raise the bridge.[/quote] that's true, mine is up as high as it will go and it is definitely much better for it... fnar fnar.... Col, i'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to you... and that you weren't as impressed as i'd hoped you would be, if you would like to try something a bit heavier i have a set of helicore hybrids that went on my stick and came straight back off again - (the problem with them is that they don't work well with the magnetic pup) but if you would like to experiment with a heavier string you're welcome to give them a try. [font="Arial Black"][size=2]Blimming post office and there £8 international handling charge - what's that all about!!??[/size][/font] oh dear... think i got away with that one.... :blush: sorry! that said, now you've had the corellis on for a while, any further thoughts? daf Edited January 31, 2008 by daflewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 [quote name='daflewis' post='131182' date='Jan 31 2008, 11:00 AM']that's true, mine is up as high as it will go and it is definitely much better for it... fnar fnar.... Col, i'm sorry it's taken so long to get back to you... and that you weren't as impressed as i'd hoped you would be, if you would like to try something a bit heavier i have a set of helicore hybrids that went on my stick and came straight back off again - (the problem with them is that they don't work well with the magnetic pup) but if you would like to experiment with a heavier string you're welcome to give them a try. [font="Arial Black"][size=2]Blimming post office and there £8 international handling charge - what's that all about!!??[/size][/font] oh dear... think i got away with that one.... :blush: sorry! that said, now you've had the corellis on for a while, any further thoughts? daf[/quote] Thanks for the offer Daf. To be honest I haven't played it that much of late, but I've got a bit of duo work coming up that hopefully I'll use if for - so I'll persevere with what I've got for a bit. I'm going to lift the action a bit and I've also picked up a Behringer acoustic simulator that I'm gonna experiment with. I'm In the process of recording 'moondance' as a demo, using the NS with the acoustic simulator - I'll let you know when I post it on our myspace site so you can have a listen. Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 [quote name='King Tut' post='131322' date='Jan 31 2008, 03:04 PM']Thanks for the offer Daf. To be honest I haven't played it that much of late, but I've got a bit of duo work coming up that hopefully I'll use if for - so I'll persevere with what I've got for a bit. I'm going to lift the action a bit and I've also picked up a Behringer acoustic simulator that I'm gonna experiment with. I'm In the process of recording 'moondance' as a demo, using the NS with the acoustic simulator - I'll let you know when I post it on our myspace site so you can have a listen. Col[/quote] accoustic simulator.... nope, never heard of it! but you've definitely piqued my interest - i look forward to hearing it. cheers, daf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I'm using Helicore Hybrids and the action is raised so I can just about slip my little finger between the G string and fingerboard at the bottom end. Did a gig last week and the guys didn't notice I wasn't on URB until half time. The singer didn't notice until two numbers before the end - but what do you expect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='bassace' post='131828' date='Feb 1 2008, 11:21 AM']The singer didn't notice until two numbers before the end - but what do you expect?[/quote] yeh, the hybrids are a good string, just a shame they didn't seem to work well with the magnetic pup... i think half the battle with getting that upright sound is making you really work hard for every note ....unfortunately i take it you just use the piezo with those strings? Edited February 1, 2008 by daflewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 [quote name='daflewis' post='132051' date='Feb 1 2008, 04:57 PM'] yeh, the hybrids are a good string, just a shame they didn't seem to work well with the magnetic pup... i think half the battle with getting that upright sound is making you really work hard for every note ....unfortunately i take it you just use the piezo with those strings?[/quote] Yes, a lot of the sound comes from the right hand, doesn't it. I am just using piezo because I didn't get much of a blend from the mag. Are you telling me that hybrids won't work with the mag - I thought they should (doh!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 (edited) [quote name='bassace' post='132265' date='Feb 1 2008, 10:21 PM']Yes, a lot of the sound comes from the right hand, doesn't it. I am just using piezo because I didn't get much of a blend from the mag. Are you telling me that hybrids won't work with the mag - I thought they should (doh!)[/quote] yeh, i found that they just don't seem to have enough steel in them to give a decent signal to the mag, even though they have a steel core... whereas, bizarrely, the corellis' have a good strong tone with the mag but have a rope core and just nickle winding... very strange.... bob gollihur talks about the how different strings work with a mag - doesn't have the hybrids there unfortunately but does mention the corellis, for example [url="http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1452-CORELLI_370_UPRIGHT_BASS_STRINGS_SETS.html"]http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1452-...RINGS_SETS.html[/url] Edited February 2, 2008 by daflewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 [quote name='daflewis' post='132444' date='Feb 2 2008, 10:29 AM']yeh, i found that they just don't seem to have enough steel in them to give a decent signal to the mag, even though they have a steel core... whereas, bizarrely, the corellis' have a good strong tone with the mag but have a rope core and just nickle winding... very strange.... bob gollihur talks about the how different strings work with a mag - doesn't have the hybrids there unfortunately but does mention the corellis, for example [url="http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1452-CORELLI_370_UPRIGHT_BASS_STRINGS_SETS.html"]http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1452-...RINGS_SETS.html[/url][/quote] I know you're a Corelli fan and I must try some sometime, once I've got used to the Stig - I find that after a URB you have to be a lot more careful with the intonation because it speaks more readily. This also means that if you're used to playing in front of the beat, as I am, on an EUB you're even more infront! Ah happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 (edited) [quote name='bassace' post='132599' date='Feb 2 2008, 03:27 PM']I know you're a Corelli fan and I must try some sometime, once I've got used to the Stig - I find that after a URB you have to be a lot more careful with the intonation because it speaks more readily. This also means that if you're used to playing in front of the beat, as I am, on an EUB you're even more infront! Ah happy days.[/quote] yeh, i know what you mean the tone and the attack of an EUB really are half way back to an electric, i guess maybe it's largely down to there being much more midrange than with a URB?? as far as the corellis are concerned - i've been a fan since i tried them on a friends bass about 15 years ago, but strangely, i actually use obligatos on my current (of about 6 years) URB.. probably because more recently my URB playing has been much more classicaly orientated so i wanted a darker more mellow sound that the synthetic core gives. that said i have been meaning to try the corellis on this bass - trial and error is such an expensive business!! Edited February 14, 2008 by daflewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 bassace - just read my last post - what i meant was that i use obligatos on my URB not my EUB doh! i've corrected the last post - it might make some sense now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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