NS Design CR4 Double Bass

List Price:  £3,305.00UK Price:  £3,295.00 - Inc. 20% VATSave:  £10.00 (0%)Worldwide:  £2,745.83
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NS Design Frame Strap SystemNS Design Frame Strap System
NS Design Custom Flight CaseNS Design Custom Flight Case
NS Design Bass BowNS Design Bass Bow
NS610 Traditional Double Bass StringsNS610 Traditional Double Bass Strings
NSFW610 Contemporary Double Bass StringsNSFW610 Contemporary Double Bass Strings

NS Design — For The Perfect Performance

The NS CR Series Double Bass, with its exceptional versatility and tonal quality, has long been an indispensable tool for the serious bassist and is one of the most popular electric uprights amongst professional players.

Available in 4 and 5 string models, the lean, solid body CR Series Double Bass is made from select maple and ebony. The full scale fingerboard is graduated for consistent response from note to note, with adjustable relief and bridge height to suit all playing styles. The NS Polar™ bridge pickup system combines great sound with directional sensitivity, for a rich and expressive response to pizzicato and arco technique.

"Boasts impeccable craftsmanship from a country with a reputation for quality upright bass building. Its clean aesthetics, excellent playability, and great sound put it ahead of the pack" — Bass Player Magazine

The NS CR4M and CR5M models additionally feature EMG™ magnetic pickups which further expand the performance possibilities to include classic, modern electric bass sounds, as well as an astonishing pure, acoustic tone. 

The CRT 4 and 5 string models are designed for players with more "traditional" tastes, preserving the standard 106cm upright scale length and ensuing that fingering and string tension are consistent with those of acoustic upright double basses. 

Several interchangeable support systems are available for the bass: the self supporting tripod stand (supplied), a more conventional end pin stand and a choice of NS Design shoulder strap systems for full mobility.

Maple Body & Neck

The body and neck of the CR Series Double Bass are crafted from solid European hard maple, with a flame maple face. The neck has a traditional upright shape, but with extended access to the upper register of the fingerboard. The solid-body design enhances sustain and clarity and is resistant to the adverse effects of temperature change and humidity

Ebony Fingerboard

The seasoned ebony fingerboard is hand graduated to ensure that each note is even and buzz free.  An adjustable truss rod allows for precise relief adjustment for different strings and playing style. Small dots across the neck provide accurate position markers.

NS Polar Bridge Pickup System

The Polar™ pickup system can sense either lateral or vertical string vibration - or both! Set in the lateral mode, the pickup has unparalleled sensitivity in the direction of the bow. In the vertical mode, plucked notes are remarkably even and sustained.

EMG Magnetic Pickups (on CR4M & CR5M Models)

The low-impedance EMG pickups incorporate individually adjustable coils and neodymium magnets. Each coil is buffered separately for a full sound quality with very low noise

Active EQ & Mixer

Controls include volume, a toggle switch to select the mode of the Polar pickup and individual bass & treble controls. On the CR4M & CR5M and additional blend control allows the ouput of the magnetic and piezo pickups to be mixed to your taste. The 18 volt power supply insures plenty of reserve overhead for full dynamics.

Adjustable Bridge

Two screws in the back of the body are used to adjust the bridge up and down. This allows the instrument to be set up to meet the requirements of many different playing styles.

Accessories

Adjustable CR Tripod Stand
Heavy duty steel construction; Full height and tilt adjustments allow the player to select the ideal position, seated or standing.

Padded Gig Gag
Padded tube with handle and shoulder strap, 137 cm (54") long; 18cm (7") in diameter. Loaded weight is 8.2kg (18lbs), including stand. Fits in the overhead luggage compartment of most commercial aircraft.

Optional Extras

CR End Pin Stand
Offers full freedom of movement. Height, tilt and "right bout" angle are fully adjustable providing a more conventional feel. Weight 2.3kg (5lbs).

CR End Pin Conversion Kit
Attaches the NS CR End Pin Stand to the CR Series Tripod Stand to hold the instrument upright for on-stand performance or when not in use. 

Boomerang Strap System
Provides full mobility and the freedom to play in virtually any position, with instant adjustment for bow and pizzicato technique, without stress and fatigue.

