Upright Bass for the Modern Gigging Bassist
The NS Design WAV5 double bass captures the essence of the acoustic upright bass, making it ideal for bassists entering the world of electric instruments. The first thing acoustic players will notice about the WAV5 is how compact and lightweight it is compared to an acoustic. The WAV5 doesn't skimp on sound, however. Its solid maple body brings fullness and clarity to every note you play. And whether you're bowing or plucking, the WAV5's Polar Pickup System produces top-notch plugged-in tone. You'll love the playability of the WAV5's coform fingerboard, and interchangeable support systems ensure a customized playing experience. The NS Design WAV5 Double Bass is a stellar combination of design, performance, and affordability.
Flexible design and meticulous construction
At Sweetwater, we know that gigging musicians are looking for maximum flexibility out of their gear. The WAV5 is compact, lightweight, and tailor-made for bassists that are on the move. This electric upright bass sports a solid maple body and neck, which deliver the richness and clarity you demand, and its flexible Polar Pickup System tailors to your playing style, whether you're aiming for a traditional acoustic response for bowing and percussive plucking, or an even, sustained plucked sound that's more suited to jazz. Interchangeable support systems (sold separately) optimize your playing comfort.
Custom-designed electronics deliver the sounds you need
The NS Design WAV5 sports a self-powered, custom Polar Pickup System. A pizz/arco switch optimizes the pickup's response for plucked or bowed playing, giving you the control, clarity, and richness you want from a bass, no matter your playing style. The WAV5 uses a passive circuit with high-impedance output that doesn't require a battery. NS Design's innovative JackPot potentiometers work differently than standard pots. Instead of continuously grounding a portion of the signal, the JackPot has a rotary switch that delivers 100% of the signal to your amp, DI, or mixer. You get all the output you need and a full range of tone that works with any system.
Coform fingerboard — a high-tech alternative to traditional tonewoods
Pairing maple with a high-tech acrylic formula, NS Design's Coform fingerboard material was designed in the interest in environmental conservation as well as innovation. Coform has an ebony-like appearance, yet it has less friction than wood for fast playability. The coform fingerboard features uniform thickness throughout, and is harder and more durable than ebony or rosewood. And NS Design explains that its uniform acrylic surface "enhances harmonic content, strengthening the lows and extending the highs for a fuller, more dynamic, articulated and sustained response."
The latest Steinberger masterpiece
Ned Steinberger breathed new vision and life into stringed instruments when he introduced the L2 bass at Summer NAMM in 1979. Innovatively designed without headstocks, the L2s astonished the music world, and prototypes were quickly sold to such esteemed players as John Entwistle of The Who, Tony Levin of King Crimson, and Andy West of Dixie Dregs. Since then, Steinberger basses and guitars have continued to impress musicians - and engineers - the world over. Their cutting-edge Headless Tuning systems make way for stability never thought possible, while their Radius body shape, Fusion necks, and EMG humbucking pickup systems allow for an extensive range of tonal possibilities.
NS Design WAV5 Features:
- Realistic bowed and pizzicato upright sounds in a portable package
- Authentic upright bass 41.73" scale length
- Solid maple body and neck with asymmetrical conform fingerboard
- Polar Pickup System with pizz/arco selector switch tailors to your playing style
- Passive control circuit - no batteries needed
- Comes with the NS Design tripod stand
- Optional heavy-duty CR Tripod Stand, Bass End Pin Stand, and Boomerang/Frame Strap Systems
