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Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar
https://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11547
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Author:  Gerald [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

Hi guys,
Some time ago i saved up my money for a 6 string warwick bass. But then i saw a used Railboard and i took the chance and bought it :D (Dreamed of a stick since 25 Years, when I first saw one)
Some months later I saw I used Grand -> I couldn´t resist :lol:

Money gone - but I still need a bass. (No - I will not sell any of my sticks)

For me feeling and playing is the stick a totally different from a Bass.
But I can´t reach the expression on the stick playing basslike BUT also, i don´t get the expression tapping on the bass.

My Question: Is the NS Stick playable like a bass?
I play very dynamic from hammering with the whole hand to caressing the strings.
I saw Don slapping - but very tender.

On the other hand there are Touchguitars which I would compare to the NS Stick. They seem to be similar (Strings, Tuning etc)
My Question: Has anyone played all 3 instruments (Bass, NS Stick, TG) and can compare them?
Why TG: They are interesting for me because they are produced 500km away from my home and not 15000km (Service, Taxes etc)....

lg Gerald

Author:  greg [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

Hi Gerald,

I suggest you get in touch with Don directly about this. He uses the NS as a bass on recording sessions and gigs all the time. It's his go-to session bass, even over conventional basses...

Facebook is probably your best avenue.

Author:  MichNS [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

I just replaced my twelve+ year old NS with a new one, Wenge body with Wenge neck. I used to have a four string Warwick fretless and I have played a fretted six string Warwick also. I like my NS better. I still have my 4 string Zon bass, but do not play it much. I realize I'm only commenting on part of your question, but if you want that full Wenge instrument like Warwick, Emmett does deliver. Bonus you get two more strings. The NS also has a better balance in my opinion.

Author:  Skydiver [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

I think the NS is totally like a bass... but what kind of bass?
For me it's a modern sounding bass with lots of support in the low end.
It can also be a very cut through tone like what Gary Jibilian does.
It's not a P-Bass... I don't think there is anything out there that can replace a P-bass...
It's not a Rickenbacker either...

So I guess the question is: What kind of bass tone are you looking for?


There is a bit of adjustment when going from playing a bass to playing the NS/Stick since the setup is very different. Can't dig in the same way you do on a bass but you can still dig in. You can pluck, pick, tap, strum, slap, etc... It's really made for a bassist with the string spacing on the bass side.

Don is the man... you can reach out to him on facebook and I'd be happy to answer any questions as well.

Author:  rwkeating [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

The NS can be set up for tap or playing regular bass style but it is a compromise that usually results in right hand plucking being way lighter than on a standard bass. That's fine if you are willing to work on playing that way.

I have not played a Touchguitar, but their string spacing is about 10mm at the bridge. That spacing would make it very hard to play with tradition bass right hand plucking. You could however play in a classical guiatr right hand approach (seems to becoming more popular with some bassists.)

Kyle McCann gets a good "standard" bass sound from the NS. He taps in the beginning of this video, but then plays a bass part. There is an earlier video that demonstrated it better, but I can't find it now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzINffx-c2Q

Here are links to 2 articles I wrote on the NS that may be helpful to you.
article 1
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002144 ... Index.html
article 2
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002144 ... Index.html

Author:  WerkSpace [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

I like Greg's Bass tone in this video.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YZO_A6QJ1A[/youtube]

Author:  Gerald [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

greg wrote:
Hi Gerald,

I suggest you get in touch with Don directly about this. He uses the NS as a bass on recording sessions and gigs all the time. It's his go-to session bass, even over conventional basses...

Facebook is probably your best avenue.

Hi Greg,
Thanks, I will do that

Author:  Gerald [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

MichNS wrote:
I just replaced my twelve+ year old NS with a new one, Wenge body with Wenge neck. I used to have a four string Warwick fretless and I have played a fretted six string Warwick also. I like my NS better. I still have my 4 string Zon bass, but do not play it much. I realize I'm only commenting on part of your question, but if you want that full Wenge instrument like Warwick, Emmett does deliver. Bonus you get two more strings. The NS also has a better balance in my opinion.


Hi Steven
thanks for that thought.
It brings me nearer to the NSStick side. :lol:
I´m playing my 5 String Warwick fretless since 2002 and there is nothing compareable to that
Greetings gerald

Author:  Gerald [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

Skydiver wrote:
I think the NS is totally like a bass... but what kind of bass?
For me it's a modern sounding bass with lots of support in the low end.
It can also be a very cut through tone like what Gary Jibilian does.
It's not a P-Bass... I don't think there is anything out there that can replace a P-bass...
It's not a Rickenbacker either...

So I guess the question is: What kind of bass tone are you looking for?

Hi Dean
If it sounds not as a Ricky, Fender J or P I think this will go a good direction.
Its funny, I played all of the 3 but I don´t like them all for different reasons :lol:

The problem is. I don´t know anyone who plays a NS in Mid Europe for testing it. and the sounds i get via youtube arent the same as hearing it live.
Or did I oversee someone in Austria/Germany?
Gerald

Author:  Gerald [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass vs NS Stick vs Touchguitar

Hi Russel,
rwkeating wrote:
I have not played a Touchguitar, but their string spacing is about 10mm at the bridge.


Thanks for that, 10mm is too much guitarstyle....

rwkeating wrote:

Here are links to 2 articles I wrote on the NS that may be helpful to you.
article 1
l

thanks I know them - Its kind of a bible for those who are interested in an NS ;)

Greetings Gerald

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