Frame Strap System
A light frame structure is supported by a single guitar style strap extending over the left shoulder. This holds the bass in the correct positions for both pizz and arco styles and offers full mobility and amazing comfort.

Flight Case
Aluminium edged plywood, 145cm (57") long; 25cm (10") wide; 25cm (10") high. Loaded weight is 22kg (48lbs), including stand.

Construction Solid rock maple neck & body with flame maple face
Finish Traditional amber stain with clear semi-gloss polymer coating
Fingerboard Macassar Ebony; 43.1mm (1.7") wide at nut; 89.0mm (3.5") max. width
Bridge Black phenolic; radius 79mm (3.1"); string spacing 93mm (3.66")
Nut Macassar Ebony; radius 79mm (3.1"); string spacing 30mm (1.19")
Bridge Pickup NS Polar™ directional piezo pick-up system
Electronics 18 volt active circuit by HAZ Laboratories. Mono output.
Controls Volume, Polar™ pickup blend (between pizzicato/arco modes), Treble & Bass Cut/Boost
Truss Rod Double rod design, accessible at nut
Tuning Machines Schaller 20:1 ratio, fully encased worm gear tuners; black finish
Length 132cm (52")
Width 15cm (6")
Thickness 10cm (4")
Weight 4.8kg (10.5lbs)
Scale Length  106cm (41.73")
Strings NS Design/D'Addario stainless steel flatwound strings
Stand Steel, fully adjustable, standing tripod design (Weight 3.2kg / 7 lbs)
Gig Bag Padded tube with handle & shoulder strap, 137cm (54") long; 18cm (7") in diameter. Loaded weight 8.2 kg (18Ibs), inc. stand

The NS Design Polar™ Pickup System

THE POLAR™ PICKUP SYSTEM allows the player to select the direction of response to control attack, sustain, and bow response characteristics. The result is an exciting new dimension in string instrument performance, featuring:

  • Powerful dynamics
  • Rich, full sound
  • High sensitivity to the bow
  • Sustained pizzicato
  • Extended versatility

As a player, you may not think about the direction your strings are vibrating, or even be aware that string vibrations on a musical instrument are polarized in relation to the fingerboard and the motion of the plectrum and bow. Yet direction is one of the most significant factors influencing the tone and response of a stringed instrument. In fact, instruments from the violin family are different from the lute or guitar in large part due to the effects of string polarization.

The bow drives the string back and forth in the direction of the bow, while at the same time it suppresses the up and down vibration. You can see this effect with the naked eye by watching the wide excursion of the lowest strings when bowed. From the front, you can see a wide lateral pattern of string vibration, but looking from the side you can see almost no pattern at all. Instruments in the violin family have a tall bridge in combination with an asymmetrical support structure of bass bar and sound post that efficiently translate the sideways motion of the bowed string into sound.

The Polar pickup responds with a high degree of lateral sensitivity and vertical rejection that is tailored to mirror the polarity of the bowed string. The result is a remarkably dynamic, rich tone that responds effortlessly to the bow.

The Polar pickup takes this concept one step further, and is able to switch from lateral to vertical sensitivity, which is ideal for pizzicato. Unlike the violin, a flattop guitar or lute respond in the vertical direction, to minimize the plucked attack and store energy for longer sustain. With the touch of a finger, the polar pickup can switch from lateral to vertical mode. In the vertical mode the attack is controlled for a sustained, singing pizzicato response. The lateral mode has the opposite effect, and the plucked response is extraordinarily percussive, like a traditional bowed instrument, only more so. This dual capacity allows the player to control attack and decay, adding new expressive potential to the violin family of instruments.


All NS Design instruments are equipped with the dual-mode Polar Pickup System.

On EU and CR Series instruments, active bass and treble EQ controls combine with the Polar pickup options to provide tremendous tonal range. Additional magnetic pickups, switching and associated pre-amp circuitry vary from model to model.

 

CR Series

Sophisticated and versatile instruments, built to deliver outstanding performance.

NXTa Series

Featuring innovative, custom built, high performance, battery-free active electronics.

WAV Series

Affordable passive instruments featuring NS Design's Polar™ Pickup System.

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