NS Designs announces Czech-made low price EUB
(Dave Molter | Posted 2009-12-16)
NS Designs made news in 2006 by introducing the NS WAV Electric Upright Bass (EUB), made in China and the first truly affordable alternative EUB by a major manufacturer that came in with a street price of under $900. Now comes NXT Series Double Bass ,crafted in the Czech Republic by the makers of the renowned NS CR Series, which sells in the $3000 range. The NXT carries a street price of around $1200.
The NXT shares many of the ergonomic characteristics of the WAV (see my review of the WAV at http://www.musicgearreview.com/reviews.php?man=NS Design&cat=Bass_Guitars&mod=NS WAV EUB) but improvements in wood and manufacturing techniques make it a step up from its Chinese cousin. The NXT features a solid maple body and neck (WAV is beechwood body & neck) and a graduated ebony fingerboard (WAV is rosewood). Both basses have a piezo bridge pickup with a switch that allows the pickup to alternate between pizzicato and arco. Also like the WAV, the NXT uses either special NS design strings or standard double bass strings, and it can be mounted on the included tripod stand or used with an optional endpin kit or NS Design strap system. (Tony Levin plays his American-made NS Design bass using the strap, but I wouldn't advise it unless you're over 6 feet tall.) A padded gigbag also is include in the price.
Given my experience with the WAV and Steinberger bass guitars, plus the better craftsmanship of its Czech Republic makers, I expect the NXT to be a quality product and well worth the additional $300 in price over the WAV. Available in black or amber finishes.
