For the bassist entering the world of the pure electric upright, the NS Design WAV Series offers a combination of design, performance and affordability exceeding any other instrument in its price point. True to the NS tradition, the WAV readily captures the essence of an acoustic double bass, yet opens up a wide range of new sonic possibilities.
The piezo-powered, passive electronics deliver an amazingly natural tone with unlimited overhead for extraordinary performance without the need or hassle of batteries whilst the NS patented Polar™ Pickup System offers the modern bassist unlimited expressive potential and a range of powerful dynamics.
The WAV upright bass is available in 4 or 5 string models with a choice of stunning color choices.
The WAV Series proudly shares the same elegant, modern body design, ergonomics and performance support options of its European built NXT and CR companions and delivers the same rich, full tone and clarity you would expect from a Ned Steinberger Instrument.
The WAV Double Bass features a solid straight grain maple neck and body with a gorgeous flame maple face (with a choice of Amberburst, Transparent Red and Transparent Black stained finishes) or a striking Brilliant White solid maple face. The graduated rosewood fingerboard features asymmetric relief for easy playability in every position while the adjustable bridge and two-way truss rod allow the player to radically adjust the neck relief and string heights to suit the music and personal playing style.
Pizzicato and arco techniques have almost unlimited expressive potential, thanks to the unique Polar™ Pickup System which combines two separate piezo transducers mounted in the bridge that respond selectively to either lateral or vertical vibration. A convenient toggle switch gives players the choice to select a traditional arco mode for percussive attack and a dynamic bowed response, or the pizzicato mode for a smooth, uniquely even, and sustained plucked sound.
Equipped with NS610 Contemporary Bass Strings by D'Addario™, the WAV Double Bass is also compatible with most standard electric or traditional acoustic upright bass strings. In combination with the easy adjustment of its basic set-up parameters, this versatile instrument is adaptable to suit all styles of music.
Compact and lightweight, the WAV Double Bass is an excellent instrument for musicians on the move. It comes equipped with a self-supporting WAV/NXT tripod stand with full adjustment for height and angle and a padded gig bag with a carry handle, adjustable shoulder strap and separate pouch compartments for stand, bow and accessories. The gig bag, with an approximate loaded weight of 11.2kg/25lbs (including stand), will fit in the overhead compartment of most commercial aircraft.
As all NS Double Basses share the same mounting system, a wide array of additional, interchangeable support systems make the NXTa Double Bass adaptable to virtually any situation :
End Pin StandOffers full freedom of movement, with height, tilt and right bout angle fully adjustable for a more conventional feel. Weight 2.3kg (5lbs).
End Pin Conversion KitConverts the CR Tripod Stand into a support for the End Pin Stand.
Boomerang Strap SystemProvides 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 SystemA lightweight frame structure supported by a single guitar-style strap extending over the left shoulder that holds the bass in the correct positions for both pizz and arco styles with maximum mobility and amazing comfort.
Custom Flight CaseAluminium edged plywood, 145cm (57") long x 25cm (10") wide x 25cm (10") high. Loaded weight is 22kg (48lbs), including stand.
Download the WAV DOUBLE Bass User Manual
All NS Design electric concert instruments are equipped with the dual-mode Polar™ Pickup System, a remarkable innovation that allows players 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 a rich full sound, powerful dynamics, enhanced bow sensitivity, sustained pizzicato and 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 differ 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 suppressing the up and down vibration. You can see this effect with the naked eye by watching the broad 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 which, in combination with an asymmetric support structure of bass bar and sound post, efficiently translates 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 specifically tailored to mirror the polarity of the bowed string. The result is a remarkably dynamic, rich tone that responds effortlessly to the bow.
The system also takes this concept one step further, being able to switch from lateral to vertical sensitivity, which is ideal for pizzicato. Unlike the violin, a flat top guitar or lute responds in the vertical direction, minimising the plucked attack and storing energy for longer sustain. 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 limitless new expressive potential to the violin family.
On EU and CR Series instruments, active bass and treble EQ controls combine with the Polar Pickup to provide tremendous tonal range. Additional magnetic pickups, switching and associated pre-amp circuitry vary from model to model.
I bought the WAV4 as a new string to my bass guitar playing. I also bought it after recently buying the WAV4 violin (the instrument I learnt for 11 years as a kid) and being suitably impressed by it’s design, playability and sound. After getting to grips with the larger string length and spacing, I find the WAV4 solidly built. I’m only plucking and so have had the pickup in pizz. mode only, which gives a rich, full tone with a significant sustain. It has a low action that suits me, but I think may need to be modified if you wish to play slap (which can be easily done by raising the bridge). The position markers are particularly useful for a beginner to the instrument.As for the Bass Centre, well they delivered as they said with no fuss.
