That would be bow with an L, not at the end (pin intended).

Rick,
 
Funny you should bring up the vertical/horizontal issue, in relation to the way you pluck/strike/stroke the string. The Polar pickup system is supposed to be a set of directional pickups, one for the vertical component of the vibration, which is more relevant if you play pizzicato, and one for the horizontal component, which is more relevant when you play arco. From what I understand, the NS has two volume controls to blend the two signals?
 
NLP,
 
Thanks for the input - I guess you can't play arco without a bit of rosin (resin?) to prep the hairy bits. Are you saying that a German bow is more suited to strong and loud playing, and a French bow more to delicate and agile? Would it be easier to start with German (no pun available) and later on take up French?
 
The Ns strings are said to be made by d'Addario, so I assume they're not directly the el-cheapo type. Anyway, let's see if they can get me started. The el-espensivo type seems carry a hefty price tag, pushing even 34 Pyramid flats into the 'vey affordable' category.

Rick,
 
You mentioned putting TI db strings on your CR4 - but which ones?
 
Browsing through the TalkBass discussions, I found a link to a couple of direct-to-digital recordings that someone did with an NS CR4M and a couple of different types of strings.
 
I especially like the sound of the TI Belcanto - others have a modern buzz to them, that I don't really care for. The buzzy types seem to have lots more sustain, so I guess that's a trade-off. Of the buzzy types, the Helicore Hybrids seemed to be the least zingy.
 
Anyway, on another thread, someone suggested TI Flexicore was a less expensive alternative for Belcanto.
 
And which length does one need - 3/4 or 4/4?
 
Thanks in advance!

Adriaan,
 
I used a classical TI string - I think Belcanto is probably right, but I can't recall the precise name.  3/4 scale.
 
Rick

Rick,
 
Classical, as in: not buzzy? From those sample recordings on an NS ...
 
TI Belcanto
... what I would call classic ...
 
d'Addario Helicore Hybrid
... a little buzzy, but not too bad ...
 
d'Addario Helicore Pizzicato
... metallic and buzzy ...

Sorry Adriaan,
 
those links don't seem to work for me.  But the short answer is yes.
 
Rick

Short answer is fine with me! Correct, the links in my previous message don't work - use this instead.

Did you buy the one at Bass Connection last Saturday, Adriaan? Last Tuesday I wanted to check it out, but it was sold. Luckily Edwin has immediately ordered another one. I'll give it a good testdrive tomorrow and big chance it's coming home with me!
 
Wilfred

Hi Wilfred,
 
After your posts on TalkBass I was assuming it was you who bought it ... I'm planning a visit this Saturday, if Ed still has one or two in store.
 
Keep us posted!

 

  Here's mine, it's hard work for every note, but I love it!  Wilfred

Looking sharp!

Congrats Wilfred. Great looking bass.
 
BTW - I always really like the photographs you post here. I can't think of anyone else that posts B&W. Very nice.
 
Peace
Tom

Thanks Tom, I have a thing with B&W photography, just love the atmosphere. With software like Photoshop it's very easy to make a nice B&W picture from an avarage colour pic.
 
Wilfred

Hey Adriaan, just out of curiosity: did you indeed testdrive and buy a WAV 4 today? I was at Edwin's yesterday and he had two of them in stock, one amberburst and one in a quite rare blueburst finish that I also liked, although I prefer the amberburst.
 
Wilfred

I really like the look of the new WAV basses, particularly the softer rounded countours.  Some of my bandmates refer to my CR4 as my Home Depot bass, owing to its resemblance (in the minds of the uninitiated) to a sawn 4 x 4.
 
Tom, thanks for posting the pics.
 
Rick