NS Design NXT5a Omni Bass

List Price:  £1,980.00UK Price:  £1,925.00 - Inc. 20% VATSave:  £55.00 (3%)Worldwide:  £1,604.17
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NS Design Frame Strap SystemNS Design Frame Strap System
NS Design CR Tripod StandNS Design CR Tripod Stand
NS Design Bass BowNS Design Bass Bow
NS Design Custom Flight CaseNS Design Custom Flight Case

The NXT Series Omni Bass, with the familiar 34" bass guitar scale, is designed for the bass guitarist interested in adding the character and expressiveness of an acoustic double bass to his performance palette.


Combining the tonal purity of an upright bass with the awesome power of a full-blown electric, the NXT Omni Bass is the perfect cross-over instrument for players with a more conservative budget.

Available in 4 & 5 string configurations, with a choice of Amber Sunburst or Black Satin finishes, the NXTa Omni Bass is produced in the Czech Republic with the same meticulous care as NS Design's renowned CR Series and features the same, self-powered NS Polar™ Pickup System, which captures the essence of plucked or bowed playing with stunning richness, control and clarity.

The NXT Omni Bass responds to the bow with a natural and expressive voice, combining powerful bass resonance with brilliant harmonics. Its strings are easily driven, making it possible for bassists with little bowing experience to add this beautiful dimension to their music. The passive on-board electronics eliminate the need for batteries and incorporate NS Design's innovative JackPot™ potentiometer in the volume and tone controls, ensuring that the NXT Omni Bass delivers a robust output and full-spectrum tone for the ultimate sound with any system, in any musical style.

34" Scale


The 34" scale length of the Omni Bass is the same as standard electric bass. Tuned in fourths (E-A-D-G for the 4 string Omni Bass or B-E-A-D-G or E-A-D-G-C for the 5 string model), the fingering positions and spacing are identical to the bass guitar, and therefore immediately familiar to any bass player.

The Omni Bass can also be tuned in fifths (C-G-D-A / C-G-D-A-E) for fingerings that are more natural for the cellist seeking enhanced bass range.

Solid Maple Construction


The solid maple body and neck, together with the graduated ebony fingerboard, deliver a rich, full tone that rings true for every note. The adjustable bridge and truss rod allow for low, fast action, or for higher string settings that encourage the traditional acoustic player to 'dig in' with gusto.

TransRadius™ Fingerboard


All fretless Omni Bass models now feature the TransRadius™ fingerboard which employs a unique compound curve to provide the comfort and ease of a nearly-flat profile as the fingerboard approaches the nut, while transitioning to a curvature optimized for either plucked or bowed performance at the bridge.

For a left-hand feel which is familiar to an experienced bass guitarist the radius at the nut is 9.25", whilst at the end of the fingerboard near the bridge the radius is just 2" - large enough to maintain good string-to-string articulation with the bow, yet still comfortable for pizzicato (plucked/picked) style. The transition from nut to bridge features a carefully calibrated asymmetric convex curvature, providing optimal fingerboard relief at each position and facilitates an even 'growl' from the higher strings and a clear, powerful lower register.

The result is a remarkably comfortable, even feel for every style of performance. Bass guitarists will find the Omni Bass even more inviting than ever as a "cross-over" instrument whilst traditional upright players will find the TransRadius design familiar since many upright basses are designed with some degree of compound fingerboard curvature.

For even greater control, players can adjust the two-way truss rod to tailor the neck relief to their particular needs.

Cascading Position Markers


Dots for each semi-tone cascade across the fingerboard, a unique configuration that provides a clear visual fingering reference. The logical dot pattern is of critical value to the novice player, and an invaluable reference guide for the seasoned pro.

Dual Mode Output


New NS Design dual mode signal output electronics take the convenience, versatility and performance capability of the NXTa to another level.

Active Mode - Using the supplied charger, the NXTa connects into any AC outlet for 60 seconds, powering the capacitor-powered active circuit for up to 16 hours of performance time. The instrument can then be plugged straight into any low or high impedance device, no direct box necessary.

Since there is no signal loss over the full frequency spectrum of the instrument, the fundamentals of every note remain clear and strong, even with extra-long cables.

Passive Mode - The NXTa can be played in this mode when using a direct box or an amplifier with high impedance input. This mode provides performance capabilities identical to the original NXT.

Eco-Friendly Operation - NXTa instruments are battery-free, eliminating the hassle and cost of batteries while helping protect our environment.

Polar™ Pickup System


The Polar™ Bridge Pickup System combines great sound with directional sensitivity for a rich and expressive response to both Arco and Pizzicato techniques allowing the player to optimize bowed response and to control attack and decay characteristics for plucking. The Omni Bass responds to the bow with a natural and expressive voice, combining powerful bass resonance with brilliant harmonics. The strings are easily driven, making it possible for bassists with little bowing experience to add this beautiful dimension to their music. In either mode, the deep bass and brilliant highs possible with piezo crystal technology give the instrument a beautiful, dynamic, and versatile sound. 

The NXTa Omni Bass can be played using any amplifier with high impedance input, or with any other gear using a direct box. 

Interchangeable Support Systems


NS Boomerang Strap SystemThe Boomerang Strap System is standard with the NS Omni Bass. Two articulated arms and a pivoting hub allow full mobility on stage or in studio. The comfortable Boomerang strap fits over the shoulder just like a guitar, but the adjustable arms allow the instrument to be placed in virtually any position in relation to the hands and body. The Boomerang Strap System allows full mobility for either bowing or plucking.

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

The optional, self-standing CR Tripod Stand provides stable fixed support for the instrument. Virtually any angle can be set whether you prefer standing or sitting.

The optional NS Design End Pin Stand provides a more traditional upright bass feel. It too is easily adjustable so that the instrument remains evenly balanced without support and - with the addition of the End Pin Conversion Kit - can be "parked" on the NS Tripod Stand, holding the instrument upright for on-stand performance or secured when not in use.

NS Omni Bass Strings by D'Addario™


The Omni Bass is equipped with a dedicated string set developed in collaboration with industry leaders D'Addario.

Featuring a stranded steel core with stainless steel and tungsten windings, these precision polished, low-tension flatwound strings are effortless to play and uniquely responsive, producing singing highs and a deep low register with greatly minimized finger noise.

The bright pizzicato growl provides an authentic traditional acoustic tone, yet these strings deliver plenty of sustain and drive when you need it. They also respond much quicker to the bow than traditional bass strings, so an expressive bowing technique is easier to develop and maintain. 

The Omni Bass is also designed to accommodate any standard long scale bass guitar strings, adding unlimited set up options for musicians who want to explore & create their own unique sound.

Transport


A padded gig bag is included as a standard accessory with the NS Omni Bass. It includes a stand compartment, bow compartment, accessory pocket, handle and adjustable strap. Loaded weight is 6kg (15.2lbs) including stand, and it will fit in the overhead luggage bin of most commercial aircraft.

An optional Flight Case is also available, constructed from aluminum edged plywood and measuring 145cm x 25cm x 25cm (57" x 10" x 10") with loaded weight of approximately 18kg (40lbs) including stand.

  << NS Design NXTa Omni Bass User Manual

 NS Design NXTa Omni Bass

Construction Solid, straight grain maple body & neck
Finish Black Satin with maple face or Sunburst with flame maple face
Fingerboard Hand graduated, TransRadius™ Ebony fingerboard; Intonation referenced with cascading dot markers & side dots
Bridge Pickup NS Polar™ directional piezo pick-up system
Electronics Toggle switch for Polar Pickup Balance (between pizzicato/arco modes) • Rotary volume control with push-pull selection between ACTIVE and SELF-POWERED output mode • Tone control (treble roll off)
Truss Rod Single Action, accessible at nut.
Tuning Machines 12:1 ratio, fully encased worm gear tuners, black finish
Length 111.8cm (44")
Width 15cm (5.7")
Thickness 10cm (4")
Weight 3.2kg (7.0lbs)
Scale Length 34" (86.4cm)
Strings NS Design/D'Addario Flatwound, Medium tension, Stranded Steel Core (NS710 + Low B, or High C)
Strap NS Boomerang™ Strap System
Gig Bag Padded gig bag with handle, back-pack style strap and external compartments for bows, stands and accessories

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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